LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
February 08/09
Bible Reading of the
day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
according to Saint Mark 6,30-34. The apostles gathered together with Jesus and
reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves
to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great
numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat
by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know
about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the
place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was
moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he
began to teach them many things.
Saint Zeno of Verona (? – c.380), Bishop
Sermon 'De spe, fide et caritate', 9; PL 11, 278/"His heart was moved with pity
for them"
O charity, how good, how bountiful you are! They possess nothing who do not
possess you. You it was who could make of God a man. You caused him to humble
himself and forsake, for a while, his great majesty. You held him captive for
nine months in the Virgin's womb. You healed Eve in Mary, renewed Adam in
Christ. For the salvation of this fallen world you prepared the cross...O love,
to clothe that which was naked you were pleased to become naked. Hunger is as a
lavish feast for you if some poor, starving person should eat your bread. Your
fortune consists in bequeathing all you possess to works of mercy. You alone
have no cause to be besought. You hasten to give succor to the oppressed even at
your own expense, whatever the distress into which they have been cast. You are
eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, a trusty shield for widows and orphans...
You so love your enemies that none can perceive in you any distinction between
these and your friends. O love, it is you who unite the mysteries of heaven with
the things of this world and the mysteries of this world with the things of
heaven. You are the guardian of what is of God. It is you who, in the Father,
govern and ordain all things; who are the obedience of the Son; who rejoice in
the Holy Spirit. Because you are one in each of the three Persons, you cannot be
divided... Flowing from the spring of the Father, you pour out yourself wholly
in the Son without leaving the Father. With good reason it is said that «God is
love» (1Jn 4,16) since you alone are the one who directs the power of the
Trinity.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters &
Special Reports
The anniversary of striking the
stability “agreement”-Future News 07/02/09
A revolution that deserves its
martyrs. Future News 07/02/09
Report: Mughniyeh's Israeli Killers Infiltrated
to Syria from Kurdistan'-Naharnet
07/02/09
Report: Russian-donated MIG-29 to Lebanon
"unsafe"-Xinhua 07/02/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for February 07/09
MP,
Zahra calls the “Lebanese Forces”
supporters for a mass participation on February 14th-Future
News
Hezbollah too good for
accountability-Future News
Minister
Shams Eddine confirms the presence
of illegal eavesdropping and Ogassapian considers it a necessity to the state.Future
News
Nadim Gemayel tours Beirut’s first
constituency-Future
News
Sfeir: If Power Shifts to March
8 Forces There Would Be Historic Mistakes-Naharnet
Geagea: March 8 Using Threat Logic after Losing Hopes of Winning Elections-Naharnet
30,000 Immigrants Expected to Vote in Lebanon Elections-Naharnet
Lebanon Advised to 'Wait' Before Accepting MiGs amid Reports Russian Warplanes
'Unsafe'-Naharnet
Teeming Ain el-Hilweh, Fears over Palestinian Divisions-Naharnet
Report: March 8 Supporters Open Fire on Mustaqbal Activists in Tripoli-Naharnet
Berri Okay with Sunni Heading Planning Ministry-Naharnet
U.S.
Warning: Netanyahu's Coming to Power Strengthens Possibility of War against
Lebanon-Naharnet
Airforce bombs targets in south Gaza-Jerusalem
Post
Bassil: I Hold Security Apparatuses Responsible for my Safety-Naharnet
Aoun: We And Hizbullah
Agree On Same Principles-Naharnet
Suleiman: 3 Dangers
Threaten Lebanon-Naharnet
Sleiman urges security forces to stay away from politics during elections-Daily
Star
Cabinet agrees to allow wiretapping for 15 days-Daily
Star
Safety concerns raised over Russian military aid-Daily
Star
Qabalan says more development needed in south-Daily
Star
Army
warns two northern MPs of potential attack-Daily
Star
Gemayel cites need to implement Resolution 1701-Daily
Star
Hizbullah rejects calls for peace with Israel, urges resistance-Daily
Star
Cluster bomb wounds volunteer de-minerDaily
Star
Special Tribunal 'won't indict suspects right away-Daily
Star
NGO
aims to curb incitement in online media-Daily
Star
Passengers of freighter seized by Israel return home with tales of abuse-Daily
Star
Report: Mughniyeh's Israeli
Killers Infiltrated to Syria from 'Kurdistan'
Naharnet/The Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot has said in a report that the
assassins of Hizbullah commander Imad Mughniyeh were Israelis who infiltrated
from 'Kurdistan' into Syria. The paper said that operational planning for
Mughniyeh's Feb. 2008 assassination started with the arrest of Ali Moussa
Daqdouq, a Hizbullah 'foreign operations' official, near Karbala, Iraq, in
January the same year. Iraqi security forces later handed over Daqdouq to U.S.
