LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
ِApril
22/2010
Bible Of the
Day
Psalm 39/1 I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with
my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”
39:2 I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was
stirred. 39:3 My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I
spoke with my tongue: 39:4 “Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my
days. Let me know how frail I am. Behold, you have made my days handbreadths. My
lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” “Surely
every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up,
and doesn’t know who shall gather. 39:7 Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope
is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don’t make me the reproach of
the foolish. 39:9 I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it. Remove
your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand. :11 When you
rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely
every man is but a breath.” “Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry.
Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all
my fathers were. 39:13 Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go
away, and exist no more.”
إFather Paul Attieah, God bless your Soul
I learned today that our beloved Father, Abbati Paul Attieh has passed away in
Lebanon. I will miss him for sure. This great man was a dear friend and an
actual Godly and meek priest. My self and my family knew him in Kuwait twenty
eight years ago. He was the first Maronite priest to serve in the Kuwait
Catholic Church. He baptized two of my boys who are grown men now. He was
modest, humble, Godly in all his acts, loving , a good listener and a superb
friend. People from his caliber are very few these days. Sadly he has suffered
from numerous health problems for years and had few surgeries as well, but
always encountered all his pain and hardships with joy, faith, hope and courage.
We learned a lot from him. As far as I am concerned he did not die, no, he is
just sleeping and waiting to share all the others in welcoming Jesus when He
returns on the Judgment Day. Father Paul did not die, but he started an eternal
life that he was always longing for. Good and genuine servants of God like
Father Paul never die because the seeds that they plant will keep on
multiplying. From myself and all members of my family, we send our deeply felt
condolences to His family, his Maronite order and to all those parishioners whom
he served and they all like us loved him. Father Paul we will never forget you.
From heaven pray for us. We still need your sincere prayers.
Elias Bejjani /Naharnet
Free Opinions, Releases, letters, Interviews & Special Reports
Scandal” in Egyptian Court
to Acquit Suspects of Christian Murders/ICC/April
21/10
Hezbollah's Naim Qasim Talks to Asharq Al-Awsat/Asharq
Alawsat/April
21/10
Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for April 21/10
Geagea Says Hizbullah Controls Lebanon's Defense Policy, Not the Government/Naharnet
U.S.
Not Yet Definite Whether Syria Sent Scuds to Hizbullah, Feltman to Discuss Issue
in Congress/Naharnet
U.S. Senator: Hizbullah
Most Likely has Scud Missiles/Naharnet
Hizbullah: Roed-Larsen's
Report Blatant Tutelage over Lebanon, Revives Headlines of Igniting Internal
Strife/Naharnet
March 14: Hizbullah Arms' Issue Major Point of Disagreement in Strategy Talks/Naharnet
Franjieh Meets Assad, Talks
Focus on Strengthening Bilateral Ties 'in the Face of Israel/Naharnet
Aoun:
Hizbullah Arms for Use against Israel, Army's Weapons for Internal Disputes/Naharnet
Syrian PM: Lebanese-Syrian Relations Will Witness Special Progress/Naharnet
Judge Calls for Death
Penalty against 2 Palestinians, Syrian/Naharnet
Syria: Israeli Scud
Transfer Allegations Set the Stage for Aggression/Naharnet
Report: International
Tribunal Courtroom Ready in May, No Funding Problems/Naharnet
Suleiman to Sign 4
Agreements during Brazil Visit/Naharnet
Rome Promises Hariri to
Make Efforts to Prevent Israeli Aggression/Naharnet
Consensus in Sidon on
Municipal Elections/Naharnet
Baroud: Elections Cost $ 4
Million, Up to 20,000 Security Force to Protect Polls/Naharnet
Rizk: Progress in Efforts
to Reach Consensus on Jezzine/Naharnet
Hizbullah Backs Aoun in
Any Decision on Beirut Elections/Naharnet
Qatari PM on 2-Day
Official Visit to Beirut Monday/Naharnet
French Justice Minister in
Beirut Friday/Naharnet
Waiving the rules on the Syrian-Lebanese
border/Jerusalem Post
Iranian missile may be able
to hit U.S. by 2015/Reuters
Beware the coming
war/Khaleej Times
Hezbollah raps UN report on Lebanon 'militias'/AFP
Defense Secretary Gates points out obvious problems
with Iran strategy/Examiner.com
Syria
arms Hizbullah, war clouds gathering, Obama sweet to Syria/Examiner.com
Scuds for Hizbollah? The regional balance is at
stake/Canada Free Press
MP Marouni finds bombs outside
Zahle home/By
Agence France Presse/AFP
Politicians attend Syria National
Day banquet at BIEL/Daily
Star
Sidon picks businessman as
candidate for mayor/Daily
Star
Mikati promotes centrism as model
for states facing hurdles akin to Lebanon's/Daily
Star
Hariri: Scuds story similar to US
claims of Iraq WMDs/Daily Star
Palestinian armed factions grave
threat to Lebanon's security Ban/Daily Star
Lebanon-Europe flights to return to
near-normal levels by Wednesday/Daily Star
Lebanon-Turkey trade sees decline
in 2009/Daily Star
Zahle in the Heart MP files lawsuit
against PFLP-GC/Daily
Star
LBC chairman questioned in LF
embezzlement case/Daily
Star
Higher Shiite Council warns of
Israel violations/Daily
Star
Michel Aoun
April 21, 2010
On April 21, the Saudi-owned London-based As-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper carried
the following interview with head of the Free Patriotic Movement and the Change
and Reform bloc in the Lebanese Parliament, Deputy General Michel Aoun:
A few days ago, you participated in the national dialogue sessions. Was any
agreement reached in regard to the defense strategy?
