LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 15/08

Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 1,6-8.19-28. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites (to him) to ask him, "Who are you?"he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, "I am not the Messiah."
So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."So they said to him, "Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?" He said: "I am 'the voice of one crying out in the desert, "Make straight the way of the Lord,"' as Isaiah the prophet said."Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie." This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Saint Augustine 9354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Sermons on the Gospel of Saint John, no.2, §5-7/«He came for testimony to testify to the Light»
In what way has Christ come? He appeared as man. But because he was a man such that God was concealed within him, a special kind of man was sent before him to make known that he was more than man, that he was the Messiah... Who was he, this man who had to give testimony to the Light in this way? The man John was truly remarkable, of great merit and outstanding grace, high above all others. Admire him in the way we would admire a mountain: the mountain would remain in shadow so long as the light did not come to envelop it – «He was not the Light». Don't take the mountain for the light; don't break yourself against it, far less find help in it.
So what should we admire, then? The mountain, but only as a mountain. Rise up as far as him who lights up this mountain, which was erected to become the first to receive the sun's rays and to reflect them back to your eyes... We say of our eyes, too, that they are lights and yet, if we don't light the lamp at night or if the sun does not rise by day, our eyes are open in vain. John himself was in the dark before he was enlightened; he only became light through this enlightenment. If he had not received the rays of this Light he would have remained as dark as other are...
And what about the Light itself? Where is it? «The true Light which enlightens everyone coming into the world»? (Jn 1,9). If he enlightens everyone then he also enlightened John, through whom he wished to be manifested... He came for the sick of mind, for wounded hearts, for souls whose eyes are weak..., people unable to see aright. He covered John with his beams. By testifying that he himself had been enlightened, John made known He who enlightens, He who gives clarity, He who is the source of every gift.

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Canada's death toll in Afghanistan pushed to 103-canadian press 14/12/08
Mumbai terrorism-By: James Lyons.Washington Times 14/12/08

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for December 14/08
AN and Beirut for Full Implementation of 1701-Naharnet
Jordan, Lebanon urge full implementation of resolution 1701-Monsters and Critics.com
Opposition Used Veto for 1st Time at Cabinet-Naharnet
Geagea Rejects March 8 Threat Relayed by Arslan-Naharnet
Karami Wants Taef Amended, Premier's Powers Maintained-Naharnet
Ackerman: Lebanon's Future is Not for Sale-Naharnet
Opposition Used Veto for 1st Time at Cabinet-Naharnet
Aoun: I am Part of the Regional Conflict Against Israel-Naharnet
Lebanese-American Gets 10 Years for Smuggling Equipment to Hizbullah-Naharnet
Abu Faour Accuses March 8 of Not Wanting Elections-Naharnet
Nayla Tueni in Tribute to her Father: Do not Vote for 'State-lets' Left behind by Syria-Naharnet
Aoun: I am Part of the Regional Conflict Against Israel-Naharnet
Jumblat Willing to Meet Nasrallah if Arslan Wants to … and Meet Wiam Wahhab-Naharnet
Cabinet Forms Election Campaign Supervisory Commission-Naharnet
Conference on Lebanese-U.S. Relationship Amidst Fears of a Hizbullah Election Victory-Naharnet
U.N. Official: No Deals will Be Allowed to Obstruct International Tribunal March-Naharnet

Aoun: I am Part of the Regional Conflict Against Israel
Naharnet/In a live interview with the Qatari based al-Jazeera television on Saturday, Reform and Change parliamentary bloc leader Michel Aoun said:" I am part of the regional conflict against Israel; I am not against Egypt and Saudi Arabia. However, everyone should beware not to engage in bilateral agreements at the expense of Lebanon."During his recent visit to Syria Aoun met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and discussed bilateral ties with Syria. "President Assad told me that Syria wouldn't return to Lebanon," he said Aoun explained that we must provide others with some trust. Aoun commented on relations with Syria saying: "Vicinity closeness forces neighboring countries to have special and natural relations, natural relations with Syria cover tourism, trade and common waters," he said. He explained that, someone should have begun improving relations with Syria and I found myself capable of doing that. On the issue of the upcoming Lebanese legislative elections Aoun remarked:" I said to President Assad that I am comfortable in knowing that we will win the next legislative elections, I talked to him about the need for holding the elections, but did not talk about electoral lists." Aoun said:" I am considering visiting Maronite Patriarch Sfeir. However, I am looking into it timing."
Beirut, 13 Dec 08, 22:14