intelligence agents who also questioned him regarding Mughniyeh. The man has
reportedly provided the CIA with many details about Mughniyeh, including his
phone numbers. The Americans, according to Yediot, provided the Israeli Mossad
with all the information unveiled by Daqdouq. The paper said that Mughniyeh was
assassinated because he committed one big mistake.
The mistake was that several people knew that he would visit Iran's new
ambassador to Damascus, on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the Islamic
revolution on Feb. 12. The paper added that the Israeli assassination team
sneaked into Syria from Iraqi-Kurdistan in three vehicles and monitored
Mughniyeh's move a day before his assassination, including wiretapping his phone
line. According to Yediot Aharonot, the Israeli team reached Mughniyeh's
Mitsubishi Pajero and exchanged the headrest with another loaded with
explosives. The Israeli team did not use a time bomb because it feared
unforeseen changes. Once Mughniyeh was seen seated next to the driver's seat,
the headrest blew up by remote control, the paper said. Yediot Aharonot added
that Israel fears Hizbullah and its backer Iran would avenge Mughniyeh's killing
on the first anniversary of his assassination. Beirut, 07 Feb 09, 09:33
Report: March 8 Supporters Open Fire on Mustaqbal Activists
in Tripoli
Naharnet/March 8 supporters have reportedly opened fire on Mustaqbal movement
members driving through the northern port city of Tripoli as part of a campaign
to mobilize people for the fourth anniversary of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's
assassination. Al-Mustaqbal newspaper said Saturday that supporters of the March
8 coalition fired on the vehicles touring the Zahriyeh area, injuring several
people. It said security forces immediately dispersed the crowds and set up
checkpoints to enforce law and order, according to the daily. The March 14
coalition has been calling for a huge turnout to mark Hariri's fourth
assassination anniversary next Saturday.
Beirut, 07 Feb 09, 12:10
Sfeir: If Power Shifts to March 8 Forces There Would Be
Historic Mistakes
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir has voiced fear about some attempts
to remove President Michel Suleiman and warned of "historic mistakes" if March 8
Forces come to power. "If power shifts to March 8 Forces and March 14 Forces
ceased to have power, mistakes would be committed that would weigh historically
on the national fate," he said in an interview with the weekly al-Massira
magazine. "Everybody has to bear the responsibility," Sfeir stressed. "Some
errors could have grave consequences." He said some people wanted to replace
Suleiman which could "seriously tip the balance" in favor of the minority March
8 alliance.
"The centrist (parliamentary) bloc is subject to a strong local and regional
campaign. This bloc would bring equilibrium to political stagnation" in the
country, he said.
The Patriarch said deep divisions among Christians were reflecting negatively on
the "fate of the Christians in Lebanon," and warned that Christians alone from
among other sects in the country do not control their differences. Sfeir
criticized the presence of armed groups outside state control.
"Every self respecting state must be responsible for the arms within it," he
said. Beirut, 06 Feb 09, 22:42
A revolution that deserves its
martyrs
Date: February 7th, 2009 Source: Future News
Every February, we remember what was planned for this month of the year, and the
great hopes that were expected out of the Shopping Festival President Martyr
Rafic Hariri purposely launched in February hoping to resuscitate the small
exhausted country and reinstate it on the world arena to compete economically
with the greatest and wealthiest entities.
Rafic Hariri wanted one of the most depressive months of the year to flourish
and prosper, except one of its days were lovers and teenagers exchange their
love vows their own way, before it turned to a memory that doesn’t need a
calendar to remind us. 14th February has turned since 2005 into a date that
doesn’t announce the arrival of Valentine’s Day and the red roses flow, but the
start of the martyrs’ season that spreads on the rest of the months of the year.
