LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
March 19/09
Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
according to Saint Matthew 5,17-19. Do not think that I have come to abolish the
law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to
you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest
part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches
others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys
and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters &
Special Reports
Producing Panic in America's
Allies.By: Amir Taheri 18/03/09
One
obstacle to better relations between Lebanon and Syria has been removed.The
Daily Star 18/03/09
Beware of hybrid Assad-Ynetnews 18/03/03
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for March
18/09
Lawmakers Headed toward Showdown
over Election-Related Issues ... Likely to Be Fruitless Anyhow-Naharnet
Assad Calls for Dialogue with Hizbullah-Naharnet
Suleiman for Establishment of Senate, Abolishment of Confessionalism-Naharnet
U.S.
Worried About Iranian-Hizbullah Influence in Latin America-Naharnet
Murr: Nassib Lahoud Cannot
Make Up Election Ticket-Naharnet
Suspect in Alleged NY Plot
Released in Lebanon-Naharnet
March 14 Figures Snap Back
at Aoun, Defend Tueni-Naharnet
Hizbullah Denies Report of
Opposition Meeting-Naharnet
Qahwaji Meets Mubarak,
Tours Military Manufacturing Industry-Naharnet
Israel Floods Lebanese
Fields with Rainwater-Naharnet
Lebanon Prosecutor Seeks
Execution of Israel 'Spies'-Naharnet
Harb Formally Asks Berri
to Quiz Taborian for Negligence-Naharnet
Hariri: Not Concerned over
U.S.-Syrian Renewed Ties-Naharnet
Gemayel Criticizes Cabinet
Performance-Naharnet
Syria's Assad ready to mediate with Iran: report-AFP
France pledges 'strong' support for Lebanon-Daily
Star
Lahoud accuses Aoun of 'forgery,' denies links with Baathist faction-Daily
Star
Military prosecutor seeks death penalty for Israel 'spies'
-(AFP)
Tunisian dissident says Beirut was pressured to reject his visa request-Daily
Star
Russia offers to help monitor upcoming elections-Daily
Star
Beirutis view embassy opening in Syria with skepticism-Daily
Star
Harb seeks to grill Tabourian over 'mismanagement' of energy, water-Daily
Star
Lebanon cuts delayed-tax fines by 90 percent-Daily
Star
AUT,
University of London to offer law program-Daily
Star
Israel floods Lebanese farmlands,
destroys crops-Daily
Star
UAE
Red Crescent to help build shelters for refugees-Daily
Star
'Earth Market' brings healthy eating options to Hamra-Daily
Star
Producing Panic in America's Allies
B: Amir Taheri
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.2771/pub_detail.asp
The Obama administration has offered to talk to America's enemies across the
globe, especially in the Middle East. So far, though, the offer has few takers.
Iran has called for "substantial changes in US foreign policy" as a precondition
for talks. Syria wants the US to shut down the UN investigation into the murder
of Lebanese ex-Premier Rafiq Hariri and insists on reviving its domination of
Lebanon before "substantive talks" with Washington. The Taliban insists on "the
complete withdrawal of foreign troops" from Afghanistan before it will consider
talks.
Well, if your enemies won't talk to you, why not talk to your friends? But this
is precisely what the new administration doesn't want to do - for that would
look like continuing the Bush administration's "failed policies."
Notably, President Obama did not respond to greeting messages from America's
Mideast allies until weeks after he'd entered the White House. The Iraqi
leadership had to wait three weeks. Afghan President Hamid Karzai waited 40
days. Leaders of traditional allies such as Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan and
Saudi Arabia didn't wait as long - but got only protocol calls devoid of
political content.
Obama's emissaries to the region have made it clear that the new administration
is keener on cultivating its foes than courting its friends.
