LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
March 07/2010

Bible Of the Day
Metthew 12/1-22: "At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 12:2 But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 12:3 But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him; 12:4 how he entered into God’s house, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests?12:5 Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? 12:6 But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 12:7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 12:8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” 12:9 He departed there, and went into their synagogue. 12:10 And behold there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” that they might accuse him. 12:11 He said to them, “What man is there among you, who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it, and lift it out? 12:12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” 12:13 Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other. 12:14 But the Pharisees went out, and conspired against him, how they might destroy him. 12:15 Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all, 12:16 and commanded them that they should not make him known: 12:17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 12:18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations.
12:19 He will not strive, nor shout; neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 12:20 He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory. 12:21 In his name, the nations will hope.”

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
India's strategic role in countering Jihadism/By: Dr. Walid Phares/March 06/10
How similar today is to yesterday/By:Elie Fawaz/March 5, 10
Over-the-top summit/Al-Ahram Weekly/March 06/10 
The aim of Iran sanctions: regime squeeze/By David Ignatius/March 06/10   

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for March 06/10 
Cassese's 1st Report: Progress in Investigation, Readiness to Try Suspects, Assassination Executed by Small Cell Induced by Large Network/Naharnet
Geagea: On war and peace decisions, government should be in charge/Now Lebanon
1 Syrian Worker Dead, 2 Others Wounded in Mortar Shell Explosion at Normandy Landfill/Naharnet
Arab League participation in national dialogue is unnecessary, says Berri’s media advisor/Now Lebanon
Fatah al-Intifada official: We will not move our weapons before dialogue/Now Lebanon
Saturday: Suleiman in Riyadh, Hariri in Kuwait /Naharnet
Gemayel Declares Participation in Dialogue despite Phalange's Many 'Reservations', Rejects Arab League Involvement /Naharnet
Berri Calls on Arab League 'to Emulate Lebanon, Syria in Rejecting Indirect Talks with Israel' /Naharnet
Hariri: Local and Foreign Policies Decided by the State, Only Death Would Separate Me from March 14 /Naharnet
Why Does Syria Want The Golan Back From Israel?/Philadelphia Bulletin
Report: US concerned Syria supplying Hezbollah with anti-aircraft missiles/Ynetnews
General Security detainees go on hunger strike to demand release/Daily Star
Berri urges Arabs to rethink plan for indirect Israel talks/Daily Star
Iraqi expatriates cast votes in their country's polls/Daily Star
MPs take steps to amened nationality law/Daily Star
Sleiman, Hariri to discuss Israeli threats during Gulf visits/Daily Star
Lebanese total non-life premiums rise by 22 percent in 2009/Daily Star
ISF announces road closures for construction work/Daily Star
Army detonates cache of old explosives in Saghbin/Daily Star
Seven percent of students have weak eyesight/Daily Star
UK ambassador urges women to push for equality/Daily Star
Activists praise efforts to ink new electoral law/Daily Star
LF MP sues Al-Jadeed TV, FPM website/Daily Star
Riad al-Solh commemorated with launch of biography/Daily Star  
Panel warns media not doing enough on environment/Daily Star
Skiers still enjoying slopes despite erratic weather/Daily Star
Lebanon lagging behind on animal rights/Daily Star
Shifting allegiances in Middle East mean opportunities for President Obama/Washington Post

