LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS
BULLETIN
December 02/08
Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 8,5-11. When he entered
Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, "Lord, my
servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." He said to him,
"I will come and cure him." The centurion said in reply, "Lord, I am not worthy
to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be
healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes;
and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was
amazed and said to those following him, "Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel
have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the
west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the
kingdom of heaven,
Eusebius of Caesarea (c.265-340), Bishop, theologian, historian
Demonstration of the Gospel, II, 3, 35 (cf. SC 228)
"Many will come from the east and the west, and will recline... at the banquet
in the kingdom of heaven"
There are numerous witnesses in the Gospel showing that the pagans received no
less grace than the Jews. If the Jews... have a share in the blessing of
Abraham, the friend of God, because they are his descendants, let us call to
mind that God made a promise to give the pagans a blessing, not only like that
of Abraham but of Isaac and Jacob too. Indeed, he clearly foretold that all the
nations would be similarly blessed and he invites all peoples to share one and
the same joy with those blessed friends of God: «Nations, rejoice with his
people» (Dt 32,43 LXX) and again, «The princes of the peoples are gathered
together with the people of the God of Abraham» (Ps 47[46],10). If Israel
glorifies herself in God's Kingdom, speaking of it as her heritage, the divine
oracles show her that God will also reign over other peoples: «Say among the
nations: The Lord is king» (Ps 96[95],10) and again: «God reigns over the
nations» (Ps 47[46],9). If the Jews were chosen to be priests of God and to
offer him worship..., God's word has promised to bestow the same ministry on the
nations: «Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and
praise; bring gifts and enter his courts» (Ps 96[95],7-8)...And if formerly, to
begin with, «The Lord's own portion was Jacob, his hereditary share was Israel»
(Dt 32,9), Scripture subsequently affirms that all peoples will be given to the
Lord in inheritance according to the Father's words: «Ask of me and I will give
you the nations for an inheritance» (Ps 2,8). And again, prophecy proclaims that
he will «rule» not just in Judah but «from sea to sea, to the ends of the earth;
all nations shall serve him... and in him shall all the tribes of the earth be
blessed» (cf. Ps 72[71],8.11.17). This is how the God of the universe «has made
his salvation known in the sight of the nations» (Ps 98[97],2).
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Canada vs. Radical Islam.
By: Kathy Shaidle /Pajama Media 01/12/08
International Support to India and
Pakistan against Jihadi Terror.By Walid Phares 01/12/08
The end of Hindustan...Jerusalem
Post 01/12/08
Beirut's marathon shows how much an undivided Lebanon might achieve-The
Daily Star 01/12/08
No time for complacency in Lebanese politics-By
Marc J. Sirois 01/12/08
Egypt likes Obama's political 'realism' -By Gamal
A. G. Soltan 01/12/08
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for December
01/08
Jumblat: No Return to Syrian Guardianship if Lebanese-Syrian Relations as per
Taef-Naharnet
Aoun
Defends Visit to Syria-Naharnet
March 14: Any Visit to Syria Must be Cabinet Approved-Naharnet
Qatar Assures Saniora
Continued Support to Lebanon-Naharnet
Hizbullah Supports
Administrative Decentralization, Rejects Federalization-Naharnet
Dire Need to Expand
Lebanese Economy: Economic Round Table-Naharnet
Ban
Affirms to Saniora: March 1 Launch Date for International Tribunal-Naharnet
France Pressing toward Exchange
of Embassies between Beirut and Damascus-Naharnet
Aoun
in Damascus within 2 Days Carrying Concerns of Elections-Naharnet
Jumblat Wonders Why Beirut is Rushing to Normalize Ties with Damascus-Naharnet
Awad
Disappeared … Likely in Turkey-Naharnet
Saniora Urges World Leaders to Fight Corruption-Naharnet
Siniora thanks Ban for progress on Hariri tribunal-Daily
Star
Palestinians urge caution in moves to capture fugitive Fatah al-Islam militant-Daily
Star
Better late than never: Beirut officially joins Chemical Weapons Convention-Daily
Star
Mouawad's son uses ceremony for slain father to score political points-Daily
Star
Kahwaji, Assad discuss military cooperation in Damascus talks-Daily
Star
Siniora says developed world caused meltdown-Daily
Star
Tens of thousands - and their
causes - run Beirut Marathon-Daily
Star
Screening Lebanon's 'blissful journey into war and chaos-Daily
Star
Israel agrees to free 250 Palestinian prisoners-(AFP)
Aoun Defends Visit to Syria
Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun on Monday insisted that his upcoming
visit to Syria, his former foe, was justified now that diplomatic ties have been
set up between the two countries. "I am going to Syria with my head held high,"
Aoun told a press conference ahead of his planned visit this week, without
giving a date.
