LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
ِJanuary
10/2010
Bible Of The
Day
Jeremiah 32:17: "Ah, Lord GOD! It is
you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your
outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you."
Nothing is Too Hard for God
Jeremiah recognized that God is the ultimate muscle-man—he can easily out flex
your greatest problem and arm wrestle your biggest need. If God made the heavens
and the earth, then surely nothing in this world is impossible for him to do.
What need or problem are you facing today? Who can content with your God? There
is no difficulty the Lord cannot surmount. Whenever and wherever human might and
skill fall short, God is able to master every opposition.
Free Opinions, Releases,
letters, Interviews & Special Reports
Canada Offers
Condolences After Tragedy in Arizona/January
09/11
Two voices of Lebanon/By:
Mona Alam/January
09/11
We could learn from
Tunisia/Now Lebanon/January 9, 2011
Iran: Foreign Insults Reveal
Internal Crisis/By Tariq Alhomayed/January
09/11
How will Israel's new strategic
leadership deal with Iran?/By Amos Harel/January
09/11
Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for January 09/11
Excellent Meeting between Hariri
and Clinton: Washington Opposes Any Deal at STL's Expense/Naharnet
Sarkozy-Obama Meeting: Race to
Support STL and Calm in Lebanon/Naharnet
Sfeir Hopes that Situation Will Be
Better than it is Now: The Whole of Lebanon is Worried/Naharnet
Hezbollah "Holding Gun to the Head"
of Lebanese Parties – US Official/Asharq Alawsat
US congresswoman, six others killed in shooting/AP
Clinton heads to Persian Gulf states to shore up ties with Arab allies, promote
democracy/AP
Egypt Copts mark Christmas under tight security/ AFP
Lebanon crisis will be raised during Obama-Sarkozy summit/Ya Libnan
Chamoun: No agreement is possible before STL indictment/Ya Libnan
Sfeir:
Minorities represent a chance of cultural richness/iloubnan.info
Suleiman Optimistic that Settlement
Will Emerge Soon/Naharnet
Jumblat: I am Not Informed of
Initiative Details, I Will Assess it Once Details are Announced/Naharnet
Saqr: Qassem's Statements are a
Blow to Hariri's Goodwill Policy/Naharnet
Hariri Vows Not to Accuse Hizbullah
of Assassinating his Father in Return for Withdrawal of Syrian Arrest
Warrants/Naharnet
Siniora: Talk that Hariri has to
fulfill requirements is unfounded/Now Lebanon
Adwan: Only government can
guarantee future/Now Lebanon
Allouch: Iran led Syria to withdraw
some items from agreement on Lebanon/Now Lebanon
Iran could take a short cut to a
nuclear bomb before 2015/DEBKAfile
Millions start voting in South
Sudan independence poll/Reuters
Canada
Offers Condolences After Tragedy in Arizona
(No. 11 - January 8, 2010 - 11:30 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the
shooting that took place this afternoon in Arizona: “On behalf of the government
and all Canadians, I offer my condolences to the family and friends of federal
judge John Roll and the other innocent victims of this senseless act of
violence. In particular, I offer sympathy to the family of the young girl among
the victims, whose entire life was ahead of her. “I would also like to wish a
quick recovery to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and to all others who were
injured. “Canada stands with the people of the United States, our valued friend
and neighbour, in this time of grief. “Regardless of where they occur, attacks
against democratically elected officials affect and undermine the safety of us
all.”
Excellent Meeting between Hariri and Clinton: Washington Opposes Any Deal at
STL's Expense
Naharnet/U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton described as excellent her
meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri during which she repeated her
country's support for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the country's
sovereignty and independence, reported the daily An Nahar Sunday. The paper
added that Hariri's advisor Hani Hammoud, who was present at the meeting, said
that the talks tackled Lebanese-American ties and the situation in the Middle
East. Meanwhile, international media reported a source present at the meeting as
saying that Clinton had showed "clear" support for the tribunal. Hariri and
Clinton did not hold a closed-door meeting, but they talked aside twice during
the meeting, once when she entered his suite and another time before she left,
according to An Nahar. The talks started with pleasantries over Saudi King
Abdullah's health and then shifted to Clinton's support to Lebanon where she
focused on supporting the Lebanese government, said an unnamed source. For his
part, Hariri stressed the importance of the Arab-Israeli conflict, with the
source saying that the fact that Clinton headed to Hariri's residence in person
is a message in itself of Washington's support. Trusted sources told the
pan-Arab daily al-Hayat that Clinton relayed to the prime minister the United
States' opposition to any deal that may take place at the STL's expense. The
meeting reflected Clinton's direct involvement in the Lebanese file and the U.S.
administration's keenness that nothing impede the course of justice, the sources
noted. They said that the U.S. is attempting to influence the situation in
Lebanon through Clinton's latest talks, as well as influence Syria through the
recent appointment of an American Ambassador in Damascus. Beirut, 09 Jan 11,
12:07
Sarkozy-Obama Meeting: Race to Support STL and Calm in Lebanon
Naharnet/The situation in Lebanon will be at the dialogue table during the
meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy
on Monday as the two sides seek to affirm their support for the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon and calm in the country. Sources told the Syrian al-Watan newspaper
that Sarkozy will address the issue of Lebanon from the angle of reaching a
settlement given the tensions caused by the STL. They considered that Saudi
Arabia and Syria play a very important regional role and that nations such as
France can also contribute in reaching a settlement in Lebanon. Western
diplomatic sources in Beirut meanwhile told the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa that Obama and
Sarkozy will also address the repercussions of the STL on Lebanon, as well as
Iran's influence on Hizbullah and Hamas. They said that the France is secretly
hoping that a settlement will not strip Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri of
his authority and demands. It also hopes that it will not threaten Hizbullah and
its arms, they added. In addition, they pointed out that the American
administration is not satisfied with Sarkozy's approach of welcoming members of
the Lebanese opposition, such as Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun
who recently visited France.