India’s strategic role in countering Jihadism
By Dr. Walid Phares Thursday, March 4, 2010
The confrontation in the sub Indian continent between al Qaeda, the Taliban and their allies on the one hand and the three democracies they target, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, on the other hand must be reevaluated in terms of international cooperation against the Jihadi threat. A regional system should be established to integrate the struggle against all Jihadi forces in the subcontinent. There needs to be a separation between the ethnic and territorial questions from the fight against Terrorism. Once that distinction is made the possibilities of internationalization of counter terrorism will be high. Jihadists based in any country of the subcontinent must not be given legitimacy by any Government on the ground of a local ethnic issue. Jihadi forces must be confronted collectively, while diplomacy and international mediations assist in solving the local problems.
India particular role
The West can help all players in the subcontinent coming under internationalization of the struggle against Jihadi terror. But India has enough international credibility to help the West and other democracies in building an international basis for this counter Jihadi platform. There are initiatives India can take within the Third World and international organizations which can weaken the Jihadist propaganda against India’s partners worldwide. India can help build this international platform because of its unique history in the non aligned world so that the West and other democracies can in return help India fight against its Jihadi threats locally. India must play a strategic and international role in the said campaign worldwide. Some of that role must be on a military and security level, but India can also play a significant role in diplomatic and political realms to consolidate the international campaign.
Strategic suggestions
Hence in conclusion, I advance the following suggestions to be considered by the Indian Government and counter terrorism experts.
1. That Indian Think Tanks would initiate a series of bilateral seminars and discussions with Think Tanks and research centers in the various regions potentially involved in such a future strategy, including with the United States, Europe, Russia, Sub Saharan Africa and moderate Arab and Muslim states.
2. That the results of these regional workshops would be integrated under an international framework where India could play an important role
3. That such an international framework or document would be submitted to the United States by all member states whose think tanks have been involved.
Evidently such architecture demands efforts, resources and good architects. I do believe based on my work with groups and lawmakers interested it he issue worldwide that interest in finding a new global strategy to confront the growing global threat is very high.
The impact of an Indian strategic involvement in countering the Jihadi threat on the military, security and also the ideological and political levels will bring an important addition to the global efforts against the Terror forces. Hence, a dialogue between US, Western and Indian strategists, lawmakers and decision makers to establish the bases of such coordination is a must in the current state of the struggle in countering the common threat. A Western dialogue with India should open the door to a wide array of regional platforms of cooperation including for example between India, Australia and New Zealand on the one hand and between New Delhi and its three south Asian potential partners against al Qaeda, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. From its unique position India can also dialogue with Russia and China (despite disagreements on many issues) on joint efforts to isolate the Jihadi networks which threatens the stability of central Asia as a whole. This cobweb of Indian outreach to countries already fighting the Jihadists in Asia and internationally, is needed to achieve an unprecedented isolation of al Qaeda and its Taliban like allies across the largest Continent on the Planet.
**(Adapted from Professor Phares speech to the Asian Security Conference 2010 under the theme
“Asian Strategic Futures 2030: Trends, Scenarios and Alternatives.” Professor Phares presentation was under the title: “The Future of Terrorism: Jihadi threat in the Indian Subcontinent”)


U.S., Israel Worry Over Hizbullah Possession of Rockets Capable of Bringing Down F-16s

U.S. and Israeli concerns mounted after Syria reportedly supplied Hizbullah with rockets capable of brining down F-16 warplanes. Head of the Israeli army Intelligence Research Department Brig. Gen. Yossi Baidatz has uncovered that Syria recently provided Hizbullah with Russian-made surface-to-air missiles type "GLA 9K338" which can bring down reconnaissance planes, helicopter gunships and advanced F-16 fighter jets, which form the backbone of the Israeli air force. He told the Foreign and Security Committee in the Knesset that "this dangerous development is a strategic shift in the balance of power in Lebanon."

"Israel cannot remain silent on that," he warned.

Naharnet/Meanwhile, Russian news agency Novosti reported that Hizbullah's possession of sophisticated Russian-made surface-to-air "Igla" type rockets will hold back the Israeli air force from destroying the projectiles Hizbullah own for fear of bringing down the attacking jet fighters. Novosti quoted sources in Moscow as saying that these missiles are shoulder-mounted and cannot be detected by radar or obliterated by any means. The sources said "Syria regards these missiles as defensive projectiles and, therefore, does not see any problem in providing them to Hizbullah."  Washington has conveyed its concerns to France over Syria's continued supply of weapons to Hizbullah, particularly since they include the more sophisticated surface-to-air missiles. Pan-Arab daily al-Hayat on Friday, citing Western sources in New York, said the U.S. State Department pointed out that "the Syrian arms supplies to Hizbullah have reached a point where Damascus now is providing the group with weapons from its own national military stockpile." Beirut, 05 Mar 10, 08:04

Gemayel Declares Participation in Dialogue despite Phalange's Many 'Reservations', Rejects Arab League Involvement