"They are welcoming me with admiration and respect... I was a rival and the
rivalry has ended and I may become a friend," he added.
He said he saw no reason not to go to Syria given that Damascus withdrew its
troops from its tiny neighbor in 2005 and that diplomatic ties between both
countries were officially launched in October. "This is a friendly and
introductory visit," he said. Aoun's visit has come under fire from members of
the ruling anti-Syrian parliamentary majority who accuse him of being a turncoat
and of cowtowing to his former adversaries for political gain.
A former army chief, Aoun was headed a Christian government when he was forced
into exile after being defeated in a Syrian offensive in 1990 at the end of
Lebanon's 15-year civil war. He had declared a "war of liberation" against
Syrian forces. Aoun returned in May 2005, a month after Damascus ended 29 years
of military domination in the aftermath of the assassination of former Lebanese
Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
He said his Lebanese foes would do better to clean up their own act rather point
fingers. "In my talks... tomorrow in Syria or yesterday in Iran or any country
in the world... the issue will be Lebanon not Michel Aoun," Aoun said. Aoun, 73,
stunned Lebanon in 2006 when he entered an alliance with the Iran- and
Syria-backed Hizbullah, a move that is thought to have caused his popularity to
slip. Syria and Lebanon launched diplomatic ties for the first time in October
after years of tense relations following the Hariri murder. Syria was widely
blamed for the killing but denies involvement. Aoun also caused a stir when he
visited Iran in October and held talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. (AFP)
Beirut, 01 Dec 08, 18:32
Jumblat: No Return to Syrian Guardianship if
Lebanese-Syrian Relations as per Taef
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Monday said:
"Establishing Lebanese-Syrian relations according the Taef agreement does not
mean a return to the former Syrian guardianship. Rather a respect of Lebanon's
sovereignty and independence."Jumblat made his statements to the weekly al-Anbaa
newspaper in which he criticized the Syrian regime's response to the issue of
the international tribunal saying:" this regime states that it is unconcerned
with the tribunal, on other occasions it states it will put on trial anyone
found involved in assassinations (in Lebanon) and charge them with treason, why
this contradiction?"
According to Jumblat this contradiction would force Syria to use terrorism in
Lebanon. This confirms Syria's point of view that Lebanon is a center of
terrorism and hence, deflect attention from more important issues such as border
demarcation, Palestinian arms outside Palestinian refugee camps, missing and
detained Lebanese citizens in Syria, including the High Lebanese-Syrian Council.
"Lebanon has liberated its territories except for Shebaa. How can it be when
Syria continues to hold (peace) negotiations with Israel via Turkey and others,
while Syria abstains from officially recognizing the Shebaa Farms as Lebanese
territory? Lebanon is being used as a bargaining chip," Jumblat said. Regarding
internal issues, Jumblat said:" It is very important that all political forces
in the land arrive at a common belief of the need to separate economic, social
and living issues from political polarization. The state of deprivation has
unexceptionally extended to all regions, development is necessary in all
sectors." He called on cabinet to settle judicial formations to help the courts
and facilitate public concerns and issues. Beirut, 01 Dec 08, 21:05
Qatar Assures Saniora Continued Support to Lebanon
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hammad Ben Khalifa al- Thani affirmed his country's
continued support to Lebanon on all levels, particularly with previously
projects that are of interest to both countries. The Emir of Qatar received
Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Saniora on Monday in Doha. The one-hour meeting
covered developments in Lebanon, the region and bilateral relations. Saniora
held separate talks on the same issue with the Qatari prime minister earlier.
"This was a good opportunity for us to discuss a lot of issues that are of
interest to both our countries, " Saniora said. He was asked by reporters on
whether Qatar will be supplying Lebanon with oil and gas, Saniora replied
saying:" There are a number of issues, the infrastructure for one, and other
projects that have good economic and social return, that Qatar could contribute
to."On Sunday Saniora attended the International Conference on Financing for
Development in the Qatari capital.