Ackerman: Lebanon's Future is Not for Sale
Naharnet/U.S. Congressman Gary Ackerman said following a meeting with President Michel Suleiman on Saturday that "Lebanon's future is not for sale."
He said the Lebanese army deserves the support of the international community. Ackerman also stressed that Washington will not "desert" the international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes. "Any debate or relationship we hope the United States hopes to expand with any other country in the region will not be at the expense of Lebanese blood," Ackerman said. Beirut, 14 Dec 08, 10:07

AMMAN and Beirut for Full Implementation of 1701
Naharnet/Jordan and Lebanon on Sunday called for "full implementation" of the UN Security Council resolution which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah. King Abdullah II and visiting Lebanese President Michel Suleiman at a meeting "stressed the importance of the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701," the palace said in a statement, without elaborating. "It is important to intensify all efforts in order to face any possible threat to Lebanon's security, stability and sovereignty," it quoted the king as telling Suleiman. The resolution which brought an end to the devastating 34-day war between Israel and Hizbullah in August 2006 demanded the pullout of the Israeli army from south Lebanon and its replacement by a U.N.-backed Lebanese army deployment. It also called for the disarming of all militias in Lebanon -- an allusion to Palestinian militant groups as well as Hizbullah -- and banned arms smuggling. Suleiman, who will conclude his two-day trip to Jordan on Monday, held talks with the king on the Middle East peace process as well as ways to boost economic links between their countries, according to the palace.(AFP) Beirut, 14 Dec 08, 19:13

EU Rewards Syria Over Lebanon Ties
Naharnet/The European Union on Sunday offered a reward to Syria for moving towards setting up ties with Lebanon The European Commission and Damascus inked a cooperation agreement in Damascus, four years after completion of a deal which EU member states failed to sign for political reasons. Tayssir Raddaui, head of the Syrian state planning board and Hugo Mingarelli, deputy head of the European Commission for foreign affairs, inked the document in front of media. Full signature of the agreement is expected during the first half of 2009, according to a statement. Syria is one of the last Mediterranean countries not to have signed such an association agreement, which brings financial benefits conditional on certain economic reforms. Last month the commission promised to offer Syria a new deal "very soon" to reward the country for having established diplomatic relations with Lebanon and starting indirect peace talks with Israel. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU's external affairs commissioner, said then that her office was finalizing changes to the draft agreement with Syria to adapt it to recent developments. She welcomed "recent positive developments in Syrian regional policy."The EU froze relations with Damascus after the assassination in February 2005 of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, an attack widely blamed on Syria though Damascus denies the charge.(Naharnet-AFP) Beirut, 14 Dec 08, 20:31

Geagea Rejects March 8 Threat Relayed by Arslan
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Sunday accused Cabinet Minister Talal Arslan of relaying a threat on behalf of the March 8 alliance.
"The logic that Arslan has relayed is rejected. It is a message from March 8 forces and aims at forcing the majority to follow their agenda or face another attack as had happened in May," Geagea said. That is why "we call for international observation of the forthcoming elections to prevent the other side from resorting to violent methods," Geagea explained. He spoke of "major differences" with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun at the "political and strategic levels," saying the latter's recent visit to Syria was "not in Lebanon's interest." "The Syrian regime's stand on Lebanon has not changed," Geagea noted.
The March 14 forces, according to Geagea, are exerting efforts to form united tickets to compete in the 2009 elections. Beirut, 14 Dec 08, 17:31

Assailants Kill Two Lebanese in Africa
Naharnet/Two Lebanese men were killed and two wounded when unidentified assailants broke into their house in Guineau-Bissau overnight, it was officially reported on Sunday.
The state-run National News Agency said efforts were underway to arrange flying bodies of the two victims to Beirut for burial in Lebanon.
The terse report said one of the fatalities is from the Nazzal family and the second is his nephew.Further details were not available. Beirut, 14 Dec 08, 20:13

Karami Wants Taef Amended, Premier's Powers Maintained
Naharnet/Ex-Premier Omar Karami on Sunday called for amending the Taef Accord to "abolish" the distribution of power along factional lines.
Karami, in a statement to reporters after returning from Saudi Arabia where he performed the pilgrimage in Mecca, explained that amending the Taef should not include a re-distribution of powers between the Premier and President.
"The time is not ripe for Amending the Taef, I've said this before, but in principle the Taef Accord is neither a Quran nor a Bible, and, therefore, it is subject to revision," Karami explained. The Taef Accord, Karami recalled, "did not strip the president of powers and give them to the prime minister … the powers were given to the cabinet." "The Taef should be amended, not to take powers from the premier and give them to the president, but to abolish the distribution of powers along factional lines," he explained. Karami's remark contradicted a call by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun for Amending the Taef Accord to regain powers that the president had prior to the accord that ended Lebanon's bloody civil war. Beirut, 14 Dec 08, 16:49

