LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
March 23/09

Bible Reading of the day.
Mark 2/1-12 When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house. Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,  “Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.” He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
The American-Israeli collision/Future News 22/09/09
Frangieh’s custodianship over FPM. By: Salem Saadeh 22/03/09

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for March 22/09
Sfeir Calls For Contemplating Effects of Amending Law Allowing 18-Year-Olds Right to Vote-Naharnet
Nadim Gemayel: Parliamentary Elections Decisive, Everyone is Under the law-Naharnet
Sami Gemayel Criticizes Hizbullah-Naharnet
Baroud Urges Arab Interior Ministers Conference to Set Up Anti-Organized Crime Bureau-Naharnet
PSP Hits back at Muallem, Demands End of Syrian Meddling in Lebanon-Naharnet
Lebanon: Several Arrested in House Raids in Connection to Police Station Attack-Naharnet
Lebanon prepares for the Arab Interior Ministers meeting-Future News
Geagea: Syria left Lebanon and some are trying to adopt its project-Future News
Syrian FM: We can talk to Netanyahu. Jerusalem Post
Muallem For Normal Relations With All Lebanese Leaders; Jumblatt Has to Decide What He Wants-Naharnet
Jumblat: Let Them Have My Seat If They Want-Naharnet
Jumblat denies being harassed at Barraj funeral-Future News
Iran's Khamenei rebuffs Obama overture/Los Angeles Times
Election Fever as Hariri Meets With Faris, Geagea Hosts Tueni and Gemayel at LF Dinner-Naharnet
Police Arrest Head of Most Dangerous Car Theft Gang-Naharnet
Joyandet Reaffirms France's Support for Lebanon-Naharnet
Five Peacekeepers Injured during Military Exercises-Naharnet
On her Special Day, Mother Stabs Officer to Help Son Escape-Naharnet
Siniora honors Dyouf: we struggled to protect the state-Future News

Muallem For Normal Relations With All Lebanese Leaders; Jumblatt Has to Decide What He Wants
Naharnet/Syria's Foreign Minister Wali al-Muallem said his country wants stability in Lebanon and supports the holding of the June 7 legislative elections on time, adding that Damascus is ready to hold normal relations with all Lebanese leaders including al-Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri saying: "We have a big heart, we forgive." In an interview with the pan-Arab satellite TV station al-Jazeera on Saturday, al-Muallem referred to his country's relationship with the head of the Progressive Socialist Party and Democratic Gathering leader MP Walid Jumblat saying: "Jumblat has to decide what he wants, if he wishes to visit Syria we shall take that under consideration." He said that he had discussed Lebanon with visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, adding that they both agreed that Syrian-Lebanese relations could not be changed due to geographic and historic facts.
However, he added that the United States has to abandon all of its previous practices saying: "The world faced difficult problems on all levels during the George Bush administration." Regarding the expected new Israeli cabinet, Muallem was clear in saying: "We do not deal with the formation of Israeli cabinets, we have no illusions for we have dealt with all forms of Israeli cabinets. I am not upset from a Benjamin Netanyahu premiership. It is best for the world to deal with an Israeli cabinet that reflects an Israeli fact rather than deal with a cabinet that wears the mask of peace."
He reiterated his country's willingness to resuming indirect peace negotiations with the Netanyahu government provided that this does not provide the Israelis with an excuse to launch another attack on Gaza or Lebanon. He affirmed that peace with Israel couldn't be comprehensive unless it includes Syrian, Lebanese territories and the right of return to Palestinians. Muallem said that Damascus supports the Arab peace initiative adding that for this initiative to work Israel has to accept it and work on implementing it. Regarding the Syrian-Saudi reconciliation Muallem said that this would have positive ramifications on the region. Beirut, 22 Mar 09, 08:28

