LCCC ENGLISH
DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 18/08
Bible Reading
of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 1,1-17. The book of the
genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became
the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and
his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was
Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the
father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father
of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the
father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse
the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother
had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the
father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of
Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father
of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of
Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his
brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the
father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the
father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the
husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah. Thus the total
number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David
to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the
Messiah, fourteen generations.
Rupert of Deutz (c.1075-1130), Benedictine monk
De Divinis Officiis 3, 18 (trans. De Lubac, Catholicism, p.408)/"In your
descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing" (Gn 28,14)
The genealogy of Jesus Christ from St. Matthew's Gospel is read to us. It is a
custom handed down by holy Church with a beauty and mystery of its own. For
behold how in truth this reading puts before us at dead of night that ladder
which Jacob saw at night in his sleep (Gn 28,12). Supported on the topmost rung
of the ladder where it reached heaven the Lord appeared to Jacob and promised
him that his posterity would inherit the earth... Now, as we know, "all these
things happened to them in figure" (1Cor 10,11). The ladder by which the Lord
appeared to be supported prefigured the family-tree of Jesus Christ which the
holy Gospel-writer so drew up as to come through Joseph. It is by Joseph that
our Lord as a small child is supported. Through the gate of heaven (Gn
28,17)..., that is, through the Blessed Virgin, our Lord, a tiny child for our
sake, comes crying... The words that Jacob in his sleep heard the Lord say, "And
in thy posterity shall all the nations of the earth be blessed", are fulfilled
by the birth of Christ.
The divine writer, bearing in mind this very point, put the names of Rahab the
prostitute and Ruth the Moabite into his genealogy. For he saw that Christ was
made flesh not for the Jews alone, but also for the Gentiles, inasmuch as he
deigned to accept ancestors from among the Gentiles... Sprung therefore from two
races, Jew and Gentile, as from two sides of the ladder, the ancestors from
their different rungs support Christ our Lord emerging from heaven. The holy
angels come up and go down and all the elect are first humbled to receive faith
in his Incarnation that they may be afterward lifted up to see the glory of his
divinity.
Free Opinions, Releases,
letters & Special Reports
Neighbors / Showtime for General
Aoun.By Zvi Bar'el
17/12/08
Bush's record and the soles of Arab folk-By
Marc J. Sirois 17/12/08
Mideast awaits new leaders, direction in 2009-By
Nicholas Blanford.Christian
Science Monitor
17/12/08
UNRWA takes aim at violence in refugee schools-By
IRIN News.org 17/12/08
Outwitting a hostile West may be about to get harder for Iran-
The Daily Star 17/12/08
Throwing shoes doesn't help Iraq-By
Arsalan Iftikhar.
CNN 17/12/08
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for December
17/08
U.N. Extends Hariri Investigation
Working Mandate for Two Months-Naharnet
Parliamentary Majority Calls on Minority to End its Bets on Reversals-Naharnet
Jumblat: Dialogue is Necessary and Lebanon is Committed to Taef Accords-Naharnet
Israelis could hit Syria, Iran without leaving
their own airspace-WorldNetDaily
Hale:
Hizbullah Could Ignite Demolishing Confrontation with Israel-Naharnet
Army Communications Network
Sabotaged-Naharnet
Washington Warns UNIFIL Against Qaida Attack-Naharnet
Parliament Discussions Focus on Implementing Doha Agreement-Naharnet
Lebanese Forces: Arslan's
Party Strongly Linked to Syria-Naharnet
Zaki: Palestinians are
Cooperating with Army to Prevent Another Nahr al-Bared-Naharnet
Gemayel: Solidarity with
Patriarch, President Shields Lebanon-Naharnet
Russia to Deliver 10 MiG
Fighter Jets to Lebanon-Naharnet
Israel Promises Quick
Victory in Next War with Hizbullah-Naharnet
Bellemare Briefs Security
Council on Hariri Murder Probe-Naharnet
Michael DeBakey Back to
Marjayoun-Naharnet
Israeli diplomat: No more talks with Syria at this time-Ha'aretz
Berri warns both sides to respect terms of Doha pact-Daily
Star
From Russia with love: Murr extracts promised gift of 10 fighter-bombers-Daily
Star
Top Israeli officer says Hizbullah will be destroyed in five days 'next time'-Daily
Star
Lebanese construction activity increases by almost a third-Daily
Star
Najjar appoints new heads of Higher Judicial Council and Shura Council-Daily
Star
Weekend getaway promotes Bsharri's Cedars-Daily
Star
'Broken arm and ribs' for Iraqi who 'shoed' Bush-(AFP)
Security Council urges Palestinians, Israelis to press search for peace-(AFP)
Major powers say they will stick to guns on Iran sanctions-(AFP)
Russians in talks with Israelis to buy unmanned reconnaissance drones-(AFP)
LIC Praises Congressman
Ackerman's Statements on Lebanon
December 15, 2008
The Lebanese Information Center is profoundly grateful to Congressman Gary
Ackerman for the statements he made during his recent visit to Lebanon. His
clear reaffirmation of continued American commitment to a free and sovereign
Lebanon mitigated concern among pro-democracy Lebanese that the change at the
White House may bring about a change in US policy toward Lebanon.