If we have started by February, this doesn’t mean we are trying to play down the
importance of the martyrdom of those whom we commemorated their anniversary
during the last few months, but to get back to the beginning… The beginning
where we are supposed to look for our wrong calculations that led us to the
fundamental question us the sons of 14 March revolution should ask, and almost
hear the voices of the martyrs, victims, orphans repeat: Has our revolution
deserved its martyrs? Have their will been executed? Are they satisfied with the
outcome of their principles and expectations that were carried by more than 1
million people who defied almost everything and rallied in the streets and
squares of Beirut on March 14?
On the 5th anniversary, we probably feel ashamed to stand by the Martyr
President’s shrine, so we would not have to answer him how the Lebanon he
unified turned to be today. Are we worthy of all these sacrifices we made to
stop the machine of the death that watches us again?
On this fifth birthday of the revolution, can we tell Samir Kassir or Georges
Hawi that their independence goals have been reached and that the symbols of the
Syrian tutelage are only a memory? And that the Syrian embassy in Beirut at
Hamra Street, still awaits that an ambassador installs himself in it, in a clear
message of the way Damascus continues to treat Lebanon.
On this fifth birthday of the revolution, can we repeat after Gebran Tuéni that,
we Muslims and Christians will remain eternally united? Can we tell Walid Eido,
Antoine Ghanem, Pierre Gemayel, François al-Hajj and Wissam Eid that the
international court will return them justice, whereas a main party implied in
the pursuits, declared not to have the intention to hand to the justice those
whom the court will prove guilty? So that the revolution is worthy of its
martyrs, it would be necessary to pursue the goal to build the state of which
our big men dreamed: a free, independent and democratic Lebanon, a State of
right and justice. The revolution gave its martyrs so that Lebanon becomes a
State nation not a bazaar for the Persians or a souk for the Syrian régime.
Zahra calls the “Lebanese Forces” supporters for a mass
participation on February 14th
Date: February 7th, 2009 Source: NNA
“Lebanese Forces” parliamentary bloc MP Antoine Zahra called the supporters of
the “Lebanese Party” in Batroun to participate heavily in the 4th anniversary of
the assassination of the Martyr President Rafic Hariri and his companions like
they did on the occasion of the Mass in memorial of the martyrs of the “Lebanese
Forces” in previous years. Zahra headed a meeting at his office in Batroun that
discussed preparations for a “wide range and effective” participation on the
occasion of February the 14th and “recent electoral developments”Zahra confirmed
that the occasion is vital to all “March 14” followers as “the martyrdom of
Martyr President Rafic Hariri launched the independence uprising and the
national unity”, declaring “the demonstration will be under the banner of the
Lebanese flag”.
He concluded that the victory of “March 14” in the upcoming elections is almost
“assured and the other party cannot change the result unless if it succeeds in
fragmenting us” noting that “March 14 leadership will announce its electoral
lists at the proper time”.
The anniversary of striking the stability “agreement”
Date: February 7th, 2009 Source: Future News
As the “Aounis” celebrate the third anniversary of their “Understanding
Agreement” with “Hezbollah”, Michel Aoun, the General of accords at the expense
of principles, appeared on the Hezbollah-run TV station Al- Manar to claim that
his sacred agreement “blocked the way for striking the Lebanese national
stability”.
Aoun described the results of the agreement as “Great” despite the fact that the
Christians benefit from such a great understanding was having “Aoun’s ally”
picture along with saints on the rosary stones; and the Lebanese only profit was
burning tires, blocked roads and other practices that confines all semblances of
legitimacy in the country. Aoun claimed to be the patriarch of Christians, yet
he didn’t dare to take a step towards unifying them.
The presidency mania
The Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir who is keen to preserve the
unity of Christians, attacked MP Michel Aoun whose presidency “mania” drove him
away from the historic Christians’ principles.
Patriarch Sfeir said “some want to take the place of President Sleiman” and
warned against the victory of “March 8” in the upcoming parliamentary elections
being a “historic mistake”.Sfeir raised the issue of illegitimate arms in
lebanon noting “every state that respects itself must be in charge of arms on
its territory”.
