LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS
BULLETIN
September 23/08
Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint
Luke 8,16-18. No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it
under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see
the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing
secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what
he seems to have will be taken away."
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), Foundress of the Missionary Sisters of
Charity
No Greater Love/"Take care, then, how you hear"
Listen in silence. It is because your heart is
brimful of a thousand things that you are unable to hear God's voice in it. But
as soon as you set about listening to God's voice in a peaceful heart, it
becomes full of God. This takes many sacrifices. If we think we want to pray
then we have to prepare ourselves for it. Without delay. I am only referring to
the first steps towards praying but unless we carry them out with determination
we shall never reach the final step, the presence of God. That is why our
training has to be perfect from the start: we begin listening for God's voice in
our heart and, in the heart's silence, God begins to speak. Then, out of the
fullness of the heart there rises up what the mouth must say. That is where the
connection lies. In the silence of the heart God speaks while you have only to
listen. Then, once your heart has reached its plenitude because it finds itself
filled with God, filled with love, filled with compassion, filled with faith, it
falls to your mouth to speak. Bear in mind that, before speaking, you need to
listen and only then, from the depths of a receptive heart, can you speak and be
heard by God.
Free Opinions,
Releases, letters & Special Reports
One
man's apology cannot compensate for a war's worth of wrongs.
The Daily Star 22/09/08
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for September 22/08
Syrian
Troop Build-up on Northern Borders-Naharnet
Najjar: Syria Gave us More
Names of Missing Citizens-Naharnet
Hizbullah: Resistance
Weapons Would Not Be Tackled During Dialogue-Naharnet
Aoun Threatens to Boycott Dialogue-Naharnet
Franjieh Criticizes Sfeir, Challenges Geagea to
Accept Reconciliation-Naharnet
Karami Hammers Geagea-Naharnet
Military Intelligence Official: Hizbullah Using Period of Calm to Rearm-Naharnet
Suleiman's Aircraft Flew Semi-Empty as Journalists Denied Going along Same Jet-Naharnet
Hariri vows March 14 camp 'will remain united-Daily
Star
Tens of
Thousands Attended the Lebanese Forces Memorial Mass-Naharnet
Geagea apologizes for LF's wartime 'mistakes-Daily
Star
'The
Weak Man' Puts U.N. Troops, Lebanese Army on Alert-Naharnet
Poll: Majority of
Americans Say Government Should Talk with Hizbullah-Naharnet
Hizbullah-Mustaqbal Clash
in Bshamoun-Naharnet
Saniora for Reconciliation
to Manage Differences-Naharnet
Hariri: Any Reconciliation
Wouldn't Be at March 14 Expense-Naharnet
Assad Predicts March 8
Victory in 2009 Elections-Naharnet
Sfeir Praises Maronite
League-Naharnet
Iran
President to Denounce Security Council at U.N. Assembly-Naharnet
Report: Political tensions fueled religious ones-Daily
Star
Army
rejects being drawn into political interests, disputes-Daily
Star
Saudi
Arabia covers public school costs for Lebanese-Daily
Star
Political violence 'dangerous indicator-Daily
Star
Sfeir: Conflicts hampering peace efforts-Daily
Star
Fneish: Dialogue must focus on defense-Daily
Star
World
Vision, USAID tout aid for local organic agriculture-Daily
Star
Lebanese-German University opens doors to students-Daily
Star
Special school helps deaf students shatter stereotypes-Daily
Star
Beirutis agree political posters can heighten tensions, but fear attempts to
remove them will spur clashes-Daily
Star
Sfeir: Conflicts hampering peace efforts
Monday, September 22, 2008
Daily Star/BKIRKI: Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir said during Sunday
prayers that the situation in the region, and conflicts in different areas of
Lebanon, "do not encourage attempts at fostering peace. Sfeir added that some
parties spread misleading information about other parties under the pretense of
fighting corruption. He also praised the efforts of the Maronite Union and other
Lebanese organizations, who, he said, have attempted to achieve peace among
Maronites.
Syrian Troop Build-up on
Northern Borders
Naharnet/The Lebanese army said on Monday that Syria had boosted
troop numbers along the border but that Damascus had stressed the move was
linked to a crackdown on smugglers. "Nearly 10,000 Syrian special forces have
been deployed in the Abboudieh region along the border between Lebanon and
Syria," an army spokesman told AFP."We asked Damascus for clarification and we
were told that the measures were strictly internal and on Syrian territory and
that they were in no way directed against Lebanon," he added. The spokesman said
the Syrian authorities had assured the Lebanese army that the build-up was aimed
at cracking down on smuggling activities and other crime along the border.(AFP)
Beirut, 22 Sep 08, 13:33
Najjar: Syria Gave us More Names of Missing Citizens
Naharnet/Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar on Monday said he has
received an updated list from Damascus of Lebanese citizens missing in Syria.