Indeed, similar positions on Lebanon by US leaders who share Congressman
Ackerman’s views play a significant role in alleviating concern that a US-Syrian
entente would come at the expense of Lebanon’s sovereignty. Moreover, such
statements reassure the Lebanese people that the potential end of Syria’s
international isolation will not entail a repeat of the mandate to control
Lebanon. Congressman Ackerman’s remark that “Lebanon is not only a place, it is
a concept”, attests to his appreciation of Lebanon’s pluralism and of its role
in that part of the world as a beacon of moderation, freedom and democracy.
While the enemies of freedom and democracy exploit the uncertainties
precipitated by the imminent transition in Washington to intimidate the Lebanese
people with the specter of abandonment by the US, Congressman Ackerman’s
statement that "Lebanon’s future is not for sale", was very timely and
reconfirmed that the United States’ commitment to Lebanon is solid and that
Lebanon will not be sacrificed.
The Lebanese Information Center is fully confident that, under the leadership of
Congressman Ackerman, the bipartisan convergence on the issue of Lebanon will
continue unabated and that the correct policies will be advanced to serve the
national interests of the US by allowing freedom, sovereignty, prosperity and
peace to flourish in Lebanon and the Middle East.
U.N. Extends Hariri
Investigation Working Mandate for Two Months
Naharnet/The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved on Wednesday,
to extend the working mandate of the International independent Investigation
Commission (UNIIIC) till February 28, 2009. UNIIIC head Canadian Commissioner
Daniel Bellemare addressed the Security Council requesting the extension for
logistic preparation of the International Tribunal's launch next March.
Bellemare said the commission has achieved many improvements since his last
report, adding that more information surrounding the individual that committed
the attack on for Prime Minister Rafic Hariri is now available. The
international commissioner affirmed that evidence would be made available to the
judiciary and not to the media. He also said that the commission is in
possession of more information that connects the Hariri assassination to other
attacks in Lebanon.
Regarding the issue of the four arrested generals in Lebanon on suspicion for
their involvement in the Hariri attack, Bellemare said that Lebanese judicial
authorities enjoy all the rights governing their status in the case. "No one has
the right to intervene in their work," Bellemare said.
Lebanon's Ambassador to the U.N. Nawwaf Salam said in turn, that the Lebanese
government has welcomed all the progress made in the case by UNIIIC so far.
"We wish to extend the commission's mandate, to know the truth and for the
perpetrators to face justice," Salam said.
He reiterated Lebanon's official position in committing to the establishment of
the international tribunal. He referred to President Michel Suleiman's address
to the U.N. General Assembly. He thanks the United Nations Secretary-General Ban
Ki-Moon for his efforts in accompanying the process of the investigation for the
sake of justice and safety to Lebanon and the Lebanese. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 20:49
Parliamentary Majority Calls on Minority to End its Bets on
Reversals
Naharnet/March 14 Forces General Secretariat openly called on parliamentary
minority (March 8 Forces) to end its bets on any possible reversals, whether by
arms or via entering into regional axis hostile to Lebanon's Arab depth.
Following its weekly meeting on Wednesday, the March 14 Forces General
Secretariat affirmed its refusal to the principle of threats and intimidation
following by March 8 Forces. "Some government members belonging to March 8
Forces, have threatened to pull out of cabinet, while others are hinting of a
return to the past May 7 (violent) events," statement said. It went on to praise
Russia's decision in providing Lebanon with MIG-29 fighters, saying it
reinforces trust in the Lebanese state and the armed forces. "This strategic
development comes in addition to an established Russian position in support of
justice in the form of the international tribunal," statement said. The General
Secretariat vowed to continue confronting social and living issues in Lebanon.
It paid tribute to parliament's resolution in increasing wages, paying past
retroactive differences on wages. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 16:52
Russia to Give Lebanon 10 Mig Fighters
Naharnet/Russia is to deliver to Lebanon 10 MiG fighter jets for free, the head
of the Russian defense cooperation body said Wednesday.