Richard Holbrooke, the special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, spoke of his
desire to engage the Taliban but cited "scheduling problems" in not meeting
America's friends among Afghan and Pakistani elites. In Kabul, he made it all
but clear that the new administration sees the Karzai presidency as part of the
"Bush legacy." In Pakistan, he sent signals that Washington is not keen on
supporting President Asif Ali Zardari's government.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton granted Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad
Siniora only a photo-op handshake during a conference on Gaza held in Egypt.
Siniora, whose coalition government faces a crucial election in June, had hoped
for a "convincing show of American support." Instead, he was cold-shouldered.
Concern that the US may be abandoning its allies has led to a number of panic
moves. Last week, Saudi Arabia hosted a four-nation summit of Arab leaders that
welcomed Syria back as a major player in regional politics. In exchange, the
Syrians obtained a "right of observation" in Lebanon that they'll use to
influence the outcome of that country's coming election.
In Afghanistan, Karzai's opponents have launched a campaign to prevent him from
seeking a new term. And pro-Iran circles are harping on the theme of Iran as
"the reliable protector" of the new regime in Kabul at a time the Americans seem
to want to restore the Taliban to power.
In Iraq, concern about US retreat has divided the Kurds, Washington's strongest
allies in that country. Massoud Barzani is trying to forge an alliance with
Turkey to counterbalance Iran in the post-American era. Jalal Talabani (the
other chief Kurdish leader) argues that, once the Americans leave, only Iran
could protect the new Iraq against revenge-seeking Sunni Arab powers. Even Prime
Minister Nouri al-Maliki, always suspicious of Tehran's intentions in Iraq,
feels obliged to placate the mullahs by offering their protégé, Muqtada al-Sadr,
a share of power.
In Pakistan, Zardari's opponents, convinced that the US no longer backs him,
have launched a series of nationwide protests. Ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,
under whose rule the Taliban conquered most of Afghanistan, is trying to stage a
comeback by branding Zardari as "an American tool installed by Bush and
abandoned by Obama."
Turkey, meanwhile, fears that Obama may strike a "grand bargain" with the
mullahs, acknowledging Iran as the region's principal power. That would leave
Turkey in the lurch - unable to join the European Union and marginalized in the
Mideast. Those fears prompted Turkey's President Abdullah Gul to find an excuse
to visit Tehran - where he became the first Turkish president ever to meet
Iranian "Supreme Guide" Ali Khamenei.
Thanks to the perception that the United States is in retreat while the Islamic
Republic is rising, Tehran in recent weeks has played host to a dozen presidents
and prime ministers from Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East. In
every case, the idea is to make a deal with the Iranians before Obama makes a
deal with them.
America's new policy, or lack of it, could have a devastating impact on the
chances of democratic forces throughout the region as it faces crucial elections
in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Egypt and
Algeria. America's enemies in the region may achieve a strategic coup before
Obama has developed a credible Middle East policy.
**FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor Amir Taheri writes for the New
York Post. His latest book, The Persian Night: Iran Under the Khomeinist
Revolution, is due out next month. Feedback editorialdirector@familysecuritymatters.org.
Lawmakers Headed toward Showdown over Election-Related
Issues ... Likely to Be Fruitless Anyhow
Naharnet/A Parliament session set for Thursday is likely to witness a showdown
between the majority and minority over election-related issues particularly that
of lowering voting age to 18. For even if Parliament passes this law, it would
be impossible to implement it given the short period ahead of legislative
elections scheduled for June 7. The changes will not take effect in time
for the upcoming elections since voters' lists have already been drawn up and
there will be no time to enter, edit and revise any new names.
The age group 18, however, will be able to vote at the next municipality
elections in 2010.
The same applies to a draft proposal by Gen. Michel Aoun's Reform and Change
bloc for compensating for the differences in the pay scale which calls for the
allocation of LL 400 billion of state funds in this manner.
Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah criticized the proposal. However, he assured
beneficiaries that differences would be paid with or without state budget
approval.
The daily An Nahar on Wednesday quoted a ministerial source as saying that the
cost of approving this law is estimated at $ 600 million annually.
This requires the search for alternative resources to pay the cost of salary
increases, according to the source.
