LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
December 08/2011


Bible Quotation for today/Jesus Warns against the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees
Matthew 23/01-12: " Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples. The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees are the authorized interpreters of Moses' Law. So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do; do not, however, imitate their actions, because they don't practice what they preach.  They tie onto people's backs loads that are heavy and hard to carry, yet they aren't willing even to lift a finger to help them carry those loads. They do everything so that people will see them. Look at the straps with scripture verses on them which they wear on their foreheads and arms, and notice how large they are! Notice also how long are the tassels on their cloaks! They love the best places at feasts and the reserved seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have people call them Teacher. You must not be called Teacher, because you are all equal and have only one Teacher. And you must not call anyone here on earth Father, because you have only the one Father in heaven. Nor should you be called Leader, because your one and only leader is the Messiah. The greatest one among you must be your servant. Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great.


Latest analysis, editorials, studies, reports, letters & Releases from miscellaneous sources
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Speech of December 06/11
Rape Of the Syrian People/By: Hazem Saghiyeh/December 7/11
In Syria crisis, Turkey is caught between Iran and a hard place/By Zvi Bar'el/November 07/11
Ashoura/The girls who “hit Haidar/By: Ana Maria Luca and Nadine Elali/November 07/11

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for November 07/11
US diplomatic bid to defuse Syrian trigger for regional war
Assad: UN report on Syria crimes against humanity not credible

Feltman arrives in Lebanon, holds talks with PM
Feltman Meets Miqati at Grand Serail
Maronite Bishops Warn of Spread of Syrian Unrest to Lebanon
Ghalioun warns Iran, says Hezbollah let down Syrian opposition
March 14 slams Hezbollah, Amal over Zahrani ‘piracy’
Liban Lait Owner Kidnapped at Gunpoint in Bekaa
Aoun Says his Bloc’s Ministers to Attend Cabinet Session but Leaves Door Open to All Options

Lebanese businessman kidnapped in Bekaa
Rifi gets Arab 'Man of the Year 2011' award
Report: Iran May Transfer Intelligence from U.S. Drone to Hizbullah
Egypt's Islamists claim most seats in run-off vote
Police: Lebanese ex-Miss USA was above legal alcohol limit
Britain Says Syria's Isolation Will Intensify

Iran's Guards on war footing – London. Spy drone capture is US, Israel setback
 
UAE leader: Israel would destroy Iran if attacked
Former top IDF officer: Israel will have to take military action against Gaza terror
Barak Says Israel Tracking Possible Transfer of Hizbullah Arms from Syria
Israel says Syrian rocket tests show regime's fear
Nasrallah Makes Rare Appearance, Says Party’s Arsenal Growing in Numbers
Aoun: We Haven’t Decided if We Will Participate in Wednesday’s Cabinet Session
March 14 challenges Hezbollah to face-off on 'false witnesses'
Report: STL Delegation in Lebanon ‘Soon’ to Inquire about Suspects
Australia expands Iran sanctions amid nuclear concerns
Ghalioun: Regime’s only enemy is people of Syria

Al-Assad pursuing “scorched earth” policy against Syrian protesters – SNC leader
US tells Syria to protect diplomats as envoy returns
Canada Condemns Attacks in Afghanistan on Day of Ashura
Inside Syria: Soldiers defecting to join rebels

Syria wants sanctions lifted in return for observers
Economic sanctions on Syria double-edged sword
Why Iran might be worried by Hillary Clinton's meeting with Syria exiles
As US Ambassador Ford returns, Syria deteriorates
Clinton tells opposition Syria must be free

Palestinian militant killed, 2 wounded in Israeli airstrike on mortar crews
Saudi may join nuclear arms race: ex-spy chief


US diplomatic bid to defuse Syrian trigger for regional war

DEBKAfile Exclusive Report/December 7, 2011/Tuesday, Dec. 6, the US, France and Britain went into concerted diplomatic action to contain the Syrian crisis before it detonated a regional conflict and deteriorated into civil strife more horrendous and dangerous than the Iraq war. At the same time, Syria and its neighbors have sharply intensified their war preparations, fully expecting diplomacy to fail. debkafile’s military and Washington sources report their pessimism emanates from the conviction in the region that even if Bashar Assad and his family pretend to cooperate, they will fight to the last Syrian before they actually relax their grip on government.
The US and allies launched their bid for a negotiated end to the Syrian impasse launched last week. A number of Western agents infiltrated Syria from Lebanon and Jordan and entered the embattled cities of Homs, Hama and Idlib in the north, Deir al-Zour and Abu Kemal in the east and Daraa in the south. Their mission was to unite the deeply divided opposition factions and local rebels into a coherent front. The Assad regime chose to turn a blind eye.
Building on that groundwork, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called together Tuesday, Dec. 6, in Geneva the leaders of Syrian opposition groups operating in different European capitals, as well as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, and urged them to overcome their differences and back the US-Western peace initiative.
She explained, our sources disclosed, that the administration had resolved to up the diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Bashar Assad. President Barack Obama, Clinton announced, had personally instructed all parts of the American administration to starting referring to his regime as the “Assad gang.”
On Wednesday, Dec. 7, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman was due in Beirut to set up a base of operations there after coordinating the American step with Israel's government and military leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
As part of the drive for negotiations, Washington and Paris returned their ambassadors to Damascus after an absence of six weeks. Their task is to open direct channels to President Assad and sound him out on their proposal for him to accept an orderly transition of power in order to avert a regional war and save his country from plunging further in to civil strife.
The US and French Presidents Obama and Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron are of one mind about pursuing diplomacy for ending Assad's rule even though not the slightest sign of willingness to cooperate has come from the presidential palace in Damascus. Even the Arab League's proposal to send monitors into Syria met with conditions that were deemed tantamount to a rejection. ,
This initiative has had no effect on the hectic military preparations going forward in the region in anticipation of an imminent outbreak of armed hostilities.
The Syrian armed forces staged a large-scale war game Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-4, in the eastern part of the country.
Israel Defense Forces reciprocated by organizing an extensive exercise of the 51st Battalion of the Golan Brigade on the Golan border with Syria Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Both practiced tactics for repelling invading foreign forces and moving the battle into enemy territory.
The Syrian security and military leadership turned out in full to observe the Syrian armed forces' performance, while on the Israeli side, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz
were in conspicuous attendance – as were TV cameras on both sides of the border.
The Israeli army spokesman uncharacteristically made a point of highlighting a visit Minister for Home Front Defense Matan Vilnai paid Tuesday to the Haifa oil refineries to inspect Israel's emergency fuel reserve. He announced that a battery of the home-made anti-missile Iron Dome may be posted at the refineries.
Tuesday also saw unusual activity in the Lebanese capital: Hizballah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah emerged from his bunker after three and-a-half years to declare before a Shiite audience assembled for the Ashura ceremonies that Hizballah’s support for Bashar Assad is absolute.
In his capacity has leader of Iran's Lebanese Shiite surrogate, he pledged that Hizballah would provide the regime in Damascus with all the help it required.