Naharnet/Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel on Friday stressed that "Lebanon remains the focus of nations' attention," adding that "the visits of (foreign) delegations aim at stressing the persistence of international support for Lebanon." After meeting with a French parliamentary delegation accompanied by French Ambassador Denis Pietton, Gemayel said that Lebanon has an important role to play in the Middle East peace process. "Lebanon voices its clear and straightforward viewpoint regarding its position and France is trying to be present by our side, the thing that encourages us in light of the efforts exerted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy concerning Lebanon and Lebanese-Syrian relations," Gemayel said.
As to the upcoming national dialogue table, Gemayel said: "Participating at the dialogue table to meet President Michel Suleiman's invitation is a normal thing … and I have extensively expressed my viewpoint on our reservations and objections on several things related to the structure of this national convention."
However, Gemayel added: "We want this table to be a gateway toward supporting Suleiman's efforts aiming at deep-rooting Lebanon's domestic peace."
Gemayel, the former Lebanese president, said that Lebanon is facing many obstacles "especially in the shadow of the current domestic and regional major challenges."
He called for "real openness about the core of the Lebanese problem and a reconciliation based on pure patriotic pillars that can guarantee a reassuring future for the Lebanese people, especially the youth."
"The Lebanese have major concerns related to the internal situation and external threats, especially in the shadow of the violent Israeli rhetoric and threats against Lebanon."
Gemayel urged "internal solidarity in order to face all these threats and challenges," noting that "the dialogue table could be the right frame to discuss all these issues."
Gemayel rejected "talking about war as a certainty as if we have no other option but war," adding: "We want to give peace all chances. Syria is trying to solve its dispute through indirect talks and it is responding to the Turkish initiative in this regard. Also, the Arab League is encouraging the Palestinians to continue the course of diplomacy."
"Why are we prevented from seeking political and diplomatic means to solve our problems?" Gemayel wondered. "We recognize the tragedies of war and its effects and we realize its cost and how much tears and blood it takes," he added. As to Lebanon's participation in the upcoming Arab Summit in Libya, Gemayel said: "Lebanon will participate in this summit. As to the level of participation, it will be discussed among those concerned, and the president is the first one concerned to take the necessary decision: Lebanon has to defend its rights and to be present in the summit." Answering a question about inviting the Arab League to participate in national dialogue, Gemayel said: "We have paid dearly as a result of foreign interventions in our affairs under many alibis." However, Gemayel stressed the need to seek help from the Arab League, Security Council and United Nations without turning it into "tutelage."
Beirut, 05 Mar 10, 17:43

Berri Calls on Arab League 'to Emulate Lebanon,

Syria in Rejecting Indirect Talks with Israel'
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri on Friday urged the Arab League to go back on its latest decision to support indirect Palestinian-Israeli talks and "to emulate Lebanon and Syria in rejecting that." Berri called for "expanding the choices of the Palestinian people in facing the Israeli occupation and for supporting its resistance … in the face of Judaizing Jerusalem and its holy sites and in the face of the attempt at Judaizing al-Haram al-Ibrahimi and Bilal bin Riah Mosque." In a press release, Berri also called for "halting all normalization measures with the (Israeli) enemy that is trying to gain time to expand settlements and Judaization." He also called for "implementing the resolutions of the Arab Bureau for the Boycott of Israel and for taking steps to expose the practices of the occupation forces in all international forums." Beirut, 05 Mar 10, 19:47

Saturday: Suleiman in Riyadh, Hariri in Kuwait
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman heads Saturday to the Saudi capital Riyadh on a 2-day official visit during which he will meet with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz to discuss fortifying bilateral ties and regional developments. Suleiman's visit comes on the eve of reconvening the national dialogue table next Tuesday at the Baabda Palace and before Libya's Arab League Summit that will convene on March 27. On the other hand, Prime Minister Saad Hariri starts Saturday a 2-day official visit to Kuwait for talks with its top officials on "the developments in the region and the means of fortifying bilateral relations," according to a statement released by his press office. The visit comes as part of a regional and international tour that has so far included Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, France and Turkey. Hariri, who will be accompanied by an official delegation, will hold talks with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah. Beirut, 05 Mar 10, 20:20


Cassese's 1st Report: Progress in Investigation, Readiness to Try Suspects, Assassination Executed by Small Cell Induced by Large Network

Naharnet/pecial Tribunal for Lebanon President Judge Antonio Cassese stressed the achievement of "tangible progress toward building a case that is apt to bring the perpetrators to justice despite their level of discipline and slyness."
Cassese stressed that the tribunal has become ready to try the suspects in the murder of former premier Rafik Hariri who was killed in a massive seaside bombing in Beirut on February 14, 2005 along with 22 others.
"The investigation has reached new lines of evidence," Cassese said in his report submitted to Lebanon's premier Saad Hariri and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who referred it to the Security Council member states.
Cassese reached a conclusion that a major network had induced a smaller network to carry out the murder, adding that the tribunal has precisely identified the country of the supposed suicide bomber or the groups that performed the crime.
The judge noted the existence of correlation between Hariri's murder and the other assassination operations that targeted parliamentary, journalistic and military figures such as Gebran Tueiny, Francois al-Hajj, Wissam Eid, Samir Qassir, Walid Eido, Pierre Gemayel and others, adding that "investigations are underway on all levels to document this correlation."
In his 60-page report, Cassese mentioned that conclusive evidences were presented to the tribunal, noting that 280 interrogations had taken place in Lebanon, "the thing that wouldn't have taken place without the agreement signed between Interpol and the concerned official authorities."
Cassese called for providing sufficient funding through expanding support to encompass other countries and international organizations.
"The Lebanese authorities are compelled to cooperate. They should commit without any delay or hesitation," he said, basing his request on the treaty signed by ex-PM Fouad Saniora's government following the 2003 passage of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1757.
Cassese stressed the importance of neutrality and avoiding politicization in order to endorse these principles as an approach in the upcoming trials, adding that STL's administration is totally aware of the challenges it is facing as a result of being the first tribunal to deal with the issue of international terrorism without U.N. reaching a clear definition of "terrorism." Beirut, 06 Mar 10, 11:23