Najjar made the announcement to reporters after heading a meeting of officials
assigned to follow up the issue of Lebanese citizens missing in Syria.
Najjjar emphasized on the "importance of participation in this effort by
families of the missing citizens because they can provide the committee with the
information and documents they have." He spoke of "indications to seriousness of
the negotiations" regarding the issue of missing citizens. "We don't want to
lose hope in following up the issue with the Syrian judicial committee," Najjjar
added. Beirut, 22 Sep 08, 18:13
Aoun Threatens to Boycott
Dialogue
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun on Monday
threatened to boycott national dialogue if a proposed ban on candidacy of
municipal council members for parliamentary elections was amended. "Let them
then solve problems without me," he told reporters after the weekly meeting by
members of his Change and reform parliamentary bloc at his residence in Rabiyeh.
The election law bill currently under consideration by a parliamentary committee
has banned members of municipal councils from running for parliamentary
elections unless they had resigned before two years. The ban was initially
proposed by Hizbullah and its allies to avoid competition from several municipal
council members who back the March 14 majority alliance. Beirut, 22 Sep 08,
17:31
Hizbullah: Resistance Weapons Would Not Be Tackled During
Dialogue
Naharnet/Hizbullah on Monday declared that its resistance weapons
are not subject to any discussion, even while tackling the issue of a defense
strategy.
MP Mohammed Raad, head of Hizbullah's parliamentary bloc, made the remark during
an address at the southern village of Kafra. "When we discuss the defense
strategy during the Conference on National Dialogue there would be no room to
tackling the resistance weapons before the last inch of our national soil is
liberated," Raad said. "We've stretched a hand to others for dialogue so that we
can integrate with them … we do not want to replace any faction," Raad added. He
criticized calls for "reconciliation within each sect, which is aimed against
forces in other sects." Raad also criticized those who "want to work out
understandings and reconciliation against the resistance weapons." Beirut, 22
Sep 08, 20:36
Suleiman Arrives in New York, Hotel Says Lebanese
Delegation Smallest in Years
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman and his accompanying
delegation arrived in New York at 3:15pm Sunday (10:15pm Beirut time) to attend
the 63rd U.N. General Assembly session. Lebanon's permanent representative to
the U.N. Nawaf Salam welcomed Suleiman at John F. Kennedy international airport.
Also present were members of the Lebanese mission there, the Lebanese ambassador
in Washington Antoine Shedid and head of the Middle East Airlines in the U.S.
Adib Kassis. The president is accompanied by his wife Wafa, his political
adviser and former MP Nazem al-Khoury, Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh,
ambassador and adviser Naji Abi Assi, head of the presidential guards brigade
Brig. Gen. Wadih Ghafari, presidential office chief Col. Wajih Rafeh and media
official Adib Abi Akl. Suleiman and his aides headed from the airport to the
Waldorf Astoria hotel and put the final touch on his program and meetings
planned with several heads of state and foreign ministers on the sidelines of
the U.N. General Assembly session.Lebanese delegation sources said that although
Suleiman's agenda is not yet complete, the president plans to meet with Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao, Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, Turkish
President Abdullah Gul, Brazil's head of state Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Suleiman and the first lady will attend on Monday night a welcoming ceremony
hosted by U.S. President George Bush at the Waldorf Astoria. They will also meet
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon ahead of the traditional dinner hosted by the world
body's secretary-general for all delegations. The Lebanese delegation is
occupying 20 rooms in the hotel, including the presidential suite where Suleiman
is staying. The hotel's administration said that this year's delegation was one
of the smallest that stayed at the hotel over the past years. Beirut, 22 Sep 08,
09:00
Karami Hammers Geagea
Naharnet/Ex-Premier Omar Karami on Monday launched a vehement verbal attack on
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea saying "no honorable" person has taken his
apology seriously. Karami, talking to reporters at his residence in Tripoli,
said by apologizing to the Lebanese people for wounds inflicted during the civil
war Geagea "proved that he had been lying." "By apologizing, a person admits to
have committed a crime," said Karami, whose brother ex-Premier Rashid Karami,
was killed in a bomb blast aboard a military helicopter during the civil war.