Canada bars British MP over Hamas support
Immigration office denies George Galloway entry, says won't give special treatment to 'street-corner Cromwell who brags about giving 'financial support' to Hamas'
AFP Published: 03.21.09, 23:12 / Israel News
George Galloway has been blocked from visiting Canada because of his support of Hamas, which is banned here, the Canadian immigration minister's office said.
Sealed With a Kiss
British MP Kisses Gaza ground / Ynet
Convoy of vehicles carrying food, medicine, and toys travels 12,000 km to enter Gaza through Rafah
"I'm sure Galloway has a large Rolodex of friends in regimes elsewhere in the world willing to roll out the red carpet for him," Alykhan Velshi, spokesman for Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, told AFP. "Canada, however, won't be one of them," he said in an email.
Galloway was to give a speech in Toronto at the end of the month, but has been denied entry over his opposition to Canadian troops in Afghanistan, said the Sun.
In a comment piece published in the Guardian on Saturday, Galloway described the ban as "absurd, hypocritical, and in vain" because his allies in the country were seeking a judicial review.
"And there are other ways I can address those Canadians who wish to hear me," he wrote. "From coast to coast, minister Kenney notwithstanding, I will be heard -- one way or another."
Velshi said Galloway was deemed inadmissible to Canada due to national security concerns. It was an "operational decision" by border security officials "based on a number of factors, not only those mentioned in the Sun piece," he said.
Such a decision could be overturned by ministerial order, but it is not warranted in this case, he said.
"We're going to uphold the law, not give special treatment to a street-corner Cromwell who brags about giving 'financial support' to Hamas, a terrorist organization banned in Canada," Velshi said.
Opposition New Democratic Party MP Olivia Chow however accused the government of "censorship" for not allowing Galloway to tout his anti-war messages in Canada.
Denying him entry to this country is "an affront to freedom of speech" and shows the Canadian government "is frightened of an open debate on an unpopular war," she said in a statement.
This week, Galloway traveled to Gaza at the head of a humanitarian convoy. He praised the Palestinian "resistance" and condemned Israel's 22-day offensive launched in December, in which 1,300 Palestinians died, as "genocidal aggression."
The MP also donated thousands of dollars and dozens of vehicles to the Hamas-run government in the Gaza Strip.

The American-Israeli collision
Date: March 22nd, 2009 Source: Future News
“March 8” leaders don’t spare a chance to prove their loyalty and subordination to external forces. Evidence of that lies in their united response welcoming the letter of American President Barack Obama to the Iranians, knowing since President Roosevelt’s alliance with Shah of Iran, the American presidents had the tradition of conveying a letter to the Shah on the occasion of “Neyruoz” Holiday, the Persian New Year.
But the letter had new political content to substitute rehashing the Iranian culture, its poetry and theatrical arts. Still, the “Thank You Syria” gang gladly considered this era a time of “conversions” and the beginning of the end of the “American Empire,” even the “defeat of the Supreme Devil”.
Those who deem themselves philosophers in politics forget that Obama didn’t spare an occasion to affirm his desire for peace with the Iranians, through clever logic that strips Iran from permanently rejecting cooperation with the international society. Obama’s approach strips as well his political adversaries of any protest pretexts, if he decides to shift into confrontation with the Persian republic.
Nonetheless, the Iranian reply which was conveyed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei asserted that the tables now turned between the Iranians and Americans. At the mandate of President George Bush, this was clear and final, and Tehran was at then in its earliest phases of mastering the art of politics.
In Obama’s mandate, things have changed in the sense that the Iranians insist on rejecting political dialogue. In the meantime, Obama is working to buy time. And so, the Iranian and American politics are like two trains about to have a head-on collision. Their collision is doomed inevitable, sooner or later. Obama’s demands from Iran are nothing of new compared to those of the international society in general, and the Arab society in particular, except when it comes to Israel. Obama, however, mentioned an Iranian effective role, away from terrorism. This is the point: Could Iran apply a drastic change to its policy and give up the principle of exporting its revolution? Iran should halt its trading the Palestinian cause and blood, end its occupation to the Emiratis islands, and assert Bahrain’s independence. Iran should also abstain from sectarian incitement under the pretext of it being the Capital of Shiites, just like the Vatican is the Capital of Catholics. Iran, likewise, resembles Israel which associates Judaism to Zionism. Iran’s problem is that it employs religion and its purity, associates it with Tehran and the filthiness of its interests and pragmatisms. Iran’s other problem is that it perpetually prevents stability in Iraq and arouses sectarian blabbers among the citizens.