Beirut, 09 Jan 11, 11:04
Sfeir Hopes that Situation Will Be Better than it is Now: The Whole of Lebanon
is Worried
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir stated that the whole of Lebanon is
worried, and not just its Christian, adding a hope that the situation in the
country would improve.
He said in an interview with CNN that the situation for Christians in Lebanon
has completely changed because in the past, they represented the majority of the
population and occupied a special position in Lebanon, but demographics have
since changed. Now, he explained, Christian families consist of three to four
children, while Muslim families could have ten to 15 children. "This is why
Muslims have now greatly outnumbered the Christians, especially since Christians
and some Muslims have emigrated," the patriarch said.
Asked whether he believes if Lebanon would ever have a non-Christian president,
Sfeir replied: "I don't know, maybe if matters developed further and the
Christians became a minority."
He added that this issue is up to the Lebanese themselves and maybe some demands
may be raised for such a change. Addressing Islamist extremism, he said that
that is not the real Islam, stressing: "Our message is for the people to
cooperate with each other and seek peace, not war." He described the situation
for Christians as tragic because several of them are leaving their country,
especially Christians in Iraq. They should be reassured to return to their
homeland, he added. Beirut, 09 Jan 11, 14:41
Sfeir: "Minorities represent a chance of cultural richness
"iloubnan.info - January 09, 2011 BEIRUT - In his Sunday sermon, Maronite
Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir strongly denounced the persecution of
Catholics, as well as discrimination and acts of violence in the world linked to
religion, particularly in Asia and Africa. He stressed that "the majority of
victims were members of religious minorities not allowed to freely express their
faith, which represents a violation of their political rights and freedoms."
Sfeir proposed that "defense of religion can be achieved via defending human
rights and freedom of religious communities." Thus, he added, "protection of
minorities was not a threat to the identity of the majority but rather an
opportunity for dialogue and mutual cultural richness."
Hariri Vows Not to Accuse Hizbullah of Assassinating his
Father in Return for Withdrawal of Syrian Arrest Warrants
Naharnet/The mystery surrounding the nature of the "commitments not fulfilled by
the other camp" recently mentioned by Prime Minister Saad Hariri has been at the
heart of clarifications issued by observers of this case, reported the daily An
Nahar Sunday. These commitments include withdrawing the Syrian arrest warrants
issued a few months ago against a number of members of Lebanon's majority,
especially Hariri's work team, which has damaged ties between the two sides. In
return for the withdrawal, Hariri would announce that he would not accuse
Hizbullah of the assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafik
Hariri, even if the indictment in the investigation did accuse some members of
the party. The commitments also encompass general stability, internal security,
and Hizbullah avoiding using its weapons on the internal scene as stipulated in
the Doha agreement. This last element has not been implemented as demonstrated
in the Borj Abi Haidar clashes that broke out in August 2010. The first step
towards fulfilling these pledges has yet to be taken, with Hariri calling on the
other camp to take the initiative, while the March 8 forces have said that the
premier should be the one to do so. Beirut, 09 Jan 11, 10:06
March 8 Bargaining on Hariri's Positivism towards Settlement, March 14 Trusts in
PM's Actions
Naharnet/A source from the March 14 forces stated that the discrepancy between
the camp and the opposition lies in the multiple interpretations of Prime
Minister Saad Hariri's announcement that an agreement to end Lebanon's political
crisis has been finalized. It told the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in remarks
published on Sunday: "When we speak of a complete agreement, then it means that
contacts and calm will resume. When the other camp speaks of progress in the
Saudi-Syrian initiative, then it only sees in it a step forward towards
abandoning the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is not going to happen."
"Regardless of the speculation over Hariri's statements on what is required of
the other camp, these assumptions should not eliminate the fact that the
settlement has been reached," it added. Meanwhile, the daily al-Mustaqbal
reported prominent March 8 sources as saying that the camp is bargaining on
Hariri's positivism after his recent statements over the Saudi-Syrian
initiative. They noted however that his remarks on requirements from the
opposition are "unclear."
"The side allowed to state what is required from any camp is the one sponsoring
the settlement, meaning Saudi Arabia through King Abdullah and Syria through
President Bashar al-Assad," they stressed. Leading sources from the March 14
coalition told al-Mustaqbal that they support Hariri's positions and they trust
in his actions. "The March 14 forces have never stopped seriously addressing the
Saudi-Syrian initiative as opposed to the other camp that keeps on trying to
hinder a settlement," they continued. Beirut, 09 Jan 11, 10:50
Jumblat: I am Not Informed of Initiative Details, I Will Assess it Once Details
are Announced
Naharnet/Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stated that he is
not informed of the details of the Saudi-Syrian initiative aimed to end the
Lebanese political crisis.
He told the daily al-Mustaqbal in remarks published on Sunday that only Prime
Minister Saad Hariri, House Speaker Michel Suleiman, Hizbullah Secretary General
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Saudi King
Abdullah know its details.
The MP stressed that he will judge the initiative once its details are revealed,
"but the important matter remains averting the repercussions of the indictment."
Commenting on Hariri's recent statements to al-Hayat, Jumblat said that they
were "clear and positive."
The prime minister's statements finally confirmed that a Saudi-Syrian initiative
exists "while some March 14 forces members questioned its existence because they
don't want a solution that preserves Lebanon," he added. Beirut, 09 Jan 11,
08:24
Suleiman Optimistic that Settlement Will Emerge Soon
Naharnet/Visitors to the Baabda Palace have reported President Michel Suleiman's
optimism that a settlement in Lebanon's political crisis will emerge soon. He
hoped that the solution would help reactivate the national dialogue and
Cabinet's normal functioning. They also reported that complete communication and
coordination is ongoing between him, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and House
Speaker Nabih Berri, revealing that the positive results of these contacts will
coincide with the expected positive results of the premier's visit to the U.S.