1 Syrian Worker Dead, 2 Others Wounded in Mortar Shell Explosion at Normandy Landfill

Naharnet/The explosion of an old dumped mortar shell at Beirut's Normandy landfill on Saturday led to the death of one Syrian worker and the wounding of two others.
Mohammed Ahmed al-Wardi died at hospital of his wounds sustained in the explosion while the wounded Jumaa Ahmed al-Wejaa was detained by the security forces.
The workers were trying to "clean" the shell and one of them threw it at a wall leading to its explosion, a security source told Agence France Presse.

How similar today is to yesterday
Elie Fawaz, March 5, 2010
Now Lebanon
The most appropriate title one could assign to the political phase the country has entered into would be: how similar today is to yesterday. The yesterday that we are talking about here is the time of Emile Lahoud and his battle with deceased former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, seeking to marginalize and nullify him in order to prop up a concealed Syrian-Lebanese security dictatorship. The same sort of suppressive action emerged clearly in the reactions from all sides to recent commentary by the head of the Executive Committee of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea.
The nature and content of the reactions indicate the return of a political language that prevailed during a time the Lebanese believed – mistakenly – would pass by, never to return. The essence of these reactions, most of them babbling, come from political associations the Lebanese had previously never heard of, associations that claim to specialize in politics. Such associations were probably established to serve “private utility” and profit from the grants and allowances provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs to all associations.
The issue of waste is not the main concern of this text. Rather, the issue at hand is the political implications of the aforementioned reactions. The political language that filled the ears of the Lebanese – both majority and minority – in reaction to Geagea’s words about the fate of Hezbollah’s weapons and about decisions of war and peace revealed that the major theme of the next phase would be: debate over Hezbollah’s weapons is forbidden. All talk of Lebanon, its economic security and its interests as an independent state, removed from what has been called “the capital of opposition and the Resistance” (namely Damascus), is banned outright.
It has been a chief concern of this capital and the circles within to have us choose between all or nothing, as it were, to control the Middle East through the three-front opposition and confine Lebanon within the framework of this struggle, taking advantage of the perceived erosion of US influence in the region along with its allies.
In other words, whatever “the capital of perseverance and opposition” decides is something we all need to be content with, peace or war. In case there is any opposition, then let us prepare for the accusation of collusion without being afforded the right of self-defense.
All the talk of putting the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in a lay or political framework has today become out of place with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaking from Damascus about “the den of Arabism and the Resistance” and returning to the theme of ousting the Zionist entity from the region without telling the “merciful masses” what exactly is preventing him from turning his promises into real action.
With the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s recent comments, the implication of the warning delivered by Sayyed Nasrallah to Lebanese Christians about a fate which might resemble that of Iraq’s Christians - were they to veer away from General Michel Aoun - became clear. From this standpoint as well one can understand – but not have sympathy with - Syrian resentment toward the positions taken by PM Saad Hariri, a statesman trying to keep Lebanon neutral, removed from the recklessness of Damascus, a city that might not last long.
Neutrality is not allowed. One needs to pick a side: the Iranian-Syrian on the one hand or the US on the other. Choosing the former needs to be done without complaining, offering opposition, making any comments or casting even a shred of doubt over what is said or written about some real balance between Hezbollah and Hamas on one end, and Israel on the other.
Merely pointing out Israel’s military superiority, in the air at least, or simply mentioning the imbalance of Hezbollah’s destructive capability versus Israel’s, has become a crime of denial that might harm “state prestige” more suited for a country of security zones and smaller sectarian states, or hurt nationalist sentiment - which has not been felt in Lebanon since the country served as a staging ground in the Arab-Israeli conflict and served to perpetuate the existence of the region’s regimes.
Moreover, discussion of things like Israel’s preparedness versus the trifling preparations made by Hezbollah, or Israel’s having constructed bunkers to protect its citizens versus Hezbollah’s having left Lebanese citizens openly exposed to Israeli fire, have become tantamount to grounds for political and security accusations God only knows how to deny. One should not be surprised by any of that since scenes of Iranian children and adolescents who were used as mine sweepers in the Ian-Iraq War should still be etched in the Lebanese mind. And of course, scenes like these are where we imported the Iranian meaning of martyrdom.
Simply having a different opinion on these matters could be enough to be accused of collusion with Israel. It is a sort of mental terror which we have been witness to ever since the exhibition of military muscles on May 7. As such, one is required to surrender outright to the march of the Ahmadinejad-Assad-Nasrallah trio without any argument. In such a case, allowing Lebanon to be transformed into a battlefield instead of a state - or such an ambition - would be “the mark of true patriotism” and of “the righteous citizenry”… And have any of you forgotten the notion of “the righteous citizen” at the time of Emile Lahoud?