Frangieh’s custodianship over FPM
Salem Saadeh
Free Patriotic Movement prominent figures are outraged by the attempts of former minister Sleiman Frangieh to dominate the movement in the north in order to extend his reign from Zghorta to the different northern areas. Batroun FPM sources believe that the nomination of Gebran Bassil and his possible victory in the parliamentary elections will not be in favor of the Free Patriotic Movement but of Marada movement since the Bassil family is loyal to the movement’s political leader Sleiman Frangieh since a long time. The sources point out that Frangieh will try to dominate Batroun which he considers an extension of his influence, especially that the area constitutes an essential financial resource for Frangieh through the pay outs he imposes on the factories and industrial facilities in the area.
They believe that Michel Aoun’s ally, Zhorta leader Sleiman Frangieh, aims at becoming Aoun’s political heir in confiscating the Christians’ decision.
Zghorta FPM sources maintain that Frangieh plans all his steps. He casts away every possible FPM candidate who might oppose him or affect his buddy Gebran Bassil. In this respect, he targeted Fayez Karam, the influential FPM leader, who was surprised when his relative Salim Karam was nominated on March 8 electoral ticket in the Zghorta, Marada household. Sources close to Frangieh confirm that his decision to cast Fayez Karam and to marginalize his role in Zghorta intersects with Bassil’s tendency to eliminate any possible competitor to Bassil in the movement. Fayez Karam supporters accuse Frangieh of deliberately humiliating FPM representatives in the area by banishing him in favor of another candidate close to Frangieh and by securing Bassil a feeble victory in Batroun. Koura FPM sources accuse Frangieh of conspiring with several political factions in the area in order to impose the third FPM candidate on the movement. The sources added, when FPM figures had never received an explanation from Aoun for Frangieh’s practices in Zghorta, Batroun and Koura. FPM leaders reiterate in their private meetings that they will never accept replacing the custodianship of the Syrian intelligence with that of Sleiman Frangieh.

Harbingers of change in the “Aouni” electoral list
Date: March 21st, 2009 Source: Future News
“Liwaa’” daily reported today that change in the “Aouni” electoral list has harbingered. In a move that exposes his exclusion from the “Free Patriotic Movement” electoral list, MP Youssef Khalil will run for the Kissrwan constituency, perhaps in favor of Former Minister Fares Bouaiz or Former MP Farid Khazen.
Asaad Najib Hindi, a “Aouni Movement” official will run for the Catholic seat in Jezzine instead of MP Antoine Khoury, member of Speaker Berry’s “Development and Liberation” parliamentary bloc.

Karam pressured to withdraw in favor of Franjieh’s electoral list
Date: March 21st, 2009 Source: Future News
Pro-“Free Patriotic Party”, candidate running for the Zghorta Maronite seat, retired General Fayez Karam is under pressure to withdraw his candidacy in favor of the opposition electoral list headed by Former Minister, “Marada Movement” leader Suleiman Franjieh whose list includes Former MP Ostphan Doueihi and Salim Karam.

Syrian FM: We can talk to Netanyahu
By JPOST.COM STAFF
An Israeli government led by Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu would not be an impediment to the resumption of indirect peace talks with Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said Saturday, adding, however, that "Syria and Israel are still in a state of conflict." In an interview with Al Jazeera, the Syrian foreign minister stated that in order for talks to resume, Israel would first have to agree to Syrian preconditions. "Peace cannot be comprehensive if it does not include an Israeli withdrawal from the Syrian and Lebanese territories and a right of return for Palestinians," Moallem said. The foreign minister asserted that Syria was not worried by the prospect of a right-wing government. "We are not involved in assembling Israeli governments and we aren't worried about them," he said. "We have had contacts with all different kinds of governments in Israel." "I'm not worried about Netanyahu serving as prime minister," he continued. "It is better for us that the world engage with an Israeli government which accurately reflects Israel rather than a government that poses as peace