Suleiman stated that all the Lebanese are now aware that no side will benefit
from an escalation in the country and therefore ruled out an escalation on the
ground, crediting the army and security forces for maintaining the peace. In
addition, the president, who has cancelled his scheduled trip to Egypt, is
preparing to launch important positions on the current crisis before diplomatic
officials, reported Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5). Beirut, 09 Jan 11, 08:57
Adwan:
Only government can guarantee future
January 9, 2011 /Lebanese Forces bloc MP George Adwan said on Sunday that “as
long as each party is guaranteed by a foreign country, the Lebanese do not have
a future,” NOW Lebanon’s correspondent reported on Sunday. The MP added that the
future of the Lebanese people can only be guaranteed through the government.
Following his meeting with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, Adwan
said Lebanon needs an agreement regarding its future.
“We do not seek [achieving] a settlement to provide certain issues. We need an
agreement for the sake of the Lebanese who inquire about their country’s
stability and future.”
What is the government’s role in any agreement in Lebanon?, Adwan asked. “A
dialogue should be sponsored by President Michel Sleiman. Any agreement [in
Lebanon] must [take into consideration] all the Lebanese [people] without any
exceptions.”The MP added that an agreement must be based on how to improve state
institutions and on how the government can control all its decisions. Lebanon
for months has suffered from a political impasse over reports that the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon is set to indict members of Hezbollah in connection with
former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's murder in 2005. Syrian and Saudi officials
have reportedly been communicating in efforts to reach a compromise that would
resolve tensions in the country.-NOW Lebanon
Allouch:
Iran led Syria to withdraw some items from agreement on Lebanon
January 9, 2011 /In an interview with Future News television on Sunday, Future
Movement official Mustafa Allouch said he believes that an Iranian interference
led Syria to withdraw some items regarding the Syrian-Saudi agreement on
Lebanon. Syrian and Saudi officials have reportedly been communicating in
efforts to reach a compromise that would resolve tensions in Lebanon due to
reports that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon may soon indict Hezbollah members
in its investigation of the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik
Hariri.
-NOW Lebanon
Saqr: Qassem's Statements are a Blow to Hariri's Goodwill Policy
Naharnet/Lebanon First MP Oqab Saqr lamented on Sunday the ongoing "tragic empty
circle of obstruction, marginalization, and intimidation" in Lebanon, noting
that whenever progress is achieved to end the cycle, some Lebanese go ahead and
destroy agreement after agreement "as if we are destined to remain in an empty
cycle of despair." He said in a statement: "The positive shock caused by Prime
Minister Saad Hariri's recent statements over a settlement are being subject to
the most violent tarnishing campaign, which is aimed at maintaining the reason
of squandering efforts and underestimating the people's intelligence." "The most
unfortunate development lies in Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem's
latest statements that the opposition had fulfilled what was required of it and
that it has nothing more to offer the Saudi-Syrian initiative," he said. "Does
the March 8 forces' role, and Hizbullah's in particular, in supporting the
initiative lie in destroying any positive reasoning, every constructive effort,
and every attempt by PM Hariri to end the divide between the Lebanese camp?" the
MP asked. Qassem's statements are another calculated blow to the goodwill policy
adopted by Hariri, Saqr stressed. "We are convinced that a solution to the
crisis will be reached through Lebanese ideas and Arab efforts … We call on the
other camps, especially Hizbullah, to demonstrate the least amount of boldness
required to implement measures expected by it … through employing its military
might in the political field " he concluded. Beirut, 09 Jan 11, 14:11
Siniora: Talk that Hariri has to fulfill requirements is unfounded
January 9, 2011 /Talk that Prime Minister Saad Hariri has to implement certain
steps is unfounded, Lebanon First bloc MP Fouad Siniora said on Sunday. “We have
to be patient. We [should not act] on the basis of inaccurate information…We
have to wait until Prime Minister [Saad] Hariri returns from New York to know
the results of this visit,” Siniora said according to the National News Agency.
The MP welcomed Arab efforts, particularly Syrian-Saudi ones, and added that the
Taif Accord, democracy and justice must be taken into consideration.
“Stability and security cannot be achieved if there is no justice.” “[Problems]
should be resolved in the cabinet. We should not lay conditions for the cabinet
to convene,” he said, adding that dealing with the increase of gas prices can be
dealt with in the cabinet and not through demonstrations. In an interview
published Friday in the daily Al-Hayat, Hariri said that Saudi-Syrian mediation
efforts led to an agreement months ago but accused Hezbollah of not living up to
their end of the deal. "Any commitment on my part will not be carried out until
the other party [Hezbollah] implements what they agreed to," the premier added.
Energy Minister Gebran Bassil on Friday expressed his support for citizens to
participate in demonstrations to protest increases in gas prices. The PM headed
to New York on Friday to meet with Saudi King Abdullah and US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton. Syrian and Saudi officials have reportedly been communicating
in efforts to reach a compromise that would resolve tensions in Lebanon due to
reports that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon may soon indict Hezbollah members
in its investigation of the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik
Hariri.-NOW Lebanon
Two voices of Lebanon
Mona Alami, January 9, 2011
Now Lebanon/In Lebanon, about 85 percent of adults regularly listen to the
radio, according to the website Pressreference. Of those stations broadcasting
news, “the favorites seem to be Voice of Lebanon [or Voix du Liban, or Sawt
Libnan] and Radio One (105.5 FM), which relays news neutrally interspersed with
music,” states the site.