Maronite Bishops Warn of Spread of Syrian Unrest to Lebanon
Naharnet /The Maronite Bishops Council voiced its fears on Wednesday over the various security incidents that have taken place in Lebanon, stressing that the country’s sovereignty should not be undermined. It expressed in a statement after its monthly meeting its concern of the possibility of the unrest in Syria spreading to Lebanon. “Showing solidarity with Arab causes does not take place through dragging regional tensions and divisions to Lebanon,” it said after its meeting, which was headed by Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi. The country can show solidarity with them through committing to the principles of the National Pact, it continued. The Maronite bishops also welcomed Lebanon’s decision to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, saying that it helped avert a confrontation with the international community.They hoped that the government would now focus its attention to the people’s daily concerns now that the dispute over the funding has been resolved.
The dispute over the funding created further division between the rival March 8 and 14 camps with the former opposing the funding and the latter warning that Lebanon’s failure to abide by its international commitment may lead it to a confrontation with the international community.

Iran's Guards on war footing – London. Spy drone capture is US, Israel setback

DEBKAfile Special Report /December 6, 2011/ Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has placed the Revolutionary Guards on a war footing amid fears that the West and Israel are about to attack their nuclear program, the London Telegraph, which has good ties with British intelligence, reported early Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Monday, debkafile reported increasing indications that the Middle East is set for war, including an attack on Iran, between mid-December 2011 and mid-January 2012.
In obedience to Khamenei's directive to take all necessary measures to protect the regime, the Guards chief Gen. Mohammed Ali Jaafari has raised the operational readiness status of the country's forces in preparation for external strikes and covert attacks. He ordered Iran's arsenal of long-range Shahab missiles redistributed to secret sites around the country where they would be safe from enemy attack and could be used to launch retaliatory strikes; Guards units scattered to preset defense lines and air force "rapid reaction units" deployed after carrying out extensive exercises for responding to an enemy air attack on nuclear and strategic military targets.
Saturday, Dec. 3, Israel's defense minister Ehud Barak, when asked about a covert war against Iran, denied it was taking place. Twenty-hours later, this clandestine war peaked in a major coup for Iran, its capture of the sophisticated US RQ-170 Sentinel stealth reconnaissance drone. Tehran reported that, apart from slight damage, the aircraft was shot down complete with all its top-secret electronic systems in working condition.
An American military source confirmed that Iran had the RQ-170, but added there was "absolutely no indication the drone was shot down."
This leads to the conclusion that the Iranians were able to control the drone from a distance (over Afghanistan) and guide it across the border to land to Iran, say debkafile's military sources. The slight damage would then apply to the wings and may have been caused when it was brought in to land by an Iranian crew unused to handling an electronic warfare craft.
Our sources add that possession of the drone is more than just a major intelligence coup for Tehran; it has acquired an important military edge before any overt military operation has been launched. Western and Israeli war planners now have cause to fear that Iran has penetrated the heart of their most secret intelligence and electronic technological hardware for striking its nuclear infrastructure. If Tehran is capable of reaching out and guiding an American stealth drone into landing from a distance, it may also be able to control the systems of other aircraft, manned or unmanned.
This feat recalls Hizballah's surprise attack on an Israeli missile boat in the 2006 Lebanon war when its Chinese-made shore-to-ship C-802 missile was enabled by Iranian-manned coastal radar interference to override the ship's advanced electronic defense systems and so put the Israeli Navy out of action within range of the Lebanese coast. According to an expert quoted by the Telegraph's senior military commentator Con Coughlin, the campaign of assassinations, cyber war and sabotage of recent weeks "looks like the 21st century form of war.

