LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS
BULLETIN
August 28/08
Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to
Saint Matthew 23,27-32.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed
tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men's
bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but
inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing. Woe to you, scribes and
Pharisees, you hypocrites. You build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the
memorials of the righteous, and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our
ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets' blood.' Thus
you bear witness against yourselves that you are the children of those who
murdered the prophets; now fill up what your ancestors measured out!
Baldwin of Ford (?-c.1190), Cistercian abbot
Tractate 10 : PL 204, 515-516 (copyright
Cistercian publications Inc.)
Lord, remove my heart of stone
It is for us to love Christ as he loved us. In this he left us an example so
that we might follow in his steps (1Pt 2,21). This is why he says: «Set me as a
seal upon your heart,» (Sg 8,6). It is as if he said: «Love me as I love you.
Have me in your mind, your memory, your desire, your yearning, your sighing and
your sobbing. Remember, mankind, how I made you, how I put you before all other
creatures, how I ennobled you with such dignity, how I crowned you with glory
and honor, how I made you only a little less than the angels, how I subjected
all things under your feet (Ps 8, 6-7). Remember, too, not only the many things
I made for you but what harsh and undeserved things I endured for you... If you
love me, show that you love me! Love me in deed and truth, not with the word and
tongue... Set me as a seal upon your heart that you may love me with all your
strength»...Take from me, O Lord, my heart of stone. Take away my hardened
heart. Take away my uncircumcised heart. Give me a new heart, a heart of flesh,
a pure heart! (Ez 36,26). You who purify the heart, you who love the pure heart,
possess my heart and dwell within it.
Interview From Naharnet with Minister Issam
Abu Jamra
Abu Jamra: Saniora Offered to Rent
Me Headquarters Outside Serail to Enjoy Monopoly/Naharnet/27/08
Free
Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Threat to Lebanon's symbol of survival-BBC
News27/08/08
Hezbollah presence in Venezuela feared-Los
Angeles Times 27/08/08
Another UN Commander Caters to
Terrorists.By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. 27/08/08
A Syrian-Israeli Breakthrough?By David IgnatiusWashington
Post 27/08/08
Assad's Shopping List.By: Jonathan
Spyer 27/08/08
Khamenei would do best to remain above Iran's
political brawl- The Daily Star 27/08
Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for August
27/08
Sarkozy confirms Syria visit date-BBC
News
Russia plans to raise navy presence in Syria:
diplomat-Reuters
Israel, Lebanon both complain of 1701
violations-Ynetnews
With Biden On Board, Can Obama Be Trusted?Jewish
Press
Lebanon says world should open up to Syria-AFP
Jordan offers to sell electricity to power-starved
Lebanon-AFP
Israel Will Go All-Out Next Time To Stop Hizbullah-TruthNews.com
Hapless Hezbollah ATGMs Revealed-Strategy
Page
Stop threatening Lebanon - Egypt-Independent
Online
Eying one another, Iran and Israel shore up their
naval arsenals-Ha'aretz
Egypt
Offers Backing: Military, Security, Gas and Electricity-Naharnet
Israeli Activity in Shebaa
Following Report Hizbullah Equipped Shelters with Missiles-Naharnet
MP
Zahra Ridicules Parliamentary Show by FPM Lawmakers-Naharnet
A UN report said Lebanon's eastern borders
remain open to the ...Naharnet
UN Confirms: Hizbullah Importing Weapons From
Syria-Arutz Sheva
Clash wounds one in eastern Lebanon-Monsters
and Critics.com
Egypt seeks to ease Lebanon-Israel tension-The
Associated Press
Rights group decries Lebanon maid deaths-United
Press International
Berri and the Frightening
Situation in the North-Naharnet
Ban Requests One-Year
Extension of UNIFIL-Naharnet
Security Breaches….Bombs
in Beirut, Shooting in Bekaa-Naharnet
Ahmad Al-Assaad Vows to
Penetrate Hizbullah's Hegemony in 2009 Elections-Naharnet
The list of Eight For Army
Commander-Naharnet
Parliament Postpones Draft
Law on Electoral Divisions till Sept. 25-Naharnet
Foreign Maids Die Each
Week in Lebanon, Report-Naharnet
Belgian Defense Minister
in Beirut to Inspect Troops-Naharnet
Quarrel Nearly Turned
Violent between MPs Nicola, Andrawous-Naharnet
Diniyeh Residents Block
Main Road to Protest Power Cuts-Naharnet
Reporters Without Borders
Condemns Detention of Westerners by Hizbullah-Naharnet
Islamists Protest in
Downtown Beirut-Naharnet
Suleiman for Qatar Next
Week-Naharnet
Berri postpones vote on draft Lebanese electoral
law until ...Daily Star - Lebanon
Sunni clerics urge agreement on national defense
strategy-Daily Star
Kouchner worries about lingering
'hatred' among feuding Lebanese parties - report-Daily
Star
UN team says border wide open to
arms smuggling - report-Daily
Star
Islamist protesters demand release
of detained 'sons of Sunni faith-Daily
Star
Sunni clerics urge agreement on
national defense strategy-Daily
Star
Clashes between Amal, Future
supporters leave three wounded-Daily
Star
Domestic workers risking death to
flee employers-Daily
Star
Sidon gathering underlines need to
develop heritage sites-Daily
Star
Chouf region reaps benefits of
tourism boom-Daily
Star
New regional body aims to combat
climate change-Daily
Star
Pathways to peril: Roads to
Damascus, Tripoli see alarming number of accidents-Daily
Star
Iran spends $15.8 million to promote religion and revolution-AFP
U.N. Committee:
Lebanon Borders Open to Weapons Smuggling From Syria
Naharnet/A U.N. report said Lebanon's eastern borders remain open to the
smuggling of weapons from Syria.
