LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
January 05/08

Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 1,35-42. The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them,"Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Kephas" (which is translated Peter).

Free Opinions and Releases
The opposition in the streets? We approve-Now Lebanon. January 4/07
Pakistan and Lebanon, the same struggle.By Hiram Chodosh and Chibli Mallat. January 04/08
Lebanon's politicians are ruining their country without even saying why-The Daily Star. January 04/08 

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for January 04/08
Fatah al-Islam Emerges in Ain al-Hilweh-Naharnet
Opposition Threatens to Resort to Civil Disobedience-Naharnet
Moussa: 'Possibility' to Reach Understanding in Cairo Meeting-Naharnet
Berri: Globalization Demolishes Lebanon-Naharnet
Abu Faour: Veto Power is Aimed at Thwarting Hariri Tribunal-Naharnet
Wahab Preaches: Open-ended Crisis, Dead Taef, Battle for Veto Powers and Early Parliamentary Elections-Naharnet
U.S. Stresses Need to Give 'Prescription Drug Support' to Saniora's Cabinet-Naharnet
Hezbollah sets resolution terms-BBC News
Saniora: Hizbullah is Seeking to Change the Political System-Naharnet
Geagea Hits Back at Nasrallah-Naharnet
A “hateful political climate” prevails as paralysis encourages ...AsiaNews.it
Siniora Cabinet picks delegates to Arab League talks in Cairo-Daily Star
Opposition 'plans protests at airport, ports' in Lebanon-Daily Star
Aoun urged to check facts with Sfeir, not media-Daily Star
Spain offers money for study abroad-Daily Star
UAE rebuilds 268 schools in South-Daily Star
Security men free on bail after raid-Daily Star
Turkey to press ahead with mediation-Daily Star
The Somalia scenario casts a long shadow over Lebanon-Daily Star
Little merit in Tabbara plan to open way for Suleiman - experts-Daily Star
Public transport drivers in Lebanon to go on strike-Daily Star
Azour answers Nasrallah's criticism of telecom sell-off-Daily Star
Southerners say they have no choice but to make living cultivating tobacco-Daily Star
Unblemished 2008 calendars raise hopes for clear skies-Daily Star
Residents of Basta fear sectarian tension may tear their neighborhood apart-Daily Star
Jordan's king urges Olmert to halt settlement activity-Daily Star
Lithuanian prostitution ring 'served Arab sheikhs-AFP

Berri: Globalization Demolishes Lebanon
Naharnet/Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri warned that globalization is "destructive" for Lebanon. "We in Lebanon are caught between two schemes: Arabization and globalization," Berri said in remarks published by the daily An Nahar on Friday. Berri said he was with Arabization "although we had wished to forge a purely Lebanese solution (to the crisis)," adding that "this is what I have been looking for." "Globalization will only have destructive effects on Lebanon," Berri stressed.
An-Nahar said Berri conveyed a "verbal message" to Egyptian President Husni Mubarak via Egyptian Ambassador Ahmed al-Bidyawi hailing efforts by Egypt and Saudi Arabia to reconcile the radical Hamas group with the mainstream Fatah Palestinian faction.

Abu Faour: Veto Power is Aimed at Thwarting Hariri Tribunal
Naharnet/Democratic Gathering Bloc MP Wael Abu Faour said that the opposition's demand for a veto power in the future government is aimed at "thwarting" the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. He said Thursday that remarks by Druze leader Walid Jumblat in which he announced that Hizbullah bears "moral responsibility" for the assassinations in Lebanon was "not intended to aggravate tensions." "Is it not enough for Hizbullah to condemn assassinations in Lebanon while it is still siding with the killer," Abu Faour said. He stressed that any compromise must address the question of political killings as well as the international tribunal, "since the core of the dispute is the position of Hizbullah and March 8 on this issue." The international tribunal will try suspects in the 2005 assassination of ex-Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and related crimes. Beirut, 04 Jan 08, 08:46

