LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
January 02/10
Bible Reading of the day
John 14/23-31 Jesus answered
him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we
will come to him, and make our home with him. 14:24 He who doesn’t love me
doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who
sent me. 14:25 I have said these things to you, while still living with you.
14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
14:27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives,
give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
14:28 You heard how I told you, ‘I go away, and I come to you.’ If you loved me,
you would have rejoiced, because I said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the
Father is greater than I. 14:29 Now I have told you before it happens so that,
when it happens, you may believe. 14:30 I will no more speak much with you, for
the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me. 14:31 But that the
world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I
do. Arise, let us go from here.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
The world must neutralise
Tehran’s toxic threat/By:
Liam Fox/Times on line/January
01/09
Four Canadian soldiers in
horrific Kandahar blast were reservists, military says/The Canadian Press/January
01/09
Forget Damascus/Ha'aretzJanuary
01/09
Deterrence does not secure peace/Americans
for Peace NowJanuary
01/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for January 01/09
Michel Hayek Predicts More Reconciliations, Security Tension and Economic
Prosperity
/Naharnet
Reports: National Dialogue in March, No Final Settlement on Participants Yet
/Naharnet
Injured Hamas Members Arrested
for Further Investigation on Haret Hreik Blast
/Naharnet
Soaid: 2010 a Year of Transition to Statehood
/Naharnet
ISF: No Deaths on New
Year's Eve
/Naharnet
Sfeir Urges Respect for
Environment for a Better World
/Naharnet
Fadlallah: The Problem is
that the Other Team Forgets About Israeli Threats
/Naharnet
Najjar: Considerable
Progress in Solving Issue of Missing Lebanese
/Naharnet
International Report:
Syrian-Saudi Deal to Give Lebanese the Space to Resolve their Problems
/Naharnet
Jumblat to Have Lunch with
Wahab on Sunday
/Naharnet
A decade after Israeli withdrawal, border villages
remain
in limbo/National
Trading peace for deterrence/Ha'aretz
Army of half the people/Ha'aretz
US releases 'dangerous' Iranian proxy behind the
murder of US troops/Long
War Journal
Moussawi says Nasrallah's speech meant to reassure
rather than provoke/Ya
Libnan
Turkish Hezbollah case
concluded/Hurriyet
Daily News
Four Canadian soldiers in horrific Kandahar blast
were reservists, military says
By Colin Perkel, The Canadian Press
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Four Canadian soldiers killed by a powerful insurgent
bomb along with a journalist were all reservists, part-time members of the armed
forces who volunteered to serve in Afghanistan, the military announced Thursday.
The military identified the four as Sgt. George Miok, 28, Cpl. Zachery
McCormack, 21, both of Edmonton; Sgt. Kirk Taylor, 28, of Yarmouth, N.S.; and
Pte. Garrett Chidley, 21, of Cambridge, Ont. "The security patrol our soldiers
were conducting is part of our continued efforts to bring stability to Kandahar
city," said Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, coalition commander in Kandahar. "These
patrols help us connect with communities and learn about the challenges they
face."
The soldiers, along with Michelle Lang of the Calgary Herald, died Wednesday in
a powerful blast while on patrol in Kandahar city. The deaths - the worst such
incident in two-and-a-half years - bring to 138 the number of soldiers killed on
the Afghan mission since 2002.
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said it was with "very heavy hearts"
that the nation learned of the deaths. "These four brave soldiers lost their
lives seeking to help Afghans build a better future for themselves," Harper said
in a statement. "They represent the best Canada has to offer and they perished
in a far away land, working tirelessly to advance Canadian values."
Gov. Gen Michaelle Jean called the tragedy "shocking." "It reminds us of the
underhanded, blind, daily violence facing our Canadian soldiers, journalists and
humanitarian workers in Afghanistan," Jean said.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said: "Their service exemplifies the very best
in courage and selflessness, and their deaths will not be forgotten ..."
In his statement, Menard spoke of each soldier with pride, describing them as
enthusiastic, passionate soldiers.
