LCCC
NEWS BULLETIN
APRIL 14/2006
Below
news from the Daily Star for 14.4.06
Families of missing demand to know fate of loved ones
Aoun takes short break at Doha forum
Hizbullah questions timing of Siniora trip to U.S.
No Cabinet meetings until PM returns
Watchdog to observe Military Court trial
Westerner recalls ordeal as war-time hostage
'Don't do it again - ever'
NSSF's problems are major headache for all Lebanese
Iran defiant as ElBaradei arrives with inspectors
Lebanon ranks first in Index of Economic Freedom
Fashion designer's latest celebrates Beirut
Independent judiciary should be cornerstone of rebuilding process
Where is the world's anger?
By Buthaina Shaaban
Lebanese democracy and Palestinian suffering-By
Chibli Mallat
Below
news from miscellaneous sources for 14.4.06
Lebanon: Concern over prosecution of human rights lawyer Dr Muhamad Mugraby
Joint Statement by Amnesty International and ARTICLE 19
ICJ to observe trial of Dr Mugraby before Lebanon's military court-CGGL.org
Aoun: Majority Should Apologize to Lahoud and
Invite Him to Participate in Dialogue-Naharnet
No decision on Jamal extradition-Melbourne Herald Sun
Hezbollah confirms reports over failed assassination attempt on-Tehran Times
Top Shiite cleric speaks out against Mubarek remarks-WSTM-TV
Beirut Ranks 155th Among World Cities for Quality of Life-Naharnet
Meeting Between Brammertz and Assad Cancelled After Disagreement Over Protocol-Naharnet
Iran, Iraq and Syria where next?-RedStat
Iran, Sudan, Syria and al Qaeda Hideouts-Strategy Page
Oman concludes two major pacts with LebanonKhaleej Times
Syria and ally Iran more confident-United
Press International - USA
Chirac Meets with Hariri, Calls for Economic Support for Lebanon-Naharnet
On Civil War Anniversary Politicians Rule Out Return to Violence But Warn of
Regional Tensions-Naharnet
Khaddam Offers to Represent Jumblat in Syrian Court Case-Naharnet
Saniora Says he Wants to Visit Damascus as Soon as Possible-Naharnet
Fadlallah Says Mubarak's Comments May Widen Shiite-Sunni Rift-Naharnet
Aoun: Majority Should Apologize to Lahoud and Invite Him to Participate in
Dialogue-Naharnet
Who will decide Lebanon's future?RIA Novosti
Joint Statement by Amnesty International and ARTICLE 19
Lebanon: Concern over prosecution of human rights lawyer Dr Muhamad Mugraby
Public Statement -AI Index: MDE 18/003/2006 (Public)
News Service No: 094 -13 April 2006
Amnesty International and ARTICLE 19 have written to the Minister of Defence and
the Minister of Justice in Lebanon urging them to drop the defamation charge
brought against human rights lawyer Dr Muhamad Mugraby for remarks he made to a
delegation of members of the European Parliament almost three years ago.
The two organizations expressed concern that Dr Mugraby, who is due to stand
trial before Lebanon’s Military Court on 17 April, could be imprisoned for up to
three years and said that they would consider him a prisoner of conscience if he
is jailed – on the grounds that he was exercising legitimately his right to
freedom of expression when he spoke to members of the European Parliament.
Dr Mugraby was accused of slandering Lebanon’s military establishment and its
officers after he criticised the military court system at a meeting with the
European Parliament’s Mashreq Delegation on 4 November 2003 in Brussels. In
particular, he criticised what he said was the inadequate legal training of the
court’s judges and its failure adequately to address allegations made by
defendants that they were tortured in pre-trial detention to extract
“confessions”.
In their joint letter to the Lebanese ministers, ARTICLE 19 and Amnesty
International said Dr Mugraby’s prosecution breached Lebanon’s obligations under
the International Covenant and Civil and Political Rights to guarantee freedom
of expression and Principle 23 of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of
Lawyers, which guarantees lawyers the right to discuss “matters concerning the
law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human
rights”. In addition, it breaches the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement
between Lebanon and the European Union which came into force only two weeks ago,
on 1 April 2006. Article 2 of the Agreement requires participating states to
uphold “respect for human rights and democratic principles.”