In his address to the U.N.-sponsored summit in Doha, Saniora said: "In Lebanon,
through truly correct economic policies that were designed for confronting
specific circumstances in our country, in addition to united efforts by the
Central Bank and cabinet, we managed to protect our banking and financial
systems from the crisis."
Saniora said Lebanon is making efforts to move forward with its reform schedule.
"We are also discussing means for launching a partnership between private and
public sectors, to implement a continued and balanced development strategy
regionally and locally. This will work on stimulating demand and supply in
Lebanon," he said. Beirut, 01 Dec 08, 16:31
France Pressing toward Exchange of Embassies between Beirut
and Damascus
Naharnet/France on Monday was reportedly pressing on toward the achievement of
exchange of diplomatic ties between Lebanon and Syria.
The pan-Arab daily Al Hayat said the "surprise" move by France toward Lebanon
was the result of discussions in Jeddah on Saturday between French President
Nicolas Sarkozy and Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. Al Hayat quoted sources
as saying that the Lebanon situation was tackled during the Sarkozy-Abdullah
talks in light of Syrian President Bashar Assad's commitment to the French
president toward respect of Lebanon's stability and sovereignty, particularly
with regards to exchange of ambassadors before year-end. The daily said the
issue of the exchange of ambassadors is likely to be put on "high fire" in the
coming days, especially since President Michel Suleiman had repeatedly said that
the Lebanese-Syrian embassy exchange will take place before the end of the year.
The sources, however, raised fear that Syria could "take its time" in a
diplomatic exchange under the excuse that the Lebanon government has not picked
its ambassador to Damascus. Meanwhile, ministerial sources told An Nahar
newspaper that the coming three weeks would witness the exchange of ambassadors
between Lebanon and Syria. Sources, however, said the Lebanese Cabinet was still
examining candidates for the ambassadorial post. Beirut, 01 Dec 08, 08:35
March 14: Any Visit to Syria Must be Cabinet Approved
Naharnet/March 14 Forces Secretariat General on Monday said that cabinet must
approve any visit to Syria by a Lebanese politician or security figure first.
The General-Secretariat stressed that" Any visit (to Syria) must be removed from
the authority of the Higher Lebanese-Syrian Council and its secretariat, all
signed agreements made during the (previous Syrian) guardianship. It is
necessary for cabinet to review every visit made by any official outside of
Lebanon."
The statement added, "It is up to Lebanese public opinion to judge the full
engagement of some Damascus visitors."
The Secretariat General gave priority to diplomatic relations between Lebanon
and Syria and called for it to begin as soon as possible. It pointed to the
Syrian regime's refusal of border demarcation, the fate of missing and detained
Lebanese citizens in Syria and disarming elements outside Palestinian refugee
camps.
The statement ended with:" The Syrian regime is persists in placing itself
outside the framework of international legitimacy. It considers itself
unconcerned with the international tribunal contrary to what all Lebanese agreed
to at the 2006 national dialogue." Beirut, 01 Dec 08, 17:56
International Support to India and Pakistan against
Jihadi Terror
November 30, 2008
By Walid Phares
CounterTerrorismBlog.org
As Governments and private sector analysts are now decrypting the secrets of the
Mumbai Jihadi operation and as diplomats are hurrying to head off a crisis
between the two Asian nuclear powers, the counter terrorism community within
Democracies is focusing on studying the effects of the latest "Urban Jihad" not
only on India, but also inside Pakistan, across the region and throughout the
free world. In this regard, I am sharing here at the CTB an interview I had with
Venkatesan Vembu of the Daily News and Analysis of India. Also I am including in
this post a number of TV interviews I had on Fox News over the past few days.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
In his 2005 book Future Jihad, Walid Phares, a leading commentator on global
terrorism, portrayed a grim Urban Jihad scenario, like the virtual terrorist
takeover of Mumbai earlier this week. In an interview to Venkatesan Vembu, the
Director of Future Terrorism Project at the Foundation of the Defence of
Democracies, and the author of The Confrontation: Winning the War Against Future
Jihad, speaks on the dangers of jihadism, and outlines strategies for winning
the war against it.
Who do you think carried out the Mumbai attack?
This attack is part of an ongoing struggle between jihadis and the Indian state:
in October, Indian security forces arrested several Indian Mujahideen members.
Those arrests were a response to attacks in other cities. So, it's part of a
chain.
Do you see the signature of the Al-Qaeda?