Moussa: 'Possibility' to Reach Understanding in Cairo Meeting
Naharnet/Arab League Chief Amr Moussa has said Arab foreign ministers will likely reach an understanding over the Lebanese presidential crisis during a meeting in Cairo Sunday. "There is a possibility to reach an Arab understanding over Lebanon's problem," in the Egyptian capital, Moussa said Thursday during a late night interview with al-Arabiya TV network. Moussa also stressed the need for local, regional and international efforts to solve Lebanon's ongoing political crisis.
"The responsibility to solve this country's problem is Lebanese, Arab, regional and international," Moussa said. But he stressed that "responsibly lies with Lebanese leaders before Arab, regional or international" efforts to find a way out of the crisis that worsened after the term of President Emile Lahoud ended with bickering politicians unable to agree on how to choose a successor. Also Thursday, the cabinet decided that acting Foreign Minister Tarek Mitri would head the delegation to Cairo, which will include Premier Fouad Saniora's adviser, Mohammad Shattah, and the Foreign Ministry's director general, Bassam Naamani, among other officials. Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said Sunday's meeting "is an important opportunity for wide Arab talks to find ways" to help the Lebanese choose their head of state. He said Egypt was worried over the presidential vacuum, expressing fears that prolonging the crisis could have "negative impact" on security. Beirut, 04 Jan 08, 05:48

Opposition Threatens to Resort to Civil Disobedience
Naharnet/The Hizbullah-led opposition was reportedly getting ready for civil disobedience if mediation efforts aimed at reaching a settlement to the political crisis fail, local media reported Friday. The pro-Syrian newspaper Ad Diyar, according to information obtained by the daily, said the opposition's anti-government movements are likely to take place between January 12 and 15. Ad Diyar said the opposition will resort within 10 days to "peaceful measures" aimed at forming a national unity government. It said among these measures is a call for civil disobedience and peaceful sit-ins. The pro-opposition Al Akhbar, meanwhile, said opposition leaders would meet in the coming few days to "take a decision amid a general mood that everybody is preparing for a confrontation." Al Akhbar said the opposition will resort to "popular activities" to prevent the pro-government camp from achieving its goals in the event that mediation efforts fail. It said the anti-government camp has informed the Lebanese army command that the opposition's stance "was not targeted against" army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman.
Both camps have agreed on Suleiman as a consensus candidate for the presidency but the opposition wants to reach an agreement on the future cabinet before electing a new head of state. On Thursday, media reports said the opposition plans to close Beirut airport as well as major ports across Lebanon. They said the opposition was also considering launching sit-in protests at Bkirki and the U.S. embassy in Aukar. Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned in a television interview aired Wednesday that the opposition would take "decisive measures" within 10 days if mediation efforts fail. "The French and the Syrians are attempting to arrive at a compromise ... but if this mediation fails, there will not be others, and the opposition will mobilize using all peaceful means possible," he said without providing further details. Beirut, 04 Jan 08, 09:54

Fatah al-Islam Emerges in Ain al-Hilweh
Naharnet/The terrorists Fatah al-Islam group claimed responsibility for detonating explosive devices last Monday targeting "renegades and disbelievers inside Ain al-Hilweh camp." The pan-Arab daily al Hayat on Friday said it received the Arabic-language statement by fax at its office in Beirut. Al Hayat said the statement carried the signature of "Fatah al-Islam's Press Bureau." The statement, addressing those who believed that Fatah al-Islam had lost its might, said: "Our flag is still hoisted and our swords are still turned against the necks of disbelievers and renegades."