The two organisations also expressed concern that Dr Mugraby’s current
prosecution follows earlier attempts to prosecute him apparently because of his
activities as a human rights defender and lawyer, and called on the Lebanese
government to ensure that all those undertaking legitimate activities work in
defence of human rights in Lebanon are able to do so free from harassment or
persecution.
Background
Amnesty International has repeatedly expressed concern about the Lebanese
military court system whose trials fall far short of international standards for
fair trials. In particular, contrary to Lebanese legislation, military courts
have been granted wide jurisdiction to try civilians; fail fully to explain
their verdicts; use summary proceedings which undermine defence rights; and have
judges who are predominantly military officers with inadequate legal training.
The military courts’ proceedings are not subject to independent judicial review,
an essential requirement for fair trial.
ARTICLE 19
6-8 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UQ
Tel: +44 20 7278 9292 Fax: +44 20 7278 7660
Web: www.article19.org Email: info@article19.org
Amnesty International
INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT
1 Easton Street, London WC1X 0DW, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7413 5500 Fax: +44 20 7956 1157
Web: http://www.amnesty.org E-Mail: amnestyis@amnesty.org
AI Index: MDE 18/003/2006 13 April 2006
ICJ to observe Mugraby trial at millitary court, Lebanon
From: "Center for Democracy & the Rule of Law" <info@cdrl.org>
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2006 04:11:32 -0400
Beirut, April 12, 2006: The Center for Democracy & Rule of Law for Lebanon (www.cdrl.org)
has received the following statement issued by the International Commission of
Jurists, Geneva:
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said today it will send an
observer to monitor the trial of Dr Muhamad Mugraby, a well-known human rights
lawyer prosecuted by a military tribunal for having criticized the Lebanese
judiciary.
Dr Mugraby was charged with “slandering the military establishment and its
officers” following a speech he made before the European Parliament’s Mashrek
Delegation in Brussels in November 2003, in which he criticized the justice
system in Lebanon.
On behalf of the ICJ, the observer will monitor the trial that will take place
on 17 April at the Military Court of Beirut. In a press release issued on 16
March 2006, the ICJ already said that “criticism is part and parcel of the right
to freedom of opinion and _expression and cannot be penalized.” It noted that
the charges constitute a violation of Lebanon’s international obligations
regarding the right to freedom of opinion and _expression contained in the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that Lebanon has ratified
and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In addition, the ICJ expressed its deep concerns at the fact that a civilian was
being tried before a military court, in contravention of international law
principles, and in particular of the recommendations of the UN Human Rights
Committee after it examined the implementation of Lebanon’s international
obligations.
The organisation called for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the
charges against Dr Mugraby.
On 20 March 2006, the Military Court dismissed the procedural exceptions filed
by Dr. Mugraby and decided to proceed with the case.
The ICJ has been following the case of Dr Mugraby closely for years, as he has
been the subject of numerous proceedings against him. In particular, the
organisation monitored an earlier trial in October 2003./
For more information, please contact Isabelle Scherer: + 41 22 979 38 00
Families of missing demand to know fate of loved ones
By Mohammed Zaatari -Daily Star staff
Friday, April 14, 2006
SOUTH LEBANON: Families of Lebanese who went missing or were kidnapped during
the Civil War gathered Thursday in front of Sidon's Justice Palace on the 31st
anniversary of the start of the conflict to demand the truth about their loved
ones.
Inside the palace, the trial of the suspected kidnappers of Mouhieddine Hashisho,
who was abducted in 1982 following the assassination of President Bashir Gemayel,
had started. Hashisho's wife sued the alleged kidnappers, who she said were
Lebanese Forces partisans. "The kidnappers are known and I do not know why they
kidnapped my husband," she said.