LYONS: Mumbai terrorism
James Lyons
Sunday, December 14, 2008
ASSOCIATED PRESS Indians demonstrate Saturday against the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last month. The assaults have been described as "India's September 11," and officials in New Delhi are being pressured to respond.
The announcement of President-elect Barack Obama's national security team on the heels of the latest terrorist attack in Mumbai (Bombay), India, should again dispel the myth that we can through negotiations achieve an acceptable compromise with Islamic fundamentalist fanatics.
The terrorist attack in Mumbai may have had a more focused objective of inciting open warfare between India and Pakistan on the South Asia Subcontinent, but Islamic extremists principally represented by Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda organization and Iran's Khamenei regime have a broader agenda. They have declared a total war on not only the United States but on every free democratic nation.
Unfortunately, many allies as well as some members of Congress fail to grasp the challenge. President Carter and his national security team did not comprehend the depth of the challenge represented by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's rogue regime's takeover of Iran. Nor did President Reagan's defense secretary understand the depth of the challenge by Iran over the terrorist bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut in April 1983 or the subsequent bombing of the U.S. Marine headquarters in Beirut on Oct. 23, 1983.
Our failure early on to address these challenges sent a signal that we were not prepared or incapable politically to respond. The failure to respond in any meaningful way culminated in the devastating Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. As a result, we are now engaged in two ongoing wars.
Our U.S. forces led by Gen. David Petraeus have turned the corner in Iraq. The Bush administration has successfully negotiated a military and security agreement, which was recently passed by the Iraqi Parliament and there is now an end game in place.
In Afghanistan, the situation is less clear and has been allowed to deteriorate with no end game in sight. The Taliban has been able to reconstitute itself with outside support both in terms of funding, recruitment plus money from the opium trade.
What we have today in Afghanistan is an asymmetrical war. We need some ingenuity on reaching an accommodation with the tribal elders on both sides of the Durand line as we did in Iraq. The Durand Line represents the boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan but has never been accepted by Afghanistan nor have they accepted the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) as part of Pakistan. The Durand Line artificially divides the Pashtun tribes and has festered for generations. It is a situation that is easily exploited by al Qaeda and the Taliban. Osama bin Laden, his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri and Muhammad Omar are all believe to have been given sanctuary in the porous NWFP.
The Taliban leader, Muhammad Omar is in the minority. The tribes in the Frontier region are "Taliban" until something better comes along. As we have successfully done in Iraq, we need to use our special forces to go tribe by tribe negotiating arrangements that both sides are comfortable with. Similar operations, if already not in progress, need to be concluded with tribes on the Afghan side of the border. We need to offer more than al Qaeda and the Taliban - new roads, medical services including hospitals, schools, job opportunities and paying the warlords militias. Whatever we promise, we must deliver. We also need to train a Pakistani Frontier Unit in counterterrorism operations and imbed them with U.S. units.
With the Mumbai terrorist attack, the climate is Islamabad should be more receptive to such a proposal. Special Forces used in this role become a force multiplier.
We still need to address the Iranian nuclear weapon program. The Khamenei regime has caused thousands of U.S. military and civilian lives over the last almost 30 years from Lebanon to Iraq and Afghanistan. These lives must not have been given in vain. The Khamenei regime must be held accountable.
With much unrest among the general populace over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disastrous handling of the economy with at least a 30 percent inflation rate plus plans to eliminate subsidies on basic goods, this is not the time to weaken further our position with Iran by engaging in face-to-face negotiations without preconditions. Such negotiations would only serve to prop up Mr. Ahmadinejad's status. With the price of oil plummeting, we should with our allies in the EU-3 group and other willing partners press for more stringent sanctions, recognizing that those most likely will be ignored by Russia and China.
With the Khamenei regime's record of state-sponsored terrorism with its use of proxies, trained and equipped by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, to further its political agenda, an Iran in possession of nuclear weapons is totally unacceptable. Operational plans to destroy their nuclear weapon infrastructure and other key industries, e.g. gasoline refinery, should be rehearsed so there can be no misunderstanding about our determination to prevent Iran from achieving a nuclear weapon capability. An aggressive information program should also be broadcast to the Iranian people so that they understand the serious consequences of their continuing to support the policies of the Ali Khamenei regime.
James Lyons, U.S. Navy retired admiral, was commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, senior U.S. military representative to the United Nations, and deputy chief of naval operations, where he was principal adviser on all Joint Chiefs of Staff matters.
Copyright 2008 The Washington Times,