Wahab Preaches: Open-ended Crisis, Dead Taef, Battle for Veto Powers and Early Parliamentary Elections
Naharnet/Former cabinet Minister Wiam Wahab said Thursday the ongoing presidential crisis is "open ended", the Taef accord is "dead" and the opposition would shift to "another battle in a few days" to gain veto powers in decision-making. Wahab, an outspoken figure in the Syrian-backed opposition, made the threats in remarks to reporters after visiting former president Emile Lahoud at the latter's residence in Baabdat, east of Beirut. The opposition, Wahab said, "will shift to the battle of re-forming the authority … the battle for early parliamentary elections will be launched in days and the presidential election battle will decline to second rank." "Re-forming the authority is the problem," Wahab added. "Frankly, some people speak of the Taef and adhere to it." He announced: "The Taef is dead. This is the truth, we should re-form the authority and we should reconsider powers that the Taef took from the presidency." In answering a question as to whether the presidential crisis would persist for a long time, Wahab said: "Seven or eight months, maybe a year. It is open-ended."The Hizbullah-led opposition, according to Wahab, wants a national unity government in which it holds a "guaranteeing one third" while the majority gets "half minus one seat … This chance was given a few days, after that the opposition would … demand early parliamentary elections based on a new law." Beirut, 03 Jan 08, 16:25

U.S. Stresses Need to Give 'Prescription Drug Support' to Saniora's Cabinet
Naharnet/U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley has said during a visit to the Middle East next week President George Bush will stress the need to "give prescription drug support" to Premier Fouad Saniora's government. Bush "will encourage support for the Saniora government in Lebanon," Hadley said during a press briefing in Washington Thursday.  He "will stress the importance of supporting the young democracies and the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and the Palestinians," Hadley added. "We´ll continue to talk about the need to give prescription drug support to the Lebanese government, and to support it in its effort…to come up with a consensus president," he stressed. Lebanon has been without a head of state since the term of Emile Lahoud ended in November. The Hizbullah-led opposition and pro-government factions have agreed on Army Chief Gen. Michel Suleiman as a consensus president but are at loggerheads over the future cabinet.
The U.S. official also reiterated that the Middle East is torn between those who advocate democracy and extremists. "The killing of (former Pakistani Premier) Benazir Bhutto is another example of extremists recognizing the danger that those who advocate democracy represent to their future. You see it in the struggle in Iraq. You see it in the struggle in Lebanon," Hadley said. Bush will head to the region on Tuesday, in a trip that will take him to Israel, the West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. His visit is aimed at pushing forward recently revived Middle East peace talks.
Beirut, 04 Jan 08, 04:57

Policemen Arrested in Connection with Night Club Raid Released
Naharnet/Military Examining Magistrate Jean Fahd ordered the release on bail of two officers and three servicemen from the General Directorate of General Security who were arrested over the weekend in connection with a raid on the Crystal night club in Beirut's Ashrafiyeh district. The policemen were arrested following an investigation into the Crystal night club raid that was carried out Sunday evening by GDGS members. Prime Minister Fouad Saniora on Monday asked the Judiciary to investigate the controversial raid. The GDGS said on Monday that monitoring activities of night clubs falls within its jurisdiction and denied claims that the facility was targeted for failing to host Ali Jezzini, son of its director general. Crystal Co-owner, Mazen al-Zein, was quoted as claiming that his business was raided by nearly 50 GDGS servicemen, who "terrorized" clients, either due to a complaint by a competing club or because the administration failed to host the Jezzini junior who had requested a reservation at a time the club was fully booked. Beirut, 04 Jan 08, 11:30

Saniora: Hizbullah is Seeking to Change the Political System
Naharnet/Premier Fouad Saniora said Thursday that Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah revealed the real purposes of his party which aim at changing the political system and torpedoing the Taef agreement. Nasrallah "doesn't mind prolonging the presidential void to reach his purpose," Saniora's press office said in a statement. "Those who seek partnership should rather seek middle solutions instead of setting conditions and clinging to them," the statement added.
Nasrallah declared that there will be no President in Lebanon unless the opposition gets veto power in the future cabinet and warned that the anti-government camp would take decisive measures within 10 days if mediation efforts fail. Saniora said that blocking the parliament from doing its job deprived Lebanon of many chances and led to crippling the economy. He wondered "why do we use the issue of nationalizing the Palestinians to provoke unrest while all political parties agree on opposing this scheme." He warned "if all parties adhere to their terms and views destruction will prevail." "Nasrallah announced that the presidential void will persist until he has full control over Lebanon and the state even if that was built on their remains," Saniora stressed. The Hizbullah leader accused the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority of creating the current presidential deadlock by refusing a partnership with the opposition. It "wants to fully control authority and rejects partnership with the other party ... A veto power means that the opposition becomes a partner (in the future government)," Nasrallah said in a recorded interview aired Wednesday night on the private Lebanese NBN TV network. Beirut, 03 Jan 08, 20:28