Sfeir hailed the equilibrate role of Sleiman who warned against three dangers
facing Lebanon “the threats of Israeli, the Lebanese fragmentation and terrorism
that the army fought against fiercely”.He expressed concern of “the impact of
inter- Christian division on the Christian presence in Lebanon warning in an
interview with “Al-Massira” magazine saying that unlike other sects “the
Christians do not put restraints for internal differences”.
Arslan’s embarrassment
Meanwhile, Minister of Youth and Sports Talal Arslan was the first to express
his annoyance of the head of the “Democratic Gathering” parliamentary bloc Walid
Jumblatt’s most recent positions who insinuated to a possible alliance with
House Speaker Nabih Berry in Hsbaya- Marjeoun Kaza.
Arslan renewed his alliance with “Hezbollah” and “FPM” and other parties in the
forthcoming parliamentary elections.
The absurdity of “March 8”
Amid the heated preparation for the widest public participation on the fourth
anniversary of the assassination of the martyr PM Rafic Hariri and his
companions on February 14 to renew support for the International Tribunal,
“March 8” militia men, in the north, attempted vigorously to thwart the event by
shooting at “Future Movement” procession of cars roaming the area of Zaherieh-
Tripoli which resulted in wounding several people rushed to the area hospitals.
Hezbollah too good for accountability
Date: February 6th, 2009 Source: Future News
“No one can try Hezbollah in Lebanon”, head of the Information and Communication
Parliamentary committee Hassan Fadlallah bluntly declared.
With these words member of the “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc resolved the
wiretapping issue for which the opposition mobilized all its potential towards
Nejmeh square yesterday, hoping it would corner the parliament’s majority.
The majority’s response came firm: freedom is a red line, and wiretapping is an
exclusive right of legitimate institutions within the framework of the law.
“It is the dramatic fall of “March 8” forces, they’ve tried to dig traps and
fell in instead,” parliament sources told al-Mustaqbal.
“Minister of Telecommunication Gebran Bassil was cynically exposed after having
withheld information from the International Inquiry Commission and the
government, and abstaining to cooperate, “the sources explained.
During the session, Minister of Justice Ibrahim Najjar confronted Minister
Bassil, of the “Change and Reform” bloc, with the truth, as that latter remained
silent thus proving his “scandal”. “After you abstained from giving the
International Inquiry Commission the information, I sent you a written request
for the same purpose and you didn’t comply, and I asked General Issam Abu Jamra,
a friend of mine, to mediate, yet you still didn’t respond, thus I asked the
President of the republic to interfere”, Najjar told Basil.
Bassil remained silent as Najjar spoke.
Nicola’s Manners
The parliament agreed on tackling the wiretapping issue within the legitimate
institutions starting from implementing law no.140 and establishing a
parliamentary inquiry commission to follow up the issue, the issue of the
illegal wiretapping was predominantly tackled.
Parliamentary sources described MP Hassan Fadlallah’s defense of Hezbollah as
“the logic of the jungle law”.
For his part, member of the Democratic Gathering MP Antoine Andraous asked
Fadlallah to step down from his position as head of the Information and
Communication Parliamentary committee, because his party (Hezbollah) owns an
illegal communication network out of the state’s control.
Fadlallah didn’t comment on the illegal wiretapping and just ignored the issue,
while his ally at the “Change and Reform” bloc MP Nabil Nicolas attempted to
throw Andraos with a bottle of water.
“It is an attempt to replicate May 7, within the meager potentials of the Change
and Reform bloc which didn’t have the chance to participate in the aggressions
against Beirut and Mount Lebanon”.
Jumblatt to Martyr Hariri: Justice will prevail
In a separate context, Head of the Democratic Gathering bloc MP Walid Jumblatt
considered that the side responsible for the Ministry of Telecommunication is
“hostile, as it is affiliated with the Syrian Regime”, accusing it of
“attempting to hamper the work of the International Tribunal”. Jumblatt pointed
out that “officers of the former rule are being infiltrated into Lebanon 2 weeks
before the Tribunal’s launch”.
Jumblatt called, during a televised interview to the LBC on Thursday, to go to
February 14 “calmly”, adding “our battle to maintain the diversity of Lebanon is
refined, and I do not agree to go to February 14 to revenge for May 7”.