Election Fever as Hariri Meets With Faris, Geagea Hosts Tueni and Gemayel at LF Dinner
Naharnet/Al Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri who is currently in Paris on a private visit met twice on Thursday and Friday with former Deputy Prime Minister Issam Faris, and together discussed all developments related to the upcoming parliamentary elections in Lebanon the daily An-Nahar said on Sunday.
In Lebanon, Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea on Saturday evening hosted first district candidates Nayla Tueni and Nadim Bashir Gemayel to an LF annual dinner in Beirut. Geagea addressed his audience saying: "Nayla and Nadim both enjoy and encompass the qualities of truth, transparency and honesty. They don't have the expertise of those who base their knowledge on criticism and deceit from the 'war for liberation' to the 'current liberation." The Lebanese Forces leader called on Beirut and Ashrafieh residents to reject things that have nothing to do with "our history, legacy and struggle." Beirut, 22 Mar 09, 10:01

Jumblat: Let Them Have My Seat If They Want
Naharnet/Democratic Gathering leader MP Walid Jumblat commented on the recent stances regarding election candidates by saying: "let them take my (parliamentary) seat if they want to. The controversial issue is related to the MP Nabil al-Boustani's parliamentary seat. Boustani has been known recently to be ill, candidates are taking advantage of this situation in trying to fill his seat. Jumblat reminded everyone that MP Boustani is still around and very alive.
During his tour of the al-Kharoub region on Saturday Jumblat said that March 14 Forces shall run in the elections as a single hand, he added that he had heard of some nominations via "asphalt bulldozers" – meaning through political favors made to gain voters support that include paving roads.
Jumbalt was keen to point that all arms would be in the hands of the Lebanese state one day. He paid high tribute to President Michel Suleiman for effectively leading the national dialogue sessions. He also called for ending all internal issues, mostly that of the Council of the South. Jumblat denied press stories that he was harassed recently during his participation at the funeral of attorney Sanan Baraj at the Bashoura. Beirut, 22 Mar 09, 09:21

Police Arrest Head of Most Dangerous Car Theft Gang
Naharnet/Security forces arrested Samir Sobhi Zoaiter, who heads the most dangerous car theft network in Lebanon, the state-run National News Agency reported Saturday. NNA said that Zoaiter was arrested in the town of Yasouh al-Malak, north of Beirut during a police chase Saturday morning. It said at least two gunmen in a Cherokee intercepted at 6:00 am Mark Khayyat and Zahi Mitri, who were in a four-wheel BMW, in the mountainous town of Uyoun al-Seeman and snatched their vehicle. Zoaiter sped away in the BMW towards the coastal region while the other gunman drove away in the Cherokee. Khayyat immediately informed police about the incident. When Zoaiter reached Yasouh al-Malak, he hit several cars parked on the side of the road while trying to escape from security forces. The crash hindered his escape allowing police to arrest Zoaiter who is wanted by authorities on several charges. Beirut, 21 Mar 09, 13:17

Joyandet Reaffirms France's Support for Lebanon
Naharnet/A visiting French minister said Saturday his government will back "any party" that emerges winner in the upcoming elections.
State Minister for Cooperation and Francophonie Alain Joyandet arrived in Lebanon on Friday on a two-day visit to attend the International Day of Francophonie.
"France believes in opening dialogue with everyone in the Middle East as part of its diplomatic policy," he said in a news conference following separate talks with President Michel Suleiman and Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh. "This is why France will support any party to win the legislative elections and to be chosen by the Lebanese," he added, voicing hope the June 7 polls will take place in an "atmosphere of calm and democracy. "He said his trip served as "a continuation to President Suleiman visit to France this week and as a reaffirmation of deep and strong ties between Lebanon and France." France's "diplomatic pressure will remain within the appropriate framework for the implementation of Resolution 1701," Joyandet said, without elaborating. "The pace of implementation must be proportionate to existing pressures and regional dangers," he added. During his three-day trip to Paris on Monday, Suleiman asked his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy to help pressure Israel into abiding by the resolution. Beirut, 21 Mar 09, 19:56

On her Special Day, Mother Stabs Officer to Help Son Escape
Naharnet/The mother of a wanted suspect stabbed a staff sergeant of the security forces Saturday preventing a team of investigators from arresting her son and allowing him to escape her home in Sour's old quarter.  Fawzi Shaar's mother was then arrested and taken to Saida for questioning while Staff Sergeant Fadel Saleh, who was stabbed in the chest, was immediately transferred to a nearby hospital. Security forces are still looking for Shaar. Beirut, 21 Mar 09, 20:41