During the session, we decided not to discuss this sensitive issue outside the
dialogue table. Therefore, whoever violates this agreement would have violated
the quasi collective will of all the political forces operating in Lebanon. We
do not like to address this topic and everyone knows that our goal and that of
dialogue is to reach solutions. The current expectations are still contradictory
because until now, the dialogue is still not designed as it should be. In regard
to the defense strategy which is one of the most important points on the agenda
of the dialogue sessions, we believe it is a defensive policy allowing us to
defend Lebanon and deter the threats facing our land.
We perceive the arms of the resistance as part of the defense strategy we are
seeking and consider that these arms are a natural reaction to the Israeli
occupation and obstinacy in regard to the non-implementation of the Security
Council resolutions, and especially resolution 1701... My vision at this level
is clear. I consider that Hezbollah’s resistance is the effective and normal
response to the violations perpetrated by Israel against Lebanese sovereignty
and the Lebanese people. I wonder at this level: If we were to relinquish these
arms, what strategy will we have left in the face of an Israeli attack? It is
for this reason among many others that we cannot disarm the resistance because
we in Lebanon have no alternative for these arms. It was said that the Lebanese
army was the alternative, however, I assure you that the Lebanese army is unable
for the time being to stand in the face of a possible Israeli attack against the
Lebanese territories. It can only contain domestic problems and stand in the
face of the armed groups in the Palestinian camps. On the other hand,
Hezbollah’s resistance is completely capable of confronting Israel. It is a
defensive force and not an attacking force as Israel is trying to depict it to
the international communities and public opinion.
How do you comment on what was recently revealed in regard to Syria’s provision
of Hezbollah with long-range Scud missiles?
Regardless of whether or not these accusations are true, neither Israel nor any
other state has the right to interfere in Lebanon's domestic affairs. Quite the
contrary, Lebanon, just like any other state, is entitled to acquire all sorts
of weapons and means to defend its people, land and sovereignty. In any case,
one cannot compare the Scud missiles to the Israeli military planes, nuclear
warheads, bombs and highly sophisticated weapons which are being used against
the Lebanese people and land. So, let us not give this issue more importance
than it deserves...
So, do you think that Israel is spreading this news in preparation for a
military operation or just to increase the tensions in the region?
This media escalation and the spread of such news and rumors could mark a
prelude for a military operation being planned by Israel. However, if Israel
were to wage an attack on Lebanon, it would be committing a grave mistake
threatening it on a deep level for the following reasons: it will not be able to
settle this war, it will not be able to win it and this war could increase the
popularity of the resistance, not only in Lebanon but also in all the Arab
countries. For our part, we think that the statements themselves constitute the
real war on Lebanon because they are increasing the tensions and thus
threatening the upcoming tourism season. All of this aims at striking the
Lebanese economy and this in my belief is the real war...
Walid Jumblatt recently visited the Syrian capital and met with a number of
Syrian officials. What do you think is the goal behind this visit and what are
the results you expect it to entail?
Jumblatt can visit Syria whenever he wants and for whichever purpose he sees
fit. Our goal at the level of the relations with Damascus is to reach a stable
policy and there is an agreement between all the Lebanese sides and political
forces over this policy. We have no interest in the agreement secured with Syria
by Jumblatt or any other. What we want is to see an understanding over the
political bases and a Lebanese consensus over this policy so that it is not
affected by the Lebanese domestic problems...
So, do you think that Jumblatt shifted away from his previous course and the
political forces by which he stood in the past and has started approaching the
Aoun-Nasrallah course?