He addressed Martyr President Rafic Hariri “justice will prevail even if
belated” as he reiterated “yes for truce, no for settlement”.
Nayla Tueini... Following Gebran’s lead
Following her father’s lead, Nayla Gebran Tueini announced her candidacy for the
upcoming parliamentary elections for the Orthodox seat in the first Beirut
constituency, on Thursday from the Archbishop of Beirut for the Greek Orthodox.
Tueini who was escorted by her Grandfather the dean of Dar An-Nahar MP Ghassan
Tueini asserted that she will follow the footsteps of her martyr father hoping
she would be “up to the responsibility”.
MP Michel El Murr reiterated that the electoral battle in Metn is a battle of
“sizes” between him and MP Michel Aoun, adding “in our list we are allied with
Sheikh Amine Gemayel in the Christian Moderation list”.
For his part, President Amine Gemayel, who met Pope Benedict the 16th in the
Vatican on Thursday, welcomed this direction that would reunite the people of
Metn.
The Fraternity voyage
On another level, a prominent security development emerged as the Israeli
maritime forces attacked the “Fraternity” Lebanese ship loaded with humanitarian
aid and heading to Gaza. The Israeli forces stopped the ship and disrupted the
communication systems in it then drove it to Ashdod port to investigate with the
passengers.
At 2 am on Friday, Israel handed in 8 Lebanese, who were aboard the ship, at
Naqoura crossing to the UNIFIL which handed them in to the Lebanese Army.
Shams Eddine confirms the presence of illegal eavesdropping
and Ogassapian considers it a necessity to the state
Date: February 6th, 2009 Source: Future-News
Minister of State for management and developmental issues Ibrahim Shams Eddine
asserted that the state is subject to illegal eavesdropping from a foreign
country and Lebanese factions. On the other hand, State Minister Jean Ogassapian
pointed to the right of the security services to have information enabling them
to follow terrorist networks in Lebanon and that shouldn’t be restricted in time
or place. Ogassapian added: “The security services and the Lebanese army do not
want to spy on people or to have the content of their SMS; however they want to
control communications in Lebanon to specify certain issues and analyze them
with a special program, but March 8 forces refused to give this right to the
Lebanese army.”
Geagea: March 8 Using Threat Logic after Losing Hopes of
Winning Elections
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Saturday that March 8 Forces
sought "destruction" because they had no chance to win the June 7 parliamentary
elections. "Those with no more hope left of winning (the elections) resort to
destruction," he told a visiting delegation from Byblos.
"Five months ago we saw the other party losing hope in winning the upcoming
parliamentary elections. That's why it began using the logic of threat, attack
and misleading facts," he said. "Everything we are witnessing these days does
not bring good news although we always call for positive" steps, Geagea said.
The LF leader also accused Telecommunications Minister Jebran Bassil of
procrastination in providing information to the U.N. commission investigating
ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination. "Officials from the international
investigation commission complained to the government three or four months ago …
about delays in obtaining information," Geagea told his visitors. "It became
clear that what happened is a procrastination by the minister of
telecommunications," he said.
Geagea said that if Bassil sees the wiretapping law was not being implemented he
has to inform the interior and defense ministries as well as the presidency and
the prime minister's office. "He does not have the right to obstruct wiretapping
that has been going on since 1994 or since the days wiretapping started," Geagea
said about the telecommunications minister. He questioned the intentions of the
minister, saying: "There is a question mark regarding the behavior of Minister
Bassil who has overstepped his authority." Beirut, 07 Feb 09, 13:13
30,000 Immigrants Expected to Vote in Lebanon Elections
Naharnet/Some 30,000 Lebanese immigrants are expected to arrive in Lebanon
during election week to vote.
Both March 8 and March 14 forces are not embarrassed by efforts to mobilize
Lebanese immigrants. The various political parties that make up March 8 and
March 14 have been organizing periodic meetings to keep in touch with their
partisans who live overseas. Meanwhile, Middle East Airlines refused to answer
questions as to how many immigrants were expected to fly to Lebanon during
elections and whether the company had plans to deduct prices of tickets. Beirut,
07 Feb 09, 12:53
Lebanon Advised to 'Wait' Before Accepting MiGs amid
Reports Russian Warplanes 'Unsafe'
Naharnet/Lebanon has been advised to "wait" before accepting MiGs after reports
that at least a third of Russia's fighter jets are unsafe and should be written
off or repaired. A MiG-29 crashed in southern Siberia on Dec. 5 during a
training flight, killing its pilot. Another such plane had crashed in the same
area in October.