Miok, he said, was with the 41 Combat Engineer Regiment.
"He planned meticulously and was always available to his troops," Menard said.
"The welfare of his soldiers came first and they knew they could turn to him for
advice and guidance."
Taylor, who had a "calm demeanour," served with 84 Independent Field Battery and
always spoke fondly of his loved ones back home, where he mentored troubled
young adults.
"He was a true gunner and known to the troops as 'Sgt. Morale'," Menard said.
McCormack, a member of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, was "an outstanding soldier"
who was caring and always ready to lend a hand to others.
Chidley, was with the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
Menard described him as an avid video game player and someone who "made tough
tasks seem easy by joking around."
The general also praised Lang, the first Canadian journalist killed in
Afghanistan, for her sensitivity and ability to connect with people, someone who
"strove to excel at her job."
Harper, who is also from Calgary, also praised Lang for her courage in risking
her life to report from "one of the world's most dangerous countries."
Earlier Thursday, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said deaths of the five
Canadians killed would not be forgotten.
In a statement of condolence, Hamid Karzai said Afghans recognized the loss.
"Your children sacrificed their lives for the people of Afghanistan and the
threat of terrorism," Karzai said.
"The Afghans will not forget your sacrifice."
All five died when their armoured vehicle hit a powerful improvised explosive
device that left a massive crater in the road on the edge of Kandahar city.
Several soldiers were wounded, as was another civilian, although all were
expected to survive.
The loss of life was the third-worst single incident for the eight-year Canadian
mission in Afghanistan and the worst in two-and-a-half years.
Lang, 34, was the first Canadian journalist to die covering the war.
She had been in the country little more than two weeks and had a few days
earlier declined to go out on a mission she considered too dangerous.
The patrol she was on, however, was in an area said to be extremely safe.
Two soldiers spent part of Thursday cataloguing and photographing Lang's
personal effects for return to her parents in Canada.
Numerous soldiers at Kandahar Airfield stopped by the media tents to express
their sympathies to the two remaining journalists covering the Canadian mission.
It was not immediately known when the bodies of the five would be returned to
Canada.
Wednesday's deaths marked the second deadly incident for Canada in a week. Lt.
Andrew Nuttall was killed Dec. 23 during a foot patrol in Panjwaii.
In a statement, the Taliban took responsibility for the deaths of eight
Americans at a base in Khost province.
The Associated Press said the insurgent group had also claimed responsibility
for the attack on the Canadians.
The world
must neutralise Tehran’s toxic threat
Iran’s aggression, whether through its pursuit of the bomb or its sponsoring of
terror, has to be met with sanctions that bite
By: Liam Fox
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6972937.ece
The release of Peter Moore, held hostage for 946 days, demands that we renew our
focus on Iran’s role in sponsoring international terrorism. Even if Mr Moore was
not actually incarcerated within the borders of Iran, as some have alleged, the
regime in Tehran backs the League of the Righteous, the extremist Shia group
that is believed to have seized the British IT consultant.
His release comes at a moment when the Iranian regime’s behaviour is more
dangerous than ever. Its violent suppression of protests on the streets of Iran
has made it clear that the Supreme Leader and his acolytes will do anything to
stay in power.
Yet with so much attention on Afghanistan and Pakistan (and more recently Yemen)
the wider security threat posed by Iran has slipped down the agenda. It is a
regime skilled in the diplomatic arts; some argue that it has successfully
distracted attention from its promotion of terrorism by getting the
international community to focus on its nuclear programme.
There are three reasons why we must take the threat from Iran seriously: the
nature of the regime itself, its willingness to export instability and terror
and its attempts to develop nuclear weapon technology.
Those who have studied the speeches and writings of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,
Iran’s Supreme Leader, will have noted unshakeable consistency over 30 years.
His commitment to the religious rigour of the Islamic revolution, his hatred of
the US and his contempt for the existence of Israel have never wavered. It is
extremely unlikely that we will see any behavioural change under his leadership.