Whoever has control of one of the most listened-to radio stations in Lebanon has
enormous power over local public opinion, and so political and private parties
have vied for years to claim the airwaves. “I have witnessed many revolutions in
my time at Voix du Liban. Some were staged by the Lebanese Forces, others by
Elie Hobeika’s people or the Kataeb party,” said popular broadcaster Wardeh
Zamel, known to her listeners as simply Wardeh.
But this year’s split, unlike others that took place during the civil war, has
left Lebanese listeners at loss. In November, VDL was split into two stations
broadcasting on two different wavelengths, with one based in Dbayeh (where the
managing company Modern Media Company has relocated) and another in Achrafieh
(in a building owned by the Kataeb).
Conflicting statements about the split have been published in the press. An al-Balad
newspaper article stated that “After a long struggle with the management of
Modern Media Company [MMC], the Kataeb party was able to regain the Voice of
Lebanon radio station just in time for the fourth anniversary of Industry
Minister Pierre Gemayel's assassination.” The Dbayeh VDL, however, denied that
the Kataeb had regained the station.
“We launched the VDL in 1958, with the help of journalist Joseph Abou Khalil,
and we used to broadcast most programs from his place of residence, while my
house served as a recording studio,” former minister Joseph Hashem told NOW
Lebanon. The station closed down, but was reactivated in 1975 with the help of
journalists Brahim el Khouri and Eli Salibi.
“We bought the Achrafieh building, which now hosts our headquarters, with the
revenues of the radio station,” said Hashem.
“The MMC owns the wavelength used by the station,” said Serge Dagher, the Kataeb
Party’s public relations director.
According to Hashem, the MMC took official control of the station’s management
in the 1990s when the media law was passed, which allows a limited number of
radio stations to broadcast news, among which the Voice of Lebanon.
The law also bans local broadcasting, and licenses are only provided to stations
that can broadcast across the entire country. After the law was passed, “parties
were not allowed to directly run media companies, which is why the MMC came to
manage the station,” said Hashem. The company’s revenues were thus split between
the Kataeb and the MMC, the former receiving 51 percent.
But when the station’s rental lease expired in November, station employees were
divided among the buildings in Dbayeh and Achrafieh. Forty-five employees
resigned from VDL to protest against the transfer of the station’s headquarters
to Dbayeh, Wardeh said, while about 25 made the move.
“I really worked hard on bringing both sides together, for VDL’s voice to remain
as one. The discussions were nonetheless cut short because MMC and the Kataeb
could not agree on the extension of the lease... I have not sided with either
one,” she added.
Today the VDL broadcasts on 100.5 FM from Achrafieh, and on 93.3 from Dbayeh,
while many of the programs and even the jingles have remained practically the
same. “An amiable solution needs to be found. Both sides should either decide to
work together or separate amiably, but this situation can’t go on, and a court
order will probably take years to come,” Wardeh said. Dagher, on the other hand,
assured that VDL will remain a national radio station and that the Kataeb is not
involved in its management.
“Listeners will keep on tuning in to one station or the other until they pick
one, whether they follow an anchor or a particular program they like,” Wardeh
said.
We could learn from Tunisia
January 7, 2011 /Now Lebanon
For weeks protests have been raging in Tunisia, kicked off by an unemployed
university graduate. The young man, Mohamed Bouazizi, was unable to find work in
a country where unemployment is estimated at 14 percent and living costs are
high. He resorted to selling fruits and vegetables from a cart on the street.
He did not, however, have a permit to do so, and the Tunisian authorities
confiscated his merchandise. In response, Bouazizi set himself on fire in front
of the regional council building in his central Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid,
and recently died from the wounds he sustained.
Bouazizi’s brazen act of desperation and defiance sparked waves of protest that
spread throughout the country and have yet to abate. Aided by social media like
Twitter and activist bloggers, these protests are a grassroots expression of
pent-up anger and legitimate grievances that should prove instructive for the
Lebanese.
On Thursday, As-Safir published an interview with Ghassan Ghosn, head of the
General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (GCLW), in which he called for a
general strike “very soon” to protest rising prices, tax policy, and electricity
and water shortages. These are legitimate reasons to take to the streets, and
while Lebanon’s unemployment rate is not as high as Tunisia’s, university
graduates in this country are often paid wages so embarrassingly low many would
rather leave the country to work abroad.
That said, the GCLW is a politicized organization whose calls for action often
cost people their lives. In late January 2007, with a GCLW-sponsored strike
underway, students at Beirut Arab University began arguing politics and three
were killed.
A GCLW strike in May 2008 led to a day of street fights among political rivals
followed the next day by Hezbollah’s armed takeover of half of Beirut. A
population willing to kill their neighbors in a political dispute is undoubtedly
to blame. However, given that the GCLW is controlled by March 8, their calls for
civil disobedience – particularly during times of heightened tension – arguably
creates a mood that increases chances of civil strife as one half of a divided
country would be loathe to heed protest calls from a rival political faction.
It is deplorable that year after year the state does almost nothing to fix the
myriad problems facing this country. It is equally absurd that large Lebanese
businesses – banks and construction firms, for example – pulling in millions
each year pay recent university graduates a few hundred dollars a month,
salaries so meager they can barely be used to rent an apartment in Beirut. With
low wages, spotty access to electricity and water and generally dilapidated
infrastructure, it is no wonder so many Lebanese are eager to leave this
country.
In Tunisia, President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali has repeatedly won re-election
since 1987 with percentages of the vote so high, many assume elections are
rigged. Sadly, in Lebanon, the same elite class (or their progeny) continually
wins democratic elections – though vote buying is a serious problem none of this
country’s leaders are willing to fix.
Protestors in Tunisia have already forced Ben Ali to reshuffle his cabinet and
sack some corrupt governors, all the while reiterating promises of reform.