The daily an-Nahar, in a dispatch from New York, said the conclusion was made in
a report prepared by the independent committee to assess the situation along
joint Lebanese-Syrian borders to facilitate implementation of UNSCR 1701 that
ended a 34-day war between Hizbullah and Israel in the summer of 2006 and banned
the illegal transfer of weapons into Lebanon. The report, according to an-Nahar,
criticized both Lebanon and Syria for the lack of progress in security
arrangements along the borders to prevent "smuggling in general, and the
smuggling of weapons in particular, despite all pledges made by both countries
to enforce security along the joint borders and other crossings in order to
prevent the transport of weapons, or related items, to Lebanon without the
approval of its government."The committee's first report, issued on June 27,
2007, resulted in a similar conclusion. The U.N. Security Council, expressed on
Aug. 3 its "deep concern" over information on the persisting violation of a ban
on the illegal transport of weapons into Lebanon.A spokesman for the U.N. chief
told an-Nahar the committee's report would be referred to the Security Council
"today or tomorrow." Beirut, 27 Aug 08, 07:54
Ban Requests One-Year Extension of UNIFIL
Naharnet/U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has asked the Security Council to
extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon by another one
year until the end of August next year. In a letter to the Council's President,
Ban notes that the mission "continues to play a crucial role in ensuring peace
and stability in southern Lebanon, as well as full respect for the Blue Line"
along the Lebanese-Israeli border. UNIFIL is tasked with ensuring that the area
between the Blue Line and the Litani River is free of unauthorized weapons,
personnel and assets, and also cooperates with the Lebanese armed forces so they
can fulfill their security responsibilities. "I hope that the recent formation
of a new government will contribute to an improvement of the overall security
environment that would permit, in the near future, the return to southern
Lebanon of units of the armed forces that have been redeployed to maintain
security in other parts of the country," Ban wrote in his letter. He reiterated
that it is essential that the international community help the Lebanese army to
"become a more effective military organization."
As of July 15, UNIFIL – whose mandate is currently due to expire on 31 August –
had 12,284 military personnel from 27 troop-contributing countries. Additional
units from Indonesia and Malaysia are slated to be deployed soon. Beirut, 27 Aug
08, 10:44
Abu Jamra: Saniora Offered to Rent Me Naharnet/Headquarters
Outside Serail to Enjoy Monopoly
By Dalia Nehme
Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. Issam Abu Jamra said Premier Fouad Saniora has
offered to rent him headquarters outside the Grand Serail so he could enjoy
"monopoly and exclusive possession."
Abu Jamra told Naharnet that "the most important point" in defining the powers
of deputy premier was a "matter of state continuity."
Abu Jamra had earlier called for establishing his own office at the Grand Serail
so he "can keep an eye" on Saniora.
He said he would suggest amending the text of the prime minister performance
management system "such as it preserves the role of deputy prime minister."
"The deputy premier should have powers for continuity's sake," Abu Jamra added.
He said the draft law intended to be presented to Parliament was aimed at
spelling out the definition of "absence. How and when?" Will the prime minister
be considered absent by merely crossing the border, or what?" Abu Jamra asked.
"All these matters should be defined in the regime, in addition to issues that
should be specified such as the powers entrusted by the prime minister," he went
on.
Abu Jamra said there are 62 public administrations directly linked to the prime
minister and asked: "Is it normal for him to run all this amount of
institutions?"
"Surely he needs help with that," he answered.
Abu Jamra revealed that during his visit to Saniora on July 15 he turned down a
proposal by the prime minister for renting property outside the Grand Serail and
insisted on establishing offices at the government headquarters "so I could stay
up-to-date on all issues, and not be isolated."
Asked whether Saniora's proposal was meant to keep him away from the course of
events at the Grand Serail, Abu Jamra said:
"In a situation like this, we don't know whether it is for the sake of exclusive
possession or monopoly, or whether there are things he (Saniora) doesn't want
anyone to know how it happens." Beirut, 26 Aug 08, 18:10
Israeli Activity in Shebaa Following Report Naharnet/Hizbullah
Equipped Shelters with Missiles
Naharnet/Israeli troops were allegedly
combing the surroundings of their positions in the occupied-Shebaa Farms amid
helicopter overflights following news that Hizbullah has equipped tunnel
infrastructure in south Lebanon with missiles to be fired into Israel. No
further information was given regarding the Israeli activity in the Shebaa Farms
area. The report about Hizbullah acitivity in the south, however, was carried by
the Israeli daily Haaretz.
It said that the bomb shelter of at least one house in each of the southern
villages was equipped to store weapons and Hizbullah fighters to face up to long
periods of isolation. Haaretz said these shelters would be used as bases to fire
rockets into Israel and to carry out ambush attacks against Israeli soldiers in
case they reached these villages. The shelters, according to the report, can
accommodate up to 15 fighters. It said among south Lebanon's 150 villages there
is at least one house of this sort. Beirut, 27 Aug 08, 13:19
Egypt Offers Backing: Military, Security, Gas and
Electricity
Naharnet/Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abulghet said Wednesday
his country is "ready to build the capabilities" of the Lebanese Army and the
security sector.