When you add Iran’s advances in missile technology, its desire to gain nuclear
weapon technology and the growing influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps (IRGC), it becomes disturbingly clear that we are facing the toxic
combination of an increasingly militaristic state headed by a hardline theocrat.
The recent defiant testing of Shahab and Sajjil missiles, at the time when
President Obama is sounding a more conciliatory tone, is a sign of the contempt
for outside opinion long held by the Supreme Leader. The Shahab3 can reach
targets up to 2,000km away. The Sajjil, a solid-fuel rocket, offers greater
accuracy, while its multiple stages will offer even greater range for the
future.
We have long known about British soldiers being on the wrong end of Iranian
training and weapons in Iraq and Afghanistan. And the allegations of Iranian
involvement in the kidnap of Mr Moore will come as no surprise to those who have
followed Iran’s activities and interference with its neighbours.
Iranian involvement in Syria and Lebanon — funding and training terrorists —
continues to stoke regional tension and is an obstacle to an Israeli-Palestinian
solution. One senior Iranian official once boasted to me that “in Syria we pull
the strings. It will do what we want.” Some believe that Syria is moving, or has
moved, up to a third of its missile stockpile to Hezbollah in Lebanon. In
addition, the attempt by Iran to send to Hamas Fajr5 missiles, capable of
striking Tel Aviv from Gaza, further increases Israel’s sense of vulnerability.
The internal power balance in Tehran is complex but increasingly the IRGC is
taking a leading role. An IRGC consortium recently bought a controlling share in
the state telecoms company and the IRGC has been heavily involved in suppressing
internal dissent, which has included blocking the BBC’s Persian service. The EU
should target the IRGC — and its business interests — for its links with
terrorism, just as the US has done.
General Hossein Salami, the IRGC senior commander, recently boasted that Iran
could not be ignored because of “its regional and global clout”. There is no
doubt that Hezbollah, with Iranian backing, is increasing its global reach.
Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander, Admiral James Stavridis, told the US Senate
Armed Services Committee this year that there is increased Hezbollah activity in
South America, in particular the tri-border territory of Brazil, Paraguay and
Argentina. Security forces fear that they will seek to exploit anti-Western
feelings among immigrants from the Middle East. The US worries that its border
with Mexico could be vulnerable to terrorist activity emanating from the lawless
territory where Hezbollah has chosen to make its base.
But it is Iran’s nuclear programme that is of greatest concern. In the autumn
Iran was forced to admit the existence of the almost completed nuclear facility
near Qom, on top of the increased uranium enrichment at Nantaz. Olli Heinonen,
the UN chief inspector, has said that Iran’s nuclear activities are “not
consistent with any application other than the development of a nuclear weapon”.
At its current production rate of 2.75kg per day of low-enriched uranium, some
sources believe Iran could have enough weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear
weapon before 2010 is out.
Last year we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and
the end of the Cold War. Many believed that the era of the nuclear arms race was
over or, at least, arrested. Now we face the prospect of a new nuclear arms race
in the world’s most unstable region as Iran’s neighbours seek to counter-
balance the threat from Tehran.
That is why international pressure on Iran must increase and European action
must match that taken by the United States. William Hague, the Shadow Foreign
Secretary, has advocated a Europe-wide ban on investment in Iranian oil and gas
and on export credits that subsidise trade with Iran, action against Iranian
banks and the mirroring of US financial sanctions. Taken together they would
send a strong signal that the international community wants the regime to pay a
price for its intransigence.
We cannot know how the current political crisis will play out. The regime may
well intensify its brutal suppression of dissent and rally the people against an
external enemy. But as a change in outlook of the current leadership is
unlikely, Iran appears set on a course of continued confrontation with the
world.
If the Iranian people are to find their very real potential as a nation there
will need to be a significant change in Iran’s bellicose behaviour. Just how
that change manifests itself must lie in the hands of the Iranian people. We
have a duty to help them to have their voice heard around the world this year.