Admittedly, these are small wins, but at least they are something, and Ben Ali
now knows his population is not complacent. Lebanon would do well to teach its
leaders a similar lesson through protest born not of a politicized body but of
the grassroots. Rising up as one, regardless of sect or political persuasion,
could equally gain the neglected population a win, however small. Instead,
unfortunately, the masses will likely stay inside filling out visa applications.
US congresswoman, six others
killed in shooting: report
Agence France Presse –A US congresswoman and six other people were shot to death
in Tucson, Arizona by a gunman who opened fire at a public event, National
Public Radio reported, citing the local sheriff's office.NPR said at least nine
other people were wounded in the attack at a grocery store where the Democratic
lawmaker Gabrielle Giffords was hosting a "Congress on Your Corner" event with
constituents. The wounded included three of her staffers. It said the suspect
ran off and was tackled by a bystander before being taken into custody, and that
witnesses described him as being in his late teens or early 20s. Andrea Gooden,
a witness who was in an office across the street, told Fox News she heard a
burst of gunshots and "immediately after that there were people racing across
the parking lot." Another witness told CNN he heard 15-20 shots and saw people
running from the scene and screaming before police and firetrucks arrived around
two minutes later. Footage from the scene showed paramedics rushing stretchers
to helicopters. The incident came after packages ignited in a post office in
Washington, DC on Friday and two government buildings in neighboring Maryland on
Thursday. Giffords, 40, was first elected to Congress in 2006 and is married to
Mark Kelly, a NASA astronaut.
Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
shot, aide killed in rampage at grocery store
FOX News 0:00 | 1213 views
....TUCSON, Ariz. - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head
and an aide was killed Saturday when an assailant opened fire in an area where
the lawmaker was meeting with constituents, officials said. There were varying
accounts on Giffords' condition, but a hospital spokesman said the Democratic
lawmaker was in critical condition. An aide to Giffords was killed. An unknown
number of others were injured, officials said, including additional aides to the
lawmaker. Congressional officials said one of the victims died soon after the
attack, and others were taken to a nearby hospital. One official added the
attack was carried out with an automatic weapon. The officials who described the
events did so on condition of anonymity, saying they were not permitted to
comment publicly. "I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman
Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff," the newly elected House Speaker
John Boehner said. "An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve.
Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our
society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were
injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country." The officials
said the FBI and local law enforcement were investigating the attack, which took
place while Giffords was greeting constituents outside a Tucson grocery store.
Giffords, 40, was re-elected to her third term last November. She was a member
of the Arizona House and Senate before coming to Washington. Giffords was
elected to Congress amid a wave of Democratic victories in the 2006 election.
The former state lawmaker won a narrow victory against a tea party favourite in
the 2010 election. The shooting comes amid a highly charged political
environment that has seen several dangerous threats against lawmakers but
nothing that reached the point of actual violence. A San Francisco man upset
with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's support of health care reform pleaded guilty
to threatening the Democratic congresswoman and her family, calling her directly
on March 25 and threatening to destroy her Northern California home if she voted
for health care reform.
In July, a California man known for his anger over left-leaning politics engaged
in a shootout with highway patrol officers after planning an attack on the
American Civil Liberties Union and another non-profit group. The man said he
wanted to "start a revolution" by killing people at the ACLU and the Tides
Foundation. Giffords, a moderate Democrat, herself has drawn the ire of the
right, especially for her support of the health care bill.Her Tucson office was
vandlized a few hours after the House vote to approve the health care law in
March, with someone either kicking or shooting out a glass door and window. AP
Special Correspondent David Espo contributed to this report from Washington.
Clinton heads to Persian Gulf
states to shore up ties with Arab allies, promote democracy
By Matthew Lee, The Associated Press/The Canadian Press
.WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's trip to the Persian
Gulf is intended to strengthen ties with Arab allies, rally support for
penalties against Iran, and promote democracy and security across the Middle
East. Clinton was to depart Washington late Saturday for the United Arab
Emirates, Oman and Qatar, where leaders are concerned about Iran's nuclear
ambitions and growing influence in the region. America's chief diplomat also
will seek greater co-operation in enforcing international sanctions on Iran that
are designed to make Tehran prove that it's not trying to develop nuclear
weapons. Many Arab nations share U.S. fears that Iran is using a civilian atomic
energy program to hide weapons development. Those concerns were amplified in
leaked diplomatic cables released by the WikiLeaks website late last year that
revealed deep mistrust of Iran by Sunni Arab leaders who must deal with an
increasingly emboldened Shiite neighbour.
Clinton's trip comes ahead of a new round of international talks with Iran,
tentatively scheduled for Jan. 21-22 in Turkey. The five permanent members of
the U.N. Security Council — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France — along
with Germany will again try to compel Iran to comply with demands to come clean
about its nuclear intentions, in return for incentives.
Iran is under four sets of U.N. sanctions because of its refusal to halt uranium
enrichment, which can be used to produce nuclear fuel or materials for bombs.
U.S. officials believe the penalties are hitting Iran's economy, but want them
to be more strictly enforced and would like individual countries to take
separate punitive measures on their own.
Tehran insists its uranium enrichment and other programs are meant only for
peaceful purposes to generate fuel for a future network of nuclear reactors.
Clinton's trip to the Gulf will be her second in as many months. She also
attended an international security conference in Bahrain in December. While Iran
is always high on the agenda during such visits to the region, her focus this
time will be broader.
In her meetings with leaders in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat and Qatar, U.S.
officials say Clinton will look for more Arab backing for the new government in
Iraq and more financial support for the Palestinian Authority. Some Arab states
have yet to fulfil pledges to fully normalize relations with Iraq and open
embassies in Baghdad, gestures of support that Washington wants to see as it
winds down its military presence there. As the Obama administration struggles to
get the Mideast peace process back on track, Clinton will push wealthy Arab
powers to broaden their contributions to the Palestinians. The U.S. is keen to
keep the development of Palestinian governmental institutions moving ahead.