"I urge the court to reveal the truth," she added. The families of the missing
held photos of their children and relatives, whom they have not seen for decades
Tens of photos were hung on the Palace's gates. The only colored photo was of a
Lebanese Christian, George Ibrahim Antoun, who was kidnapped in North Lebanon in
1990.
Antoun's sister said: "Lebanese Forces elements kidnapped my brother and
interrogated him. When asked about George, they denied any involvement in his
kidnapping but promised us to resolve the issue. We are still waiting."
Ahmad Zaatari, brother of Ziad Zaatari who has been missing since 1982 told The
Daily Star that his brother was kidnapped from his veterinary medicine clinic by
some men who claimed that their cows were sick. "I did not see him again since
then," he said. The protesters poured their anger on the Lebanese Forces, who
they claim were responsible for the abduction of their children. "Samir Geagea
has now become a Saint?" one of them asked.
"We are not sectarian, nor politicians; we want our children whether alive or
dead," the demonstrators said. "We do not accept the closing of their file,"
they added.Khadija Wehbe, who lost her son in 1976, said: "Samir Geagea handed
our children to Israel; I have the photo showing their transportation to Israel.
Today, Geagea has become a hero." The protesters, both Lebanese and Palestinian,
spent hours in front of the Justice Palace as security bodies monitored their
moves from afar. The head of the Missing and Kidnapped Lebanese Committee,
Waddad Halwani, said that the demonstration aimed to "make officials hear the
calls and cries and unveil the truth." She added that Hashisho's cause
represents "the cause of every kidnapped in this country." The bundle of photos
moved from Sidon to Tyre, accompanied by the mothers' tears and wails.
Contacted by The Daily Star, the LF refused to comment on the accusations.
Aoun takes short break at Doha forum
Friday, April 14, 2006
On the sidelines of the Sixth Doha Forum on Democracy, Development, and Free
Trade, MP Michel Aoun took a break. He was seen puttering along in a golf cart,
dressed in a sports outfit. Aoun, former President Amin Gemayel and MP Salim
Aoun are representing Lebanon at the forum in the Qatari capital. In a speech
delivered on Thursday, Gemayel talked about "Lebanon and the Dialogue of
Civilization: Internal and External Dimensions." He said the national dialogue
had recorded many achievements but much work has yet to be done. Gemayel
stressed that Lebanon badly needs the strong commitment of the international
community. "Only then can the internal dialogue be fruitful and restore to
Lebanon its role as a message of peace and coexistence in the Middle East," he
added.
Hizbullah questions timing of Siniora trip to U.S.
By Majdoline Hatoum -Daily Star staff
Friday, April 14, 2006
BEIRUT: A senior Hizbullah official criticized the timing of Lebanese Prime
Minister Fouad Siniora's upcoming visit to Washington on Thursday because it
will coincide with the commemoration of an Israeli atrocity against Lebanese
civilians. "It is regrettable that Siniora is meeting with the U.S. president on
the day that commemorates the Israeli massacre in Qana in 1996," Sayyed Nawaf
Musawi, Hizbullah's officer for international relations, said in an interview
with Lebanese Broadcasting Corp. television. "The meeting could have been any
other day," he said. He added, however, that Siniora's meeting with President
George W. Bush could also be an opportunity "to remind us of the continuous
Israeli aggression against Lebanon."
Speaking to The Daily Star, a source from Siniora's office said the premier
would be discussing the overall Lebanese situation during his meeting with Bush,
in addition to the problem of regular Israeli violations of Lebanese
sovereignty, especially intrusions into the country's airspace. The source said
the premier would discuss four main issue related to Israel with U.S. officials.
"Israeli occupation of the Shebaa Farms, the issue of Lebanese detainees in
Israeli prison, minefields and Israeli overflights will all be discussed" in
Washington, the source said.
The source also rebuffed concerns expressed by some factions in Lebanon - namely
Hizbullah - that the visit might result in a deal leading to the disarmament of
the resistance party in exchange for international financial assistance.