Geagea had been condemned by a court of law to having ordered that killing. He
spent more than 11 years in solitary confinement jail at the army command. On
other topics, Karami said he is "not optimistic" about the possible outcome of
the Conference on National Dialogue. He described the Tripoli reconciliation as
a mere "understanding on the security issue." "Controversial political issues
have not been tackled at all, military manifestations persist and trouble makers
can spark trouble anytime," Karami said. Beirut, 22 Sep 08, 20:03
Franjieh Criticizes Sfeir,
Challenges Geagea to Accept Reconciliation.
Naharnet/Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh on Monday
accepted an apology made by rival Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, but
challenged him to accept reconciliation. "The apology made by Geagea is accepted
although it was not addressed to us," Franjieh told a news conference, adding
that he would deal "positively" with it. Addressing Geagea, Franjieh said:
"Let's … steer our dispute from a neutral place and election results would show
who enjoys wider popularity."
He criticized Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, calling on him to "refrain
from dealing with Christians as a Canton."Turning to Bkirki, seat of the
Maronite church, Franjieh demanded: "Be an arbitrator among Christian." Beirut,
22 Sep 08, 13:12
Syrian Army Reportedly Massing
on Syrian-Lebanese Border
Posted by W. Thomas Smith Jr. on 22 September 2008
Sources tonight are reporting that “Lebanese officials” monitoring the
Lebanese-Syrian border (in the Akar region above Tripoli) today witnessed what
was determined to be a “heavy” brigade-sized force being positioned on the
Syrian side of the border. Also tonight, Naharnet is reporting: “Future
Television said Syria was reinforcing its troops along its side of Lebanon’s
northern borders.”These reports follow several of our own reports – based on
open sources and independent human intelligence sources – since September 7 that
Syrian forces (including tanks, helicopters, and artillery pieces) have been
observed massing on the northern border, and that Syrian special operations
forces have crossed into Lebanon. The Lebanese Army leadership has officially
denied the reports of troops crossing into Lebanon, but sources are telling us
the Army’s denials are a deliberate attempt to quash information.
— Visit W. Thomas Smith Jr. online at uswriter.com.
Suleiman's Aircraft Flew
Semi-Empty as Journalists Denied Going along Same Jet
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman, accompanied by an official
delegation, left Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport around 11 am Sunday
heading for the United States on a double purpose trip: The first to New York to
address the U.N. General Assembly and the second to Washington to meet President
George Bush, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary
Robert Gates. An Airbus A 330-200, placed by the Middle East Airlines under
Suleiman's disposal, has carried the President and the accompanying delegation.
MEA had planned to place a new Airbus jet it had recently received from Airbus'
main factory in Toulouse, southwest France, at Suleiman's disposal since it
bears the Lebanese flag. But Suleiman insisted on using an old jet of the same
type due to MEA's need of it. In addition to Captain Hisham Dabbous, the crew
comprised of a reserve captain and two co-pilots (instead of one captain and one
co-pilot) as well as 12, instead of 9, hostesses and stewards in view of the
fact that the trip is a 12-hour flight which requires shift rotation in line
with safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation.
MEA sources told Naharnet that the aircraft will stay at John Kennedy Airport in
New York until Wednesday evening when it is scheduled to carry Suleiman to
Washington. It will take the President and the accompanying delegation back to
Beirut Thursday evening. According to information obtained by Naharnet, MEA
planned to keep the presidential jet on U.S. ground due to the short stay and
because of the high cost in the event that the aircraft was returned to Beirut.
MEA sources confirmed that Lebanon's national carrier will not be affected by
keeping one of its planes out of service for five or six days.
It is worth mentioning that the aircraft put at the President's disposal can
carry up to 250 passengers – 42 Business Class seats and another 208 Economy
Class.
This year's delegation has also shrunk in line with Suleiman's decision to
squeeze expenses and spare the treasury expenditures of a wider delegation plus
their hotel stay. The Lebanese media has also paid the price for the President's
measure in which the accompanying press delegation had been limited to a small
number.
Despite the journalists' understanding and appreciation for the President's
decision, they suggested that a number of them accompany Suleiman on the jet,
provided that their institutions cover their stay in the U.S. and undertake the
necessary steps to provide visas and permits that allow them to enter the U.N.
headquarters in New York. After having to wait for a long time, the President
rejected the proposal, prompting journalists to seek visas, permits and
reservations on their own.
While the presidential aircraft flew semi-empty, journalists left in batches
according to seat availability as of last Friday and via Paris or London,
costing media outlets huge money that could have been spared without having to
load the Lebanese treasury.