Jumblatt announced he was following this course at the level of the higher
policy related to the resistance among other important issues. At the level of
the local policies, Walid Jumblatt could be with you or against you but this is
another issue.
In regard to the imminent municipal elections, is there an agreement between the
Free Patriotic Movement and Walid Jumblatt?
There is an agreement on the local level. We gave instructions calling for an
understanding in the villages and said we will bless any agreement at this
level. Personally, I do not give this issue great importance because the
municipal elections in Lebanon are non-politicized... There is a popular saying
in the villages that goes as follows: “he Lebanese would burn his pants to spite
his neighbor. This is how the municipal elections in Lebanon’s villages
proceed...
What about the dispute with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri?
There are no conflicts between myself and Berri. We only have different points
of view. We disagreed over the timing of the annulment of political
sectarianism. I want to annul sectarianism as a whole and not just political
sectarianism and this is where the divergence lies. For example, the lowering of
the voting age cannot be made without educating the youth in schools and
universities.
Scandal” in Egyptian Court to Acquit Suspects of
Christian Murders
http://www.persecution.org/suffering/newssummpopup.php?newscode=12152&PHPSESSID=d4ea9920c253bba75b5ce1588e69121c
Third time trial of Naga Hammadi Murderers has been Postponed
Washington, D.C. (April 19, 2010) International Christian Concern (ICC) has
learned that the trial of Mohammed al-Kammuni, the primary suspect charged with
killing six Christians in Upper Egypt, has been adjourned for the third
consecutive time without any reason being issued. The trial is scheduled to
convene on May 16.
Mohammed al-Kammuni is considered the mastermind behind the murder of six
Christians and a police officer on January 6, 2010 when Coptic Christians were
exiting Christmas Eve mass in Naga Hammadi. He and two other defendants pleaded
not guilty to charges of murder and threatening national security.
Although angry over the postponement, the decision comes as no surprise to
Egyptian Christians who have witnessed case after case of Muslim attacks against
Christians either declared not guilty or given a light sentence.
Dr. Awad Shafik, an international Coptic lawyer and the President of the
European Coptic Organization in Switzerland, was furious. “If we cannot get our
rights in the Egyptian courts, there is no other solution than to take it to the
international criminal court. What is going on is a scandal. The defense
attorney for Mohammed al-Kammuni and the judge are conspiring together. The
judge must step down! He is not capable of handling this case!”
Wagih Yacoub, a Coptic human rights activist, told ICC, “After three months, the
Egyptian court continues to postpone the trial until the Copts forget about it
and the murderers are able to walk out free, or take a light judgment. This is
identical to the case of El-Kush ten years ago, when 21 Christians were
slaughtered, and all of the killers got out innocent and free. The blood of
victims are screaming to get their rights.”
Aidan Clay, ICC Regional Manager of the Middle East, said, “This is a slap in
the face to the families of the victims and to all Egyptian Christian. These
delaying tactics by the presiding judge are a blatant reminder that the Egyptian
government will make every effort possible to cover-up or indirectly defend
Muslim attackers of Christians. ICC stands with the Egyptian Coptic community by
calling for Mahmoud El Hosseiny, the presiding judge, to step down, and for the
court to designate a judge who is impartial and unbiased. We ask that the voice
of Christians be heard and considered equally to those of Muslims, and for
justice to prevail.”
Lebanon-Syria ties need spring cleaning
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Editorial/Daily Star
Politicians gathered this week in Downtown Beirut to do two things. Senior
bureaucrats huddled and headed for Damascus in order to review the bilateral
agreements that have been in the news recently. Also, practically the entire
political class turned out for a rather large reception hosted by the Syrian
ambassador to Lebanon, a post that many never envisioned themselves seeing in
their lifetime.
All the while, there are complaints, whether overt or covert, that “the Syrians
are back,” which is causing the usual sourness in Lebanon.
Both of this week’s notable events are commendable, but there’s a worrying sense
we’re starting from scratch, instead of drawing lessons from the last 10, 20, 30
or 50 years of relations between Beirut and Damascus.
It’s easy to complain about Syrian influence in and over Lebanon, but has anyone
learned anything from the past? Whether it’s Sami Solh or Saad Hariri in the
Lebanese prime minister’s seat, or Amin Hafez or Hafez Assad as Syria’s
president, the two countries have exhibited little in the way of productive
partnership.
Bureaucrat-to-bureaucrat relations are important, and tinkering with bilateral
agreements that date from 1991 is also good. But more stress should be placed on
initiatives that will spur economic growth and social stability, and sounder
political relations.