"This is a no-deal," the source said. "The premier has told U.S. officials
before that implementing this part of UN Resolution 1559 is subject to an
inter-Lebanese dialogue. "This stance has not changed," the source asserted,
noting that the accompanying ministerial delegation would represent all the main
factions in the country, including Hizbullah.
Siniora's delegation will include Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh - a Shiite
minister close to Hizbullah - Finance Minister Jihad Azzour, and Justice
Minister Charles Rizk. In addition to Bush, Siniora is expected to meet with
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He also has scheduled meetings in New
York with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, UN chief of legal affairs Nicolas
Michel and the UN's special envoy for the implementation of Resolution 1559,
Terje Roed-Larsen. The latter will be presenting his report on the
implementation of 1559 to the Security Council during Siniora's stay in New
York.
The source in the Siniora's office said meetings with the UN officials would
focus on the issue of establishing an international tribunal to try suspects in
the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri.
Siniora's trip to the U.S. comes as an anticipated visit to Syria waits for a
green light from the Syrian government. The uncertain status of his visit to
Damascus stood in stark contrast with a call paid by Hizbullah's secretary
general, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, to the Syrian capital on Thursday. Nasrallah
made the trip to meet former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who
is currently in Syria on an official visit in his current capacity as head of
the Islamic Republic's powerful Expediency Council. No statements were made
following the meeting. In another meeting designed to build international
support for Lebanon, the leader of the majority in Parliament, MP Saad Hariri,
held talks in Paris Wednesday with French President Jacques Chirac.
Following the meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, Hariri said he
discussed "the establishment of the international tribunal to try suspects in
the murder of Rafik Hariri, the Beirut 1 donor conference and progress in
Lebanon's national dialogue." Hariri said major progress had been achieved
toward establishing the tribunal. "Hopefully," he added, "in a matter of few
months, the tribunal will be established. A spokesman for Chirac said he wanted
to see more support from the international community for Lebanon. "The president
wants the international community to show economic and financial solidarity with
Lebanon," the spokesman said. Also Thursday, Salloukh met with U.S. Ambassador
Jeffrey Feltman to discuss the Lebanese delegation's visit to Washington.
Following the meeting, Feltman said: "I am sure President Bush will stress the
U.S. administration's commitment to support Lebanon." French Ambassador Bernard
Emie held talks with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, after which Emie said
the discussion had focused on French support for the national dialogue.
"We informed Geagea of our hopes that the national dialogue will lead to
positive results on all levels," Emie said.
He added that his country also hoped that the Lebanese would be able to
implement administrative and economic reforms to pave the way for Beirut 1,
which he said he hoped "will be held this year." Lebanon had committed itself to
sweeping reform following the 2002 Paris II donor conference in 2002. However,
deep differences between then-Premier Rafik Hariri and President Emile Lahoud
blocked the process, leading to the failure of the conference.
No Cabinet meetings until PM returns
By Nafez Qawas - Daily Star correspondent
Friday, April 14, 2006
BEIRUT: Premier Fouad Siniora announced that Cabinet sessions will be suspended
next week until his return from Washington. He added that extraordinary sessions
will be held later to discuss the files of health, environment, transport and
agriculture, starting with the electricity file on Tuesday, April 25. The
Council of Ministers held a session on Thursday at the Socioeconomic Council in
Beirut, under the chairmanship of President Emile Lahoud. Minister Joe Sarkis
refrained from attending the session. Siniora described Tuesday's extraordinary
session dedicated to discussing the status of the National Social Security Fund
as "vital and characterized by a sense of responsibility."
"We kept the sessions open because discussions will continue about many legal
and administrative issues pertaining to the NSSF," he said.
The Cabinet discussed all its 46 articles and approved the transfer of credits
from the Education Ministry's budget to the Council for Development and
Reconstruction to renovate schools in Aramoun, Deir Baba, Taalbaya and Haret al-Naameh.