Speaker Nabih Berri described as "important" Thursday's session "because it
addresses a vital issue for young people."
"Lawmakers will face a test (Thursday) regarding this age group," Berri told An
Nahar.
"There is no need for concern from the sectarian point of view," Berri assured
"since Lebanese expatriates are going to be given the right to vote."
Hizbullah, for its part, voiced support for lowering the voting age, saying
approval of the law would be an "achievement for all young Lebanese."
Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces, however, expressed reservations over the issue,
saying it is measuring the question in terms of having "a comprehensive and
well-balanced game." Meanwhile, State Minister Khaled Qabbani said in remarks
published by An Nahar on Wednesday that it would "be impossible" to benefit from
approving lowering the minimum voting age to18 during the upcoming elections.
The pro-opposition Al-Akhbar newspaper quoted several MPs from the March 8
coalition as accusing the majority March 14 Forces of trying to spoil Thursday's
session by ensuring lack of quorum. Beirut, 18 Mar 09, 08:41
Assad Calls for Dialogue with Hizbullah
Naharnet/Syrian President Bashar Assad has encouraged all parties who
acknowledge Hizbullah's significant role in the region to engage in dialogue
with the Shiite group. "We need pragmatism and realism," Assad told the Italian
newspaper "La Repubblica" in remarks published on Wednesday, adding that "it is
not important whether the West considers Hizbullah a terrorist organization or a
'state within a state.' The important thing is that Hizbullah has weight in the
region."
He pointed to the recent moves by Britain to announce publicly its desire to
enter into dialogue with the group's political wing.
The Syrian leader added that he has been encouraged by U.S. President Barack
Obama's initial willingness to engage in dialogue with political elements that
the previous administration had refused to deal with and offered to be a
mediator between the U.S. and Iran. Beirut, 18 Mar 09, 13:09
Suleiman for Establishment of Senate, Abolishment of
Confessionalism
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman said on Tuesday that the Lebanese
constitution calls for establishing a senate which he described as an essential
solution for balance in the country. "The senate is a very important body of the
state," Suleiman said after holding talks with French Senate President Gerard
Larcher. "We, in Lebanon, should work to form a senate after creating a national
committee to abolish confessionalism."
"The Lebanese constitution calls for establishing a senate. Senates are
essential solutions for bringing balance to countries," the president told
reporters.
Parliamentary sources told An Nahar daily in remarks published Wednesday that
Suleiman's stance brings to the forefront the issue of the Taef accord's full
implementation. Larcher, for his part, underlined the "special friendly ties
between France and Lebanon."
Suleiman also said all efforts would be deployed to hold democratic elections on
June 7 and allow the Lebanese to "freely express their will." During his
second-day state visit to Paris, Suleiman met with Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe
at the Hotel de Ville.In remarks to reporters, Delanoe said any violation of
Lebanese sovereignty "would be met by a strong response by the French people."
He added: "Lebanon cannot be but an independent state. I already told this to
Syrian President Bashar Assad." Suleiman also laid a wreath of flowers during a
ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe, before his
meeting with Larcher at the Senate. The president returns to Beirut on
Wednesday. Beirut, 18 Mar 09, 08:45
U.S. Worried About Iranian-Hizbullah Influence in Latin
America
Naharnet/The commander of U.S. forces in Latin America expressed concern over
increasing Iranian and Hizbullah activities throughout the region and said the
Shiite group was involved in drug trafficking in Colombia. "We have seen... an
increase in a wide level of activity by the Iranian government in this region,"
including the opening of six new embassies in Latin America during the last five
years, Navy Admiral James Stavridis told the Senate Armed Services Committee on
Tuesday.
"That is a concern principally because of the connections between the government
of Iran, which is a state sponsor of terrorism, and Hizbullah," Stavridis, who
oversees U.S. military interests in the region as head of U.S. Southern Command,
said.