"Russia's defence ministry has decided to deliver to Lebanon, as part of defense
cooperation, 10 MiG 29 fighter jets from our existing contingent," the Interfax
news agency quoted Mikhail Dmitriyev as saying. The fighter jets would be
modernized before delivery and the Russian defence ministry would pay for the
transport of the jets, he confirmed, following a visit to Moscow by Lebanese
Defence Minister Elias Murr. "Military-technical assistance, this means
assistance in budgetary funds," he said. He said the warplanes would be covered
by a limited warranty period and the parties would later have talks on a service
agreement for after the warranty period expires. The leader of the anti-Syrian
parliamentary majority in Lebanon, Saad Hariri, welcomed the move as support for
Lebanon's "legitimate institutions."
His parliamentary majorities are at odds with the Iranian and Syrian backed
Shiite militant group Hezbullah, which has its own militia that is still holding
on to its weapons arsenal. "Russia gives a good example of how to deal with
Lebanon's cause, and we hope that all those calling for Lebanon's independence
and sovereignty would do the same," he said. Dmitriyev said Russia could also
supply ground equipment to the Lebanese army. "We consider the Lebanese army a
key element of political stability and we are ready to provide it with arms."
The United States has given 410 million dollars in military aid to the Lebanese
army since 2006 but this has been limited to light weapons and vehicles. (AFP)
Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 19:06
New bombs change Middle East dynamics
Israelis could hit Syria, Iran without leaving their own airspace
Posted: December 16, 2008
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
A new bomb technology developed by Australia and the United States will allow
Israel's jet fighter pilots to strike inside Syria or Lebanon without ever
leaving their own airspace, should there be another conflict in the region.,
changing the dynamics of the Middle East conflict, according to a report from
Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.
It is called the JDAM-ER, or Joint Direct Munitions-Extended Range, and
essentially takes a dumb bomb and turns it into a smart bomb.
Among the modifications that are made is the addition of a set of folding wings
that extend the range to more than three times the range of a baseline JDAM, or
Mk-84 2000-pound bomb, reportedly increasing the range from 15 to some 55
nautical miles.
Another modification converts existing unguided bombs into bombs that are
directed to their targets using GPS technology.
Even before the JDAM is released, it begins to receive data while still attached
to the computer inside the aircraft.
Upon release, a satellite then guides the bomb to its target. The aircraft and
crew then don't have to remain in enemy territory to "ride the bomb down" to its
target, according to officials.
Keep in touch with the most important breaking news stories about critical
developments in the Middle East with Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, the premium,
online intelligence news source edited and published by the founder of WND.
This enhanced capability allows the bomb to hit its target accurately regardless
of weather conditions, day or night.
The ER kit also is designed to be installed in the field to existing JDAM
weapons.
JDAM bombs already are available for all the fighting aircraft of the U.S.
inventory. They include the B-1B, B-2A, B-52H, F-16C/D, F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F,
F-15E, F/A-22, F-35, A-10A, S-3, F-117, AV-8B, and F-14A/B/D. They also are
available for aircraft in development and for foreign aircraft.
While the kits are available now to attach to existing JDAMs, a JDAM-ER bomb is
expected to enter into production in 2010 as a joint effort of the Australian
Air Force and Boeing.
"We have demonstrated the impressive capability enhancement that an affordable
modular wing kit can bring to JDAM weapons, while simultaneously setting the
engineering foundation that will facilitate the fielding of an
Australian-designed wing kit to JDAM users around the globe," said Bart Volpe,
Boeing JDAM International program manager.
A number of Boeing's 16 international JDAM customers reportedly are showing
interest in acquiring the extended range capability for their own JDAM bombs.
For Israel, the ER version of the JDAM also is seen as giving Israel a
longer-range capability of striking Iranian nuclear sites. Pilots could release
the bombs from afar and avoid anti-aircraft defense missiles.
The Israeli version is said to be capable of using laser guidance as well as
standard GPS. Its version of the JDAM also is protected against electronic
jamming.
Israel recently upgraded its F-15 fleet to carry the JDAMs.
For the complete report and full immediate access to Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin,
subscribe now.
Hale: Hizbullah Could Ignite Demolishing Confrontation with Israel
Naharnet/U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale
warned that rearmed Hizbullah could ignite a confrontation with Israel that
would demolish Lebanon.
Hale, in an interview with the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat, said Washington shares
the ongoing rapprochement by France and Europe towards Syria, saying it aims at
achieving Lebanon's "freedom, sovereignty and independence.""We all want to put an end to Syria's intervention in Lebanon's affairs and we
all want to end Syria's support for terror. We agree with European states on
these issues," Hale said.
"Maybe our methods differ sometimes," Hale noted.
"What matters for the United States is that Syria should not believe that it can
be treated as a normal member of the international community as long as its
policies are subject to opposition," he added. Syria, he said, should implement
"in deeds not words" UNSCR 1701, demarcate the borders with Lebanon and halt the
smuggling of weapons to Hizbullah in Lebanon."