Officials hope such progress may help forestall Palestinian moves to declare
statehood unilaterally or seek U.N. action against Israel. Clinton's visit also
comes amid spikes of civil unrest in Arab states such as Tunisia and Algeria and
deep alarm at the conduct of Egypt's recent elections. In town hall events at
most stops and at a regional conference in Qatar on Thursday, Clinton will
promote democratic, economic and social change as ways to reduce tensions and
blunt the threat from Islamic extremism, particularly among Arab youth.
Egypt Copts mark Christmas
under tight security
Agence France Presse – Fri, 7 Jan
Drivers were banned from parking in front of churches, which were being tightly
monitored by explosives detection teams and police, said a police official.
Under the Coptic calendar, Christmas Day falls on January 7. Some Muslims would
also show up at churches to act as human shields in a show of solidarity with
Egypt's beleaguered Christian community, which accounts for 10 percent of the
country's 80 million people. The measures came after Egypt's Coptic Christians
attended Christmas Eve services Thursday behind cordons of steel put up by
security forces. Security officials said at least 70,000 officers and conscripts
had been deployed across the country to secure churches as Copts attended
Christmas Eve mass.
Police said one primitive explosive device -- a tin can filled with fire
crackers, nails and bolts, but with no detonator -- had been found in a church
in the southern city of Minya.
The official Al-Ahram newspaper reported that security would also be tightened
around tourist resorts.
Hundreds of worshippers gathered on Thursday at the Saints Church in Alexandria,
the site of Saturday's bombing. They were guarded by dozens of police and
anti-riot vehicles.
In Alexandria, 27-year-old Maureen, dressed in black, said: "To survive, we
Copts must confront our fear and pain. We have to be stronger than the
terrorists. That's why I am coming to mass."Maher, 50, arrived for the mass with
his wife and two daughters. "Our sorrow is great, but we feel stronger because
of the support of our Muslim compatriots," he said.
Others converged on Saint Mark's Cathedral in Cairo, where the head of the
Coptic Church, Pope Shenuda III, conducted the service, attended by several
government members and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's two sons Alaa and
Gamal.
In Moqattam, a poor Cairo district with a large Coptic population, residents
said the threat of further attacks would not deter them from going to church.
"With Al-Qaeda's threats, we anticipate further attacks but we are not afraid.
God protects us," said Adel al-Wazir.
Pope Benedict XVI, who described the Alexandria bombing as a "cowardly gesture
of death," sent his "heartfelt greetings and best wishes" to those now
celebrating Christmas.
He deplored the "martyrdom of a large number of innocent people" in his homily
Thursday.
"May the goodness of God... strengthen the faith, hope and charity of everyone
and give comfort to the communities that are being tested," he said in an
address to pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square. Meanwhile, police released a sketch
of the suspected Alexandria suicide bomber's face, reconstructed from the
remains of a severed head found on the roof of the church.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, which came after threats
to Egypt's Copts from an Al-Qaeda-linked group in Iraq that had said it was
behind a deadly October assault on a Syriac Catholic church in Baghdad.
The group, the Islamic State of Iraq, said it would attack Copts if their church
failed to release two women it claimed were being held against their will after
converting to Islam.
Several weeks before the attack, a website linked to Al-Qaeda published a list
of Coptic churches it said should be targeted in Europe and Egypt, including the
one bombed on January 1.
A security official in Jordan told AFP on Thursday that police in the capital
Amman had also tightened security for Christmas services at two Coptic churches
there after the Alexandria attack. Around 3,000 Copts are estimated to live in
the kingdom.
Several other countries, including Canada, France, Germany and the Netherlands
stepped up security around Coptic Christian churches in response to the threat.
The Alexandria bombing sparked days of protests and riots around Egypt that
injured dozens of policemen and protesters.
President Mubarak has vowed to find those responsible for the New Year's Day
bombing, which he said targeted all Egyptians, regardless of their faith, and
blamed "foreign hands."
Iran could take a short cut to a nuclear bomb before 2015
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report January 9, 2011, Meir Dagan, when he retired as
Mossad chief last week, estimated that difficulties had held back Iran's race
for a nuclear bomb until early 2014 or 2015. He did not mention the Stuxnet
virus invading its systems or the untimely deaths of its nuclear scientists. He
did refer to arguments in Iran's ruling elite which had delayed the attainment
of its goal, indicating that without those disputes Tehran would have acquired a
nuclear capability by now - or very soon.
But most strikingly, Dagan omitted mention of the short cuts available to Iran,
as noted here by debkafile's military, intelligence and Iranian sources:
1. Not all Iran's concealed nuclear facilities have been discovered by Western
intelligence – not even Mossad. Given Iran's record of concealment, it would be
foolish, for instance, to ignore the possibility of a secret plant enriching
uranium at full speed somewhere underground out of range of the UN nuclear
watchdog's cameras recording every centrifuge spinning at Natanz. They may still
be undetected by spy satellites and unbeknownst even to the defectors and double
agents willing to collaborate with the West.
A single secret facility of this kind would invalidate the current Western
estimate of Iran's stock of low-grade enriched uranium as standing at 3,000
kilos. The real amount could be 20 times or even 100 times as much, enough for
three or four bombs.
2. The same applies to the "malfunctions" undoubtedly holding up the program. No
competent agency would risk guaranteeing that every last Iranian facility has
been crippled or exposed to cyber invasion. The publicity surrounding Stuxnet
and the deaths or defections of Iranian nuclear scientists has conveyed the
impression of a nation on the point of collapse, whose every nook and cranny is
wide open to the long arm of Western and Israeli spy agencies.
