LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
September 22/08

Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 20,1-16. The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,  and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. (And) he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage.  So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? (Or) am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Saint Ephrem (c.306-373), deacon in Syria, Doctor of the Church
Diatessaron 15, 15-17 (SC 121, p.273 rev.)"Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?"
These men were all ready to work but «no one had hired them»; they were hard workers yet were made lazy through lack of both work and an employer. Then a voice hired them, a word set them going and, in their zeal, they did not fix on a wage for their work beforehand as the first comers had done. The master reckoned up their labours wisely and paid them as much as the others. Our Lord spoke this parable so that no one might say: «Since I was not called in my youth therefore I cannot be accepted.» He has shown that, no matter when they are converted, each one is welcomed... «He went out in the morning, at the third, the sixth, the ninth and the eleventh hour»: this can be understood of the beginning of his preaching and then of the course of his life up to the cross since it was at the «eleventh hour» when the thief entered into Paradise (Lk 23,43). Lest we call the thief to account for it, Our Lord emphasises his good will; if someone had hired him he would have worked: «No one has hired us.»Whatever we give to God is far from worthy of him and what he gives to us is a great deal more than we are worth. We are hired for a task that matches our strength but offered a wage far greater than our work demands... He acts in the same way to both the first and the last comers: «each one received one gold coin» bearing the King's image. This signifies the bread of life (Jn 6,35), which is the same for all; there is a single medicine of life for those who take it.
In the labour in the vineyard the master's goodness is beyond reproach and nothing can be said against his uprightness. In his uprightness he gave as he had agreed and in his goodness he proved himself merciful as he desired to do. It was to teach us this that our Lord spoke this parable and he summed it all up in the words: «Do I not have the right to do what I wish in my own house?»

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Jihadi Hellish message to Pakistan-By: Dr. Walid Phares.Counterterrorism Blog 21/09/08

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for September 21/08
Lebanese Forces leader slams Hezbollah for blocking Lebanon's ...Xinhua
Geagea Apologizes For War Wounds, Criticizes Hizbullah-Aoun-Naharnet

Efforts Underway for Christian-Christian Reconciliation-Naharnet
Amin Gemayel: Broadening Participation Torpedoes Dialogue-Naharnet
Suleiman Leaves for New York-Naharnet
Saudi Arabia Donates $44 Million to Support Public School Students-Naharnet
Officials: One Lebanese Injured in Attack on Pakistan Marriott Hotel-Naharnet
Iran, Syria challenge UN watchdog governors-Reuters
Turkish sources: Syria-Israel talks to continue with Livni-www.worldbulletin.net
Aoun after Meeting Franjieh: No One Can Ignite Sectarian War-Naharnet
Saudi Arabia donates 44 million dollars to support Lebanon schools-Monsters and Critics.com
Khatami: Iran Pesident's Attacks 'Gift' to Israel-Naharnet