Al-Qaeda is the centre of a web; these organisations are learning from its
multidimensional operations. The Al-Qaeda is sitting among the Taliban. In
Pakistan, the Taliban and the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed are
interlinked. We're dealing with a force, stretching from Afghanistan to India.
In India, jihadis are applying the Al-Qaeda model, even if they are not a part
of it.
What was the motive for the Mumbai attack?
At one level, to instill shock and awe worldwide, much like the 9/11 attacks. On
the regional level, there may be another motive. Jihadis in Pakistan have been
under pressure, especially under the new President (Asif Zardari), because of
the ongoing military operations in Waziristan. The jihadis' strategic objective
was to break down the rapprochement between India and Pakistan. If that happens,
Pakistan will be forced to pull back units operating against the Taliban and
move them to the border with India.
That would ease pressure on the Taliban. Indian citizens are seething with rage,
sensing a Pakistani link to the attack. How should India respond to Pakistan's
inability or unwillingness to go after jihadis?
This matter has to be internationalized: if we leave it to India and Pakistan,
then anger will take over. The US, Europe and Russia should convene a meeting
against the jihadi challenge.
Second, the Pakistan government must send out a strong signal that it will
combat terrorism. Perhaps the Pakistan prime minister should visit Mumbai and
declare from there that both countries are united in the fight against
terrorism. Third, inside Pakistan, terrorist organizations must be given a
strong message that ‘any attack on India is an attack on us'.
Why should not India launch aerial strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan,
just as the US does when its troops in Afghanistan are attacked?
Such aerial attacks won't solve the problem. What we need is an international
framework for ground-level attacks. Pakistanis must feel they are a part of an
international and regional consortium. Once they're in, you can launch
activities and say, ‘The Pakistanis are part of it'. Even if in reality they may
not be. The Pakistan intelligence service is penetrated by jihadis, and the
Pakistani government doesn't know how deeply it's been infiltrated. The Obama
transition team seems keen to bring pressure on India to address the Kashmir
issue. When Obama is in the White House, he will have to look at the realities.
The problem is not Kashmir, but the jihadis in Kashmir.
What is the objective of jihadis?
First, to establish a Taliban-like regime - characterized by suppression of
minorities and women - in all Muslim countries or regions. After that, they want
to crumble 21 Arab countries, 52 Muslim states and recreate a ‘Caliphate' that
will go against human rights, including the rights of Muslims. And then there is
the use of weapons of mass destruction. In jihadi ideology, there is no such
thing as ‘balance of terror' or ‘mutually assured destruction' - because in the
view of a suicide bomber, life is not ‘here', it's on the ‘other side'...
How can the war against future jihad be won?
We need an international coalition against jihadis that would go across
ideology, regions and cultures. India has not supported the campaign in Iraq,
and is not present in Afghanistan, and yet it is targeted by jihadis. It's the
same with Russia, countries in Europe, and the Arab world. Mumbai should be the
moral and psychological 9/11 of the world. What has happened in that city will
and can happen in all cities. Even if all jihadis in the Mumbai attack have been
captured or killed, that model is now a living model. You have to have
international action in the same way Nazism and Fascism were fought. You must
have an international charter against the radicalisation of young minds.
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1210325
France Pressing toward Exchange
of Embassies between Beirut and Damascus
Naharnet/France on Monday was reportedly pressing on toward the achievement of
exchange of diplomatic ties between Lebanon and Syria.
The pan-Arab daily Al Hayat said the "surprise" move by France toward Lebanon
was the result of discussions in Jeddah on Saturday between French President
Nicolas Sarkozy and Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.
Al Hayat quoted sources as saying that the Lebanon situation was tackled during
the Sarkozy-Abdullah talks in light of Syrian President Bashar Assad's
commitment to the French president toward respect of Lebanon's stability and
sovereignty, particularly with regards to exchange of ambassadors before
year-end.
The daily said the issue of the exchange of ambassadors is likely to be put on
"high fire" in the coming days, especially since President Michel Suleiman had
repeatedly said that the Lebanese-Syrian embassy exchange will take place before
the end of the year.