Abulgheit, talking to reporters after meeting Premier Fouad Saniora at the Grand
Serail, said such Egyptian support would help the Lebanese Army "shoulder its
responsibilities."Egypt has "major capabilities in this respect," he stressed.
Cairo, he pointed out, "has its relations with all regional and international
parties and we hope to take part in calming down" the Lebanon situation. "The
message is that you have to be careful so that the situation in Tripoli does not
blow up. All sides should act along calculations that do not lead to collisions
between brethren and members of the one people," Abulgheit advised. Abulgheit
said he also relayed to Saniora a "message about Egypt's readiness" to support
Lebanon with electric power and natural gas. The chief of Egypt's diplomacy met
President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace earlier in the day and told
reporters after the talks "the president is always welcome in Egypt." Beirut, 27
Aug 08, 13:38
Hizbullah Accuses Bkirki of Interfering in politics
Naharnet/Hizbullah on Wednesday accused the Maronite church of
"interfering in politics." Ghaleb Abu Zeinab, member of Hizbullah's political
council, made the remark in a television interview. "It is obvious that Bkirki
interferes in details of the political life. Whether this is its right or not,
is another issue," Abu Zeinab said.
He said Parliament would adopt the election law by Sept. 25, predicting that
neither March 14 nor March eight would win the two-third majority of
parliamentary seats. "The opposition would win the (simple) majority" in the new
parliament, Abu Zeinab predicted. Beirut, 27 Aug 08, 14:17
MP Zahra Ridicules Parliamentary Show by FPM Lawmakers
Naharnet/MP Antoine Zahra on Wednesday ridiculed a protest by lawmakers from the
Free Patriotic Movement against postponing a vote on the election
constituencies' law. "Why did colleagues representing the Change and Reform bloc
lose their nerves when the constituencies' law was postponed (on Tuesday)?"
Zahra asked in a radio interview. "It is either because their leader (Michel
Aoun) had promised that the law would be adopted, which did not happen, or it is
a political maneuver that they try to invest in gaining popularity," he added.
"They wanted to make up for their losses … but the people are no more impressed
by such shows," Zahra added. Zahra said the overnight bombing in Beirut and
south Lebanon "would not achieve political gains. Only logic would convince the
people."
Beirut, 27 Aug 08, 12:16
Berri and the Frightening Situation in the North
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri voiced concern over the security
situation in north Lebanon and played down reports of tension between his AMAL
movement and Mustaqbal partisans in Beirut. Berri, in an interview with the
daily al-Akhbar, said: "I am not concerned by what has happened in Beirut
because it is instantaneous … and can be contained easily. But what happens in
the north if frightening." "Real treatment for the situation in Tripoli and the
north is through development (projects), the role of security forces comes after
that," Berri added. Berri said parliament would persist with its legislative
sessions during the month of Ramadhan to adopt several laws, including the
election law. Beirut, 27 Aug 08, 10:59
Assaad Vows to Penetrate Hizbullah's Hegemony in 2009
Elections
Ahmed al-Assaad, the son and political heir of traditional Shiite
leader Kamel al-Assaad, pledged to compete Hizbullah and AMAL movement in the
forthcoming parliamentary elections to achieve "surprising" victories. Assaad,
in an interview with the daily al-Mustaqbal, said such predicted gains would
"shatter the hegemony by Hizbullah and AMAL over the Shiites." "We would have
candidates in all (Shiite) areas," Assaad said, indicating that he would sponsor
candidates in several predominantly Shiite constituencies that have been
represented by Hizbullah and AMAL MPs since 1992. Assaad said his Lebanese
Belonging Movement (LBM) would sponsor candidates in the south, The Bekaa and
Beirut's southern suburbs."It is not true that all of Lebanon's Shiites support
Hizbullah. They are kidnapped," he stressed. Assaad pledged to form an alliance
with "all the Shiites who declare their opposition to Hizbullah and AMAL with
the aim of crystallizing our view that our interest, like that of all the other
Lebanese (communities), is in supporting the state." Beirut, 27 Aug 08, 09:30
The list of Eight For Army Commander
Naharnet/The daily an-Nahar reported that the new army commander
would be chosen from a list of eight ranking officers prepared by Defense
Minister Elias Murr. The list of names is to be discussed during the cabinet's
forthcoming meeting that could be re-scheduled for Friday or Saturday, an-Nahar
reported.
The eight officers, according to the report, are Brig. Gens. Atef Najim, Antoine
Krayyem, Ibrahim Kanaan, George Masaad, Nabil Shedid, George Khoury, Jean
Qahwaji and Charles Shikhani. Qahwaji, according to the report, is the
front-runner for the post of Army Commander. It said Brig. Albert Karam is to be
named director of military intelligence and Khoury, the current director of
military intelligence, is to be appointed director of customs. Beirut, 27 Aug
08, 08:59
Parliament Postpones Draft Law on Electoral Divisions till
Sept. 25
Naharnet/ Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday adjourned an
extraordinary parliamentary session to pass a new draft electoral
constituencies' law till September 25. Berri referred the a draft law to the
parliamentary administration and justice committee after the parliamentary
majority refused to adopt the new law without further reforms.Parliament,
however, adopted 17 laws out of 31 listed bills, including two community
development plans for the northern city of Tripoli.