Most journalists arrived shortly before or at the same time as the President's
plane landed in New York. They have been distributed on a number of hotels near
Waldorf Astoria where the official delegation is staying.
Tens of Thousands Attended the Lebanese Forces Memorial
Mass
Naharnet/An-Nahar newspaper said Monday that tens of thousands
attended the Lebanese Forces' annual memorial mass held at the Fouad Shehab
stadium in Jounieh in remembrance of "Lebanese Resistance Martyrs." The mass was
seen as an opportunity by both the Lebanese Forces and the March 14 alliance to
solidify their alliance and their popular base ahead of the upcoming
parliamentary elections.
However, As-Safir newspaper said LF leader Samir Geagea's speech was tantamount
to closing the door to reconciliation with the Marada Movement and its leader
Suleiman Franjieh. A delegation from the Maronite League representing all
parties has visited Franjieh at his residence in Bnashii to set the stage for
the reconciliation between the two parties pending the return of President
Michel Suleiman from his U.S. visit. The delegation relayed "positive" stances
from Franjieh after the meeting. Suleiman, on his way to New York on Sunday,
telephoned Geagea and sent a wreath, while Premier Fouad Saniora and the army
commander sent representatives to the mass. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
didn't send a representative and members of his parliamentary bloc didn't attend
the mass.
However, Progressive Socialist Party and al-Mustaqbal Movement MPs and partisans
participated in large numbers in the Jounieh mass.
MPs Marwan Hamadeh, Akram Shehayeb, Nehme Toeme and Abdullah Farhat represented
the PSP at the rally, while MP Mustapha Alloush, Atef Majdalani represented al-Mustaqbal
Movement. Also present were March 14 MPs Boutros Harb, Naila Mouawad, Solange
Gemayel, Elias Atallah, and Phalange party leader Amin Gemayel. Archbishop
Roland Abou Jawdeh presided over the mass. Abou Jaudeh called in his ceremony
for "substantial and comprehensive reconciliation and forgiveness."
Military Intelligence Official: Hizbullah Using Period of
Calm to Rearm
Naharnet/Iran is halfway to a nuclear bomb, and Hizbullah, Hamas
and Syria are using the status-quo to significantly rearm, the head of the
Israeli military intelligence research division said, according to media
reports. "Iran is developing a command of uranium-enrichment technology and is
galloping toward a nuclear bomb," Brig. Gen. Yossi Baidatz told the Israeli
cabinet on Sunday. "The time when they will have crossed the nuclear
point-of-no-return is fast approaching," he said. In addition to their nuclear
efforts, the Iranians were increasing their influence in the region through
cooperation with Syria and "Palestinian terrorist organizations," Baidatz
reportedly told the Israeli cabinet. Tehran is also the main arms supplier to
Hizbullah and a source of constant attacks on American troops in Iraq, he added.
On Damascus, Baidatz said: Syria "is funneling a great deal of weapons and
ammunition to Lebanon, tightening its relations with Iran and fortifying its
aerial and ground defenses, with Russia's and Iran's assistance."As for
Hizbullah, Baidatz told the ministers that the Shiite group "is not gearing up
for a conflict, but it will continue trying to target Israeli aircraft and using
the calm on the northern border to rearm."On the Gaza Strip, Baidatz also said
that Hamas and "other terrorist organizations" have taken advantage of the
cease-fire to rearm and prepare for the next round of fighting.
'The Weak Man' Puts U.N. Troops, Lebanese Army on Alert
Naharnet/A balloon with the words "The Weak Man" written in
Hebrew and English has crossed into southern Lebanon, putting U.N. peacekeepers
and the Lebanese army on alert, An Nahar newspaper reported Monday. It quoted a
security source as saying that a Ghanaian soldier informed the authorities at
10:22 pm Sunday that an object coming from the Israeli side of the border fell
on Lebanese territory in Qatmoun area. Peacekeepers went on alert and
helicopters hovered over the area, An Nahar said, as a Lebanese army unit
arrived to the location to discover that the object was a balloon. A top UNIFIL
commander reportedly arrived to the area to inspect the balloon. The incident
also spread alarm among villagers in Rmeish, the daily said.
Poll: Majority of Americans Say Government Should Talk with
Hizbullah
Naharnet/A new U.S. poll shows majority support for Washington to
take a new track in foreign policy by talking to enemies like the leaders of
Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Myanmar, Hamas and Hizbullah. Foreign policy could also
play a big role in November's presidential election, according to The Chicago
Council on Global Affairs poll that suggests 83 percent of Americans are most
concerned about improving the nation's standing in the world.