The sources, however, raised fear that Syria could "take its time" in a
diplomatic exchange under the excuse that the Lebanon government has not picked
its ambassador to Damascus. Meanwhile, ministerial sources told An Nahar
newspaper that the coming three weeks would witness the exchange of ambassadors
between Lebanon and Syria. Sources, however, said the Lebanese Cabinet was still
examining candidates for the ambassadorial post. Beirut, 01 Dec 08, 08:35
Aoun in Damascus within 2 Days Carrying Concerns of Elections
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun is to leave to Damascus
on Wednesday or Thursday, carrying concerns of Lebanese parliamentary
elections.The date of the visit, however, will be kept secret for security
reasons. Sources following up with Aoun's visit preparations did not rule out
that the former general would carry the concerns of elections. The sources
stressed that Aoun would urge Damascus to intervene and persuade its allies to
stay away from pressuring him to adopt certain names on his election list.
Beirut, 01 Dec 08, 10:02
Awad Disappeared … Likely in Turkey!
Naharnet/Fatah al-Islam's wanted leader Abdul Rahman Awad has again disappeared
with press reports on Monday saying he is likely to be in Turkey.
The daily al-Liwaa on Monday said Awad may have headed to Turkey to live in an
apartment with a Lebanese extremist man known as Abu Bakr Aqida.
Abu Aqida, who was also identified by his initials A. H., is wanted on charges
of involvement in the incidents of Dinniyeh in northern Lebanon back in the year
2000.
Al Liwaa said Awad was last seen mid last week in what is known as the
"Emergency neighborhood" of the southern refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh in
southern Lebanon.
It said another Fatah Islam official, Ossama al-Shahabi, also wanted by Lebanese
authorities, vanished a few days ago and could not be seen cruising in the
vicinity of his house in Ein el-Hilweh's Safsaf neighborhood.
Meanwhile, the daily An Nahar said another extremist group, Osbat al-Ansar, had
played a role alongside a leading Palestinian figure in hiding Awad and his
aides.
It said Lebanese security forces have confirmed information that Awad is still
inside Ein el-Hilweh.
A Lebanese security official told the daily Al Akhbar Monday that Osbat al-Ansar
knows Awad's hideout, adding that the radical group is in the process of cutting
a deal with Lebanese authorities, leading to the arrest of Awad or his handover
based on four conditions:
1- End government chase against Osbat al-Ansar.
2- Reconsider court rulings against members of its group.
3- A court vow to lower sentences on other party members
4- Deal with Osbat al-Ansar as an extremist, not terrorist, group.
Beirut, 01 Dec 08, 10:33
Ban Affirms to Saniora: March 1 Launch Date for
International Tribunal
Naharnet/U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon affirmed to Prime Minister Fouad
Saniora on Sunday the international tribunal that would try ex-Premier Rafik
Hariri's assassination "is on the right track" and will start functioning in
March.
"I am extremely glad to announce that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is on the
right track and will be launched on March 1, 2009," Ban told reporters after a
meeting with Saniora on the sidelines of the International Conference on
Financing for Development in Doha.
He said he agrees with Saniora that "the launch of the Special Tribunal will be
a significant step towards the end of impunity."
He said they both hoped that the U.N. Security Council will endorse the plan.
"There will now be a build up in momentum with a coordinated transition starting
on 1 January 2009, during which the staff of the International Independent
Investigation Commission (IIIC) in Beirut will gradually transfer to The Hague.
This will be carried out in a manner that ensures that there is no interruption
to the IIIC investigation," Ban said. He said the world body is well-advanced in
preparation work for this transition phase through the Registrar and his Advance
Team in The Hague. "I wish to thank those member states, which have contributed
funds to the Special Tribunal, and encourage all member states to pledge their
financial support for the coming years so that we can be assured that the
Special Tribunal will continue on a firm financial footing," the U.N. chief
said.
For his part, Saniora welcomed this "important step" adding that Lebanon will no
longer be a country where there is impunity.
He thanked the Secretary-General and members of the permanent and non-permanent
Security Council members and all those who helped through funds in making the
court a reality. Saniora also said that his discussions with Ban covered the
issue of the Shebaa Farms and the border village of Ghajar.
"We proved to the secretary general that Lebanon had just claims regarding both
the Shebaa Farms and Ghajar," he said. "As far as the Shebaa Farms are concerned
we all know that a demarcation of borders to determine the land's ownership does
not require the presence of technicians and experts in the Israeli-occupied
territory ... The demarcation can be done on maps." As for Ghajar, Saniora noted
that the Israelis have clearly violated U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 by
refusing to leave the northern part of the village since the summer war of 2006.