Lebanon and Syria require a project, or projects, to implement, so that they can
actually demonstrate how they “complement” each other, a scenario that so many
people praise in their rhetoric.
The March 14 coalition, if it still exists, must conduct a serious re-evaluation
of Lebanese-Syrian ties, and not just issue re-statements of political
principles.
Each country can help the other economically, but a creative plan of action is
needed: investment in energy? Re-vamping the use of raw materials? Free zones
and industrial parks? Both states have made strides in tourism, but seemingly
with their backs to each other.
Rather than a continuation of the crisis-management mode of managing these
relations, or emitting shrill rhetoric about bilateral agreements (have we
collectively done our homework about these agreements?), young leaders like Saad
Hariri and Bashar Assad must engineer a break with the rigid practices and
ideologized interaction of earlier decades.
We certainly don’t need to fight the battles of the past, about “Maronite
politics” and “Lebanon becoming a province of Syria.” The Lebanese-Syria ties
needs a spring cleaning, or “ta’zil,” as we call it. Truly sound ties will be
based on initiatives to deal with the political issues of a healthy system: job
creation, dealing with population growth and the environment, stimulating the
economy through credit provision and good legislation.
And perhaps the next time the Syrian ambassador hosts a reception for Lebanese
dignitaries, we’ll have something more concrete to celebrate.
Suleiman to Sign 4 Agreements during Brazil Visit
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman headed to Brazil on Wednesday on a six-day
official visit where he is expected to sign four agreements. Suleiman was
accompanied by his wife, Wafa, and Cabinet Ministers Tareq Mitri, Mona Ofeish,
Ali Abdulah, Salim al-Sayegh and Mohammed Rahhal. He will oversee the signing of
four agreements on bilateral cooperation in the areas of environment, tourism,
sports and economy. Suleiman's visit was at the invitation of Brazilian
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The Lebanese President will be visiting
Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro during his stay. In the Brazilian
capital, Suleiman will hold talks with Lula on bilateral relations between the
two countries. On the eve of his trip to Brazil, Suleiman said the current
political, security and economic stability in Lebanon "is a good opportunity for
investment." Suleiman made his statements before a delegation of the
Egyptian-Lebanese Businessmen Friendship Association. He then held talks with
Defense Minister Elias Murr on the current security developments in Lebanon
before a meeting with State Minister Jean Ogassapian. Ogassapian briefed
Suleiman on the outcome of the visit of the Lebanese technical team to Syria on
Monday. Beirut, 21 Apr 10, 09:10
Syria: Israeli Scud Transfer Allegations Set the Stage for Aggression
Naharnet/Syria has reiterated that Israeli allegations about Scud missile
transfers to Hizbullah are aimed at creating more tension in the region and
setting the stage for a possible aggression by the Jewish state. "U.S. officials
have been warned not to ignore the Israeli drive in making such allegations" at
a time when it commits crimes in the Palestinian territories, Muallem said in
remarks published by Beirut media on Wednesday. The State Department summoned
the deputy Syrian ambassador in Washington based on the Israeli allegations, he
said.
"Syria has already issued an official statement strongly denying the Israeli
allegations that aim at creating more tension in the region and an atmosphere to
set the stage for a possible Israeli aggression," Muallem said. Also Wednesday,
the Syrian embassy in Washington reiterated that Syria had not provided Scud
missiles to Hizbullah. Embassy spokesman Ahmed Salqini told pan-Arab daily
Asharq al-Awsat that Damascus "condemns such Israeli accusations and regrets the
U.S. adoption of such stories." "We stress that the purpose behind such stories
is to come up with a pretext to create more tension in the region in preparation
for a possible Israeli aggression," he said. Salqini accused Israeli weapons
funded by the U.S. of shattering stability. Beirut, 21 Apr 10, 08:32
Report: International Tribunal Courtroom Ready in May, No Funding Problems
Naharnet/The Special Tribunal for Lebanon's courtroom will be operational end of
next month to try those involved in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination,
sources following up the court's operations told al-Liwaa daily. However, a date
hasn't been set yet for the start of the trials, they said. On the latest
accusations of Zuhair Siddiq, a former Syrian spy accused of misleading the U.N.