Rape Of the Syrian People

Hazem Saghiyeh, December 6, 2011
Now Lebanon
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=339871
Let us take for granted all the pretexts invoked by the Syrian regime, i.e. that it is targeted by an Arab, Turkish and Western conspiracy, that some assassins, troublemakers and collaborators are igniting strife and that the real target is Syria's rejectionist stance and its support for the Resistance.
Still, one thing remains, which can hardly be glossed over: Why rape men, women and youths in Syrian prisons according to the official report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Syria?
We shall read this paragraph of the report and keep to ourselves the anger and disgust we may – or may not – feel: “Many former detainees reported cases of hitting [detainees] on their genitalia, forcible oral sex, electrocution and cigarette burns on the anus in detention facilities, including those of the Air Force Intelligence in Damascus, the military Intelligence in Jisr al-Shughur, the Military Intelligence and Political Security in Edleb and Latakia and Intelligence services in Tartous.”
Do these actions not provide, as such, enough cause to topple the regime?
This “rape policy” is based, among other things, on sowing aggression and predominance between the rapist and the rape victim and on breaking the victim now and in the future. When this act is perpetrated by a “regime,” rape grants this regime a bodily and biological edge over the people it rules, not to mention the psychological cracks inflicted upon them. Indeed, the regime is not only acting as an owner [of the people] entitled to exert the maximum amount of control, platitude and destruction on those it rules, but also showing off its sadistic wishes and fantasies in a victorious manner.
Much has been written about rape and its significance. However, one merely needs to say that a side, which suffered such a “defeat,” and one, which has scored such a “victory” cannot possibly coexist, even using such means and tools.
In this sense, the regime is sending the following message to the people: I want to live with you only in your capacity as raped people whose bodily violation represents the culmination of countless violations affecting your freedom, job, education, etc. This message actually recommends rape in prisons where power and strength are on one side and total weakness on the other. Yet the uprising also conveys another counter-message from the people to the regime, namely: We cannot live with you because you can only exist as a rapist.
Note: Al-Dunia TV and possibly even sympathizing Lebanese channels will probably question this “colonizing” report. Who knows? Fatwas may even be issued, holding those who were raped responsible!
This article is a translation of the original, which was posted on the NOW Arabic site on Monday December 5, 2011

Ghalioun: Regime’s only enemy is people of Syria

December 6, 2011
Head of the Syrian National Council (SNC) Burhan Ghalioun said in an interview published on Tuesday that “the Syrian regime’s only enemy is the Syrian people.”
“The Syrian regime is engaged in a fierce battle with its people, and it is continuing to commit crimes and massacres that are leading it to the abyss,” Ghalioun told As-Sharq al-Awasat newspaper.
Ghalioun called on all politicians, military leaders, diplomatic missions and ambassadors to overthrow “the decaying regime because the moment of truth is near.”
He also pledged that “each of the above will have a role to play in the post-regime phase.”
The SNC chief noted that “the [number of] desertions from the army and security forces is augmenting,” and called on all members of the military and security services to defect.
Ghalioun also said that he expects the Syrian regime’s confrontation with the people to only last for a few more months, “especially that financial and military resources of the regime are diminishing.”
“Those who will seize power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime will preserve the state with all its institutions and separate between the regime and the state. The Syrian state belongs to the Syrian people who will work together to protect and modernize it,” the SNC leader also said.
More than 4,000 have died in the Syrian regime's continuing crackdown on dissent and protests which erupted in mid-March, according to the United Nations.
-NOW Lebanon