The poll listed the "percentage who say U.S. government leaders should or should
not be ready to meet and talk with leaders of countries and groups with whom the
U.S. has hostile or unfriendly relations."For Cuba, 70 percent say they should
be ready versus 25 percent who say they should not; for North Korea, 68 percent
versus 28 percent; for Iran, 65 percent versus 30 percent; for Myanmar, 63
percent versus 30 percent; for Zimbabwe, 61 percent versus 34 percent; for the
Palestinian movement Hamas, 53 percent versus 41 percent; for Hizbullah, 51
percent versus 43 percent.
Eighty-three percent of Americans -- including 81 percent of Republicans and 88
percent of Democrats -- think that improving their nation's standing
internationally should be a "very important" foreign policy goal, the poll said.
The survey asked respondents to comment on whether they thought their
government's ability to achieve its goals abroad had increased, decreased or
remained the same. "Fifty-three percent say that is has decreased, while only 10
percent say it has increased. Thirty-six percent say it has stayed about the
same," according to the Chicago Council survey.
Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say it had stayed the same.
Americans remained strongly committed to have Washington retain an active role
in world affairs and maintain its global military presence. Conducted by
Knowledge Networks from Menlo Park California, the survey was carried out
between July 3 and July 15 with a total sample of 1,505 American adults. The
margin of error is between plus or minus 3.7 percent and plus or minus 2.5
percent.(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 22 Sep 08, 04:54
Hizbullah-Mustaqbal Clash in Bshamoun
Naharnet/Clashes broke out between Hizbullah members and
Mustaqbal Movement partisans in the southern suburb of Bshamoun Sunday. No
casualties were reported. Police sources said the clash broke out when Hizbullah
members tried to prevent Mustaqbal partisans from lifting their flags near their
office in the suburb's main square. Army units moved in to contain the
deterioration. Beirut, 21 Sep 08, 21:54
Saniora for Reconciliation to Manage Differences
Naharnet/Premier Fouad Saniora said Israel's occupation of
Lebanon has led to the birth of Hizbullah on Lebanese territory.
Saniora made the remark in an interview with a Kuwaiti newspaper that was
published on Monday. Saniora said reconciliation would only lead to "managing
our differences." He called for "sound relations" between Lebanon and Syria
while "Syrian presence in Lebanon is neither in Syria's interest nor in
Lebanon's interest."
In answering a question as to whether Lebanon is dominated by Syrian-Saudi
differences, Saniora said: "Let them have their differences and reconciliation …
but why should my country pay the price?" Beirut, 21 Sep 08, 21:40
Hariri: Any Reconciliation Wouldn't Be at March 14 Expense
Naharnet/Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri on Sunday said the gates to his
Qoraitem mansion are open to "reconciliation that would close the doors to
sedition." "Any reconciliation would not be at the expense of dignities or
political alliances," Hariri said. "No reconciliation would be at the expense of
Mustaqbal Movement's alliance with all March 14 forces that would remain
united," Hariri told an Iftar banquet at his residence. "We would not allow,
irrespective of the circumstances, any foreign force to take Lebanon hostage,"
Hariri added. He paid tribute to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea's "valiant
stand in apologizing" to the Lebanese people for the civil war experience.
Beirut, 21 Sep 08, 20:29
Assad Predicts March 8 Victory in 2009 Elections
Naharnet/Syrian President Bashar Assad predicted that the
Hizbullah-led alliance would emerge victorious from the 2009 parliamentary
elections.
"This would change the existing state of political affairs," Assad said. MP
Marwan Faris said Assad made the remarks to a delegation from the Syrian Social
National Party (SSNP) that visited him in Damascus. "The forces that have
defeated Israel would defeat their foes in Lebanon," Assad added.
Faris said many leaders of the existing majority are seeking to "achieve a
rapprochement with Syria." "Assad emphasized on unity of the Syrian and Lebanese
peoples," Faris added. Beirut, 21 Sep 08, 19:17
Shamseddine calls for active
Cabinet
Daily Star/BEIRUT: Minister of State for Administrative
Development Ibrahim Shamseddine said in an interview with the Voice of Lebanon
radio station Sunday that he had told Premier Fouad Siniora the Cabinet "should
make important decisions and not only oversee national issues." He said he was
not optimistic about the situation in Lebanon, and added that he had left the
last Cabinet session "very angry." "I don't think the current Cabinet is truly a
national unity government," he said.