Jihadi Hellish message to Pakistan
By Walid Phares
As shown by world networks, the hellish flames ravaging the Mariott Hotel in Islamabad seemed like a vision of the Apocalypse. That's at least how many survivors of the Terror attack that massacred more than 60 and wounded hundreds have described it: "The end of the World." But beyond the barbaric bloodshed and the human suffering ensuing, the heavy question fuses fast: How to read this Jihadi mayhem and what is the message behind the bombing?
When a war is raging, as is the case in Pakistan for the last years, analysts won't wait on the procedural investigation to determine the identity of the perpetrators of this attack. Local police and security forces will get somewhere sometime. The graver question is about the big picture. What is al Qaeda and their Taliban herds up to, by terrorizing the people and Government of the second largest Muslim country in the world and -more important- the first Islamic nation to possess nuclear weapons? According to many Pakistani sources commenting to media after the explosion, including Lt General Talaat Massud the Terror attack has a "loud and clear message." He asserted that those behind the operation "wants to tell the Pakistani Government to stop sending the Army into their (Taliban) areas and to oppose any intervention (against al Qaeda) inside Pakistan by the United States." Massud comments, aired on BBC were firm: "This is a mega explosion and it needs mega decisions in the country, more will come."
In terms of targeting, indeed the blast ravaged a very prominent land mark in the capital where foreigners and Pakistani personalities often swing by. Moreover, the Jihadists hit hard in the city's nervous center. In the vicinity of the Parliament -where the new President just finished an acceptance speech- of the house of the Prime Minister and of many ministers, of the judiciary and other significant headquarters, this strike is heavy with a multi pages message.
Undoubtedly the first page is addressed to the new President and his cabinet. The War between the "Jihadi Islamists" of all kinds and the secular coalition led by the "People's Party" formerly headed by the late Benazir Bhutto is on. Indeed, while many in the US and the West doubted former President Musharraf's ability or political will to take the fight comprehensively to the tribal areas, newly elected President Aif Ali Zardari and his Prime Minister Yosaf Raza Gilani have repetitively committed to confront the "fundamentalists and terrorists." A one year long reading of this "struggle" shows that the Taliban have targeted the secular "People's Party" since its chances to come to power were increasing. After a failed attempt at her life, the Jihadists finally assassinated Bhutto. But the come back of her party in the last elections brought her widow to the top office. The "Bhutto leadership" reaffirmed their intention to take on the Jihadi Terrorists. Strong with a popular support, including among women and youth, the secular political coalition was considered as top danger by the armed Islamists. Hence, the logic of the Mariott attack. It was chiefly to strike at the forthcoming ideological advance against the Jihadists. In short this was a preemptive blow against a Government which may not hesitate in engaging a battle of ideas against the medieval forces in Waziristan and against the circles of Jihadophiles in Islamabad. From their hideouts, Bin Laden, Zawahiri and Mullah Umar have urged their Pakistani brethren to smite the head of the secular establishment in the country. Pakistan could be the biggest prize ever, if it falls into the hands of the Taliban and their urban allies. But to do so, the current democratically elected Government and the President must be removed. And prior to this, the Armed forces have to stop their raids into the north western valleys.
But the second page of the message is about US role. This is a warning to Pakistani civilian and military authorities to break all ties to the American-led campaign against Terror. But more precisely to reject NATO incursions after al Qaeda inside Pakistan. Already the new public agenda of the current Administration in Islamabad openly warns against US raids across the borders for domestic political reasons. The new President pledged, few hours before the explosion, that he will carry the campaign against the Terrorists but at the same time he will refuse American military interventions on his national soil. The Jihadi bloodshed in the city is a "mega-warning" that al Qaeda and the Taliban will respond inside the country against pressure coming from across the border.
In the end, the Jihadist plan can be summarized as follow:
1. Intimidate the Government into a pull back position
2. Containing the Pakistani military efforts against Waziristan
3. Create a wedge between the Army and the Government
4. Trigger a crisis between Washington and Islamabad
But a more daring investigation of the propaganda goals sought by the Jihadists may project that by enflaming the situation in Pakistan and by ripple effect in Afghanistan, the architects of international terror wants to heat up the debate in the US Presidential election as well. The war room of al Qaeda has demonstrated in the past years that it also aim at manipulating public opinion "behind enemy lines" as well. By fueling the violence inside Pakistan the propagandists would demonstrate that US attention to that country was minimal in contrast to American involvement in Iraq. Well manipulated by operatives in the region's media, this snowball argumentation can stir the debate into a desired shift in public opinion. The days ahead may show additional evidence as to the complex game played in this most dangerous place on the Planet.
*****************
Dr Walid Phares is the Director of the Future Terrorism Project at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and a visiting scholar at the European Foundation for Democracy in Brussels. He is the author of this year's released The Confrontation: Winning the War against Future Jihad.
September 20, 2008

Geagea Apologizes for War Wounds, Criticizes Hizbullah-Aoun for Wounding the State
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Sunday apologized to the Lebanese people for unjustified wounds inflicted during the civil war and criticized the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance for blocking state rise.
Geagea, in an address during a memorial mass in remembrance of "Lebanese Resistance Martyrs" said: "We all long for intra-Christian unity because it is the intro to Lebanon's unity.""But should we unite to support armed Hizbullah at the state expense? Or should we unite to back calls for investigating with the Army Command for dispatching a military helicopter to Sujud where Capt. Samer Hanna was martyred?" Geagea asked in reference to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun. He accused Christian factions of the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance of "dropping the slogan of my nation is always right and replacing it with a slogan that says Syria and Hizbullah are always right.""The real patriotic civil revolution is the Cedar revolution. The Cedar revolution and the March 14 movement are the real collective resistance," Geagea added as the crowd applauded and chanted slogans in support of the "independent, sovereign Lebanon."
He emphasized on the need to "defend the whole of Lebanon, the dream of (the late president-elect) Bashir (Gemayel) within marked borders and under the leadership of the Lebanese state to which decision-making and weapons are restricted." Geagea explained that the "cause of Palestine is a Palestinian cause in the first place and an Arab cause. Let us not lose Palestine again in a partnership between Arab and Islamic influences."Geagea was apparently referring to attempts by Iran to lead Hizbullah and Islamist Palestinian factions against the Arab peace plan. Geagea said the defense strategy is "outlined by the Doha Accord" and criticized Hizbullah and its allies for insisting on maintaining weapons. "How can the state be capable while you step on its head and foot and block its decision-making?" Geagea asked the Hizbullah-led alliance. He pledged persisting "political resistance" to achieve goals of the March 14 movement and Cedar revolution.
Beirut, 21 Sep 08, 17:05