The admiral's comment came in response to a question from a senator seeking more
information about concerns first raised by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates
before the same committee in January. The secretary accused Iran of engaging in
what he called "subversive" activity in several places in Latin America. He
called newly-opened Iranian offices in Central and South America "fronts" for
interfering in local affairs.
Stavridis said Hizbullah activities in South America have been concentrated
particularly in the border region between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, but
also in Colombia. "We see a great deal of Hizbullah activity throughout South
America, in particular. (The) tri-border of Brazil is a particular concern, as
in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, as well as (other) parts of Brazil and in the
Caribbean Basin," he said. "We have been seeing in Colombia a direct connection
between Hizbullah activity and narco trafficking activity," the commander added,
without providing specifics. Stavridis said the U.S. has good cooperation with
the tri-border countries and that it receives what he called a "reasonable
level" of information about what goes on there. Beirut, 18 Mar 09, 08:05
Murr: Nassib Lahoud Cannot Make Up Election Ticket
Naharnet/MP Michel Murr criticized State Minister Nassib Lahoud, saying he
cannot make up a ticket in the 2009 election. In the Metn region, "there is a
higher authority, higher than Lahoud," Murr said in an interview with the daily
Asharq al-Awsat. "Not anybody who joins an (electoral) ticket takes part in
making it," Murrr said in reference to Lahoud. "Since when did Lahoud join
winning tickets?" Murr asked, sarcastically. He recalled that Lahoud lost the
2005 elections, while he won the previous vote when he ran as a candidate in a
single-seat constituency. Murr said Lahoud's views are not in harmony with the
ruling March 14 coalition nor with Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri "who
knows Murr's value." He believed Lahoud "made a problem out of nothing." Yet,
Murr denied there was an "atmosphere of unfriendliness" between Lahoud and
himself. He also announced there would be no return to the alliance with Gen.
Michel Aoun.
Beirut, 18 Mar 09, 11:25
Suspect in Alleged NY Plot Released in Lebanon
Naharnet/A Lebanese man arrested three years ago on terrorism charges for
allegedly plotting to blow up New York City commuter tunnels has been released
on bail, Lebanese officials said Tuesday. The case was said to have been an
al-Qaida plot involving Assem Hammoud and seven other people.
Hammoud was arrested in April 2006 in Lebanon. The FBI said the plotters planned
to bomb and flood Hudson River train tunnels that carry tens of thousands of
commuters between New York and New Jersey. U.S. federal officials said the eight
suspects — including Hammoud and two others in custody elsewhere — had hoped to
pull off the attack in October or November 2006. After Hammoud's arrest,
Lebanese authorities said they found maps and bombing plans on his personal
computer, that he confessed to the plot and swore allegiance to al-Qaida.
Following a trial before the military court last year Hammoud was released on a
bail of 1 million Lebanese pounds ($667) pending a verdict, the judiciary
officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the case's
sensitivity.