Banning British MP George Galloway a clumsy, dangerous move by Jason Kenney
Thomas Walkom, The Toronto Star, 21 March 2009
Jason Kenney has gone over the edge. The increasingly erratic immigration minister made headlines last week when, in a fit of pique, he cut off funding to an Arab organization that helps newcomers learn English. Now, Kenney has banned British MP George Galloway from entering Canada, on the spurious grounds that he supports Middle East terrorism.
It's a clumsy move, designed presumably to bolster the Conservative government's support among voters who ardently back Israel.
But in a roundabout way it does illustrate how absurdly broad Canada's new anti-terror laws are and how dangerous they can be in the wrong hands.
Galloway's apparent crime was to deliver humanitarian aid last week to Gaza's Hamas government, which Canada deems a terrorist organization. But the 54-year-old Scottish MP's real sin was that he couldn't resist rubbing it in. Others have taken aid into Hamas-controlled Gaza, including a delegation of Canadians and Americans who crossed into the Palestinian territory on March 8.
As well, other Western politicians talk to Hamas. Last weekend, another British MP met the organization's top leader.
But the nattily dressed Galloway, known at home as Gorgeous George, is a relentless showboat, famous in his own country for appearing in a reality television show.
He praises Hamas extravagantly, calling on the West to recognize it as the legitimately elected government of Gaza. He castigates countries like Canada that are trying to isolate Hamas as the real criminals of the piece.
Expelled from the ruling Labour Party in 2003 for opposing the invasion of Iraq, he now sits in Britain's parliament as the sole member of Respect, an anti-war grouping.
When London's Daily Telegraph accused him of taking rake-offs from Saddam Hussein, Galloway famously sued and won.
In short, he's egotistical, opinionated and – on the question of whether the West should deal with Hamas – probably correct.
But he's not by any stretch of the imagination a danger to this country. Even Kenney must recognize that.
Yet in terms of Canada's ludicrously broad immigration and anti-terror laws – which deem criminal anyone who advocates any kind of relationship with a proscribed organization – he's apparently inadmissible.
Even Canadian Jewish Congress head Bernie Farber, who staunchly opposes Galloway's views, argued in a newspaper piece published yesterday that the MP does have the right to speak here – although not to promote or raise money for Hamas.
(When I reached Farber yesterday afternoon, he said he now fully supports Kenney's decision to bar Galloway and believes the law was applied correctly.)
Sadly, the Galloway incident is part of a pattern. Earlier this week, Kenney said he would not renew $2.5 million worth of contracts that the Canadian Arab Federation uses to teach English to new immigrants.
Ostensibly he was punishing federation head Khaled Mouammar for calling on Canada to treat Hamas and another proscribed body, the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, as "legitimate organizations."
In fact, Mouammar is articulating a fairly common opinion among practitioners of realpolitik. Even the British government is reopening talks with Hezbollah, an organization it and Canada regard as terrorist.
The real reason for Kenney's snit may be that in January Mouammar called him a "professional whore," who supports Israel abroad to win Jewish votes at home.
Professional fool might be more apt. And a dangerous one. It's not unusual for politicians to pander for votes. But a government that limits freedom of speech on grounds as flimsy as those cited by Kenney is unconscionable.