Settling the issue of the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms is "not possible prior
to demarcating the Lebanese-Syrian borders," Hale noted. Beirut, 17 Dec 08,
11:50
Army Communications Network Sabotaged
Naharnet/Unidentified assailants disconnected communication cables of the Lebanese Army
in the Bekaa Valley town of Majdal Anjar overnight prompting a major search
operation by the regular force on Wednesday for culprits.
Sources in the area said army patrols set up checkpoints in Majdal Anjar and
launched house raids in search of the culprits.
No arrests were reported, however.
One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no tension was reported in
the town, a reputed Sunni Muslim stronghold that commands the Masnaa border
crossing into Syria.
The assignment in Majdal Anjar is the first reported by the Lebanese Army since
withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon in 2005. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 13:58
Washington Warns UNIFIL Against Qaida Attack
Naharnet/Two newspapers on Thursday published conflicting reports on a possible attack by
al-Qaida terrorists targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).The daily al-Akhbar said the United States had warned UNIFIL of an imminent
terrorist attack on Dec. 10.
The report quoted an unnamed European diplomatic source as saying the United
States provided UNIFIL with information that al-Qaida would probably launch a
"suicide attack" against UNIFIL convoys, which led to a state of alert by the
peacekeepers, the Lebanese Army and security agencies.
As-Safir also carried a similar report, saying the Lebanese Army was informed by
UNIFIL of the alleged threat.
"Visits to south Lebanon by European officials were called off in light of the
threat," the report said.
However, as-Safir said the alleged terrorist attack would probably be launched
in the transition between the George Bush and Barak Obama administrations.
It predicted an operation similar to the Mumbai attacks or the targeting of NATO
equipment in Pakistan.
The attack would probably be carried out in the Sidon region, along the
seafront, the report said. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 10:14
Parliament Discussions Focus on Implementing Doha Agreement
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday stressed the need to abide by the Doha Agreement,
especially with regard to not blocking government decisions or boycotting its
sessions.
"I want to reiterate the commitment of all the parties that participated in Doha
not to block (cabinet decisions) or to withdraw from it," Berri said during a
parliamentary session.Premier Fouad Saniora also stressed that his government has been committed to
three issues since the adoption of the Doha Agreement: Commitment not to hinder
the work of the government, rejecting violence in all its forms, including
rhetoric and third, ending all forms of provocation.
Tuesday's parliamentary session was convened to question the Cabinet on a
variety of issues.
Al Mustaqbal MP Mohammed Qabbani said that the Taef accord did not aim to limit
presidential powers, but rather worked on providing group leadership.
MP Hassan Fadlallah criticized the Higher Relief Council, saying that some
regions in Lebanon received aid while others did not.
MP Elias Atallah criticized government behavior regarding inter-Arab relations.
MP Azzam Dandashi pointed to lack of government coordination, saying what was
achieved in northern Lebanon and in particular in Akkar was based on personal
initiatives.
"The government did nothing," he said.
MP Ammar Houry attacked those who continue to oppose the government, asking:
"What are you opposing? Yourselves in government?"
MP Samir Jisr accused the Syrians of standing behind the inflow of arms to
Palestinians outside refugee camps in Lebanon. "We oppose this and Syrian
military presence on our borders," Jisr said.
Speaker Berri adjourned the session to 10:30 am Wednesday. Beirut, 16 Dec 08,
22:09
Zaki: Palestinians are Cooperating with Army to Prevent Another Nahr al-Bared
PNaharnet/alestine Liberation Organization (PLO) representative in Lebanon Abbas Zaki
said Palestinians are cooperating with the Lebanese army to protect refugee
camps and prevent a repetition of the Nahr al-Bared battle.
Following his meeting on Tuesday with President Michel Suleiman, Zaki said there
are ongoing efforts to deliver wanted fugitives to Lebanese authorities "without
causing any bloodshed."A statement issued by his office said Zaki informed European Commission
delegation head Patrick Laurent on the status of Palestinians in refugee camps.
The statement said Zaki assured Laurent that Palestinian camps wouldn't be a
threat to civil peace in Lebanon.
Zaki called on the European Union to support Lebanon's stability and sovereignty
which would reflect positively on the Palestinians.
He stressed that the EU should support the work of the United Nations Relief and
Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Laurent affirmed EU's support for rebuilding the Nahr al-Bared camp in the
north. Beirut, 16 Dec 08, 20:40
Gemayel: Solidarity with Patriarch, President Shields Lebanon
Naharnet/Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel has considered Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah
Sfeir and President Michel Suleiman a basic authority for Christians.