The Cabinet also decided to maintain support for wheat under the same terms as
last year, entrust the CDR with following up on the supervision of the
construction of the Olympic swimming pool and ask the Youths and Sports Minister
Ahmad Fatfat to conclude a contract with an accounting company to verify the
accounts of the sports, scouts and youths confederations and associations which
were granted funds by the ministry. Upon his arrival, Lahoud said: "Whether
political issues or the agenda, the session is not being held to please anyone,
but to discuss the best interest of the country." Defense Minister Elias Murr,
who attended the session after several weeks of absence for medical treatment,
commented on the recent arrest of a terrorist network, saying the members were
apprehended quickly in order to avoid any possible security breach. On whether
the network could have killed Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah, Murr said that technically this terrorist network could have been
dangerous if neglected for another month. "However, let us not jump to
conclusions," he added. Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh said preparations are
under way to prepare for a smooth visit to Damascus.
Watchdog to observe Military Court trial
Daily Star staff-Friday, April 14, 2006
BEIRUT: The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said Wednesday it will
send an observer to monitor the trial of Dr. Mohammed Mughrabi, a well-known
human rights lawyer prosecuted by a military tribunal for having criticized the
Lebanese judiciary. Mughrabi was charged with "slandering the military
establishment and its officers" following a speech he made before the European
Parliament's Mashrek Delegation in Brussels in November 2003, in which he
criticized the justice system in Lebanon. On behalf of the ICJ, the observer
will monitor the trial that will take place on April 17 at the Military Court of
Beirut. In a press release issued on March 16, the ICJ had said that "criticism
is part and parcel of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and cannot
be penalized." It indicated that the charges constitute a violation of Lebanon's
international obligations regarding the right to freedom of opinion and
expression contained in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In addition, the ICJ expressed deep concerns at the fact that a civilian was
being tried before a military court, in contravention of international law
principles, and in particular of the recommendations of the UN Human Rights
Committee after it examined the implementation of Lebanon's international
obligations. The organization called for the immediate and unconditional
withdrawal of the charges against Mughrabi. On March 20, the Military Court
dismissed the procedural exceptions filed by Mughrabi and decided to proceed
with the case. The ICJ has been following the case of Mughrabi closely as he has
been the subject of numerous proceedings. In particular, the organization
monitored an earlier trial in October 2003. - The Daily Star
On Civil War Anniversary Politicians Rule Out Return
to Violence But Warn of Regional Tensions
Naharnet: On the occasion of the civil war's 31st anniversary, political leaders
reiterated their faith in the national dialogue talks grouping the country's top
rival leaders in spite of the divisions currently plaguing the country.
In a special Future TV program aired Wednesday on the circumstances that led to
the 1975-1990 conflict and similarities with the situation today, talk show host
Ali Hamadeh interviewed several influential politicians on their views.
Druze leader Walid Jumblat, like the other guests, ruled out a return to civil
war. However, he warned that Lebanon would not achieve real peace and stability
unless Hizbullah laid down its arms and was incorporated into the Lebanese army.
"With all good intentions we call for the integration of the resistance in the
army," Jumblat said. He said Lebanon would only achieve its sovereignty and
independence when it regains official control of the disputed Shabaa Farms and
the country devises a new defense strategy that stipulates including the
resistance in the army.
Jumblat headed one of Lebanon's many militias that were disarmed at the end of
the 1975-1990 conflict in accordance with the Taef peace agreement.
Hizbullah, whose armed campaign against Israel forced the Jewish state to
withdraw from the South in 2000, argues that it should hold on to its weapons
until every inch of Lebanese territory is liberated.
The Shabaa Farms, that the group is seeking to regain, is on the border between
Lebanon, Syria and Israel. Its disputed identity is one of the dominant topics
at the national dialogue talks. Whereas participants agreed that Shabaa is
Lebanese, they acknowledged that Syria should commit to this decision in written
as some documents show that the region is Syrian. Damascus has so far refused to
cooperate.