Berri said he would form a parliamentary committee to investigate into alleged
bugging of telephone communication. The Hizbullah-led March 8 coalition wants
Parliament to tackle a bill on electoral constituencies as outlined by the Doha
Agreement. The majority March 14 alliance, while adhering to the Doha Accord,
wants reforms to the election law, which are still being considered by a
parliamentary committee, tackled as one parcel along with the constituencies'
law so that the two items would be adopted as one comprehensive law. Beirut, 26
Aug 08, 18:01
Belgian Defense Minister in Beirut to Inspect Troops
Naharnet/Belgium's defense minister arrived in Beirut Tuesday to
inspect his country's troops serving with the U.N. peacekeeping force in
Lebanon.
He met upon arrival with President Michel Suleiman. The two leaders discussed
bilateral relations and Belgian military aid to the Lebanese army, in addition
to the regional and international developments. The Belgian defense minister is
expected to visit the southern Lebanese village of Tibnin to inspect his
country's troops. Beirut, 26 Aug 08, 20:29
Quarrel Nearly Turned Violent between MPs Nicola, Andrawous
Naharnet/A quarrel nearly turned violent between MPs Antoine
Andrawous and Nabil Nicola at an extraordinary parliamentary session on Tuesday.
The two MPs attacked each other and were close to engaging in a fist fight had
fellow lawmakers did not step in to separate them.
Beirut, 26 Aug 08, 21:00
Diniyeh Residents Block Main Road to Protest Power Cuts
Naharnet/Angry demonstrators on Tuesday blocked the main road to
Diniyeh in north Lebanon with burning tires to protest against continuing power
cuts.
The state-run National News Agency said the protesters shouted slogans
condemning the power rationing program and threatening stepped up measures until
their demands are met. Beirut, 26 Aug 08, 21:35
Three People Wounded in Ras Nabaa Violence
Naharnet/The Lebanese Army contained late Monday sporadic
disturbances between Amal Movement and the Baath Party, on one hand, and
Mustaqbal Movement partisans, on the other in Beirut's Ras Nabaa district. The
daily al-Mustaqbal said the "attacks" by AMAL and Baath members followed the
lifting of "religious banners" by Mustaqbal partisans welcoming the month of
Ramadan. Such banners, according to the report, were considered by AMAL and
Baath "provocative," the report added. "AMAL members attacked the Zi Nourrein
mosque, smashed shops and cars parked in the streets. Some youths from Ras Nabaa
district were beaten up and admitted to hospital for treatment," according to
the report. Hospital sources said at least three Mustaqbal Movement partisans
were treated from wounds and bruises. Beirut, 26 Aug 08, 09:38
Reporters Without Borders Condemns Detention of Westerners
by Hizbullah
Naharnet/Reporters Without Borders condemned measures taken by
Hizbullah against Western journalists who are required to obtain special permits
from Hizbullah, thus "obliterating the value of press permits issued by
Lebanon's information ministry." The non-governmental organization, which is
devoted to freedom of the press, said in a statement that three days after the
detention of French journalist David Houri, a number of Brazilian reporters were
held Aug. 15 as they sat in "one of the restaurants" in Beirut's southern
suburbs to prepare a report. It said the team was moved three times during the
five-hour detention period. One detained reporter said Hizbullah released them
on condition they take the first plane to London. Beirut, 26 Aug 08, 19:08
Suleiman for Qatar Next Week
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman is to make a two-day official
visit to Qatar as of Sept. 1 prior to launching a tour of Arab capitals after
the holy month of Ramadan. The president would also visit the United States for
talks with officials in Washington and to head Lebanon's delegation to the U.N.
General Assembly meeting in New York. The UNGA session is scheduled for mid
September. Beirut, 26 Aug 08, 10:01
Another UN Commander Caters to Terrorists
By: W. Thomas Smith Jr.
26 Aug 2008
Once again, a foreign military commander leading so-called peacekeeping troops
under a United Nations flag in south Lebanon makes a public comment that should
surely be condemned as ill-informed, pandering to Hezbollah terrorists, or –
should I say it – gutless (not willing to tangle with Hezbollah or simply
passing the buck to a higher authority, whoever that may be).
Speaking to a Reuters’ correspondent, Lt. Col. Marc Ollier, commanding officer
of UNIFIL’s (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) French contingent, says,
“I don’t believe Hezbollah’s weapons figure in Resolution 1701.”
According to Reuters, UN Security Council Resolution 1701 “speaks of keeping
armed men and illicit weapons out of the UNIFIL zone.”
Ollier says, “So we monitor that, but disarming an armed militia is not in
1701.”
Perhaps Ollier should take the time to read UNSCR 1701 and the earlier UNSCR
1559, both of which declare that all “militias” in Lebanon are to be disarmed.
And 1701 specifically states, “all armed groups in Lebanon” are “required” to
disarm, and “there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of
the Lebanese State.”
Simply put, Hezbollah should have been disarmed two years ago according to 1701,
four years ago if we look at 1559.
Ollier’s comments, this week, come on the heels of another comment by a UN
commander, this month, which Lebanon’s pro-democracy majority deems was also
catering to terrorists.
On Aug. 15, Italian Army Major General Claudio Graziano, senior commander of
UNIFIL, told the Jerusalem Post that “excellent cooperation” existed between
UNIFIL forces and Hezbollah militiamen, and “apart from UN troops, Lebanese
soldiers and [local] hunters, no one is armed south of the Litani River.”
Those comments caused the Lebanese people living south of the Litani, and
countless counterterrorism experts worldwide to ask what kind of Kool-Aid Gen.