Geagea apologizes for LF's wartime 'mistakes'
But 'only god can judge us'
By Hussein Abdallah -Daily Star staff
Monday, September 22, 2008
BEIRUT: Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea apologized on Sunday for
"mistakes" committed by members of his party during the 1975-1990 Civil War. "I
fully apologize for all the mistakes that we committed when we were carrying out
our national duties during past Civil War years," he said.
"I ask God to forgive and so I ask the people whom we hurt in the past," he
added. Speaking before tens of thousands of his supporters who gathered in
Jounieh, north of Beirut, for a memorial ceremony for LF members killed during
political violence in Jounieh, Geagea accused his political rivals of
"exploiting past mistakes" that were committed by the LF. "I want to tell those
who are exploiting our past mistakes to stop doing so because only God can judge
us," he said.
Geagea said that Christian unity was not possible in light of sharp differences
over political principles and values among Christian leaders, hinting at his
main rival, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun. "I know that every
one of you is longing to see Christian unity and reconciliation," he said. "This
is also our aim, but the question: Over what values shall we unite?"
"Shall we unite over Hizbullah's possession of arms at the expense of the
Lebanese state?""Shall we unite over investigating the Lebanese Army command for
sending the helicopter in which First Lieutenant Samer Hanna was shot in the
Sejod Hills?""Shall we unite over changing Lebanon into the only battlefield in
the Arab-Israeli conflict while many others are negotiating with Israel?" Geagea
asked as the crowd chanted anti-Aoun, anti-Hizbullah, and anti-Syrian slogans.
However, the LF chief added that Christian unity was the key to saving Lebanon,
urging all Christians to take the right decision in next year's parliamentary
elections.
"I call on the Christians who are against the Lebanese Forces or against me
personally, to put Lebanon's interests ahead of personal interests," he said.
"We can only save Lebanon when the people of Lebanon as a whole and Christians
in particular unite over the historic principles of Christians in Lebanon."
He accused Christian members of the March 8 alliance of dropping the slogan, "my
nation is always right" and replacing it with a slogan that says "Syria and
Hizbullah are always right."Geagea said that both the Doha Accord and the
ministerial statement of the new government stipulate that the state was the
sole authority on defense issues. "We cannot accept that Hizbullah wants to
maintain its arms until the liberation of Palestine and the resolution of the
Middle East conflict," he said.
Geagea also argued against Hizbullah's claim that it should maintain its arms
until the state acquires the necessary capabilities to defend Lebanon.
The event was attended by several senior officials, including Finance Minister
Mohammad Shatah, representing Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, and former President
Amin Gemayel. President Michel Sleiman, who left for New York Sunday, contacted
Geagea to offer his condolences. Parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri also
congratulated him for the "success" of the memorial ceremony.
Hariri vows March 14 camp 'will remain united'
By Hussein Abdallah -Daily Star staff
Monday, September 22, 2008
BEIRUT: Future Movement leader Saad Hariri said on Sunday that he was open to
reconciliation but not if it meant weakening the March 14 camp. "The doors of
Qoraytem are always open for reconciliation and closed in the face of sedition,"
he said during an iftar banquet at his residence in Beirut. "But any such
reconciliation would not be at the expense of our alliance with the different
parties constituting the March 14 Forces ... The March 14 alliance will remain
united," he added, hinting at a possible visit by a Hizbullah delegation to
Qoraytem.
Weekend news reports said that such a delegation would be headed by MP Mohammad
Raad and pave the way for a future meeting between Hariri and Hizbullah leader
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Talk of a Hizbullah-Future reconciliation was triggered
by similar efforts by representatives from Hizbullah and the Progressive
Socialist Party (PSP) of MP Walid Jumblatt. The Future leader also said that
Lebanon should cease to be an arena for foreign conflicts.
"We will not allow any party to take Lebanon as hostage and exploit our country
in foreign conflicts," he added. Hariri also praised Lebanese Forces leader
Samir Geagea and described his apologizing to the Lebanese people for "mistakes"
during the 1975-1990 Civil War as a "brave" move. Geagea made his apology
earlier on Sunday at a ceremony for LF members killed in political violence.
Also on Sunday, President Michel Sleiman departed for New York to participate in
the United Nations General Assembly. Sleiman will meet upon his arrival with UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other officials, the National News Agency
reported on Sunday. He will address the General Assembly on Tuesday before
leaving for Washington to meet US President George W. Bush at the White House.
Sleiman's visit to the United States is expected to be followed by visits to
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran before he returns to Beirut to chair the second
round of Lebanon's national dialogue. The second round of talks is scheduled for
November 5. The first round was held on September 16 at the Presidential Palace
and grouped together the 14 Lebanese politicians who signed the Doha Accord last
May.