Saniora also met in Doha with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who thanked
him for the Lebanese government's approval to open a Palestinian embassy in
Lebanon. Abbas also affirmed to Saniora that Palestinians in Lebanon are
temporary guests who must respect Lebanese laws. Beirut, 30 Nov 08, 22:25
Jumblat Wonders Why Beirut is Rushing to Normalize Ties
with Damascus
Naharnet/Druze leader Walid Jumblat said Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji's
visit to Damascus was premature and wondered why Lebanon was rushing toward
normalization of relations with Syria. Why take quick steps toward normalizing
ties with Damascus which has not yet committed to a timetable over Shebaa Farms
area, Palestinian arms outside refugee camps in Lebanon, Fatah al-Islam
terrorist group and demarcation of the border?, Jumblat told As Safir daily in
remarks published Monday. He wondered whether the cabinet had set the agenda for
Qahwaji's visit to the Syrian capital. "Yes, I have a problem with this behavior
which is moving quickly towards normalization (of relations) and is forgetting
about the essence," Jumblat said in response to a question. Qahwaji discussed
with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday topics of interest to the
Lebanese Army, including border control and demarcation, the fate of missing
Lebanese citizens and exchange of army training programs. Qahwaji also met with
other Syrian officials. As Safir quoted a source from MP Saad Hariri's al-Mustaqbal
movement as saying that the party didn't mind any coordination between the
institutions of both countries, but stressed that it would be better for visits
to take place after the exchange of ambassadors between Beirut and Damascus. The
source also expressed concern about Syrian procrastination in the establishment
of diplomatic ties. Beirut, 01 Dec 08, 07:39
Phalange and Hizbullah Exchange Blame
Naharnet/Hizbullah on Sunday considered the Phalange party in dire need for
speeches proving to Christian allies that it exists and accused Former President
Amin Gemayel of agitating university students to reject the party in Christian
areas of Lebanon. It held Phalange leader Gemayel responsible for recent
university incidents by "provoking and militarizing the street against the
resistance." "Provocative speeches and harmful statements were issued against
the resistance and its supporters, we went back to hear statements such as,
'beware you are at the eastern not the western part of Beirut,' and 'no place
here for Hizbullah and its supporters.' Moreover, our political and religious
symbols were attacked," Hizbullah said in a statement. "We tell all fanatics:
Your future would not be better than your present," the statement concluded. The
Phalange party snapped back in its own statement. "They say we are warmongers,
where did they read that? Was it in (Gemayel's) statement in which he said
defense strategy is through a strategy of peace and not war? Where did they read
fanaticism? Was it in saying we abhor extremism and fanaticism through civilized
establishments and exchanged respect? If you are ready for all these sacrifices,
why don't we unite? Are the concepts of unity and peace attacked now in
Lebanon?" The Phalange statement concluded by welcoming "past partners among us"
if they desire. Beirut, 30 Nov 08, 20:45
Saniora Urges World Leaders to Fight Corruption
Naharnet/Prime Minister Fouad Saniora has warned against implications of the
global financial crisis and urged world leaders to confront corruption.
"Advanced and developed nations are to equally confront corruption and illegal
inflow of funds," Saniora said Sunday at the International Conference on
Financing for Development in the Qatari capital. In his address to the
U.N.-sponsored summit in Doha, Saniora said: "In Lebanon, through truly correct
economic policies that were designed for confronting specific circumstances in
our country, in addition to united efforts by the Central Bank and cabinet, we
managed to protect our banking and financial systems from the crisis." Saniora
said Lebanon is making efforts to move forward with its reform schedule. "We are
also discussing means for launching a partnership between private and public
sectors, to implement a continued and balanced development strategy regionally
and locally. This will work on stimulating demand and supply in Lebanon," he
said. Beirut, 30 Nov 08, 18:31
The end of Hindustan...
Jerusalem Post 29/11/08
Sir, - History testifies to the fact that Muslims have always thrived on
violence and treachery, and never believed in any nationalities, this does not
imply that all Muslims are traitors of the countries in which they reside, but
simply that their only aim is to turn a Hindu majority country like India into a
Muslim nation, by whatever means possible ("78 Killed in Mumbai terror attacks,"
November 27).
It is worth noting that Muslims used the slogan at the time of the country's
partition, "hans ke liya hai Pakistan, lad ke lenge Hindustan (We got Pakistan
by laughing, by fighting we will capture India). Thus we see now that they are
strongly moving in that direction.