Iran's Khamenei rebuffs Obama overture
By Borzou Daragahi and Ramin Mostaghim
Los Angeles Times
March 21, 2009
Reporting from Tehran and Beirut -- Iran's most powerful figure dismissed President Obama's extraordinary Persian New Year gesture, insisting today that the U.S. administration's actions must match its rhetoric before Tehran would alter its foreign policy, in an apparent attempt to keep the political establishment unified behind an anti-American posture.
Supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who is Iran's highest spiritual, military and political authority, told supporters in his hometown of Mashhad that "changes in words" would not be enough to convince Iran that the Obama administration was sincere in its outlook.
As he spoke, Khamenei glanced cursorily at his notes, suggesting that his words were carefully considered. His remarks were the most detailed and authoritative response by any Iranian leader to several attempts by the Obama administration to reach out to the Islamic Republic.
Obama issued a 3 1/2 -minute videotape early Friday morning congratulating Iranian people and officials on the occasion of the important holiday, acknowledging three decades of strained relations with America and offering a new beginning.
Iranian officials quickly responded by welcoming the address but voicing skepticism about its sincerity. Today, Khamenei recited a list of alleged U.S. wrongdoings over the last three decades, including the 1988 downing of an Iranian civilian plane by a U.S. warship in the Persian Gulf, the freezing of Iranian assets, and strong support for Israel and armed Iranian opposition groups.
"They are talking of extending a hand to Iran on the occasion of the New Year and they are congratulating the Iranian people," he said. "At the same time, they are accusing [Iran] of terrorism and the manufacturing of nuclear weapons."
Khamenei's quick, pointed response to Obama was unusual, and appeared to be an attempt to swiftly silence any voices within Tehran's divided political establishment that might be keen on responding genially to the New Year message.
Opposition to the U.S. and Israel remain a major pillar of the Islamic Republic's radical populist ideology, with "Death to America" a ubiquitous rallying cry and the accusation of being an American or Israeli dupe often used to tarnish opponents of the system.
Obama's friendly tone, personal ties to the Muslim world and immense popularity throughout Iran and the Middle East pose a unique challenge for a government that describes the United States as an unjust power bent on destroying Islam.
Washington and Tehran went separate ways after a 1979 revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed monarch Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and established the Islamic Republic. That same year, radical Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held American employees hostage for 444 days, poisoning relations between the two former allies.
Khamenei said that lifting economic sanctions and retracting "hostile propaganda" would be among the welcomed shifts in U.S. policies.
"For you to say that we will both talk to Iran and simultaneously exert pressure on her, both threats and appeasement, our nation hates this approach," he said.
Obama has said he is committed to improving America's image abroad after what most analysts consider a sullying of the U.S. reputation in the wake of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and abuses of detainees in the Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay prisons.
To improve America's standing abroad, Khamenei advised Obama, "avoid an arrogant tone, avoid arrogant behavior, avoid bullying behavior, do not interfere in nations' affairs, be contented with your own share, do not define interests extraterritorially all over the world."
He urged Obama to get his words translated, but suggested he not use "Zionist" translators, drawing laughter from the audience.
daragahi@latimes.com

A Grain Of Sand Reveals All
 Strategy Page
March 22, 2009: There are recent revelations about the Syrian site, which was bombed by Israel in September, 2007, and why the Israelis knew it was a nuclear research facility under construction. It all began when an Iranian general, and former deputy defense minister (Ali Reza Asghari) defected in February of 2007. He said that Iran was financing a North Korean effort to help Syria develop nuclear weapons. The site had already been noted by American intelligence, but they were unsure of what it was. It seems that the Syrians had taken extraordinary security measures. No cell phones were allowed on the site, and all messages to and from the workers there were delivered in written form, by courier. In August, 2007, the Israelis sent in a twelve man commando team, by helicopter, to the site. Photographs, and soil samples, were taken. This confirmed that nuclear research was taking place at the site. The bombing mission followed the next month. American and Israeli intelligence concluded that Iran had spent over a billion dollars (much of it to North Korea) to finance the operation. Some intelligence officials doubt this, but Syria hasn't got much cash, and North Korea does not do freebies. Iran has the money and the motivation.
After the bombing, the Syrians promptly removed the structures, both the ones that were bombed and those left intact. Syria has since rebuilt the area with what appears to be a missile control and launching center. After the bombing, and accusations of nuclear weapons research, UN inspectors found that there were traces of uranium and graphite, indicating that there was indeed a nuclear research activity, at the very least, going on. The Syrians apparently did not realize that it was difficult, nearly impossible, to clear away the microscopic evidence that nuclear research was going on there.
North Korean technicians were involved with whatever was going on there, although Syria denied any nuclear work was taking place. Denying that North Koreans were around was more difficult, as North Koreans have been seen entering and leaving this area for months. North Korea is believed to be still selling weapons, and possibly nuclear technology, to Syrian mentor Iran. Moreover, the minute nuclear and graphite material can be traced back to where it came from, which in this case was North Korea.