The officials said that under Lebanese law, Hammoud had spent the maximum time
in custody on charges of plotting terrorism. If convicted, he could be sentenced
to up to five years in prison. Hammoud's release only came to light Tuesday,
when he appeared on Al-Arabiya Television. In the interview, he rejected the
charges against him and said he doesn't "hate the American people." He also said
he was released last June, after 26 months in solitary confinement.(AP)
Beirut, 18 Mar 09, 07:30
March 14 Figures Snap Back at Aoun, Defend Tueni
Naharnet/Prominent circles within the March 14 coalition have condemned what
they call Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun's "forgery and deceit" and
"uncivilized methods" he has used during his election campaign. Aoun has drawn
criticism from March 14 figures who have accused him of dishonesty, fraud and
what recent electoral candidate Nayla Tueni has called "uncivilized methods" of
campaigning. "Enough forgery and deceit… You deceived people several times and
we won't let you cheat them again," Minister Nassib Lahoud announced at a press
conference on Tuesday. Members of the March 14 political bloc have also
responded sharply to Aoun's criticisms of Tueni's candidacy. Aoun "will be
chased from the Metn and will be forbidden form entering Ashrafiyeh," MP Marwan
Hamadeh said on Tuesday in reference to the area of Beirut in which Tueni is
running. He added that the daughter of the late Gebran Tueni "does not need the
certification of failed officers" to run in the elections. Nayla Tueni herself
rebuked Aoun's contention that she should not run for election in Ashrafiyeh by
saying that the FPM leader has no "legal, political or moral right" to make
these demands. March 14 sources supported Tueni by saying that "no one from
March 14 will separate himself" from her campaign efforts. With regard to Aoun's
political alleged alignments with Syria, Lahoud also mentioned that he "should
have remembered [his past relations with Syria] during his trip to Damascus." MP
Hamadeh similarly noted "it is clear that the attraction is strong between
Michel Aoun's movement and [March 8 forces]," and criticized his political
associations by saying they have "an alliance with Syria of the highest degree,
and some of them with Iran."Hamadeh also described March 14's campaign as "the
crowning of the journey of the last four years." Beirut, 18 Mar 09, 10:52
Hizbullah Denies Report of Opposition Meeting
Naharnet/Hizbullah's Public Relations office denied a report published Tuesday
by the daily Al Akhbar that claimed a meeting took place among opposition
leaders to discuss elections. Hizbullah, however, confirmed that communication
among opposition leaders is existent. It spoke of a "positive" atmosphere,
adding that there are no real difficulties facing the formation of its electoral
lists. Al Akhbar said the meeting Monday grouped Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen.
Michel Aoun, Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan and Marada boss
Suleiman Franjieh as well as other party officials. It said the meeting shrouded
in secrecy. Al Akhbar said one thing is certain, though – running for election
in uniform. The daily said opposition leaders also agreed on delaying a decision
to settle an election conflict in the second Beirut constituency and Aley.
Beirut, 17 Mar 09, 21:04
Qahwaji Meets Mubarak, Tours Military Manufacturing
Industry
Naharnet/Lebanon's Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji met with Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday. Egyptian Chief of Staff Lieutenant General
Sami Osman attended the meeting. Discussions focused on military bilateral
cooperation. Qahwaji's visit to Egypt comes one month following a visit by
Defense Minister Elias Murr to Cairo. Gen. Qahwaji also met with Egypt's
Minister of Military Production who accompanied him on a tour of armor
production factory that produces the U.S.-Egyptian manufactured M1A1 main battle
tank. Beirut, 18 Mar 09, 11:16
Israel Floods Lebanese Fields with Rainwater
Naharnet/Israel deliberately flooded Lebanese farmlands with excess rainwater
from an Israeli orchard, located off the southern town of Mais al-Jabal early
Tuesday ruining crops and properties. The Lebanese Army and UNIFIL dispatched
teams to look into the incident, which drew protests from the southern
residents.
Tuesday's flooding is part of a systematic practice by the Israeli authorities
to turn the highly-fertile land into swamps by channeling rainwater into the
fields via trenches, which were dug for that purpose. The Lebanese Army and
UNIFIL have tried to block the water channels to protect the crops.
Separately, UNIFIL's media coordinator, Dalia Farran, reiterated calls for
Israel to hand over official maps detailing where the Israeli army dropped
cluster bombs during the July 2006 offensive. Beirut, 17 Mar 09, 15:57
Lebanon Prosecutor Seeks Execution of Israel 'Spies'
Naharnet/A Lebanese military prosecutor said on Tuesday he has demanded that two
brothers charged with spying for Israel be condemned to death if convicted.
Rashid Muzhir told Agence France Presse (AFP) he has called for the "harshest
punishment" for Yusef and Ali Jarrah, who have been charged with several counts
of spying for Israel and of forgery. Spying for Israel is punishable by death in
Lebanon, which remains technically in a state of war with the Jewish state.
The prosecution alleges that the brothers were recruited by Israel's Mossad spy
agency in the early 1980s and gathered information on the militant Islamist
group Hizbullah, Lebanese army positions and Palestinian groups in the country.