There is a covert conspiracy by the Muslims to treacherously trap and entice
Hindu girls into Islam, and produce as many children as possible from a maximum
of four wives (as Indian law very gratefully permits).
The ongoing events in Mumbai are a wake up call for all of us, otherwise we will
be eliminated, like the Hindus of Pakistan and of Kashmir.
KARTIKAY PANDEY
Lucknow, India
...and of Israel
Sir, - Itamar Rabinovitch's article "How not to negotiate with Syria" (Opinion,
November 26) is revealing in its ignorance of the Islamic religion, American
interests and Israel's rights. This former Israeli diplomat is willing to sign a
peace agreement with Syria knowing that:
(1) Muslim law does not respect agreements with "infidels" such as the Jews.
(2) Signing a "peace" agreement will allow the US to reward Syria with state of
the art weapons, as was Egypt.
(3) Syrian schools and mass media feed the population a daily dose of
anti-Zionism just as Egypt does today despite a "peace" agreement with Israel.
(4) The Golan Heights will not satisfy Syria's appetite. It was in Syrian hands
in 1967 and they still attacked Israel. The fact is that the Arabs view Israel
in its entirety as captured Arab territory. Giving up pieces of it simply
reinforces the world's perception that we are contritely returning stolen Arab
land.
It is time we cease all negotiations and ensure peace by being ready for war.
Even Iran's verbal threats and Hamas's violation of our territory warrant a
severe response. Otherwise Israel will be history.
CHAYIM SEIDEN
Jerusalem
Good for the field
Sir, - Instead of building a new military medical school which we cannot afford,
I propose that a required class in military field medicine be added to the
curriculum of every medical school in Israel ("Healthy soldiers are better
soldiers," November 22 ). Then, the Israeli Board of Medical Specialties could
create a new residency in "Military Field Medicine." This would place Israel at
the forefront in this field worldwide, which would also bring scholars and
doctors from every country to study here. Having this specialty at a graduate
level would eliminate any questions about sub-standard training as well as
lowered admission requirements in an IDF-specific school. Perhaps the residency
itself could count toward service in the IDF.
SUCCAH SCHIFFMAN
Efrat
Missed the ladder
Sir, - It is a pity that the journalist who toured historic Bath, England missed
out on the Bath Abbey Cathedral ("To the manor born," November 23).
On our visit to Bath we were told to go there by a couple we met at the Pump
Room. Upon hearing that we were from Israel they told us there was a sculpture
rendition of Jacob's Ladder at the Cathedral.
On each side of the structure's massive entrance are the angels ascending and
descending respectively - a truly impressive sight.
DONYA MEIJER
Jerusalem
Real mending
Sir, - I would like to add a few comments on what is generally ignored by
writers regarding Jewish/Black relations in America as it relates to notable
"national black political figures" ("Let the races begin... mending rifts,"
November 14).
As much as national Jewish figures in the US such as Abraham Foxman (and AJC
leaders) and their constituencies of influence attempt to isolate and dismiss
national black religious leaders such as Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Louis
Farrakhan and their constituencies, they too will feel isolated and dismissed -
continuing a cycle of division between the two groups.
At some point, if the rifts are to be truly mended, Jewish American figures
representing national Jewish organizations and their black American counterparts
must dialogue forthrightly regarding their differences.
Thankfully, the real and perceived rifts between Jewish/Black adversaries in
America are not based on spilled blood, as is the case with Jews and Arabs in
the Middle East. This presents a heretofore missed opportunity to bridge
divisions that are not nearly as bad as they could be.
For Abraham Foxman and Louis Farrakhan to be at perpetual war for a quarter of a
century without once sitting down to attempt to resolve their differences is
down-right unconscionable and inexcusable.
J. RANARD
Marietta, Georgia
Canada vs. Radical Islam
By: Kathy Shaidle /Pajama Media
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/canada-must-boost-anti-islamist-efforts-at-home/
Having won a new term, Prime Minister Stephen Harper now needs to win the
domestic fight against Islamism.
December 1, 2008 -
On October 14, Canadian voters handed Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper
his second minority government, one even stronger than his first. Harper vows to
maintain the nation’s military commitment in Afghanistan through 2011, but his
dedication to fighting radical Islam at home remains unclear.