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Speech of December 06/11

Now Lebanon
On December 6, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered a speech on the occasion of the Shia commemoration of Ashura.
“We would like to point out that this nation’s main threat is the US/Israeli project. The biggest thieves of our resources are the US and Israel. Our people must be aware of this reality and not be deceived by the Americans. Those hypocrites, [the US], we know their history and their support for dictatorships. The US would renounce [its alliances] with [statesmen] if people turn against them. This is a characteristic of the devil. Did we not hear US President Barack Obama say a few days ago that his administration has provided plenty [of services] to the Israelis? US intelligence rings have become agents that serve Israel and its security. The US administration is the one occupying the Palestinian territories. It is responsible for the detention and displacement of hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank. Israel is the tool of the US against the Arabs and the Muslims, it is America’s spearhead against the Arabs and Muslims.
Secondly, in this context, the US administration – after the failure of its New Middle East project [thanks] to the Resistance – is [taking advantage] of the uprisings [in the Arab World] by inciting sectarianism. We must all respect each other’s shrines. Thirdly, concerning Jerusalem, the [Israelis] take decisions every day to build thousands of settlements. Our fear is that Israel would take advantage of the Arabs being distracted by their own affairs to achieve its aims. The people should be more aware. Palestine should be the main cause, regardless of the conflicts occurring in any country.
In addition, concerning the choices of the Arab people, today the people in Tunisia and in Libya triumphed against their tyrants. In Yemen, the challenge is still ongoing and there are some who are trying to incite sectarianism. In Bahrain, the people are still trying to peacefully make demands regardless of the oppression. In Egypt, there were plenty developments that shook Israel. Any transformation in Egypt will limit the options of Israel in the region, and this is the challenge ahead of the Egyptian elections. Our hope is that the Arab people will not be deceived by the Americans. These Americans failed and are still failing. In Iraq, we will witness in the coming days a complete withdrawal of US [troops]. They [Americans] did not enter Iraq to leave it, but the heroic resistance in Iraq and its struggle forced the US to choose to withdraw. What happened in Iraq is a real defeat [for the US]. The jihadist and resistance forces must celebrate this triumph. The Iraqi people and resistance have achieved a historical triumph.
When the US is defeated in Iraq, it means [the US] can be beaten and can lose anywhere else in the world. But the Americans are trying to [distract] the public. Notice that there is no media coverage of the US’ withdrawal from Iraq. It is the responsibility of all resistance forces to show this defeat of the US. The Iraqi people were able to defeat the strongest army in the world. This army was beaten in a few years. [We should be] aware of the post-Iraqi US pullout phase.
We will talk about Syria now. We are with making reforms there, and we say yes to fighting corruption in Syria and to the demands of the people. But there are those who do not want peace and stability in Syria. There are some who want to compensate for their loss in Iraq by changing the status quo in Syria. The so-called Syrian National Council is headed by a university professor named Burhan Ghaliyoun. A few days ago, he says that if he comes to power, he will cut ties with Iran and the resistance forces, [including] Hezbollah. So who really benefits from this?
Some of the [opposition] leaders who think they belong to Islamic movements in Syria hinted that they want to cross the border and come to Lebanon to fight the Resistance and put an end to it. What they want for Syria is to make a regime that would surrender to the US and Israel. And if there are people who are protesting for reforms, we tell them to be careful [because] they are being used to serve this project. In all cases, this has made us more convinced of our beliefs. We call for peace in Syria, and we condemn all forms of sectarianism. We tell [our rivals] that fleets arrived on the shore of Lebanon, and they were destroyed.
Concerning Lebanon, we cannot deal with the developments separately of what is going on in the region. We insist on peace and on avoiding sectarian [tension] in Lebanon. They accuse Hezbollah of being responsible for everything that happens in this country. This means that [our rivals] are obsessing about Hezbollah. We should be patient my brothers and sisters. There are some who want to incite strife in Lebanon, but we must deal with it by being patient. We also reiterate the call to achieve justice and tackle in the cabinet the file of witnesses who gave unreliable testimonies [to the international commission investigating ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s 2005 murder].
The most important thing remains the Israeli threat. Whether by spy rings or by uncovering spy devices [planted in Lebanon]. This is why we reiterate our commitment to the formula of “Army, People and Resistance” to defend Lebanon. We tell all those who are gambling on change and conspiring [against us], the Resistance, God willing, will remain and keep going. The [conspiracies] will not be able to get to the Resistance. Day by day, we increase in numbers, train more and acquire more weapons.
Concerning [our] arms, there are contradictions. Some say that the Resistance’s arms are a source of instability in the country. But what are the arms that cause strife and instability? All the Lebanese know that [everyone] has Kalashnikovs, firearms and grenades. Has anyone seen rockets fired against anyone in Lebanon? All parties are armed in Lebanon. Those who even think of disarming [us], i.e. taking away [our] missiles or naval capacities are seeking to serve Israel. Some [members] of [the March 14 coalition], through the calls for dialogue, want to achieve what Israel was not able to accomplish. But this will not happen. We have resisted [the Israelis] with our modest capacity and without the [help] of the international community, and we have retrieved the land and the detainees.
We are tens of thousands in Lebanon who are trained to fight and to [die]. We are a power that is still [underestimated] by the enemy. We are still and will always be [unknown to the enemy]. We are a power a power that will surprise the enemy. This is why we say, the time to assault our beliefs has ended. We tell Imam [Hussein]: ‘Just like you preferred to be killed to defend your [beliefs], so do we.’ Peace and mercy be upon Imam [Hussein] and you.”

US tells Syria to protect diplomats as envoy returns

December 6, 2011
Now Lebanon
The White House on Tuesday warned Syria to uphold its obligation to protect diplomats after announcing it was sending US Ambassador Robert Ford back to Damascus to show solidarity with demonstrators.
"We expect the Syrian government to uphold its obligations to protect diplomatic personnel and facilities under the Vienna Convention and allow our Foreign Service officers to conduct their work free of intimidation or obstacles," White House spokesperson Jay Carney said.
Ford left Syria abruptly in late October, after visiting protest hubs and drawing the ire of the Syrian government, because of what Washington described as security threats.
But the Obama administration announced he would return to Damascus on Tuesday evening, saying he had completed his consultations in Washington, as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held talks in Europe with prominent Syrian dissidents.
"His return demonstrates our continued solidarity with the Syrian people and the value we place on Ford's efforts to engage Syrians on their efforts to achieve a peaceful and democratic transition," Carney said in a statement.
"We believe his presence in the country is among the most effective ways to send a message to the Syrian people that the United States stands in solidarity with them.”
France also said on Tuesday that it had returned its ambassador to Syria, which has been rocked by months of violence against the government of President Bashar al-Assad in the latest manifestation of Arab Spring uprisings.
In late September Assad supporters tried to attack Ford and embassy staff as they visited a Syrian opposition leader in Damascus.
Pro-regime demonstrators damaged US vehicles and pelted the group with tomatoes but did not hurt Ford or his staff, Washington said.
The United States, which has called for Assad to step down, welcomes what it sees as the growing isolation of his regime, particularly after the 22-member Arab League and non-Arab Turkey imposed sanctions.More than 4,000 people have been killed in the crackdown which erupted in March, according to United Nations estimates.
-AFP/NOW Lebanon

The girls who “hit Haidar”