Muzhir did not say when they would face trial.
The Jarrah brothers, who are from the eastern Bekaa region, were detained last
year by Hizbullah, which fought a devastating 34-day war with Israel in Lebanon
in 2006. Last month, the Lebanese army also detained a man from the southern
town of Nabatiyeh on suspicion that he spied for Israel. He has not yet been
charged.(AFP) Beirut, 17 Mar 09, 15:23
Harb Formally Asks Berri to Quiz Taborian for Negligence
Naharnet/MP Boutros Harb submitted Tuesday a request to the speaker of
Parliament to quiz Energy and Water Minister Alain Taborian over reports of
mismanagement. He warned that Taborian's continued occupation as minister is
"hazardous to the lives and health of the citizens." Harb accused the minister
of violating the right of Lebanese to "enjoy state services" in addition to
"obstructing the work of public utilities."Harb called for a general assembly in
parliament to lift Taborian's parliamentary immunity and withdraw its vote of
confidence. Beirut, 17 Mar 09, 17:18
Hariri: Not Concerned over U.S.-Syrian Renewed Ties
Naharnet/MP Saad Hariri said Tuesday he was not worried that renewed ties
between Washington and Damascus will compromise the Special Tribunal for
Lebanon.
"I am not concerned. (U.S.-Syrian dialogue) will not affect - but will support -
the tribunal, which is now part of the international framework," he told Egypt's
Channel One television in an interview. Hariri reiterated he will not
participate in a future government should the "other party" win the June 7
elections.
On the Mideast peace process, Hariri said an end to the Arab-Israeli struggle
was not imminent. Therefore, Arab countries must focus on strengthening their
"economy and homelands." "We must … work toward establishing a common Arab
market. We must improve and develop our economy (forcing) the world community to
deal with the Arabs as an economic heavyweight."He said relations among Arab
states must be similar to ties among member states of the European Union.
Reacting to Britain's decision to open low-level talks with Hizbullah, Hariri
said: "This is something that should have been done a long time ago.
"I view that dialogue as beneficial. If the British want to communicate with
Hizbullah, then they should do so."
More importantly, he said, the British government must maintain dialogue with
the Lebanese government.
Beirut, 17 Mar 09, 16:47
Gemayel Criticizes Cabinet Performance
Naharnet/Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel criticized the Lebanese government's
performance and said Kuwait is not seeking to meddle in Lebanon's internal
affairs. "It's a pity that under the name of a consensus government, the current
cabinet became a cabinet of obstruction for people's interests and
constitutional, security and judicial institutions," Gemayel said at a press
conference in Kuwait on Tuesday. "I am not satisfied with the government's
performance. We have already expressed reservations," he said, adding however,
that "we chose the existence of this cabinet over its nonexistence." Gemayel
also told reporters that Kuwait was not seeking to meddle in Lebanese internal
affairs. "Kuwait is not willing to interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs. All
it cares for is Lebanon's interest. The obsession of officials in Kuwait is
Lebanon's unity which is the only way to achieve Lebanon's highest interest," he
said. Gemayel also met at the embassy with Lebanese citizens residing in Kuwait.
He said there are still many problems in the country, including the presence of
arms outside state legitimacy.
"We are leading a political resistance to regain sovereignty over all Lebanese
territory and push everyone to agreement on a single logic and to Lebanon's
allegiance," he said. He said opening of embassies was not enough to improve
Lebanese-Syrian relations, hoping that Syria would soon appoint its ambassador
to Beirut and solve pending issues such as missing Lebanese in Syria. He said
Syria should also help solve the Shebaa Farms issue and end support for armed
Palestinian bases outside refugee camps. About the Special Tribunal for Lebanon,
the former president said: "It is true that the international tribunal will
become the primary reference in finding the truth but the Lebanese judiciary and
Lebanese security apparatuses should also be responsible." Beirut, 17 Mar 09,
14:47