Ezra Levant was one of those trying to keep those issues on the table while
working the party’s “war room” during the campaign. Levant famously reprinted
the Danish cartoons of Mohammed in his magazine, the Western Standard, back in
2006, an act that got him hauled before the Alberta Human Rights Commission for
“Islamophobia.” That was Canada’s first real taste of Islamist “lawfare”
tactics, and its most notorious next to similar charges brought against
Maclean’s magazine and its columnist Mark Steyn.
Levant is optimistic about the prime minister’s commitment to fighting radical
Islam on the domestic front.
“You might recall,” Levant told Pajamas Media right after the election, “that
the 18 young Muslims arrested for plotting to blow up the CBC and CN Tower and
behead the prime minister happened right after Harper was first elected. His
response was not the typical politically correct response of having a photo-op
with a radical imam.”
Rather, the Harper government refused to meet with, and thereby legitimize,
radical groups like the Canadian Islamic Congress. Instead, the Conservatives
pointedly visited Ahmaddiya and Ismaili Muslim communities, which tend to be
more “educated, professional, charitable, liberal.”
According to one expert, however, the Harper government still has work to do on
the anti-Islamist front.
David B. Harris directs the International and Terrorist Intelligence Program for
INSIGNIS Strategic Research. He outlined the challenges facing the new
government in the months ahead.
First, says Harris, the government must challenge “Islamist claims of real and
substantial anti-Muslim behavior” — claims that simply don’t withstand scrutiny.
When radical Muslims succeed in “mainstreaming the victimization narrative,”
this makes “the mainstream, including courts, vulnerable to demands for the most
excessive of accommodations, accommodations that tend to reinforce any
self-isolating, anti-integrationist inclinations — and the creation and
existence of potentially dangerous parallel societies.”
Harris also calls on the Conservative government to ensure that radical Muslim
groups “are never engaged in ‘outreach’ activity by police and security
organizations.”
The hot-button issue of immigration is, next to socialized medicine, the most
“untouchable” in Canada. Citizens imbibe the civic religion of
“multiculturalism, tolerance, and diversity” beginning in elementary school. In
spite of that, Harris is blunt.
“Immigration must be brought under immediate control,” he told Pajamas Media,
“and no longer be viewed as a mere vote-importing mechanism” — the strategy the
Liberal Party employed for generations to become, until recently, “the natural
ruling party.”
Harris adds, “Bringing over a quarter of a million people a year into Canada is
unconscionable in this threat environment, and it should be no surprise that our
few thousand security officials are overworked.”
Whether or not Stephen Harper really has the mandate, let alone the fortitude,
to address creeping Sharia, domestic radicalism, and Islamic lawfare remains to
be seen. Like all politicians, Harper is interested primarily in getting
reelected and eventually winning a majority government for his Conservative
Party. This means not alienating Muslim voters or moderate liberals. Harper’s
personal style, which is low key in the extreme, is intended to convey
steadiness but often comes across as indifference. This in turn frustrates
Canadians concerned about lawfare and creeping Sharia. (Ironically, the
Canadians most vocal about those concerns tend to be Quebeckers — who
historically vote Liberal and once again rejected Harper’s attempts to court
them during this election.)
Muslims currently make up approximately two percent of the Canadian population,
and the number who could be described as “radical” is far less. However, the
radical few are able to generate considerable media attention. While their
attempts to effectively “hijack” two magazines through the Canadian Human Rights
Commissions ultimately proved unsuccessful, those cases had a chilling effect on
journalists and moderate Muslims.
Not all moderate Muslims, however. Three of them recently met at a Quebec
conference to discuss radical Islam and its infiltration of Canadian political
parties, particularly the country’s number three party, the socialist New
Democrats (NDP).
Author Tarek Fatah declared that he’d switched party affiliation from NDP to
Liberal because, “in the last NDP leadership campaign, I was witness to an
attempt by a group of wealthy Islamists to back one member of Parliament for the
leadership, with the stated objective of controlling the party.”
While the NDP could never conceivably form a minority government, let alone a
majority one, it is a highly vocal part of the official opposition, represents
many of the nation’s most multicultural, urban ridings, and can make or break
any anti-Islamist efforts the Conservatives may table in Parliament.
Add to that recent hints by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (the country’s version of the FCC) that it hopes to start regulating
the internet — the key medium for fighting Islamist ideas — and the future looks
less encouraging all the time.
Ultimately, Canada’s fight against domestic Islamism is in the hands of
dedicated, informed individuals, regardless of who happens to currently reside
at 24 Sussex Drive.