By: Ana Maria Luca and Nadine Elali/Now Lebanon
December 6, 2011
Once a year, on Ashura, the streets of the southern Lebanese town of Nabatieh fill with the sour, rusty smell of blood mixed with grilled meat and oranges, as thousands of people dressed in black make their way to the central square to mourn.
Ashura, the tenth day the mourning period for slain Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, is a the festival of blood in Nabatieh, one of the few places in the world where the Shia men and children shave their heads, cut their foreheads and let their blood flow for the imam.
In the sea of men dressed in white who have been cutting themselves every year since the fall of the Ottoman Empire, when the Shia gained the right to practice their rituals, a few young women with bleeding foreheads stand out.
“Let’s go hit Haidar,” say the young men in white capes. They stand in contrast to the other attendees who wear black to mourn but who do not perform the bloody ritual. “Hitting Haidar” is the popular name of the bloodletting ritual in which the young men cut the skin on their foreheads and hit it with swords to make it bleed more while chanting “Haidar! Haidar!”—which means lion in old Arabic, one of the nicknames of Imam Ali, the prophet’s son and Imam Hussein’s father.
Groups of 10 to 20 men and young boys covered in blood do their short Ashura round, circling the town’s market, while professional actors hired by the municipality get ready to reenact the imam’s slaying in the Battle of Karbala in the 7th century. Most women, dressed in black, stand on the side of the streets and turn their heads with horror at the sight of so much blood. But for the young men and children who take part in the bloodletting, the ritual is an honor.
“I am doing it for Imam Hussein for his sacrifice. It is my sacrifice for him, I’m doing this since I was six,” 12-year-old Ali, who just finished his round, tells NOW Lebanon as he rushes giggling toward the Red Cross tent to wait in line to get stitched.
Zeinab, a 20-year-old divorced woman who came all the way from Tyre for the ritual, stops and smiles, her face covered with blood and beaming with pride. “Yes, I did the Haidar cut,” she explains calmly. “It’s the third year I do this, and I do it for Hussein. It is for my nadr, my promise. I promised God I would do this,” she says, adding that when her 2-year-old son is a little older, she will also do the “Haidar cut” for him in honor of the imam’s sacrifice.
Her 17-year-old sister, Khouloud, catches up with her, a trickle of dried blood coming out from under her hijab. “Not many women do this; you need some courage. But it’s our right, there shouldn’t be discrimination. Right now I feel stronger than a man,” the teenager says.
Once, the Ashura bloodletting ritual, which even inspires controversy among the Shia clerics in the same town, was only performed by part of the men. But as time went by, a few young women also started participate. “It’s somehow similar to Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrificing his son for God. We just cut ourselves to show our grief,” 25-year-old newly married Zeinab tells NOW Lebanon. The woman has no veil and wears full make-up. She explains that her faith is not about appearances. “I don’t put on a veil, but I just hit Haidar as my nadr,” she says, while her husband, who has no trace of blood on his face nods in approval of his wife’s words.
Ghinwa, a 20-year-old hairdresser, walks along with a group of men who are chanting, and holds hands with her best friend, Zeina, a kindergarten teacher. Zeina only accompanied her friend to the procession, but did not perform the bloodletting ritual like Ghinwa because her parents don’t agree with it. “I am not afraid. If my parents allowed it, I would have done it too,” she says, explaining that she prayed and went to recite the story of Imam Hussein every day since the beginning of the mourning period. “I would teach any child to be a good believer and do the Haidar cut. It’s the least we can do to honor his sacrifice,” she says.
By noon, the re-enactment of the Karbala battle ends and the crowd dissipates, leaving behind the bloody pavement and the sour stench of blood. “Now the municipality will have to clean for three days,” a Nabatieh resident says.
In three days’ time Nabatieh will host another march. Hezbollah members, who refuse to participate in the bloodletting ritual, organize another parade to commemorate the day Imam Hussein’s sister received the martyr’s head from his slayers.


Clinton tells opposition Syria must be free
By REBECCA ANNA STOIL, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDEN
12/07/2011 04:01
US ambassador is returning to Damascus; secretary of state meets with Syrian opposition in Geneva
WASHINGTON – After weeks of relative silence, the US State Department sent strong signals of support Tuesday to the Syrian opposition, returning Ambassador Robert Ford to Damascus with a message of support to the anti-Assad forces.
State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner announced Tuesday morning that Ford has completed his consultations in Washington and is returning to Syria.“He will continue the work he was doing previously, namely, delivering the United States’ message to the people of Syria, providing reliable reporting on the situation on the ground and engaging with the full spectrum of Syrian society on how to end the bloodshed and achieve a peaceful political transition,” Toner said. “We believe his presence in the country is among the most effective ways to send the message that the United States stands with the people of Syria.”
Minutes after Toner’s announcement, the department distributed remarks made Tuesday by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a Geneva, Switzerland meeting of the Syrian National Council – a coalition of opposition parties including the Muslim Brotherhood, Kurdish activists and the Assyrian Democratic Organization. The SNC is one of two anti- Assad coalitions, and is seen frequently as exile-oriented and more right-wing than the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change.
Speaking before the group at the Intercontinental Hotel, Clinton complimented the work that the organization has done in preparing a paper on democratic transition.
“A democratic transition includes more than removing the Assad regime,” Clinton told the group. “It means setting Syria on the path of the rule of law and protecting the universal rights of all citizens regardless of sect or ethnicity or gender.”
Clinton said that during her meeting with the group, they planned to discuss “the work that the Council is doing to ensure that their plan is to reach out to all minorities, to counter the regime’s divide-and-conquer approach, which pits ethnic and religious groups against one another.”
Clinton called for Syrians to unite against Assad, saying that if they did so “they together can succeed in moving their country to that better future.”
“We are well aware that there is a lot of hard work to be done,” said Clinton. “There are many Syrians in exile who are committed to helping their country make this transition.
And there are many Syrians in their homes and neighborhoods and communities who are struggling against the violence and the repression to realize that better future as well. I think Syrians both in exile and inside Syria are behaving with great courage and commitment and are inspired and motivated by the aspirations of freedom and democracy that are sweeping the Arab world.”
The SNC has urged the three-month-old Free Syrian Army of defectors to limit itself to protecting civilians and not take the offensive against state security.
But the rebel force is attacking army convoys and bases.
On Tuesday, clashes erupted between army defectors and security forces in the town of Dael in southern Deraa province, the activist Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
“There were raids and arrests... and random gunfire and stun grenades exploding to terrify the people,” it said. All telephone lines and mobile phone connections were cut off.
The Syrian news agency earlier reported the funerals of seven army and police members killed in fighting with armed rebels. Syria says the latter are “terrorists” organized and financed from abroad.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis have stalled and Syria is now the target of international economic sanctions and a travel ban on VIPs close to the government.
Syria has said it may sign up to a peace plan by the 22-member Arab League, which calls for forces to be withdrawn to barracks and Arab observers allowed into the country.
But it says, as a precondition, the Arab League would have to revoke economic sanctions it imposed earlier this month and unblock Syria’s frozen membership of the League.
On Tuesday, the official Syrian news agency SANA reported Syrian border guards blocked an infiltration attempt from Turkey by about 35 “armed terrorists.”
It said some of those who came over the border were wounded and escaped back to Turkey where they received aid from the Turkish army. The wounded were transported in Turkish military vehicles, SANA said.
“The border guards forces suffered no injuries or losses. They warned they would stop anyone who even thinks of touching Syria’s security or its citizens,” SANA said.
Relations between Syria and Turkey have disintegrated since Syria began using force to suppress the revolt. Turkey has said a buffer zone may be required on its 900 km. border with Syria if the violence causes a mass exodus of Syrians.
Assad still has significant support in Syria despite nearly nine months of unrest in which more than 4,000 people have been killed according to the UN. Many Syrians have not taken sides, fearing chaos or sectarian war.
Reuters contributed to this report.