Naim Qassem

March 5, 2010
On March 4, the Lebanese National News Agency carried the following report:
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a speech delivered during an honorary celebration held by the Holy Koran Association: “Today, the Resistance has become a reality. It is no longer a debatable idea and is a fact that is recognized by all.
“The light of the Resistance did not shine to disappear, but rather to continue and light the way. Today, the rallying around the Resistance in Lebanon is bigger, wider and better than ever before and if we were to make a simple comparison between the situation in 2006 and today, we would find there is a great difference in favor of the Resistance. The Israeli enemy wanted to turn our participation in the Lebanese government into a burden and a predicament for Lebanon, but we turned participation in the government into a positive opportunity since all the presidents agreed on the support, praise and unity around the Resistance which, thwarted the Israeli plan. Therefore, instead of this participation being a problem, it became a deterrence power to be added to the other deterrence abilities of the Resistance fighters and the Lebanese people.
“Today, when we look at Israel, we see it committing war crimes every day while the world is watching. I say it to you clearly: If the world thinks that Israel is a problem for the Middle East region, it is mistaken. Israel is a problem for the whole world without any exception. It is a problem for the honest and the free, a problem for humanity, a problem for Europe and the United States and not just a problem for us. Now, you are only seeing one facet of its problem toward us, but the world will discover that it is a problem for humanity. This has already started with the discovery of the use of European passports and American credit cards by Israel, in order to drown the entire world in its crimes without this world being involved in them. It is saying that it can violate, falsify, play tricks, commit crimes and assassinate while using everyone and without any consideration for anyone’s sovereignty and rights.
“When we see the Arab concessions sought by Israel, being offered to Israel for free and promoting negotiations with it without conditions or restraints, we cannot help but wonder: What have you earned from that? What have you taken in return? Quite honestly, all that the Arabs did was lead Israel out of its predicament after it was in the spotlight for creating problems in the region and for refusing the solution and the settlement. While the Western world was talking about its hideousness and its crimes, from the Goldstone report to the demonstrations and positions issued by the deputies all around the Western world, some Arabs gave a certificate of good conduct to Israel for free and at the expense of the Palestinians and the honorable. I always said we did not want the Arabs to support the Palestinian cause, neither financially nor militarily. All we want from them is to remain quite and let the freedom-fighters liberate Palestine with their own hands.
“In Lebanon, death sentences were issued against some agents and we expect the officials in the Lebanese state to hasten the executive measures against the agents because the alleviated sentences in the past were the reason behind the opening of the arena before additional ones. In the past, some agents exited prison after having served an alleviated sentence and went back to collaborating with the enemy. Some others saw that this collaboration did not cost much, that the money was abundant and prison sentences comfortable and short. They even became sultans inside prison at times and this is why stringent measures must be implemented. The execution of the agents will enhance our deterrence power, fortify our arena and prevent the agents from thinking that the collaboration with Israel was easy...
“Hezbollah is in favor of the staging of municipal elections on time, whether with a law featuring reforms or not. What is important is for the municipal elections to be held on time, in the hope that they would give a new and lively image to the different towns. If the parties in the Cabinet and Parliament want to postpone it, we would not mind that since we have nothing to win or lose whether they were to be held on time or delayed... Therefore, there is no need for all these disputes. Just decide what you want to do. Either you want them to be held on time and we are ready for that, or you want to postpone them and we will carry the responsibility with you on the basis of the principle of putting concord ahead of conflicts.”