Following a visit to Sfeir in Bkirki on Tuesday, Gemayel said: "The beginning of
the road for saving Lebanon under these difficult circumstances lies in standing
behind both authorities."
He refused to comment on MP Michel Aoun's position regarding what he called the
dual authority.
"I don't want to analyze this. Public opinion is clear about this. We speak of
our convictions and it is up to public opinion to balance things out and make up
its mind."
Gemayel said he regretted what happened during the Cabinet meeting on Saturday
concerning the formation of the electoral monitoring commission, adding that
some parties had a better way to deal with such matters. Beirut, 16 Dec 08,
17:33
Russia to Deliver 10 MiG Fighter Jets to Lebanon
Naharnet/Russia has agreed to deliver 10 Russian MiG-29 fighter jets to Lebanon, Defense
Minister Elias Murr said on Tuesday.
"Russia has agreed to deliver to Lebanon 10 MiG-29 fighter jets," Murr said
following talks with his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov.
Serdyukov said that Russia "had received a list of the requirements of the
Lebanese armed forces and is ready to examine them in the near future."
Murr on Monday discussed with Russia's military cooperation chief, Mikhail
Dimitriev, details of a list that Lebanon's army command had delivered to the
Russian side.A statement by his office said Moscow expressed "full readiness to upgrade the
army's defense capabilities."(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 16 Dec 08, 14:46
Israel Promises Quick Victory in Next War with Hizbullah
Naharnet/Israel has reiterated its threats against Lebanon amid talk about practical
scenarios where the Israeli army would occupy the area south of the Litani and
end its war with Hizbullah in a "quick and decisive victory."
The Jerusalem Post, quoting Israeli military sources, said the elite Golani
Brigade has only recently concluded a one-week maneuver on the Golan Heights
amid talk about the possibility that Israel could wage war both on Syria and
Hizbullah.
A senior Israeli officer told the daily that since Israel considers Hizbullah as
a "partner" in the Lebanese government with veto powers, there is no reason to
separate targets belonging to the Shiite group from others belonging to Lebanese
areas in the next war.
Consequently, any assault to be launched by Hizbullah on Israel is "basically" a
Lebanese attack on the Jewish state.
The sources said the Israeli army has put in place "practical plans" that should
lead to "quick and decisive victory" within four or five days in its next war on
Lebanon.
They said Israel's chief of staff Lt. Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi has urged the Cabinet
to give its "green-light" to the army to heavily bombard the Lebanese
infrastructure "so long as Hizbullah is a partner in the government."
The sources said the Israeli plan called for two phases: The first to destroy
Hizbullah infrastructure by means of aerial attacks hoping this would end the
war, while in the second the Israeli army would resort to launching a
large-scale ground assault into the Litani River where the majority of
Hizbullah-owned short-range missiles are believed hidden.
The Jerusalem Post quoted the same sources as saying that no date has been set
for launch war.Beirut, 16 Dec 08, 09:18
Bellemare Briefs Security Council on Hariri Murder Probe
Naharnet/Chief U.N. investigator Daniel Bellemare on Wednesday will brief the Security
Council on his last report on progress made in the probe into the assassination
of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri. The Council will also vote in favor of a two-month
extension of the mandate of the commission investigating Hariri's Feb. 2005
assassination.
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has said the international tribunal that will try
Hariri's suspected assassins is on track to start operations in March.
Bellemare will become the tribunal's prosecutor once the probe into the Hariri
and related cases is completed.
Beirut, 16 Dec 08, 11:29
Michael DeBakey Back to Marjayoun
Naharnet/AFP photo shows a woman pointing towards the statue of Michael DeBakey, the
world-famous cardiovascular surgeon who pioneered such now-common procedures as
bypass surgery, after an unveiling ceremony held in his family's hometown of
Marjayoun in south Lebanon. DeBakey died on July 11, 2008 of natural causes at
The Methodist Hospital in Houston. He counted world leaders among his patients
and helped turn Baylor College of Medicine in Houston from a provincial school
into one of the nation's great medical institutions. Beirut, 17 Dec 08, 08:42
Neighbors / Showtime for General Aoun
By Zvi Bar'el
Damascus offers more than just falafel - when General Michel Aoun was there two
weeks ago, he went for the good ice cream. But Aoun wasn't there to lick only
ice cream. This was the culmination of the rollercoaster ride the 73-year-old
Christian Lebanese general launched the moment he returned to Lebanon in May
2005, after Syrian forces withdrew. At that time, the exiled chief of staff and
former prime minister's return was regarded as a personal closing of accounts
with Syria.