**Liam Fox is Shadow Defence Secretary
Najjar: Considerable Progress in Solving Issue of Missing Lebanese
Naharnet/Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar has reassured the Lebanese that
considerable progress has been made in the issue of Lebanese missing or jailed
in Syria.
Najjar told Future News on Thursday that the progress was made after Premier
Saad Hariri's visit to Damascus last month. An Nahar daily had also quoted
involved sources as saying that progress was made in solving the issue of those
who had disappeared in 1990. The sources expected information about them soon
but ruled out any positive development on those missing since 1976. On the issue
of border demarcation, the sources said the Lebanese side is preparing a work
plan pending Damascus' move to form its delegation in the committee tasked with
demarcating the border. On Thursday, Najjar also criticized Hizbullah leader
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah saying his Ashoura-day speech and criticism of
Christians in Lebanon creates tension. Beirut, 01 Jan 10, 09:51
Sfeir Urges Respect for Environment for a Better World
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir said on Friday that it was the duty
of every person to preserve the environment in order to create a better world
for next generations.
During his New Year sermon in Bkirki, Sfeir also hoped the international
community would be able to create a world free of arms. Global climate talks in
Copenhagen failed in December. But Mexico has said it will push for a binding
international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions when it hosts the next
climate change summit in Mexico City in 2010. After mass, Sfeir received
well-wishers. "We hope for peace in the country," he told his visitors.Asked if
he believed the political situation would be better following reconciliations
among several politicians, Sfeir said: "Be optimistic and you will find common
good." Beirut, 01 Jan 10, 10:40
Reports: National Dialogue in March, No Final Settlement on Participants Yet
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman will reportedly kick off consultations with
Lebanese political parties to lay the groundwork for all-party talks that are
expected to resume in March. "Suleiman will soon launch wide scale consultations
with top Lebanese leaders to put the foundations for the national dialogue table
that will most probably be held in March," a cabinet minister close to the
president told As Safir daily in remarks published Friday.
Pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat quoted sources close to Suleiman as saying there
was nothing final yet on the names of the participants in the national dialogue.
However, political circles told An Nahar the new standards that will be adopted
to choose the participants would start appearing during January. Civil society
representatives will most probably attend the sessions in addition to the
participation of top politicians. Beirut, 01 Jan 10, 10:02
Soaid: 2010 a Year of Transition to Statehood
Naharnet/March 14 general-secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid said Friday that
he believed 2010 would be a year of transition to statehood despite ongoing
political complications.
In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio, Soaid also expressed fears over the
negatives repercussions of the regional situation on Lebanon starting next
February. On the bombing in Haret Hreik that targeted a Hamas office last
Saturday, the March 14 official said the government should extend its
sovereignty over all Lebanese territories. Beirut, 01 Jan 10, 14:49
Injured Hamas Members Arrested for Further Investigation on Haret Hreik Blast
Naharnet/Two Hamas members, who were injured during Saturday's blast in Beirut's
southern suburbs, were arrested for further investigation amid a report that
their questioning led to new information on the explosion.A security source told
al-Liwaa daily in remarks published Friday that the judiciary was able to
collect evidence from the scene of the blast in Haret Hreik despite the
obstacles facing investigators and the delay in their arrival to the area.
The source said that the culprits have most probably links with the target of
the blast.
Informed sources also told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat that the investigation didn't
drop the assumption that the bomb was inside a package. Lebanese Military Judge
Rahif Ramadan asked military police to hear the testimonies of Hamas members and
more witnesses living in the area, the sources said. Al-Hayat said Ramadan put
one of the injured Hamas members under arrest in the military hospital and the
other in the military police headquarters. The newspaper's sources refused to
divulge more information on the men's testimonies, only saying that "new facts
have led to their arrest." Beirut, 01 Jan 10, 09:29
Michel Hayek Predicts More Reconciliations, Security Tension and Economic
Prosperity
Naharnet/Michel Hayek, Lebanon's most famous psychic, predicted that the year
2010 would generally bring good news on the level of reconciliations between
Lebanese leaders but warned that both Israel and Hizbullah would carry out
"ambush operations." Despite the presence of UNIFIL, the Blue Line and
international resolutions, the door is open for "ambushes and operations by the
Lebanese and Israeli sides," Hayek told LBC on New Year's Eve. He also warned
that a foreign intelligence party will contact Lebanese security authorities and
inform them about a major plot to carry out an operation on Lebanese
territories. Hayek predicted that sleeper cells would be active and carry out
operations. He also said that operations linked with Hizbullah commander Imad
Mughniyeh's assassination would be carried out. Hizbullah has accused Israel of
involvement in Mughniyeh's murder and vowed revenge. On contacts between
bickering Lebanese politicians, Hayek said: "Reconciliations in several
directions will prevail and grow."