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who helped Qatari leaders broker the
Doha pact, was also a guest at last week's talks. Jumblatt said on Sunday that
the main challenge facing the Lebanese people was their ability to coexist
peacefully. "The past years were full of challenges and we stood up for all the
challenges, but the main challenge today is for us to coexist peacefully with
our fellow Lebanese," he said. "Our youth were destined to stay away from each
other during the past years as a result of political tensions ... We should work
on encouraging Lebanese youth from different sects to cooperate with one
another," he added. On Friday, Telecommunications Minister Jebran Bassil said
that his Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) was ready to reconcile with the PSP
provided that Jumblatt "clears his record and reviews his stances."Bassil added
that the FPM was not worried about any rapprochement between Hizbullah and the
PSP. Meanwhile, FPM leader and MP Michel Aoun paid a solidarity visit to Marada
Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh on Saturday and offered his condolences for the
recent death of Youssef Franjieh, a senior Marada official.
Franjieh was killed last week in a clash with Lebanese Forces supporters in the
northern town of Bsarma. LF supporter Pierre Ishaq was also killed in the clash,
while three others were wounded. Aoun said after meeting Franjieh that both
leaders would not allow any one to ignite strife among Christians. "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 exploit martyrs to achieve political aims," he added, hinting at
Geagea.
Report: Political tensions
fueled religious ones
Daily Star staff-Monday, September 22, 2008
BEIRUT: The US State Department said in an annual report that political tensions
between the government and the Hizbullah-led opposition resulted in greater
tensions between religious groups. The Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights and Labor annually issues the International Religious Freedom Report,
which monitors human and religious rights breaches around the world. The report
said "following the July-August 2006 conflict with Israel, tensions between the
democratically elected government of Fouad Siniora and the anti-government
opposition led by Hizbullah resulted in greater political tensions between
religious groups." "While this political climate contributed to periodic reports
of tensions 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," it added.
The report said that during the period covered by the issue, "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 television, 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.
According to the report, representatives from the Israeli Communal Council,
representing the small Jewish community and Jewish property owners who do not
reside in the country, reported acts of vandalism and theft committed against a
Jewish-owned cemetery in Downtown Beirut. - The Daily Star
Beirutis agree political posters can heighten
tensions, but fear attempts to remove them will spur clashes
Agreement by Lebanon's leaders to rid streets of banners could help curb
violence, say residents
By Andrew Wander -Special to The Daily Star
Monday, September 22, 2008
BEIRUT: Efforts are under way to take down political posters in Beirut in an
attempt to reduce tension between rival factions and stop the occasional
outbreaks of violence that have erupted between them. The Cabinet floated the
plan earlier this month, and has asked the Internal Security Forces and the
Lebanese Armed Forces to help implement it if it receives government approval.
On the streets of Beirut people widely support the plan, agreeing that in the
past posters and slogans have been a source of contention between Lebanon's
divided political parties that the country could do without now that a fragile
reconciliation process has begun.
But some fear that rather than alleviating the tensions, taking down the posters
could spark clashes between supporters of political groups and those tasked with
removing the banners. Sanaa Shatila, a resident of Hamra, believed the move
would help the situation.
"Whenever you see a political poster that is not yours it can taunt you," she
said. "Each area in Beirut is related to a different form of politics, and in
mixed areas the posters can cause problems between the groups," she added. AUB
student Khalil Albiss, 19, agreed. "I think it's really good. The posters cause
a lot of fights," he said. "We should all be under one government - one
government should rule. Of course, the political leaders might not be happy;
it's taking away a form of power, but it needs to be done." Real-estate agent
Samir Berghol said he believed the plan could be implemented without problems as
long as the political leaders agreed on the move. "It's better to take them down
because it will reduce tensions. There will be no problems because the heads of
the parties have agreed to do this. I'm sure it will help the situation - the
posters belong to the political parties."
Bassel Daher, 20, said the posters had a negative influence on political life in
the capital. "They act as a daily reminder of the political divisions," he said.
"They should be taken down because this will reduce frictions between the
parties"
But he warned that without the agreement of the political leaders, the plan
could be difficult to enforce. "There could be problems when they take them
down," he said. "The groups won't let them take them down. They will cause
problems if they try to remove the posters," agreed Sare Khatib, 17. But she
said it would be "better" if a way were found to remove the posters from the
streets.
Manar Khalil, 27, was less optimistic about the chances of the plan's success.