Jumblat and other members of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority argue that
Hizbullah, which is backed by Damascus and financed by Tehran, has an ulterior
motive in wanting to keep its arms. They say the group wants to serve its
regional allies' interests. "If the resistance is under the command of Iran and
Syria, then this will be at the expense of Lebanon and its sovereignty," said
Jumblat.
Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, also excluded the possibility of a
recurrence of violence. Geagea once headed a powerful Christian militia that
fought fierce battles with Jumblat's Progressive Socialist Party. They are now
allies in the March 14 anti-Syrian coalition. "War only leads to destruction.
People have a hundred other ways to advance their causes and achieve results.
The worst possible way is war," said Geagea who spent 11 years in jail after
being accused of a number of crimes following the end of the Lebanese war.
Commenting on the national dialogue talks and their progress, the LF leader said
although the discussions have stalled over the fate of President Emile Lahoud
they may still yield positive results. However, Geagea warned that some
participants in the talks were influenced by Iran, in thinly-veiled reference to
Hizbullah. He said the participants in the roundtable discussions should strive
to isolate Lebanon from regional tensions, namely Iran's standoff with the West
over its nuclear program.(AP photo shows a building damaged during the civil
war) Beirut, Updated 13 Apr 06, 16:34
Aoun: Majority Should Apologize to Lahoud and Invite Him
to Participate in Dialogue
Naharnet: Gen. Michel Aoun has said that the parliamentary majority should
apologize to President Emile Lahoud for insulting him and invite the head of
state to participate in national dialogue talks that include discussions on the
fate of the incumbent leader. Aoun, in separate interviews with the press
published Wednesday, renewed his bid for the top executive post and said he
would not back any other contender in case there is no consensus on his
candidacy.
The former army commander, who once led a "war of liberation" against Syria
aimed at driving its forces out of Lebanon, said he was ready to visit Damascus
if the participants at the roundtable discussions asked him to do so.
In an interview with New TV television station, Aoun said he believes Lahoud
should join the country's top 14 rival leaders in their deliberations about
contentious national issues which have so far excluded the president.
"Why not? President Lahoud should participate in the dialogue talks in case he
remains (in his post) and he should play his role," Aoun told the television
station in an interview conducted in Qatar where he is attending a conference.
He said the parliamentary majority "that has hurled accusations and insults
against him (the president) should apologize to him," as Lahoud is still in
power for lack of agreement on his potential successor.
The anti-Syrian majority is seeking to oust the president, whom it considers the
last vestige of Syria's hegemony over Lebanon. However, the coalition does not
command the necessary votes to oust him and needs the support of other
participants in the talks including Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement and Hizbullah.
Lahoud's fate has proved to be a huge stumbling block in the talks. Participants
have failed to reach an agreement and set April 28 as the last possible deadline
for discussing this issue.
Aoun blamed the parliamentary majority, that he often refers to as the
"illusionary" majority, for the failure of an agreement on the presidential
crisis saying its members would rather see Lahoud stay than allow him to take
over the post.
"When I hear that the choices are either a president from among their ranks or
allowing Lahoud to stay although they have not left out a single accusation
against him, I find this very strange," Aoun told As Safir newspaper in an
interview published Wednesday.
"All this to prevent Michel Aoun or others in the opposition from reaching (the
presidency)," he added.
He said he in turn would not back any compromise candidate as he is best suited
for the position. He referred to wide popular support he enjoys based on the
results of the May-June legislative elections where he scored an unexpected
victory.
"When I vote for a particular candidate that means I am backing him in the name
of all those who have empowered me. I cannot transfer this trust to anyone," the
FPM leader said.
The former military commander, who returned to Lebanon last May after spending
15 years in exile for trying to drive Syria out of Lebanon, said he was ready to
visit Damascus to reduce tensions between the two countries.