The opposition in the streets? We approve
January 4, 2008
Now Lebanon
Like others, we are hearing reports that the opposition intends to take to the streets again, to close Beirut airport, seaports, and the roads to the US Embassy in Awkar and the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkirki.
We are heartened by such behavior; in fact we applaud it lustily. Why? Because nothing would so discredit the opposition as such irresponsible actions, especially at a time when the Lebanese are so truly fed up with the political crisis that March 8, more than the majority, is visibly exacerbating.
But before we sound too bitter, let’s for a moment deconstruct what such action might actually mean. First, if Hezbollah decides to go ahead with street action, what is the result likely to be? One of two things will happen: The army will either confront the protestors, forcing soldiers to fight civilians, or it will stand aloof and do nothing. In either case, the army would be discredited. Is that the opposition’s true aim in its continuing efforts to derail the election of Michel Sleiman as president?
You also have to wonder about Michel Aoun. If the opposition has a lame leg, it’s him. The General seems to believe that a majority of Christians prefer him to Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. We have our doubts. We also remember that almost exactly one year ago, when the opposition tried to torpedo the Paris III meeting, Aoun was unable to mobilize very many of his own people to block roads in Christian areas of the country. By nightfall, the Aounists had been chased back into their homes, and Aoun was in convulsions about the lack of mettle of his partisans.
The reality is that while Aoun might still have some support, many of his followers are just not willing to give up a day of work on his behalf and cripple the economy as a consequence. Aoun always sold himself as the representative of legality, but all he is today is a persistent, petulant renegade; someone who has done as much as Hezbollah to undermine the state, the rule of law, the Taif Accord and the presidential election.
Aoun is also vulnerable elsewhere. Let’s not forget that the United States still has a stick over his head and those of his family members and closest supporters: a pair of executive orders – a travel ban and legislation allowing the blocking of property – to sanction anyone deemed to be undermining Lebanese democracy. If Aoun’s people obstruct roads, particularly the road to Awkar, the executive orders can be, and probably will be, extended to them. That would complete his international isolation.
More importantly, if such pressure forces Aoun to step back from his reckless behavior, this would deny Hezbollah its vital Christian partner. Does the party of God really want to be alone in the midst of a Christian area, blocking the Awkar road, with a hostile population all around and an irritated Lebanese army deployed ahead? Does Hezbollah really want to be blamed alone for blocking Lebanon’s lifeline to the world: the airport? The party has hidden behind Aoun for much of the time, but place it in the forefront of action, and suddenly all tension coalesces between the Sunni and Shia. And we believe Hezbollah when it says that it wants to avoid this.
Is it us, or did you also sense that Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in his interview on Wednesday night, was walking a fine line between Syrian priorities and Iran’s apparent desire to avoid a breakdown in Lebanon? If we are right, Nasrallah’s threat to take to the streets is a sop to Syria, which must be reading with some anxiety statements by American officials to the effect that Iran is playing a positive role in Iraq. Nothing is worse for Damascus than to see progress in an Iranian-American dialogue, while the Syrian-American dialogue is dead. But what does Iran have to say about acts in Lebanon that might lead to Sunni-Shia clashes? After all, Tehran is improving its ties with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and is evidently eager to lower sectarian animosity in Iraq.
So let us repeat: If the opposition wants to go ahead and incinerate itself completely, it should take to the streets, make our life even more miserable than it already is, and heighten the prospect of a new civil war, this time between Sunnis and Shia. It’s a great plan. A fantastic one, really. One the opposition’s worst enemies couldn’t improve upon.