Economic sanctions on Syria double-edged sword

DAMASCUS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The economic sanctions imposed by the Arab League (AL) on Syria are viewed by many observers as attempts to step up pressure on the Syrian government, but fears increase that the impacts would harm interests of other countries as much as that would affect Syria.
Some Syrian officials and economists said the sanctions would have minor impact on Syria's self-sufficient economy, but would provide a chance for the Syrian industrialists' self-reliance and self-improvement.
Syrian Vice Transport Minister Mahmoud Zanboua told Xinhua that the sanctions on Syria's import will encourage the local production as local products will enjoy an exclusive market without competition.
Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammed Kayed said recently that his country would be badly affected by the sanctions against Syria and had asked the AL to exclude the sectors of trade and aviation from the sanctions.
According to Jordanian Minister of Industry and Trade Sami Qammo, Jordan's trade volume with Syria since 2000 has amounted to about seven billion U.S. dollars, including two billion dollars of exports to Syrian and five billion dollars of imports from Syria. Turkey, Syria's northern neighbor and one of the staunchest supporters of sanctions against Syria, would be the only loser after Syria abrogate the free trade zone agreement between the two countries, said Hamdi al-Abdallah, an economic analyst. The Syrian government announced on Sunday that it had decided to suspend the free trade zone agreement in retaliation for the recent Turkish economic sanctions. Mohammad Habash, a Syrian parliamentarian and moderate Islamic scholar, told Xinhua that many Syrian industrialists were glad of the decision, saying that the agreement was designed by the former Syrian government "for the bourgeois class that was achieving its goals on the shoulders of the poor and the underclass."
Syria's official news agency SANA reported Tuesday that the trade volume between Syria and Turkey leapt from 400 million dollars in 2004 to 2.2 billion dollars in 2010, and Turkey's share was about 70 percent. Lebanon and Iraq, another two major trade partners of Syria, have been more vigilant about the affects of the sanctions on their economies. The two countries did not vote in favor of the sanctions during the AL meeting last week. The trade volume between Syria and Iraq was two billion dollars in 2010 and is expected to reach up to three billion dollars by the end of this year, and about one-third of the Syrian exports went to Iraq, SANA said. Lebanon said it could not take part in the sanctions against Syria because the latter is its only land passage to the Gulf states.
Syrian Economic Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar said one day after the AL approved the sanctions that the sanctions were a " dangerous precedent that would eventually have profound impacts on the Syrian citizen."However, "We will depend on our economic resources and strengthen them," he said.
Khaldoun al-Mouaqe, head of the Syrian side of the Syrian- Egyptian Business Council, underscored the necessity of exceptional decisions to facilitate the flow of Syrian goods via all land and maritime border crossings "to comply with the exceptional stage Syria is passing through." He also pressed for the need to form an economic crisis team that has full executive prerogatives to handle the current situation and be the real decision maker. He said the team should have the power to implement decisions at the appropriate time and in accordance with urgent and new developments.