Air force spokesman Col. Vladimir Drik said Russia's air force fleet has been
grounded for two months after a MiG fighter jet lost its tail on a training
flight.
A Russian newspaper also said Friday that at least a third of the nation's
fighter jets are unsafe and should be written off or repaired.
Drik told the Associated Press that the entire MiG-29 fleet has remained
grounded as a military panel has been looking into the cause of December's
crash, which occurred when a part of the jets tail section broke off. Drik said
that the ban on all MiG-29 flights will remain in place until the investigation
ends.
Drik told the Associated Press that the entire MiG-29 fleet has remained
grounded as a military panel has been looking into the cause of December's
crash, which occurred when a part of the jets tail section broke off. Drik said
that the ban on all MiG-29 flights will remain in place until the investigation
ends.
Meanwhile, the daily An Nahar on Saturday quoted well-informed sources as
"advising" the Lebanese government to "wait" before accepting the MiGs.
An Nahar said a Lebanese delegation headed by Air Force Commander Brig. Gen.
Michel Mnassa did not leave for Moscow last month as scheduled.
It quoted the sources as saying that the travel delay was due to the language
barrier and that Lebanese army pilots tasked for the mission were studying
Russian at the Russian Cultural Center to be able to learn to fly the MiGs.
Russia said in December it would deliver 10 MiG-29s from the military stockpiles
to Lebanon free of charge. It promised to upgrade them before delivery.
In a humiliating blow to Russia, Algeria last year returned 15 MiG-29s, citing
poor quality. Moscow has dismissed the claim, and the Russian military said it
would commission the planes. Grounding of the MiG fleet will dent Russia's
pride, dealing a blow to the Kremlin's effort to revive the military and project
power worldwide. It will also hurt Russia's efforts to increase arms sales.
The twin-engine MiG-29, codenamed Fulkrum by NATO, has been a mainstay of the
Soviet and then Russian air force since the 1980s.
Drik would not say how many MiG-29 the air force now has, but the business daily
Kommersant quoted an aircraft industries official who put their number at 291.
The number would represent nearly a half of the entire Russian fighter jet fleet
of some 650, Kommersant said. The two other types of fighters in the Russian
inventory, the Su-27 and the MiG-31, also date from the 1980s.
Kommersant quoted former Russian air force chief, retired Gen. Anatoly Kornukov,
as saying that Russia needs to mothball or start costly repairs of its entire
fighter jet fleet. Kommersant said officials had determined that December's
crash was caused by corrosion, the reason for which remained unclear. It quoted
military industries official whom it did not identify as saying the reason is
simply age and wear and tear. The jets' lifetime can only be extended after
costly repairs, and the air force has failed to do that, the newspaper said.
Commenting on the Russian report, the well-informed sources told An Nahar that
Lebanon could not turn a deaf ear to these reports. Drik refused to comment on
whether the air force would refurbish the fighters and how fast it can happen.
He said a decision on what to do with the MiG-29 fleet will be made after the
probe into the crash is completed. Despite a steady rise in defense spending
during eight years of Russia's oil-driven economic boom, the military has
modernized only a few dozen of Su-27s and MiG-31s. The prospects of upgrading
Russia's arsenals look bleak now after slumping oil prices drained the
government coffers. Kommersant said the air force had cleared about one third of
MiG-29s for flights after a detailed inspection of their condition, but Drik
dismissed the claim, saying all planes of the type have remained grounded. The
decline of Russian military industries will likely make it difficult to
modernize the jet fleet even if the government comes up with cash. Observers
have said that aging equipment, an exodus of qualified industrial personnel, and
lack of key components would make it difficult for the nation's defense
industries to meet weapons orders. Kommersant said an aircraft-making plant in
Lukhovitsy near Moscow has struggled to meet the Indian order for a
carrier-borne version of the MiG-29, producing only two such planes in the past
few years.(Naharnet-AP) Beirut, 07 Feb 09, 09:01
In Teeming Ain el-Hilweh, Fears over Palestinian Divisions
Naharnet/Palestinians in Lebanon's largest refugee camp are watching the dispute
between Hamas and the Palestinian president over power with dismay, fearing it
will only make their dream of one day returning home even more distant.