This account began with the Lebanese Civil War, which raged from 1975 until
1990, when Aoun was forced to surrender by a Syrian attack on his enclave in
western Beirut. He sought asylum at the French Embassy, and from there was
exiled to Paris. At the time Aoun accused then-U.S. president, the elder George
Bush, of having handed over Lebanon to Syria because he needed Damascus'
cooperation in the first Gulf War. Now the younger Bush is handling the account
with Syria, and Aoun has become its ally.
The moment he arrived in Paris, Aoun started to establish a "command
headquarters" for his loyalists and for the opponents of Syria in Lebanon. For
Lebanese political activists passing through Paris, Aoun's home was an
obligatory stop. Aoun also established an intelligence network inside Lebanon
and gained considerable support. In a 1995 Lebanese public opinion poll, Shi'ite
respondents said they admired Aoun even more than Shi'ite leader Nabih Beri.
Syria considered to regard Aoun as a major enemy and several thousand of his
supporters were arrested - as Aoun had expected - by the Syrian security forces.
This was the case until the assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafik
Hariri in February 2005. The ensuing protests and international pressure forced
Syria to withdraw from Lebanon. Aoun saw this as a historic opportunity not only
to return to his country, but also to politics and perhaps the presidency as
well. In the town of Rabiya, north of Beirut, he established splendid
headquarters with a private army, as is the norm for senior Lebanese
politicians, adopted the manner of a senior military commander, inspecting his
troops' weapons each morning and parading his military vehicles while making
intricate political calculations - which led him into the arms of Hezbollah
chief Hassan Nasrallah.
This partnership between the Shi'ite militia leader and the Christian general
has served them - and Syria - well. It enabled Nasrallah to say he objected to
the government of the popular Fouad Siniora not due to sectarian or religious
motives - after all, his ally Aoun is Christian. Aoun, for his part, assured
himself political support that could lead to the presidency. Syria could not
have wished for a more useful partnership. Via Aoun, Syria could undermine the
claim that "all" Lebanese Christians oppose Syria, deny its old enemy the
Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir the role of exclusive Christian representative, and
force the Siniora government to acknowledge that not all Christians supported
it.
Aoun, who had been a victim of Syria and the Lebanese Christian pillar of fire
against the Syrian invasion, became Syria's front against the Siniora
government. When he visited Damascus two weeks ago, with the pomp and
circumstance Syria reserves for those it seeks to honor, he was asked whether he
considered Syria's hospitality as an apology for its past sins. Aoun replied
that Lebanon's citizens should demand an apology from their own government
before demanding an apology from Syria.
In Lebanon, his remarks were understood to mean that the Lebanese should
apologize for their attitude toward Syria. In any case, the embraces and the
kisses in Damascus, the extensive media coverage with President Bashar Assad and
Aoun's statements are the first public expressions of next summer's election
campaign.
These may be the most important elections in Lebanon's history, because if
Hezbollah's predictions are true, they may put Hezbollah and its partners,
including Aoun, in charge of the country, and let Syria reclaim Lebanon, its
greatest political loss.
Symbol of opposition to Syria
Jubran Tueni was murdered three years ago. He was not the only Lebanese
journalist killed in the past three years who had suspected that Syria was
responsible for the assassination of Hariri and other Lebanese public figures.
Half a year before Tueni was murdered, journalist Sami Kassir was assassinated,
and journalist and television presenter May Chidiak lost an arm and a leg in a
foiled assassination attempt.
Tueni, however, was a symbol of opposition to Syria. As editor of the important
An-Nahar newspaper, he allowed Syrian oppositionists to publish articles harshly
critical of the Syrian regime, and ran the first Syrian intellectuals' petition
demanding Assad adopt the principles of democracy and allow freedom of speech.
Tueni waged a consistent journalistic war not only against the Syrian army's
presence in Lebanon, especially after Israel withdrew in May 2000, but also
against Hezbollah.
An-Nahar and Al-Mustaqbal, the Harari family's newspaper and television station,
have since then become the anchors of Lebanese opposition to Syria. When it
comes to enemies, the Syrian regime makes no distinction between an enemy who
wields a weapon and an enemy who wields a pen. Syria acted, and brutally.
This February will mark four years since Hariri's murder, and there is still no
international indictment naming the Syrian figures believed responsible for the
assassination of Lebanese public figures, and no international court has been
established. Apparently, this does not trouble the United Nations officials
responsible for the issue.
In Beirut a central square has already been named after Samir Kassir, and the
International Association of Journalists awards an annual Jubran Tueni prize for
courageous writing.
But these are no substitute for trying suspects, and it is doubtful that a trial
will ever be held. When thoughts of dialogue with Iran are stirring, when Syria
is an interlocutor of Israel and perhaps soon of the United States as well, and
when Lebanese elections are approaching in six months, who feels like trying
Bashar's regime?