Suleiman Leaves for New York
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman left Beirut on Sunday for New York to participate in the United Nations General Assembly.
Suleiman will meet upon his arrival at his residence the United Nations Secretary general Ban ki-Moon and other officials, the National News Agency, NNA, reported. He will address the General Assembly on Tuesday before he leaves to Washington on an official visit to meet U.S. President George Bush at the White House. Beirut, 21 Sep 08, 11:32

Efforts Underway for Christian-Christian Reconciliation
Naharnet/Efforts are underway to reach a Christian-Christian reconciliation between Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and al-Marada Movement leader Suleiman Frangieh. Reconciliation efforts intensified after two people were killed and three wounded in clashes Wednesday between the LF and Marada in the town of Bsarma in the northern Lebanese province of Koura. Lebanese Forces sources said the clashes erupted when Marada supporters in Bsarma tore down banners the LF had put up for a ceremony to commemorate LF martyrs Sept. 21. Marada sources, however, accused the LF of assassinating Youssef Franjieh, head of the movement's Bsarma office. A delegation from the Maronite association representing all parties visited Frangieh at hios residence in Bnashei to set the stage for the reconciliation between the two parties pending the return of President Michel Suleimn from his U.S. visit.
An-Nahar newspaper reported on Sunday that Frangieh welcomed the efforts but insisted it should be done under the patronage of the President "or any other authority" provided that it should be a comprehensive Christian reconciliation. Frangieh said the reconciliation should not be reached on the expense of other Christian parties hinting at the Free Patriotic Movement. Maronite Association chief Joseph Tarabey, for his part, told pan Arab daily al- Hayat "We don't want the Maronites or any other sector in the country to be dragged into civil struggle… especially before the elections."
Al-Hayat reported, citing senior members in the association, that the meeting was positive and discussed also broadening the participation in the national dialogue. Beirut, 21 Sep 08, 09:40

Amin Gemayel: Broadening Participation Torpedoes Dialogue
Naharnet/By Dalia Nehmeh
Phalange Party leader and former President Amin Gemayel expressed fear that broadening participation in national talks would "one way or the other lead to torpedoing the dialogue.""This proposal could lead to torpedoing the dialogue in two directions – if agreement was not reached to expand attendance or in case agreement was reached it would be too wide that we wouldn't be able to understand one another and as a result dialogue channels would collapse," Gemayel said in an interview with Naharnet. "Whoever proposed this issue, is perfectly aware of the consequences (of his actions) and knows that he could torpedo dialogue altogether," Gemayel said. He believed that Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's position with regard to this issue is "irrational."
"If Nasrallah feels embarrassed by the limited participation, our embarrassment is bigger, given that March 8 Forces are represented by one maestro and one leader -- Sayyed Hassan … while mosaic and plurality (of views) prevail among March 14 Forces where each leader has his own party, character and history," Gemayel explained. He believed the Hizbullah-led March 8 coalition had no problem with expanding attendance since it is following a "totalitarian trend under the pretexts of resistance and liberation." "This is why we don't want to open this door," Gemayel stressed. "I expect in the event that this door was opened that participation could go up to 40 or 50 members."Beirut, 20 Sep 08, 16:55

Saudi Arabia Donates $44 Million to Support Public School Students
Naharnet/Prime Minister Fouad Saniora announced Saturday that Saudi Arabia donated $44 million to support public schools' students.
The announcement was made after a meeting between Saniora and Saudi Arabia ambassador Abdul Aziz Khoja at the Grand Serail.
Saniora said the donation covers tuition fees and books for public school students from Kindergarten through Grade 9 for the academic year 2008-2009.
After thanking Saudi Arabia for its help and its continuous support for Lebanon's security, economy and development, Saniora said the donation would be divided such as 20 million goes to tuition fees, another 20 million for books and 4 million to support the educational body. "Saudi Arabia has always supported Lebanon's economy as well as its stability and development," Saniora told reporters at a joint news conference with Khoja. Saniora said he would visit Saudi Arabia for a meeting with King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. Khoja, for his part, said the kingdom "does not meddle in Lebanon's political affairs," adding that his country "happily" follows up on every event, a reference to reconciliation efforts by the various political sides. Beirut, 20 Sep 08, 16:04