They also fear the tensions could spill over in Ain el-Hilweh camp. The refugees
in the densely populated, impoverished shantytown are as divided as their fellow
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank between Hamas and the Fatah
movement of U.S.-backed President Mahmoud Abbas.
The two rivals -- along with smaller factions -- have long carved out separate
territories in Ain el-Hilweh's neighborhoods, and some districts are no-go zones
for members of rival groups. The camp has been notorious over the years for
shootouts among armed factions.
Hani Hourani, a 29-year-old vegetable vendor in Ain el-Hilweh, does not see a
bright future.
"As long as we are divided how are we going to go back (to Palestine)? If we
can't reach agreement in small Gaza how are we going to go back to a nation
whose leaders are in dispute? So that we kill each other?"
He says both sides are playing with the Palestinian people. Abbas follows an
American agenda, he maintains, and Hamas wants to go with the Iranian vision.
"We are in the middle we want to go back, but do what? How can we agree on the
basis of a state, if we can't live together in Gaza," Hourani said.
Hassan Youssef, a refugee who was born in the camp 51 years ago, sees the
chances for a homeland dwindling. "The dream of returning is always in our
thoughts and on our minds, every hour of the day," says Youssef, who runs a
metal workshop. "I believe if there is unity it will (happen). But with the
(Palestinian) disputes it will be become more distant, for sure." In Ain el-Hilweh,
in southern Lebanon, some 70,000 refugees live in a cramped shantytown. It's one
of the biggest of the more than 30 camps in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan that house
the families of Palestinians who lost their homes in the 1948 and 1967 wars with
Israel.
The camps frequently reflect the tensions brewing in the Palestinian
territories. In 2007, Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in fighting that largely
drove out Fatah supporters. Israel's 22-day war on Hamas in Gaza has heightened
tensions between the Islamic militant group and Abbas' Fatah, even as Egypt and
other Arab countries try to push them into reconciliation. The struggle for
dominance is evident the moment you step into Ain el-Hilweh. At the camp's
entrance, a large poster proclaims the Palestine Liberation Organization, which
is headed by Abbas, as "the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian
People." A PLO gunman on a checkpoint waves cars through after they are
thoroughly checked by Lebanese troops who ring the camp. But nearby is a faded
picture of Fathi Shakaki, the slain founder of Islamic Jihad militant faction,
which is allied to Hamas.
Gunmen hanging out on street corners keep on eye on their faction's turf -- some
openly clutching guns, some with pistols tucked to their waists, others sporting
Islamic fundamentalist beards. Wall graffiti and pictures of "martyrs" also give
evidence of which territory is whose. On another street, fresh pictures of Hamas
leader Said Siyam who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza are pasted on
walls. Some pictures of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat -- Abbas'
predecessor -- have been torn off. Pictures of Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal were
ripped off walls at Bourj el-Shemali, another southern refugee camp. The
factions are not bothering each other for now, residents say, but tension is in
the air. One person was killed in December in a nearby refugee camp in a
shootout between rival family members loyal to Hamas and Fatah. Despite the
animosities, faction leaders say there is no interest in starting a fight.
Leaders have set up a joint committee and a 150-member armed force ready to
intervene in Ain el-Hilweh if anything breaks out. Brig. Gen. Munir Makdah, who
runs the PLO's Armed Struggle police unit, says Palestinians in Lebanon already
have enough problems, including poverty and a lack of social and civil rights.
"We are keen on sparing the camps in this country any more suffering," said
Makdah, behind him a picture of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque. "Everybody is a
loser" if tensions erupt. Hamas representative Abu Ahmed Fadl says his group is
working to defuse any tensions and denies Hamas is arming its supporters. Sheik
Jamal Khattab, a cleric who represents several Islamic militant factions in Ain
el-Hilweh, agrees. "What's important for us is to safeguard our security and
stability," he says in his office a few blocks away from Makdah's office.