probe in Hariri's murder, the sources quoted international circles as saying
that Siddiq's statements were part of the campaign against the STL whose rules
and regulations call for punishing witnesses who make false testimonies. About
reports that efforts are underway to obstruct the funding of the court, the
sources said such rumors are also part of the campaign to hinder the tribunal's
operations. The $55 million budget for this year is available and contacts are
underway with donor nations to provide funding for the 2011 budget, the sources
told al-Liwaa. They expected the STL to remain silent about rumors and
accusations about its integrity. Beirut, 21 Apr 10, 09:15
Geagea Says Hizbullah Controls Lebanon's Defense Policy, Not the Government
Naharnet/Hizbullah controls Lebanon's defense policy, not the government,
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said on Wednesday. "The decision of when and
how to defend Lebanon is currently not in the hands of the government," Geagea
told Agence France Presse. "An armed force independent of the army exists in
Lebanon, and we do not know what that force intends to do," he added, referring
to Hizbullah. Furthermore, he stressed that "the Lebanese Army could easily
carry out what Hizbullah is doing in the face of Israel … if it was granted a
clear political decision in that regard." He said Hizbullah's arms and its close
ties to Damascus and Tehran "put Lebanon in danger." On Monday, the United
Nations, in its eleventh report on the implementation of Security Council
Resolution 1559, urged Hizbullah to disarm. Adopted in 2004, the resolution
calls for "the disbanding and disarmament" of all factions in Lebanon, currently
a temporary member of the Security Council. "The armed component of Hizbullah
remains the most significant Lebanese militia in the country," the U.N. report
said, calling on the group to "complete the transformation ... into a solely
Lebanese political party."(Naharnet-AFP) Beirut, 21 Apr 10, 17:57
Franjieh Meets Assad, Talks Focus on Strengthening Bilateral Ties 'in the Face
of Israel'
Naharnet/Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh held talks with Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Wednesday. The talks focused on
Lebanese-Syrian ties and the importance of strengthening and maintaining them,
especially against Israel's repeated threats against the two countries, the
state-run news agency SANA reported. Franjieh and Assad stressed that relations
should be fortified at all levels to guarantee the common interests of the two
countries. Beirut, 21 Apr 10, 16:19
Syrian PM: Lebanese-Syrian Relations Will Witness Special
Progress
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otari said Wednesday that Lebanese-Syrian
relations "will witness a special progress."He made his statements before a
delegation from the Kuwaiti-Syrian Parliamentary Friendship Committee.
Addressing Israel's recent threats to attack Syria, he said "Syria can create a
balance in the region through its national capabilities."
"The threats are paving the way for an Israeli attack against Syria or Lebanon,"
Otari said, stressing the importance of "becoming liberated of the external
pressure being occasionally imposed on us." He also emphasized the importance of
"all Arab states and peoples agreeing that Israel is the sole and strategic
enemy in the region." He added: "Such a step would be a real impending
catastrophe, if Arab efforts were not united to confront it." Beirut, 21 Apr 10,
18:46
March 14: Hizbullah Arms' Issue Major Point of Disagreement
in Strategy Talks
Naharnet/The March 14 Secretariat-General on Wednesday said the issue of
Hizbullah arms remains the "major point of disagreement" in talks on a national
defense strategy.
March 14, in a statement issued after its weekly meeting, also expressed "deep
regret over the serious decline in the issue of safeguarding Lebanon … in an
atmosphere of realism and freedom of debate, particularly during and after the
latest dialogue session." It said that the most recent all-party talks held at
Baabda Palace April 15 "started off with a fierce attack on the principle of the
session and then escalated with threats by Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic
Movement to withdraw from the meeting." March 14 also urged Internal Security
Forces to unveil the truth behind the attack on MP Elie Marouni's home in Zahle.
Beirut, 21 Apr 10, 15:07
Judge Calls for Death Penalty against 2 Palestinians, Syrian
Naharnet/Military Magistrate Fadi Sawwan on Wednesday issued an indictment
requesting the death penalty for three fugitives wanted in Lebanon for carrying
out terrorist acts.
They were identified as Fahd Saeed Abdullah, a Syrian, and Palestinians Mohammed
Khalil Azzam and Haitham Ahmed Hamad. All three, who are members of the radical
Salafi group, are residing in the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidiyeh on the
outskirts of the southern port city of Tyre. They have been monitoring UNIFIL
activities and see U.N. troops as "crusaders on Muslim land," according to the
indictment. Palestinian refugee camps are off-limits to Lebanese authorities.
Sawwan forwarded the case to the military court. Beirut, 21 Apr 10, 12:39
Qatari PM on 2-Day Official Visit to Beirut Monday
Naharnet/Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani is expected to
arrive in Beirut Monday upon an invitation by his Lebanese counterpart Saad
Hariri on a two-day official visit. Sheikh Hamad is expected to hold talks with
President Michel Suleiman and a number of other officials. The visit will
witness announcing the formation of a Qatari-Lebanese committee for economic
cooperation in various fields. Beirut, 20 Apr 10, 18:11