Al Mustaqbal newspaper said Aoun made his proposal in an interview with the
Qatar-based al Jazeera satellite TV to be broadcast on Wednesday. The
Hariri-owned newspaper said an FPM press relations official clarified that Aoun
would visit the Syrian capital if the participants at the talks asked him to do
so. Beirut, Updated 13 Apr 06, 08:33
Fadlallah Says Mubarak's Comments May Widen Shiite-Sunni
Rift
Naharnet: Lebanon's senior-most Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein
Fadlallah has accused Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak of fueling sectarian
tensions by saying Arab Shiites in Iraq and elsewhere are more loyal to Iran
than to their home countries. Fadlallah, in an interview with The Associated
Press on Wednesday, said that "some in the Muslim world" fear Shiite empowerment
in any country. Fadlallah was one of the highest-level Shiite figures yet in the
region to speak out against Mubarak. The president's comments sparked a wave of
anger among Shiites in the region and raised fears of a Sunni-Shiite rift across
the Middle East at a time of increased sectarian violence in Iraq. Fadlallah is
the highest ranking Shiite cleric in Lebanon and was the spiritual leader of
Hizbullah in the 1980s. He has followers in Iraq, the Gulf Arab region and among
Shiite communities in Pakistan and India. He is closely linked to Iraq's top
Shiite politicians as well as that country's top clerics.
On Wednesday, Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani also sent a letter to
Mubarak through the Egyptian embassy in Beirut regarding his statements about
the Shiites, according to Hamed al-Khafaf, al-Sistani's representative in
Lebanon.
Mubarak told Al-Arabiya satellite TV network Saturday that most Arab Shiites are
more loyal to Iran than to their nations and that civil war "has almost started"
in Iraq. Fadlallah said such talk only fuels prejudice against Shiites, feeding
a false stereotype that they are of Iranian extraction or follow orders from
Tehran's ruling clergy.
"We believe that obscuring the stance of Shiites ... can create a rift between
Shiites and Sunnis," Fadlallah told the AP.
"The loyalty of Shiites to their countries is not less than that of others,"
said the 70-year-old cleric. "Such talk has no basis in reality. What is meant
by it is to create a climate of agitation that amounts to telling the Sunnis
'Beware of the Shiite threat!"' he said at his office in the southern Beirut
Haret Hreik neighborhood.
"I think there are some in the Muslim world who are uncomfortable with the
empowerment of the Shiites in any nation, and that's because of sectarian
extremism or political anxieties," said Fadlallah. The empowerment of Iraq's
majority Shiites after the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein's Sunni-led regime was
the catalyst for reviving the centuries-old, but latent Sunni-Shiite divide. It
has alarmed Arab nations with sizable Shiite communities across the Gulf from
Iran. Beside Iraq, the only other Arab nation with a Shiite majority is Bahrain,
a Gulf island kingdom ruled by a Sunni family. Arab nations with significant
Shiite minorities include Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Syria. A
Sunni-Shiite rift would potentially be ruinous in a region already saddled by
the Iraq conflict, the enduring Arab-Israeli conflict and an array of other
chronic problems.
King Abdullah of Jordan spoke in the same vein in a newspaper interview
published 16 months ago when he accused Shiite, but non-Arab Iran of seeking to
create a "Shiite crescent" in the Middle East that would include Iraq, Syria and
Lebanon.
In response to Mubarak's interview, Baghdad's Shiite-dominated government
boycotted a Wednesday meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo to discuss Iraq
and called on Mubarak to "reconsider" his position. Muqtada al-Sadr, a key Iraqi
Shiite leader, blasted Mubarak's remarks Wednesday, saying in a statement that
they "serve only the enemy, and try to ignite civil and sectarian war."
Mubarak's comments could not have come at a worse time
for Iraq or Lebanon.