"I don't think this will work," she said. "The Lebanese [view] their leaders as
role models and they follow them blindly. They like to show where they belong -
if they support Hariri they like everyone to know. The problem is not just
political, but it is in the minds of the people." " The posters make the
situation more difficult," said Mohammad Mokdad, 28. "When people see a picture,
they see it as an enemy. But if anyone goes to Dahiyeh to take a poster down, I
think there will be a lot of problems
Army rejects being drawn into political interests, disputes
Daily Star staff-Monday, September 22, 2008
BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army Command called on Saturday for the military to be kept
away from political interests and disputes, and for an end to interference in
its practical and organizational affairs, in order to allow the new army command
to fulfill its "promising" national role. In a statement issued Saturday, the
army command responded to media speculation regarding the appointment of
officers and intelligence service officials, and said the explanations discussed
in media were "irresponsible and totally untrue."The army command said the
comments, which suggested political considerations behind certain appointments,
"actually represent misgivings about the officers' credentials and loyalty to
the military.""The army command affirmed that these appointments were made based
upon the candidates' credentials and experience, as well as the interests of the
army and the country," the army statement said. On Friday, the army appointed a
number of officers to the intelligence service. Defense Minister Elias Murr had
last week appointed Brigadier Edmond Fadel as the head of the army's
intelligence service. Fadel succeeded Brigadier George Khoury, who was appointed
Lebanon's ambassador to the Vatican On Friday, Colonel Abbas Ibrahim, formerly
head of the army intelligence in South Lebanon, was appointed as Fadel's first
deputy., while Colonel Youssef Hussein was appointed second deputy. Meanwhile,
Colonel Ali Shahrour was appointed head of military intelligence in the South,
Colonel Hussein Khalifeh in the Bekaa, Colonel George Khamis in Beirut, Colonel
Richard Helou in Mount Lebanon, and Colonel Amer al-Hassan in the North.
Colonel Youssef Amin was appointed head of military security. - The Daily Star
One man's apology cannot compensate for a war's worth of
wrongs
By The Daily Star
Monday, September 22, 2008
Editorial
Samir Geagea got one thing right on Sunday by issuing an apology for the
"wounds" his Lebanese Forces (LF) militia inflicted during the 1975-1990 Civil
War. Politicians are not in the habit of acknowledging wrongdoing, even and
perhaps especially when they are accused of the most appalling atrocities. As a
matter of fact, their usual tactic is to simultaneously deny and defend the
actions in question. Regret for the past found its way into Geagea's speech, but
he could not bring himself to refrain from a simultaneous attempt at
rationalization. Even so, the apology must be seen as a positive step.
Many more are required, however, and not just from the LF: Even while that party
was building a reputation for some of the more odious examples of butchery and
wholesale theft committed during the Civil War, some of its allies and enemies
alike were engaged in very similar behavior. Therefore, it would be nice to hear
each of them take responsibility for their crimes and beg forgiveness from their
compatriots. Healing the wounds to which Geagea referred is long overdue in this
country, and it will not take place unless and until the guilty communicate
their remorse.
Even this will not be enough. Mere words are empty things when they are not
backed up by deeds, and most of Lebanon's politicians - many of them the very
same thugs and warlords who held the Lebanese people hostage for 15 years - are
still addicted to the same hateful rhetoric that brought ruin to this country.
Unless they adopt a comprehensive change of attitude, their apologies will ring
hollow. Righting wrongs committed on such a massive scale is impossible, but an
honest effort to do so is a prerequisite for the reconciliation that many hope
will be achieved by the recently launched national dialogue. Dialogue can be
part of a process in which we as a people begin not just to bridge differences
over current issues, but also to understand the long-term divisions that
rabble-rousers on all sides still use to put sectarian and even existential
spins on what are, at bottom, political disagreements. Eventually, we - again,
as a people - must put a stop to these habits before they put one to us.
Retreating to the perceived "comfort" of tribalism is an expediency that this
country can no longer afford. Even isolated bouts of such thinking risk
irreversible damage: Recurring ones guarantee it.
Several obstacles will stand in the way of national reconciliation, not least of
which is the arrogance with which foreign powers of every stripe feel entitled
to meddle in Lebanon's internal affairs. Like it or not, such tendencies are
almost completely outside our ability to control - unless we stop inviting them
by perennially finding ourselves in conflict with one another. It is the duty of
every Lebanese, therefore, to seek out reasons to trust and value his or her
neighbors, not to demean their beliefs and pour scorn on their motives. Every
Lebanese owes this to every other. Simply put, if we will not cherish our
country enough to accept - no, embrace - our compatriots, why should we expect
anyone else to respect our borders, our sovereignty and our independence?