"A solid bridge will extend slowly between Dahiyeh and Maarab," he added. Hayek
predicted prosperity on the economic front, saying facilities will be made to
enable every Lebanese to buy an apartment despite rising real estate prices. He
also foresaw a project to replace old vehicles with new ones amid unprecedented
financial facilities. Religious tourism would be consolidated, according to
Hayek, and new investment projects would be carried out in the sea off the
Lebanese coast.
Hayek predicted that Minister Jebran Bassil would come under political pressure
over electricity. He said the Free Patriotic Movement official will take
unprecedented and bold decisions putting himself under threat. This year, the
psychic did not tackle the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon but said
the Lebanese will follow up the proceedings of an important trial. Beirut, 01
Jan 10, 11:39
The Problem is that the Other Team Forgets About Israeli Threats
Naharnet/Lebanon's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah
said that the real problem in Lebanon was "the presence of a team that pretends
to have forgotten" about Israeli threats. "It is the responsibility of all
officials to push this team into putting the country's interest above the
interest of those conspiring against Lebanon and the Lebanese," Fadlallah said
during Friday prayers. Confessional or ethic incitement serves "the interest of
the enemy," he said. Fadlallah also called for cooperation and dialogue among
politicians in order to avoid internal tension. Sheikh Ahmed Qabalan also hoped
2010 would be a year of dialogue and reconciliations. The Lebanese should
cooperate in order to consolidate the state against challenges and threats, he
said. Beirut, 01 Jan 10, 13:50
ISF: No Deaths on New Year's Eve
Naharnet/No deaths were reported on New Year's Eve but 5 people were injured and
3 vehicles were damaged from celebratory gunfire, the Internal Security Forces
command said Friday. Eight people were also slightly wounded in four separate
traffic accidents, said a communiqué by the ISF command.
Politicians have slammed celebratory gunfire that rings out across the capital
and other regions during New Year celebrations and when one of the country's
political leaders makes a televised speech. Beirut, 01 Jan 10, 13:08
Jumblat to Have Lunch with Wahab on Sunday
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat continues his
reconciliations with Lebanese politicians in the country and is expected to
visit Tawheed Movement leader Wiam Wahab on Sunday. Media reports said Friday
that Jumblat will accept Wahab's invitation for lunch at his home in al-Jahliyeh
on Sunday. The Druze leader is also expected to visit Free Patriotic Movement
leader Michel Aoun next week. His meeting with Aoun comes following a
reconciliation between the two men sponsored by President Michel Suleiman at
Baabda palace end of November. In remarks to As Safir daily, Jumblat hoped for
consolidation of political stability and reconciliation among all politicians in
the next stage. Beirut, 01 Jan 10, 10:30
The year in Lebanon
NOW looks back at 2009
Louisa Ajami, January 1, 20
While 2009 was a relatively peaceful year for Lebanon, the country witnessed
plenty of major events. From rockets fired into Israel in January, to the uproar
caused by the Der Spiegel report in May, to the five-month cabinet void, there
was no lack of drama and intrigue. Lebanon also marked historic milestones,
including the launch of the Special Tribunal to try suspects in the 2005
assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and the parliamentary
elections held in one day without violence. In celebration of 2009, we usher in
the new decade with a photo slideshow of the year’s major events and wish you a
happy year to come