Graziano was drinking.
As I wrote on Aug. 16:
“Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm is officially based on its argument that it is a
“resistance” force, therefore it should maintain its arms. That’s what
Hezbollah, its supporters, and apologists say. Those of us who have been deeply
involved in the development of analysis on Hezbollah understand the group’s
“clinging to its guns” actually stems from more sinister motives.”
We must also remember, Hezbollah and it allies launched a deadly series of
armed-attacks against the Lebanese government and citizenry in May after the
government made decisions that didn’t please Hezbollah. In the end, Lebanon’s
government caved and Hezbollah was granted all sorts of concessions; including
veto power on Lebanese government decisions (meaning Iran and Syria, Hezbollah’s
big-money benefactors, now have covert veto power in Lebanon). As if that wasn’t
enough, Hezbollah has now “wormed its way” into Lebanon’s Defense Ministry as a
sort of “official” element of the legitimate Lebanese armed forces.
In the wake of Graziano’s comments, Tom Harb, secretary general of The
International Lebanese Committee for UN Security Council Resolution 1559, sent a
letter to the Italian mission at the UN, all UN Security Council members, and
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, a portion of which reads:
“Graziano says, ‘Hezbollah is one of the parties that agree with 1701 and
support 1701.’ This is factually untrue as evidenced by Hezbollah’s armed
offensive – with impunity –against the Lebanese government and citizenry in May.
“Graziano adds, ‘UNIFIL has no commitment to the disarmament of Hezbollah … We
are a peacekeeping force, not peace enforcement.’ This is contradictory to say
the least, and proof that UNIFIL is a hollow force in Lebanon.”
According to sources, Lebanese Army Intelligence in the south is not only
coordinating with UNIFIL, but sharing intelligence with Hezbollah chief Hassan
Nasrallah.
“Hezbollah is also terrorizing Lebanese civilians in south Lebanon often within
eyesight and earshot of UNIFIL troops, and UNIFIL never initiates any
investigation whatsoever,” says Harb. “For instance, when Hezbollah attacked
across the country in May 2008, the organization’s fighters ransacked the
offices of the mufti of Tyre and Jabal Amel. UNIFIL did absolutely nothing to
either prevent this act or investigate it after the fact.”
So are UNIFIL commanders and troops really as incompetent – perhaps impotent –
as evidenced by their words and deeds (or lack thereof)? Let’s not forget the
infamous photograph of UNIFIL troops saluting the remains of returning
terrorists during the recent “swap” between Israel and Hezbollah.
Assad's Shopping List
By: Jonathan Spyer
26 Aug 2008
President Bashar Assad of Syria began a trip to Russia this week. Russian news
agency RIA Novosti has quoted the Syrian Information Ministry as confirming that
the trip will last two days.
According to the statement, the purpose of the trip is to discuss bilateral
relations and the latest world and regional developments, particularly relating
to the Middle East peace process and to Iraq.
Assad's trip to Moscow comes at a particularly opportune time. Russia is in the
process of completing what looks like a successful, contemptuous defiance of
international will over its actions in Georgia. In the Caucasus, Moscow has
thrown down a direct challenge to the US-dominated post Cold-war international
order.
Syria, meanwhile, is part of an Iran-led regional bloc which seeks to issue a
similar challenge in the Middle East, albeit on a smaller scale. But Assad is
not in Moscow purely to compare notes with the Russians. Rather, his trip has a
list of clear and practical objectives.
During the Cold War, the USSR was of course Syria's main arms supplier.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Damascus was left with an
outstanding debt of $13.4 billion to Moscow for weapons purchased. Throughout
the 1990s, with Syria stagnant and Russia plunged into economic and political
chaos, this outstanding debt cast a chill over relations between the two
countries. This chill has now thawed. In 2005, Moscow agreed to write off 73
percent of the debt. This reduced Syria's foreign debt to less than 10% of its
GDP, allowing Damascus once more to focus on arms procurement. Large-scale
purchases of arms from Russia began that same year.
Over the following two years, according to Israeli sources, Syria purchased 50
Pantsir SE-1 and Tor-M1 air-defense systems from Moscow. Sophisticated anti-tank
guided weapons systems were also acquired. There are conflicting reports as to
whether the Pantsir air defense systems had been fully deployed at the time of
the successful IAF raid on a suspected Syrian plutonium reactor in September,
2007. The raid, in any case, undoubtedly represented a significant failure for
the Syrians.
The Syrian response has been to accelerate the pace of arms purchases from
willing Russia. In May, a senior Syrian delegation headed by air force commander
General Akhmad al-Ratyb visited the Russian capital. The delegation secured the
purchase of Mig-29 SMT fighter aircraft.
This time around, the leading item on Assad's shopping list is thought to be the
sophisticated S-300 long range anti-aircraft missile system. This
state-of-the-art system has already been purchased from Russia by Iran. Iran is
expected to deploy it by March, 2009. The Iranian intention, clearly, is for
this system to be used in defense of Teheran's nuclear program.
Assad, in his previous visit to Moscow in December, 2006, made unsuccessful
attempts to purchase the S-300. Israeli diplomats have been working to try to
prevent a successful Syrian acquisition this time around. The outcome is not yet
clear. The S-300 is thought to be the leading item on Assad's list of planned
purchases in Moscow. A series of public statements by Russian officials over the
past days stressing (and exaggerating) Israel's defense relationship with
Georgia could be interpreted as a negative sign, but nothing is yet certain.