Throwing shoes doesn't help IraqStory Highlights
By Arsalan Iftikhar
Special to CNN
The journalist who threw shoes at Bush got 15 minutes of fame
He says the incident was a sign of brazen contempt for the president
Iftikhar says shoe-throwing does nothing to improve the situation in Iraq
He says a journalist's job is to bring truth and information to his audience
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Not since Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev's famous footwear
pounded into a table at an October 1960 United Nations session have we seen a
shoe create such a global political firestorm.
Alas, we now have an Iraqi journalist entering into the annals of political
history with his contribution to the ongoing historical saga entitled "Shoes
Heard Around the World."
Some regional TV channels in the Mideast have aired the footage from the "shoe"
press conference "more than a dozen times in several hours," according to The
Associated Press. The infamous scene has now bounced around Internet networking
sites like YouTube and Facebook, showing Iraqi journalist Muntadhar Al-Zaidi
standing, hurling both his shoes at President George W. Bush and shouting in
Arabic: "This is a farewell kiss, you dog....This is from the widows, the
orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."
Mr. Al-Zaidi, 29, a journalist for private Iraqi television channel Al-Baghdadia,
was swiftly overpowered by Iraqi security forces after he threw the shoes at
Bush in a gesture described by Agence France Presse as "the supreme mark of
disrespect in the Muslim world."
Let it be made clear that no shoes should have been thrown at President Bush.
Aside from being patently childish (and simply bad manners), notwithstanding the
global public's distaste for President Bush's policies, the job of a journalist
is to be a purveyor of truth and information to his or her audience.
Mr. Al-Zaidi's job as a journalist is to report the news to his citizens, who
otherwise would have little or no access to information. Thus, as a journalist,
Al-Zaidi failed miserably in his profession by not keeping his shoes firmly on
his feet. Although many people are applauding the "15 minutes of fame" achieved
by the shoe incident, there is simply little excuse for such childish and silly
behavior by Mr. Al-Zaidi.
Throwing a shoe at someone in the Muslim world is a patently insulting gesture.
The context of the incident would have been completely different had it been a
cream-filled pie (a la Bill Gates or Ann Coulter) as the projectile in question.
Within its cultural context, simply showing the soles of your shoes to someone,
let alone tossing your shoes at them, is a sign of brazen contempt.
For example, when Saddam Hussein's statue was toppled in April 2003, Iraqi
protesters in Baghdad pelted the toppled statue with shoes and sandals. A CNN
report on the April 2003 statue toppling called the throwing of shoes "a grave
insult in the Arab world".
For these reasons, this latest Iraqi shoe incident is taking away focus from the
actual plight of the Iraqi people and is being wrongfully applauded by many
people in certain parts of the world.
According to ABC News, a wealthy Saudi citizen named Hasan Muhammad Makhafa has
apparently offered $10 million for one of the shoes thrown by the Iraqi TV
journalist. Mr. Makhafa, described as a landowner and retired teacher, told
Dubai-based Arabic satellite TV station Al-Arabiya that Al-Zaidi's shoes were "a
symbol of freedom, not just footwear."
"They represent a victory for those who have disgraced the Arabs by occupying
their lands and killing innocent people," he said.
Hey, Mr. Makhafa. Why don't you take your $10 million and donate it directly to
the Iraqi people to help build more water wells, educate Iraqi women or help
resettle Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan?
How does it help the plight of an impoverished nation when you are willing to
spend millions on eBay for these infamous shoes rather than figuring out a way
to help the nation of Iraq rebuild into a functional and prosperous society?
The answer is that the shoe story does not help the plight of the Iraqi people
in any way. Instead of perpetuating the stereotype that Arabs and Muslims are
less-than-civilized shoe-throwers, perhaps we need to propagate the more
accurate stereotype of Muslim and Arab hospitality around the world.
A well-known Islamic parable deals with the Prophet Mohammed and the story of
his interaction with a female neighbor who used to throw garbage on him every
day from her window whenever he walked by her house.
One day, when the woman was not present to throw garbage out her window, the
Prophet inquired about her whereabouts and visited her inside her home when he
found that she had fallen sick.
This genteel act of kindness toward unfriendly neighbors is the Muslim Ubuntu
standard that should be used in our collective lives; not the silly example of
an overzealous Iraqi journalist with "size 10" shoe missiles.
As our global community transitions from the ill-fated presidency of George W.
Bush to the much-anticipated presidency of Barack Obama, we can take comfort
knowing the gigantic imprint of history's "shoe" will leave a much more
humiliating mark on the Bush legacy than a pair of misguided size 10 Iraqi shoes
thrown in his general direction.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Arsalan Iftikhar.