But who knows what really goes on in the top-secret laboratories of Shahid
Beheshti University in northern Tehran, which employed the two nuclear
scientists targeted for attack last month? It is there that much of the research
is conducted form Iran's nuclear and missile programs. But there is no certainty
that a parallel research institution is not operating in some other dark place.
3. Iran has been known in the past to have established or transferred sensitive
nuclear facilities outside the country to remove them from the sight of alien
intelligence agencies and safeguard them against sabotage, like the audacious
attack of Oct. 12, 2010 against a hidden Shehab-3 missile store at the
Revolutionary Guards Imam Ali base in northwest Iran. The consequences of this
attack were as destructive as the Stuxnet invasion.
It will be recalled that only when the Israeli Air Force struck the North
Korean-built plutonium reactor at A-Zur in northern Syria in Sept. 2007 was this
vital external link in Iran's nuclear program revealed. Tehran, Pyongyang and
Damascus resumed their nuclear collaboration in early 2009, debkafile's sources
disclose. Three or four secret military research centers are going up in Syria
at this moment, which is why Damascus denies International Atomic Energy Agency
inspectors access to suspect nuclear sites.
Western intelligence, including the Mossad, knows very little about Iran's
nuclear partnership with North Korea. An Iranian military nuclear mission has
been discovered based permanently in Pyongyang. It was substantially expanded in
recent weeks raising the suspicion in the US and Israel that a joint nuclear
test is planned to take place at the North Korean testing site in the course of
this year. If North Korea performed this service for Iran, Dagan's 2015 estimate
would no longer apply.
4. All the deadlines predicted for Iran's nuclear programs are therefore
problematic.
Early on in the last decade, in 2000, Western and Israeli intelligence
anticipated Iran would have a nuclear bomb or warhead by 2007. That year, the
timeline was pushed back to 2009 and then again to 2011. The gap has widened now
to 2015. However, there is no guarantee from any quarter that the latest
estimate is any more credible than the old ones and that Tehran is not capable
of throwing it awry by one stealthy ruse or another – this time not for another
delay but by jumping the gun
Iran: Foreign Insults Reveal Internal Crisis
09/01/2011/By Tariq Alhomayed/ Asharq Al-Awsat
One can find fabricated news about rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia,
and other regional states, published by the Iranian news agencies, as well as
talk about senior Saudi leadership – or other leaders in the region – planning
to visit Tehran. However at the same time, you will also find these same news
agencies publishing "insulting" and fabricated news items about Saudi Arabia and
other regional countries; this is something that has confused many of those
monitoring the situation, for how can this be explained?
One of those observing this situation asked me: isn't this escalation by the
Iranian media against Saudi Arabia strange? To which I replied that no, it
isn't! For this is not caused by Saudi Arabia, or the situation in Lebanon or
Iraq, or anything else, but rather this is caused by Tehran itself; the problem
is an internal Iranian one.
The evidence of this can be seen in the timing of Iran's [media] attack against
the leader of the Iraqiya bloc, Dr. Iyad Allawi. Many people have not paid
attention to the Iranian claims that Allawi previously sent a message to Tehran
presenting a package of proposals that he would implement should Iran agree to
him becoming Iraqi Prime Minister, which is something comprehensively denied by
the Iraqiya bloc. This attack [on Allawi] took place at the same time that
Iran's new acting Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi was visiting Iraq, during
which he issued a statement saying that Tehran looks forward to turning over a
new page in its relations with Iraq! Some people have promoted Salehi as
potentially being Iran's Davutoglu [Turkish Foreign Minister] in terms of being
able to resolve Tehran's problems with its neighbors, and when he was first
appointed acting Iranian Foreign Minister Salehi himself said that one of his
priorities would be to improve, or even restore, Iran's relations with Saudi
Arabia.
So how can we explain the situation today, with a new Iranian foreign minister
talking about restoring relations with Saudi Arabia, and this being his
priority, whilst at the same time the country he is representing has launched an
attack on Riyadh via media agencies affiliated to decision-makers in Tehran? How
can we understand this escalation against Allawi, and the Iranian Fars News
agency attacking him [in this manner], whilst at the same time the Iranian
foreign minister is speaking about turning over a new page in Tehran's relations
with Iraq, particularly in light of the fact that we are talking about Iranian
news agencies, rather than newspapers or television channels?
This means that the cause is not outside of Iran, but rather that this is an
internal Iranian problem. This indicates that what is happening in Tehran today
is not according to the orders of any single leadership, but rather that there
is a major political conflict taking place there over power, authority, and who
is in charge of what in Iran. This can also be seen in the news which has yet to
be explained with regards to [Iranian president] Ahmadinejad dismissing a number
of his advisers, and as is always the case in Iran, the analysis of the news is
more important than the news itself.
All the information points to the fact that this crisis is taking place within
Iran itself, and not abroad; this also means that Salehi is not capable of being
Iran's Davutoglu, for there is more than one leadership in Tehran, and so it
would be very difficult for Salehi to rebuild or restore any of his country's
foreign relations. Therefore, let's not worry about what is being leaked in Iran
[about foreign countries], we should instead focus upon what is happening
internally there, for when Iran intensifies its attack or insults against
foreign parties, all that this means is that there is an internal crisis taking
place there.
Millions start voting in South Sudan independence poll
09/01/2011/JUBA, Sudan (Reuters) – Millions of jubilant south Sudanese started
voting on Sunday in a long-awaited independence referendum that is expected to
see their war-ravaged region emerge as a new nation. Huge queues built up
outside polling stations before dawn in the southern capital Juba where banners
described the week-long ballot as a "Last March to Freedom" after decades of
civil war and perceived repression by north Sudan. "I am voting for separation,"
said Nhial Wier, a veteran of the north-south civil war that led up to the vote.