What lies behind Russia's growing interest in arms supplies to the Middle East?
This is part of a larger picture - Russia's return as a player on the global
diplomatic stage. The Russians would like to leverage their supply of arms to
Iran and Syria into influence, forming an alternative address for diplomatic
mediation - or for help in challenging enemies. Either way, Russia intends not
to have its voice ignored. The days when all other countries automatically
accepted US predominance on issues of Middle East statecraft have passed.
Of course, Russia is still far too weak a state to be able to provide a real
challenge to the western system of alliances in the Middle East. Syria, too, for
all its rhetoric, possesses armed forces which still suffer from acute
structural and educational problems, as well as the problem of norms which limit
their ability to successfully absorb and operate ultra-modern systems. Still,
something is changing.
The regional alliance of Iran and its allies is currently acting as a 'spoiler'
in many flashpoints across the region - Iraq, Lebanon, the Israeli-Palestinian
arena, Kuwait and the Israel-Syria-Hizbullah triangle. In all these linked
arenas, influence is being built through the exacerbation of conflict, and the
preventing of peaceful development. Iran and Syria have had the good fortune to
meet a major power - Russia - whose interests happen to currently coincide with
the strengthening of anti-status-quo powers in the Middle East. The result is a
relationship based on mutual benefit. President Assad will be hoping to reap
tangible gains from this as he makes his way through meetings with the power
elite in Moscow over the next two weeks.
Hezbollah presence in Venezuela
feared
Marcelo Garcia / AFP/Getty Images
August 27, 2008
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA -- Western anti-terrorism officials are increasingly concerned
that Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based Shiite Muslim militia that Washington has
labeled a terrorist group, is using Venezuela as a base for operations.
Linked to deadly attacks on Jewish targets in Argentina in the early 1990s,
Hezbollah may be taking advantage of Venezuela's ties with Iran, the militia's
longtime sponsor, to move "people and things" into the Americas, as one Western
government terrorism expert put it. World A-Z: Hugo Chavez Hezbollah wages
on-air war against U.S.Hezbollah and allies get key ministries in Lebanon's new
Cabinet
Babylon & Beyond blog: More on Hezbollah
As part of his anti-American foreign policy, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
has established warm diplomatic relations with Iran and has traveled there
several times. The Bush administration, Israel and other governments worry that
Venezuela is emerging as a base for anti-U.S. militant groups and spy services,
including Hezbollah and its Iranian allies."It's becoming a strategic
partnership between Iran and Venezuela," said a Western anti-terrorism official
who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the issue's sensitivity. Several
joint Venezuelan-Iranian business operations have been set up in Venezuela,
including tractor, cement and auto factories. In addition, the two countries
have formed a $2-billion program to fund social projects in Venezuela and
elsewhere in Latin America.
Those deepening ties worry U.S. officials because Iranian spies around the world
have been known to work with Hezbollah operatives, sometimes using Iranian
embassies as cover, Western intelligence experts say.
In June, Assistant Secretary of State Thomas A. Shannon said Iran "has a history
of terror in this hemisphere, and its linkages to the bombings in Buenos Aires
are pretty well established.""One of our broader concerns is what Iran is doing
elsewhere in this hemisphere and what it could do if we were to find ourselves
in some kind of confrontation with Iran," Shannon said.
Fears about the threat from Hezbollah's global networks intensified after the
slaying in February of Imad Mughniyah, a notorious leader of the militia, in
Damascus, the Syrian capital. Hezbollah and Iran accused Israel and promised
revenge, putting Western authorities on guard against attacks on Israeli or
Jewish targets around the world. Although the Bush administration is embroiled
in political conflict with the Chavez government, allegations that Hezbollah and
Iranian spies operate in Venezuela date to the 1990s, before Chavez took office.
The most concrete allegations of a Hezbollah presence in Venezuela involve
money-raising. In June, the U.S. Treasury Department designated two Venezuelan
citizens as Hezbollah supporters and froze their U.S. assets.
Treasury officials formally accused Ghazi Nasr al Din, a Venezuelan diplomat of
Lebanese descent, of using posts at embassies in the Middle East to support
financing for Hezbollah and "discuss operational issues with senior officials"
of the militia.
Nasr al Din "facilitated the travel" of Hezbollah members to and from Venezuela
and to a "training course in Iran," according to Treasury officials. The
president of a Shiite Muslim center in Caracas, he served as a diplomat in
Damascus and later in Beirut, authorities say.
The second Venezuelan targeted by Treasury is Fawzi Kanan, a Caracas-based
travel agent. He is also alleged to have facilitated travel for Hezbollah
members and to have discussed "possible kidnappings and terrorist attacks" with
senior Hezbollah officials in Lebanon. The Treasury allegations did not specify
whether the alleged discussion involved plots for kidnappings in Venezuela or
elsewhere.
In comments to a Venezuelan reporter, Kanan dismissed the charges as lies. The
Venezuelan government has strenuously denied that it is harboring militants.
In March 2007, the intensified ties between Venezuela and Iran led to the start
of weekly IranAir flights from Tehran to Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, that
stop in Damascus.The flights were highlighted in the State Department's annual
assessment of global terrorism, which noted in April of this year that
Venezuelan border officials at the Caracas airport often neglected to enter the
arriving passengers into their immigration database and did not stamp passports.
The Venezuelans have since tightened up on their procedures, informed sources
say.