Editor's Note: Arsalan Iftikhar is an international human rights lawyer and
contributing editor for Islamica Magazine in Washington. He is the founder of
TheMuslimGuy.com, a Web site focused on Islamic issues, and is former national
legal director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Arsalan Iftikhar says the journalist who threw his shoes at Bush wasn't doing
his job.
Mideast awaits new leaders,
direction in 2009
By Nicholas Blanford | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
from the December 17, 2008 edition
Beirut, Lebanon - Exhausted by years of conflict and political stagnation, the
peoples of the Middle East are looking to President-elect Barack Obama to help
shape a new direction for the region after he assumes office next month.
But it is a former US president that is pushing once more for a renewed effort
to resolve the festering Israeli-Palestinian conflict that many believe lies at
the heart of the region's woes.
On a recent tour of Lebanon and Syria, former President Jimmy Carter urged a
back-to-basics approach to one of the world's most intractable political
predicaments.
"I don't consider myself an oracle or authority on the subject… but the minimum
message I bring is that peace is necessary not only for Israelis and
Palestinians but the entire region and indeed the entire world," he told an
audience at the American University of Beirut last week.
Mr. Carter has remained deeply involved in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts
since helming the Camp David peace talks in 1978 during his presidency which led
to a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt.
Despite the optimism engendered by those breakthrough talks 30 years ago, the
Israeli-Palestinian track has grown increasingly complicated and bitter.
Israeli settlements continue to expand on territory earmarked for the
Palestinians. Despair among Palestinians has given rise to increased militancy
and two intifadas, further eroding goodwill on both sides. Some analysts say the
Israeli Palestinian peace track is almost blocked for now, given the distrust
between the two sides, the rising popularity of Hamas (which rejects a two-state
solution), and the inherent weakness of Israel's unwieldy coalition governments.
"The situation on the ground is really terrible," says Ousama Safa, director of
the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies in Beirut. "The Palestinian house is in
complete disorder… and the Israelis are not in a position to make decisive
conclusions."
Still, Mr. Carter recommends a return to several key proposals that he says
present a mutually acceptable basis for a durable peace. They include:
• United Nations resolutions such as 194 and 242, which deal with Palestinian
refugees' right of return and exchanging land for peace.
• The proposal of the International Quartet – the US, the European Union,
Russia, and the UN – which has called for Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab
territory and recommended that Jerusalem be a shared capital for Israel and
Palestine.
• The Arab Peace Initiative, unveiled in 2002, in which Arab countries agreed to
recognize Israel in exchange for the return of Arab territory occupied in the
1967 Arab-Israeli war.
• The Geneva Initiative, an unofficial agreement in 2003 between Israeli and
Palestinian negotiators, which called for a viable Palestinian state in the West
Bank, with minor land swaps allowing Israel to keep some of the larger
settlement blocs. Israel would also decide how many Palestinian refugees could
return to Israel, with the rest moving to the Palestinian state or being
financially compensated.
The Middle East is in a limbo period while it awaits the arrival of the Obama
administration and the outcome of several key elections in the first half of
2009, which could define the future course of the region.
In February, Israelis head to the polls to choose new leadership. Benjamin
Netanyahu, leader of the hawkish Likud Party, appears to be the favorite to head
the next government, probably a right-wing coalition. That does not augur well
for continued peace talks with the Palestinians and Turkey-brokered indirect
negotiations with Syria.
Parliamentary elections in Lebanon slated for May will determine if the country
remains a US ally or returns to the orbit of neighboring Syria.
US-Iranian relations also could hang in the balance if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
secures a second term as president of Iran in June.
Given the complications of the Palestinian process, some policymakers view an
agreement with Iran as the main regional goal.
Even the Israeli-Syrian track is a simpler prospect for peace, especially after
it was given a boost this year with the revelation that the two countries were
negotiating via Turkish mediation.
"I agree with everything Carter said in diagnosing the situation, but I just
don't think the circumstances are propitious right now," says Rami Khouri,
director of the Issam Fares Center for Lebanon, which invited Carter to speak at
the AUB. "I think [the Obama administration] should grab the Iranian issue by
the horns, get an agreement and then work backwards to Syria and then to the
Palestinians."
Carter articulates his peace ideas in a new book, "We Can Have Peace in the Holy
Land: A Plan That Will Work," whose publication is timed to Obama's inauguration
next month.
"I found that the American president has great influence with the leaders of
Israel. That has grown and still holds, in my opinion, the foremost opportunity
for progress," he says.
But success, Carter said, largely hinges on Obama's commitment to Middle East
peace, especially given the "tremendous pressure in the US to side completely by
Israel."
"It's not a hopeless case, but it depends on the commitment and political
courage of the next president of the United States," he said.