"This day marks the end of my struggles. In the army I was fighting for freedom.
I was fighting for separation."The referendum was promised in a 2005 peace deal
that ended Africa's longest civil war, fueled by oil and ethnicity, between the
mostly Muslim north and the south, where most people follow Christianity and
traditional beliefs.
In the north, the prospect of losing a quarter of the country's land mass -- and
the source of most of its oil -- has been greeted with resignation and some
resentment.
Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who campaigned for unity in the run-up
to the vote, has been making increasingly conciliatory comments and this month
promised to join independence celebrations, if that was the outcome.
U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday said a peaceful, orderly referendum
could help put Sudan back on a path toward normal relations with the United
States after years of sanctions but warned a chaotic vote will mean more
isolation. Southern president Salva Kiir urged long lines of voters to be
patient after casting his ballot at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT).
"I believe Doctor John (Garang) and all those who died with him are with us
today and I want to assure them they have not died in vain," he said, referring
to the southern rebel leader who died in a helicopter crash months after signing
the accord.
Juba and Khartoum already looked liked the capitals of two different countries
on Sunday.
In Juba, actor George Clooney and U.S. Senator John Kerry mingled with dancing
and singing crowds. Voters waiting outside one polling station burst into a
rendition of the hymn "This is the day that the Lord has made."
"It is something to see people actually voting for their freedom. That's not
something you see often in your life," Clooney told Reuters.
In Khartoum voting centres were empty, and southern districts were quiet -- tens
of thousands of exiled southerners have returned for the vote. There were no
banners acknowledging the historic referendum.
ALL VOTE MATERIALS DELIVERED
The vote's organising commission told Reuters it had defied gloomy forecasts of
delays to deliver all voting materials on time for Sunday's deadline.
The logistical achievements have not been matched by political progress.
Southerners went to the polls without knowing the exact position of their border
with the north or how much of Sudan's debt they will have to shoulder after a
split.
The two sides have been locked in negotiations for months over how they might
share out oil revenues -- the lifeblood of both their economies -- and settle
other issues after secession. There is no public sign of progress.
The south also will have to face up to its own internal ethnic rivalries and
resolve a bitter dispute with the north over the ownership of the central Abyei
region, where there were reports of clashes involving Arab nomads on Friday and
Saturday.
Still, north and south proceeded to the referendum while drawing a line under
more than half a century of fighting.
"The risk is always there. There is always lots of tinder about and there are a
lot of unresolved issues, including Abyei," said Derek Plumbly, chairman of the
Assessment and Evaluation Commission that monitors the north-south peace deal.
"But neither side really wants to go back to war. I believe they will find their
way through."
How will Israel's new strategic leadership deal with Iran?
09.01.11/Haaretz/By Amos Harel
The departing chief of the Mossad, Meir Dagan, signed off last week with a clear
and unequivocal message to the public: The Iranian nuclear threat is far from
ripe. Israel and the international community still have plenty to do to
undermine it, and a military assault is not the right solution.
One may assume the Israeli leadership, especially the prime minister, know
Dagan's position on the matter. But his departure allowed us, for the first time
and despite the partial cover of the censor, to get a better and more detailed
idea of his approach to the nuclear problem. Perhaps this was a Bibi-bypass
maneuver on Dagan's part; by making his position public, Dagan has written a
warning firmly on his name. This, to a significant degree, is his legacy: The
warning of the great risks of a war (twice injured, he has a close and personal
knowledge of such a price ), and the understanding that before setting out on a
military campaign, the leaders must use all alternative means to remove the
threat.
For journalists, Dagan was almost inaccessible throughout his Mossad term. He
kept mum for eight years and four months. It seems the tremendous weight of the
Iranian issue and the consequences of a decision to attack made him set aside
his long-term reservations about journalism.
Readers of the weekend papers would find that the publications are surprisingly
well-versed in what the head of the secret service had to say. Dagan spoke "in
closed discussions," "in a round of departure talks," "in documents leaked to
Wikileaks."
The same expressions and observations are repeated. Dagan believes war would be
justified only when Israel has "a sword at its neck, literally cutting into the
flesh." Even in the worst-case scenario, Iran would not obtain nuclear weapons
before 2015. The arguments against an Israeli attack are known: It would make
the Iranian people rally around the regime, would make Israeli-American
relations extremely difficult and could result in a war, in which the Israeli
home front will be bombed by thousands of rockets and missiles from Iran,
Lebanon and Gaza. The IDF would find it very difficult to achieve a decisive
victory in such a war.
So what does Dagan suggest, according to those conversations documented on
Wikileaks? The joint move conception, stalling the Iranian project instead of
going to war. Dagan is preaching for a shared global effort that includes,
alongside tightening the sanctions, stopping the purchase of parts essential for
the progress of the nuclear program, encouraging the Iranian opposition, and, of
course, covert operations. The very fact of a significant delay to the Iranian
plan (considering Israeli intelligence originally estimated the Iranians would
have the bomb by 2007 ), would seem to testify some of this is already being
carried out.
Even after his retirement, Dagan's warning will continue to echo in the forum of
seven key cabinet ministers, and in the public sphere. Those exposed to his
arguments will find it difficult to ignore their logic, and the assertive tone
in which they were made. It now remains to be seen whether Chief of Staff Gabi
Ashkenazi and Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin, Dagan's partners in the realist
alliance in Israel's strategic leadership, will make a similar move when they
retire - Ashkenazi in February and Diskin in May.
The positions their heirs take are even more important. What will be said by the
next chief of staff, Yoav Gallant, new Mossad chief Tamir Pardo and Y, Diskin's
deputy and apparent heir? Will they maintain the united front of their
predecessors? How much clout will they have with the political leadership? The
answers to these questions will have more influence than any other on Israel's
strategic reality in the years ahead.