Despite those improvements, the IranAir flights also feature in recent
intelligence gathered by Western anti-terrorism officials. Agents of Iran's
Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah have allegedly set up a special force to
attempt to kidnap Jewish businesspeople in Latin America and spirit them away to
Lebanon, according to the Western anti-terrorism official. Iranian and Hezbollah
operatives traveling in and out of Venezuela have recruited Venezuelan
informants working at the Caracas airport to gather intelligence on Jewish
travelers as potential targets for abduction, the Western anti-terrorism
official said.
The allegations were reinforced by a statement last week by the Israeli
government, issuing an alert to citizens warning that Hezbollah plans to kidnap
Israelis around the world to retaliate for the Mughniyah assassination.
Hezbollah has long operated in the Lebanese communities of Latin America. In
addition to receiving a multimillion-dollar infusion from Iran, the militia
finances itself by soliciting or extorting money from the Lebanese diaspora and
through rackets such as smuggling, fraud and the drug and diamond trade in South
America and elsewhere, Matthew Levitt, a fellow at the Washington Institute for
Near East Policy, told Congress in 2005.
Three years ago, police in Colombia and Ecuador broke up an international
cocaine-smuggling ring that functioned in Latin American countries, including
Venezuela, and allegedly sent profits to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The lawless
"tri-border" region connecting Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina has been a center
of organized crime activities and finance linked to Hezbollah, Western
anti-terrorism officials say.
Hezbollah operatives based there participated, along with Iranian spies, in the
car bombings in Buenos Aires of the Israeli Embassy in 1992 and a Jewish
community center two years later that killed a total of 114 people, an Argentine
indictment charges.
In the aftermath of that indictment, filed in 2006, Hezbollah and its Iranian
sponsors, chiefly the Revolutionary Guard, decided to shift from the
increasingly scrutinized tri-border area to other countries, including
Venezuela, Western anti-terrorism officials say.
"It preserves the capability of Hezbollah and the Revolutionary Guard to mount
attacks inside Latin America. . . . It is very, very important to Iran and
Hezbollah right now."
chris.kraul@latimes.com
rotella@latimes.com
Kraul reported from Bogota and Rotella from Madrid.
Hapless Hezbollah ATGMs Revealed
Haaretz/August 27, 2008: Israel has published the analysis of armored vehicle
losses during the 2006 war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Of the 23 members of the
armored corps killed in action, 15 were killed by ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided
Missiles), and seven by mines. The cause of death for the other 1 is not
recorded specifically. Most probably gunfire hitting a vehicle commander with
his head out of a hatch to get a better view of the situation. Over half of the
armor casualties are attributable to just 3-4 incidents. The ATGM Merkava tank
deaths are all accounted for by just 6-7 hits.
There were 14 APCs (armored personnel carriers) hit by ATGMs. In two of these
incidents, seven troops in the vehicles were killed. APCs got perforated 11
times. The APCs involved were Achzarits (rebuilt, turretless, T-55 tanks) and
Pumas (rebuilt, turretless, Centurion tanks). Three APCs hit mines, killing 5
infantrymen in two incidents (4 in one vehicle). Some 90 percent of these APC
casualties all occurred in one night. In comparison, 14 infantrymen were killed
by ATGMs fired at buildings. The vast majority of the infantry casualties were
still caused by bullets, grenades, and shell fire (including PRGs).
Despite the many hundreds of engagements, there are only 8-9 recorded incidents
where Hezbollah ATGM fire was able to cause deaths inside armored vehicles, and
four times where AT fire killed troops in buildings.
The experience in Lebanon again proves that ATGMs tend to be overrated. Israel
first encountered ATGMs during the 1973 war, and quickly adapted. ATGMs were
much less effective in the 1982 war, and didn't do all that well in 2006 either.
Hezbollah quickly learned that the Merkava frontal armor was impervious to their
Russian Kornet ATGMs. Getting side and rear shots was more difficult, and not a
lot more successful. While the ATGM warhead often penetrated, the Merkava was
designed to take these kind of hits and survive, and survive it did. In addition
to fire extinguisher systems, the ammo and fuel are stored in such a way that
secondary explosions are rare. Thus the crew normally survives these hits, as
does the tank.
Hezbollah has received several thousand ATGMs over the years. Many of them are
elderly, like the Russian Sagger. This is a 1960s design. It's a 24 pound
missile, with a range of 3,000 meters, that must be carefully "driven" to its
target via a joy stick controller. Requires a lot of practice to do right. The
warhead is not very effective against tanks, but can do a lot of damage to
buildings. Iran also sent some elderly TOW missiles, dating from the 1970s.
These are too heavy to haul around, and most are unstable because of age.
Lighter ATGM systems have proved more useful.
The French made MILAN ATGM, a 1970s design, has a 35 pound launch unit, firing a
16 pound, wire guided missile, with a maximum range of 2,000 meters. The Syrians
got MILAN from France, and passed them on to Hezbollah. A similar Russian
system, the 9M111 Fagot, has a 25 pound missile fired from a 24 pound launch
unit. An even more modern Russian system, the Kornet E, is a laser guided
missile with a range of 5,000 meters. The launcher has a thermal sight for use
at night or in fog. The missile's warhead can penetrate 1200 mm of armor, which
means that the side armor of the Israeli Merkava tank would be vulnerable. The
missile weighs 18 pounds and the launcher 42 pounds. The system was introduced
in 1994 and has been sold to Syria (who apparently passed them on to Hezbollah).