Khattab maintains no faction has enough power to take over Ain el-Hilweh. The
white-bearded cleric says Israel's Gaza offensive united Palestinians at first
-- but that mood evaporated after the shooting stopped in mid-January. He points
out that there were no confrontations when Hamas took over Gaza from Fatah in
2007. Besides, he says, there is little to fight over. "In Palestine, it's over
who governs, but in Ain el-Hilweh it is over what?"(AP) Beirut, 07 Feb 09, 08:48
Berri Okay with Sunni Heading Planning Ministry
Naharnet/Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said he does not object to a Sunni
Muslim heading the ministry of planning in case it was established.
"I don't mind a Sunni or a figure from another sect to take charge of the
planning ministry, including current President of the Council for Development
and Reconstruction Nabil Jisr," Berri said in remarks published by the daily An
Nahar on Saturday. Berri said his emphasis on the setting up of a ministry of
planning aimed at "establishing a balanced council for development that would
work under the guidance of the ministry of planning."He explained that the
establishment of the ministry would also help promote sustainable development in
most regions. Beirut, 07 Feb 09, 10:15
Bassil: I Hold Security Apparatuses Responsible for my
Safety
Naharnet/Telecommunications Minister Jebran Bassil said that he holds security
apparatuses in Lebanon responsible for his personal safety, adding that the
privacy issue is not protected yet as most Lebanese are being wiretapped on a
daily basis. In an interview with al-Manar TV station on Friday, Bassil said:
"There is an official and legal wiretapping and there is an official illegal
wiretapping carried out by illegal sources." He pointed that thousands of
wiretapping requests used to be referred to cell phone companies without paying
much attention to state conditions. "We won't allow some security forces to
control the country as was the case in the past," Bassil said. He added that
some parties hold an enmity against the Lebanese military "so they start making
and fabricating stories." "I have an assigned military officer who is helping me
in this regard. I requested him for his capability, I know nothing about his
political history," Bassil said. He stressed that his ministry brings huge
revenues to the state treasury, accusing his political opponents of obstructing
his work. "They have been holding on to the same files for the past 15 years.
Why is it that they brought no progress to the country, reduce prices and
improve productivity?" The minister asked. He said that the issue of wiretapping
would remain open even after the spring elections, adding that he is sure the
election results would be positive. Beirut, 06 Feb 09, 22:59
Aoun: We And Hizbullah Agree On Same Principles
Naharnet/The head of Change and Reform parliamentary bloc Gen. Michel Aoun said
that he and Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah are personally
targeted. "We have little communication between us and we don't usually need it,
for we share and agree on the same principles," Aoun said in an interview with
Hizbullah's al-Manar television on Friday on the occasion of the 4th anniversary
of the signing of the paper of understanding between his Free Patriotic Movement
and the Shiite group.He said the understanding has created harmony among the
components of the country and contributed to the July 2006 victory in the war
with Israel.
He added that following the July 2006 war, Israel armed militias and
fundamentalists in northern Lebanon. Aoun said reports that Israel would go to
war with Lebanon if the political opposition wins the spring 2009 elections is a
strategic error. Beirut, 06 Feb 09, 22:16
Suleiman: 3 Dangers Threaten Lebanon
President Michel Suleiman has said the Israeli danger was the most important of
three dangers which threaten Lebanon and urged Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to
stay away from politics in the June 7 parliamentary elections. "Israel wants to
eliminate the Lebanese formula which is contradictory to Israel's hostile
nature," he told his former military comrades during a ceremony held in his
honor hosted by Army Commander Jean Qahwaji at the defense ministry.
"The second danger is internal strife which destroys Lebanese unity ... only a
unified Lebanon can truly resist Israel," the president said.
Terrorism is the third danger which threatens Lebanon, according to Suleiman. He
stressed that Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers and officers had proved their
loyalty to the military establishment. "The saying that the army is divided has
long gone. The army, its officers and elements are loyal to the military
establishment and the country," Suleiman said. "Lebanon always accepts
military aid without any political conditions," he said. He called on the
military and security forces in the country to prove their full credibility in
not interfering in the legislative elections. "Citizens must feel that you are
not interfering in that process," Suleiman said.
He said that the coordination between the LAF and Hizbullah was a good example
for building a defense strategy.
Beirut, 06 Feb 09, 18:46