Officials: One Lebanese Injured in Attack on Pakistan Marriott Hotel
Naharnet/At least one Lebanese was injured on Saturday when a massive suicide truck bomb devastated the heavily guarded Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital, hospital staff and other officials said. They said at least 60 people were killed and about 250 were wounded, including four Britons, four Germans and one each from the U.S., Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, Lebanon, Syria and Afghanistan. The five-story Marriott had been a favorite place for foreigners as well as Pakistani politicians and business people to stay and socialize in Islamabad despite repeated militant attacks. The attack came hours after new President Asif Ali Zardari -- who faces a serious challenge in reining in al-Qaida and Taliban militants -- delivered his first address to parliament, which is just a few hundred meters away.(AP-AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 21 Sep 08, 05:04

Aoun after Meeting Franjieh: No One Can Ignite Sectarian War
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader Gen. Michel Aoun said after meeting Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh on Saturday that "no one can ignite sectarian war." Aoun declared solidarity with Franjieh. "Together with the Franjieh family we will try to put an end to the crimes that have plagued Lebanon," Aoun said. "He who wants to pray for the souls of his martyrs should not trade in martyrs," Aoun said in an indirect reference to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.
Two people were killed and three wounded in clashes Wednesday between the LF and Marada in the town of Bsarma in the northern Lebanese province of Koura.
Lebanese Forces sources said the clashes erupted when Marada supporters in Bsarma tore down banners the LF had put up for a ceremony to commemorate LF martyrs Sept. 21. Marada sources, however, accused the LF of assassinating Youssef Franjieh, head of the movement's Bsarma office.
Aoun said "violent speeches" should stop. Franjieh, for his part, called for broadening participation in the dialogue. Beirut, 20 Sep 08, 20:46

U.S. State Department: July War Led to Greater Political and Religious Tensions
Naharnet/The U.S. State Department noted in an annual report that tensions between the government and the opposition led by Hizbullah resulted in greater political tension between religious groups. The Department issues annually the International Religious Freedom Report, which monitors the human and religious rights' breaches in the world. The report noted that "following the July-August 2006 conflict with Israel, tensions between the democratically elected government of Fouad Saniora and the antigovernment opposition led by Hizbullah resulted in greater political tension between religious groups. While this political climate contributed to periodic reports of tension and occasional confrontations between religious groups during the reporting period, most of this activity could be attributed to political differences and the legacy of the civil war." The report added that, "during the reporting period, Hizbullah directed strong rhetoric against Israel and its Jewish population. Moreover, anti-Semitic literature was published and distributed with the cooperation of Hizbullah."
It said that Lebanese media outlets such as Hizbullah's Al-Manar TV, as well as "independent" dailies such as An-Nahar and al-Mustaqbal, published anti-Semitic material and drew no government response. "On October 22, 2007, NBN TV aired a program based on the anti-Semitic document, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The program's narrator made anti-Semitic statements including that the Jewish people were perpetrators of the Holocaust," the report said.
"Representatives from the Israeli Communal Council, the legally registered Jewish organization, reported acts of vandalism and theft committed against a Jewish-owned cemetery in downtown Beirut. They stated that Hizbullah flags had been raised on this property. The flags were later removed," the report added.
Beirut, 20 Sep 08, 11:07

Khatami: Iran Pesident's Attacks 'Gift' to Israel
Naharnet/Iran's former president Mohammad Khatami has criticized his successor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his verbal assaults on Israel, calling them a gift to the Jewish state, a newspaper reported on Sunday. "Comments were made two years ago which Israeli leaders at the time said were the greatest gift to Israel," the reformist Etemad newspaper quoted Khatami as saying. "Although his remarks appeared sharp, anti-Israeli and anti-Western and were expressed with good intent, they were the best gift Israel could receive and actually reinforced it," said the reformist ex-president.
Ahmadinejad has repeatedly said Israel is doomed to disappear. There has been speculation that Khatami, who was president from 1997 to 2005, may seek a third term in office in 2009. "Is it active diplomacy to adopt harsh and uncalculated stances which cost Iran dearly, prevent it from reaching its goals and put the nation in a situation that makes life harder?" asked Khatami. Since taking office in 2005, Ahmadinejad has drawn international condemnation for his vitriolic verbal attacks on Israel, which Iran does not recognize, and for branding the Holocaust a "myth." However a close aide to Ahmadinejad courted controversy in recent months by saying that Iran is a "friend of the Israeli people."Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday denounced Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie for his remark, but also urged critics who have called for Mashaie's dismissal to end the debate.(AFP) Beirut, 21 Sep 08, 13:11