-- William F. Owen Last update - 13:18 27/08/2008
Iran-Israel arms race heats up, both boost naval capabilities
By Haaretz Staff and Channel 10
Haaretz.com/Channel 10 daily feature for August 26, 2008. The arms race between
Israel and Iran is moving to the sea.
In Iran, the production of domestically-made submarines recently began. The
Iranian defense minister, who visited the production line Monday, said the
purpose of the submarines would be to defend the oil pipelines in the Strait of
Hormuz, through which up to 40 percent of the world's oil supply passes.
But of particular interest to Israel is the fact that the submarines will have
the capability to launch what the Iranian state media called "various kinds of
missiles." No further details were provided. Meanwhile, the Israel Navy has its
own plans. Two years after Hezbollah almost sank one of Israel's top warships in
the Second Lebanon War, naval supremacy has moved up on the military's list of
priorities.
Israel Will Go All-Out Next Time To Stop Hizbullah
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, 20 Aug 2008
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned Lebanon's new government on Tuesday
that Israel would not hold back if Beirut allowed Hizbullah to launch another
attack on Israel. Even though Olmert is battling budget cuts in defense spending
and is on his way out of office, he was quick to warn Lebanon against renewed
warfare during a visit to the IDF Home Front Command offices in Ramle. "In the
Second Lebanon War we had much greater means and capabilities, which we avoided
using since we fought against a terror organization and not a country," Olmert
said. "In this context, if Lebanon turns into a Hizbullah state, we won't
restrain our response." The prime minister’s comments follow the Lebanese
parliament’s approval on August 12 of a national unity cabinet that includes
Hizbullah and grants the Shi'ite milita the right to keep their arms and
continue their "resistance" against Israel.
The new government in Beirut passed policy guidlines that endorse "the right of
Lebanon, its people, its army and the resistance [Hizbullah] to liberate its
land." The agreement also grants Hizbullah veto power over key decisions made by
the unity government. Olmert responded to these developments by stressing that
the IDF does not want to capture and control territory and that Israel would
concentrate on conducting a swift war with minimum casualties and on stopping
infiltrations. If there is a war, the Home Front Command will act as "a more
vital role than it ever has in the past," said Olmert. "There will no longer be
a situation in which the war is waged in distant battlefields, while in big
cities, life continues as normal. The war will also reach cities and the homes
of Israeli citizens, and the aim of our enemies will be to hit the home front,"
he said, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Copyright © 2006 International Christian embassy
Threat to Lebanon's symbol of survival
By Bethany Bell
BBC News, Lebanon
The cedar adorns Lebanon's flag, as well as money, stamps and other places
Environmentalists are concerned that climate change could affect Lebanon's
emblematic cedar trees.
Cedar forests once covered the mountains of Lebanon. But cedar wood and resin
have been prized since the days of the Ancient Egyptians and over the centuries
the trees have been cut down by everyone from the Phoenicians to the Ottomans to
the modern Lebanese themselves.
The highest point on this mountain is 2000 metres above sea level, so the cedar
forests in Lebanon could disappear
Nazi Hani, Chouf Cedar Nature Reserve
These days most of Lebanon's cedars are protected, but now there is concern that
the trees face a new threat.
A quarter of Lebanon's cedars are found in the Chouf Cedar Nature Reserve, in
the mountains southeast of Beirut.
Its scientific coordinator, Nizar Hani, says global warming could affect the
growth of new trees:
"The impact of climate change on the cedar forests of Lebanon will be on natural
regeneration because we will have a lack of snow.
"Secondly there could be an increase of diseases and insect infections, because
of warmer temperatures."
Rising temperature
Lebanese cedar trees can live for centuries, and even millennia
The cedar's natural range is now 1,200-1,800 metres (4,000-6,000 feet) above sea
level. Mr Hani says a warmer climate would mean the trees could only survive
higher up. "Things could be difficult because the highest point on this mountain
is 2000 metres above sea level, so the cedar forests in Lebanon could
disappear," Mr Hani says.
But he stresses these are just predictions:
"Till now we have healthy cedar forests, especially here in the Chouf Cedar
Nature Reserve."
And the reserve is taking action to limit the impact of rising temperatures.
Nizar Hani says isolated populations of trees will be more affected by climate
change, so increasing the area of the cedar forests could help.
"We are trying to plant new cedar forests - we have a project to plant 100,000
seedlings. "
Natural wonder
For many Lebanese, the cedar, which can live for hundreds of years, is more than
just a tree.
Efforts to preserve the cedars in the Shouf mountains have been led by the Druze
political leader Walid Jumblatt, who has his stronghold there. His wife, Nora,
says the trees are part of Lebanon's cultural heritage.
"Some of these trees are 3,000 years old," she said.
Nora Jumblatt, wife of Druze leader Walid, pioneers cedar conservation
"You can find the cedar on stamps, on money, on our national flag. So it is very
important culturally and it's our heritage."
The cedar tree has inspired poets and artists in Lebanon for centuries -
including the writer Kahlil Gibran, who is buried close to the Bcharre cedar
reserve in northern Lebanon.
Wahib Kayrouz, the curator of the Gibran museum, says the cedar is an important
metaphor in Gibran's work.
"The cedar is always the symbol for strength, power, fertility, continuity and
the feeling that the human being is eternal," he said.
The much loved cedars of Lebanon have been nominated as one of the New Seven
Wonders of Nature.
A symbol of survival in a fractured land, it is hoped the trees won't become
just a memory on the flag.