In Syria crisis, Turkey is caught between Iran and a hard place
Ankara has become the main foreign patron for Syrian opposition groups seeking to overthrow Assad. Iran, which has influence over both countries, is not happy.
By Zvi Bar'el/Haaretz
We have agreed that the free Syrian army will not carry out any independent attacks against the Syrian regime," Ahmed Ramadan, one of the heads of the Syrian National Council, the chief opposition group, stated with satisfaction after meeting with the commander of the Free Syrian Army. "The commander of the free army, Col. Riyad al-Asad, agreed with us that the Syrian protest movement will continue to be a civilian movement and that the free army would open fire only to defend civilians or in cases of danger to life."
It is not clear whether this agreement - arrived at last Wednesday during a secret meeting in Turkey - will last. It was the first such meeting between the National Council and the free Syrian army, which until now have not worked together, and it seems that the leaders are trying to set up a joint opposition council so that they can close ranks and offer a unified plan of action.
The fear of the National Council - which includes 200 opposition members led by Burhan Ghalioun, a Syrian intellectual living in Paris - is that wildcat attacks like the strike on the Air Force Intelligence base at Harasta near Damascus on November 17 and the attacks on Syrian army convoys, could play into the hands of the regime, which has been trying since the beginning of the uprising to prove that it is fighting a legitimate war against armed gangs. Another concern is that the establishment of "a military arm" of the protest movement could eventually lead to an internal power struggle between different sections of the opposition and divert the struggle against the regime to the struggle between the various opposition groups.
Asad, an engineer and a member of the Syrian air force who defected to set up the free army at the end of July, now has 15,000 soldiers under his command. He is hoping for a leadership position in the new Syria. The army he has put together has 11 battalions that are operating in large towns across Syria. Each one consists of companies that rely on local logistic assistance, plus weapons and equipment seized from Syrian army bases or imported from abroad. According to Turkish and Syrian reports, large quantities of weapons were smuggled into Syria from Libya, via Turkey. Libyan rebels have reportedly also made the journey to Syria to partake in the uprising. Turkey is the most important rear base both of the free Syrian army and of the National Council, which was formed in Istanbul in September. The Turkish decision to impose economic sanctions on Syria turned Ankara not only into the Syrian opposition's closest ally but also placed Turkey itself in the role of a practical alternative to Western military intervention.
Between an ayatollah and a hard place
But Turkey is concerned that a tough stance against Syria could exact a high price if Iran decides to flex its muscles. Last week, the commander of the aerospace division of the Revolutionary Guards, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, warned that "if Iran is threatened, we shall hit the NATO radar system that is going to be placed in Turkey and then we shall attack other targets."
The Iranian foreign minister then calmed the fears of his Turkish counterpart, assuring him that was not Tehran's policy. Tehran has other ways to put pressure on Turkey, which imports half of its oil consumption from Iran, some 200,000 barrels daily, and is planning to increase the amount of gas it buys from there.
Speaking in October, Iranian Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, the military assistant to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Turkey that if it did not make clear its foreign policy, "the Turks will find themselves in trouble. If they claim they intend to increase the scope of Turkish commerce by $20 billion, they will eventually have to match their policies with those of Iran."
The warning was aimed at Ankara's approval for NATO to place its anti-missile radar on Turkish soil, but it could be interpreted also as a threat against Turkey's stance toward Bashar Assad's regime in Syria, which Iran supports.
Solving the crisis in Syria is a strategic interest for Turkey, thus its support for the free army's Asad and his new partners. But even in Turkey, officials are aware that the free army cannot bring down the Syrian regime on its own.
"Someone will soon have to employ heavy weapons," a source in the Foreign Ministry in Ankara said. "Guns and revolvers are not sufficient against tanks and helicopters." The question is, who will be the first to agree to use tanks and planes against Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Paying your way out
A new Turkish law passed last week states that, from now on, anyone who has not done his national duty by serving in the army can pay their way to a full exemption.
The cost of this exemption for a Turkish citizen is the equivalent of some $16,200, which will go to the ministry in charge of family affairs and social policy. The money will be earmarked to help families hurt in terrorist activities, needy families whose sons are serving in the armed forces and disabled veterans who were wounded during service in the army or police force.
Turks who remain abroad for more than three years will be able to get an exemption in return for 5,000 to 7,500 euros.
Under pressure from the European Union, Turkey is also examining the possibility of exempting conscientious objectors from military service. Army service is compulsory in Turkey and lasts for 18 months.

Inside Syria: Soldiers defecting to join rebels
ByClarissa Ward .
(CBS News) CBS News correspondent Clarissa Ward went undercover in Syria to get a rare look at the revolution. She reports on the growing legions of former soldiers who are joining the rebel movement.
DAMASCUS, Syria - President Obama Tuesday sent Ambassador Robert Ford back to Syria. He was called home six weeks ago because of concerns for his safety. He's going back, in part, to serve as a witness to Bashar Al-Assad's bloody crackdown on protesters.
There were funerals today in Homs, where as many as 60 people were killed in 24 hours. The Syrian uprising began in March - a revolt against the 40 year dictatorship of Bashar Assad and his father before him. Assad has tried to conceal his crackdown by banning independent reporting. But CBS News correspondent Clarissa Ward was recently able to slip into Syria to report what's really going on.
Clarissa Ward blogs about witnessing a Syrian protest Ward was taken on a drive by her guides. It wasn't a long drive, but the guides were taking no chances. Past a government checkpoint, the car twisted along dark back roads outside the capital city of Damascus. After a certain point in the ride, Ward was blindfolded to protect the location of the safe house, where she would meet members of the Free Syrian Army. Members of the Free Syrian Army speak with CBS News correspondent Clarissa Ward in Damascus. They say the're former Syrian soldiers who have decided to take up arms against the Assad regime.
(Credit: CBS News) They are former Syrian soldiers. They say they refused orders to fire on their own countrymen, and so decided to take up arms against the Assad regime. The commander spoke off-camera, for his own security. He said, "We are fighting those who have made our children orphans and our wives, widows."
The men claim to have carried out attacks on military targets around the capital - the heard of Assad's power base. No one know just how large the Free Syrian Army is, but the number of defectors appears to be growing. On video posted by the opposition, former Syrian soldiers are seen pledging to defend the Syrian people against the Assad regime.
"Are you not concerned that if you turned into an armed conflict, civilians might be hurt," Ward asked the Free Syrian Army men.
We did not choose to go to war, the commander said, it was imposed upon us to protect our people and our honor.
Watch Clarissa Ward's first Inside Syria report The opposition fears the supporters of President Assad - the Shabiha - most, not the Syrian Army. Shabiha means thugs, but it is a play on the word for ghosts. It's a fitting description because the Shabiha do not wear uniforms. They infiltrate protests and they are known for their cruelty.
At the funeral of a 16-year-old boy, who the opposition says was killed by Assad's forces, a man showed Ward a sign. It read, "The Free Syrian Army represents and protects me."
In a smoky apartment, Ward met young activists debating late into the night about the role of the Free Syrian Army.
"I guess it's some kind of necessary right now, to protect those innocent people," one man said. "They're protecting people mainly."
Back at the safe house, Ward asked the soldiers what they were fighting for. One soldier pulled out a photograph of his son. He said he's willing to sacrifice himself so that the next generation of Syrians can be free. For his part, President Assad describes the opposition as armed gangs seeking to divide Syria

America Can't Teach; Neither Does It Learn

Leslie J. Sacks
Los Angeles, CA
LESLIE'S BLOG: STRENGTH AND TOLERANCE
China has repeatedly and belligerently advertised their “concern” about every plan the US has made to supply Taiwan with defensive weapons. To imagine Taiwan as the aggressor, as a risk to mainland China, is pure sophistry. The reverse however is everywhere evident. Yet General Liang of the People’s Liberation Army has often in the past emphatically denounced U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as seriously damaging China’s core interests. Clearly China feels it’s their absolute right to liberate Taiwan from its successfully functioning democracy of 14 years (it originally obtained effective independence in 1945); and to do so by force. Otherwise why focus like a laser on primarily weapons deals? The White House approach is now unlimited negotiating ladled with a liberal amount of pandering. China’s unambiguous snubs show how little this approach means to them. Yet we seem to repeat the same mistakes, again and again with Iran, Russia, China and others. They understand our weaknesses only too well and we seem to now effectively hide our strengths in order to gain international acceptance and favor. A most simple resolution to the White House’s quandary is to call China’s bluff. Let’s drag North Korea into the discussion and link increased arms sales to Taiwan and South Korea to conducive Chinese leverage in denuclearizing North Korea – finally and transparently. Since North Korea is totally dependent on China for energy, raw materials and its economic “life blood”, China could turn off the tap and achieve critical North Korean accommodations instantaneously. Yet it refuses. Why? Because China, not the U.S., makes demands, communicates threats and acts the Asian bully. If they refuse the U.S. demands then we still get to shore up militarily our good friends and allies Taiwan and South Korea and further help balance our budget with much needed exports. All to the good; and if they alternatively participate in pushing recalcitrant North Korea towards denuclearization – fantastic. There is no downside. Why is the White House so oblivious to that simplicity?

Canada Condemns Attacks in Afghanistan on Day of Ashura
(No. 362 - December 6, 2011 - 2:15 p.m. ET) Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement: “Canada strongly condemns the attacks today in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif that killed or wounded numerous Shia worshipers on the Day of Ashura. There can be no justification for these cowardly acts of religious extremism, which targeted innocent men, women and children simply practising their faith in peace. “Canada joins with the Government of Afghanistan in condemning these attacks in the strongest of terms, and we hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. “On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those killed in these attacks, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We stand with the people of Afghanistan at this difficult time.”

Address by Canada to Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Ministerial Council
No. 2011/42 - Vilnius, Lithuania - December 6, 2011
Check Against Delivery
Since the time of this organization’s founding, we have made great strides in delivering on the goal of building a transcontinental community of nations that is free, democratic and at peace, from Vancouver to Vladivostok. We are not there yet, but more states than ever and more multilateral organizations than ever are committed partners in this endeavour.
Canada will continue to work with and within these partnerships to promote the respect of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
As peace-loving countries committed to security, we can all agree: we include many ethnicities, but we share one humanity.
I am therefore pleased to report that Canada will be creating an Office of Religious Freedom. The Office will promote freedom of religion and belief—and the ability to practice one’s religion—as key objectives of Canada’s foreign policy.
Canadians enjoy the rights and privileges that come with living in a free and democratic society. We are also keenly aware of the struggles that religious minorities and human rights defenders face today across the OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] region. This, despite the best intentions of participating states and counter to our shared beliefs. Canada feels it is our duty to uphold the rights of the afflicted and to give voice to the voiceless.
Just 170 km from here, the authorities in Minsk continue to restrict the rights and freedoms of Belarusian citizens. Canada unequivocally condemns the current Belarusian government for its clear disregard of its international commitments and standards for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
We deeply regret the forced closure earlier this year by Belarus of the OSCE Office in Minsk well before its work was completed.
Canada will continue to work with other international partners and organizations to ensure that the people of Belarus can exercise their fundamental rights.
We are pleased that Belarusian NGOs, many of which are now in exile, were able to take part in the pre-ministerial NGO forums in Vilnius so that their voices were heard.
Canada strongly supports Mongolia’s candidacy for the OSCE. We look forward to a positive decision on this, here in Vilnius.
We also need to take steps to ensure that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is not allowed under law. It is unacceptable that people in the OSCE region can still be attacked and imprisoned simply for their sexual orientation.
You can count on Canada’s continued support for your hard work and efforts to adopt some meaningful outcomes.
It is Canada’s sincere hope we can work together on those in the months and years to come.
Thank you.