Iraq, wracked by a Sunni-dominated insurgency since shortly after Saddam's
ouster three years ago, has seen a dramatic surge of sectarian violence since a
key Shiite shrine was bombed in February by suspected Sunni militants. The
violence, together with the failure to form a unity government four months after
elections were held, threaten to plunge the country into a Sunni-Shiite civil
war. Mubarak's charges are also likely to feed suspicions in Lebanon that Shiite
leaders are too close to Iran amid high tensions among the country's various
groups since last year's assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a
Sunni. Many Lebanese blame his death on Syria, a major ally of Hizbullah, which
is also backed by Iran. Stoking sectarian tensions in Lebanon, where a civil war
raged for 15 years before it ended in 1990, authorities have uncovered an
alleged plot to assassinate Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah which
politicians said Wednesday was designed to plunge the country into an Iraq-style
sectarian strife between Sunnis and Shiites.(AP) Beirut, Updated 13 Apr 06,
16:46
Chirac Meets with Hariri, Calls for Economic Support for
Lebanon
Legislator Saad Hariri has held talks with French President Jacques Chirac who
urged Lebanon to adopt economic reforms and called on the international
community to boost economic support for Lebanon.
"We spoke about ... the need for economic and administrative reforms that
Lebanon has promised to commit to," Hariri said after the two hour meeting at
the Elysee Palace on Wednesday. He said they also spoke about the upcoming
Beirut-1 international donor conference for Lebanon. The meeting, grouping
Lebanon, the European Union, the United States, United Nations, International
Monetary Fund and Arab countries, was scheduled to be held at the end of last
year. However, it was postponed because of the political crisis that followed
ex-premier Rafik Hariri's murder in Feb. 2005.
Lebanese government officials, including Prime Minister Fouad Saniora, have said
that the conference would not take place until Lebanon adopts the reforms
program and commits to its implementation. Chirac's spokesman, Jerome Bonnafont,
said France wants the world community to show economic and financial solidarity
with Lebanon.
"President Chirac expressed his hope that the international community would show
solidarity with Lebanon on the economic and financial levels," said Bonnafont.
"This requires the adoption of reforms in Lebanon," he added. The reforms
program is aimed at reducing public spending and stimulating growth through
privatization and boosting the private sector to attract foreign investment. The
plan has remained dormant since the November 2000 Paris II conference after
which international donors pledged $4.4 billion in aid. The reforms that Lebanon
pledged in return were never implemented, due to political wrangling between
President Emile Lahoud and then premier Rafik Hariri, Saad's father.
Chirac, a long-time friend of the slain premier, reiterated France's hope that
investigators will find out who was behind Hariri's killing, the spokesman said.
He also said Paris wants to see the suspects tried in an international court.
Last month, the U.N. Security Council delegated Secretary-General Kofi Annan to
negotiate with Lebanon the formation of an international tribunal to try those
suspected of involvement in the murder.
The meeting between Hariri and Chirac comes a week before the French leader is
scheduled to meet with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. An Nahar
newspaper said the political developments in Lebanon will be one of the main
topics of discussion between the two leaders in their talks on April 19 and 20.
Chirac also expressed France's support for national dialogue talks between
Lebanon's top rival political leaders and urged politicians to continue their
deliberations.(Naharnet-AP) Beirut, Updated 13 Apr 06, 08:36
Hezbollah confirms reports over failed assassination
attempt on Nasrallah
Tehran Times Political Desk TEHRAN – The Lebanese Islamic movement Hezbollah has
confirmed reports over a failed assassination attempt against Hezbollah
Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, Al-Jazeera reported on Tuesday.
Lebanese officials informed Hezbollah that they have arrested nine members of a
terrorist group which had planned to assassinate Nasrallah on April 28 when
Lebanon’s national dialogue conference was to resume, Hezbollah Public Relations
Chairman Hussein Rahal told reporters. He added that the national security body
has made direct efforts to investigate the case. According to reports, eight of
the nine terrorists arrested are Lebanese and the other is a Palestinian. All
nine have received high-level training and their group possesses a large number
of weapons including anti-armor missiles. So far, the suspects have refused to
name the group they were affiliated to. Lebanon’s national dialogue conference
which started from March 2 with the participation of 14 of the country’s
political leaders was temporarily halted without reaching any certain conclusion
and is due to resume on April 28.
Beirut Ranks 155th Among World Cities for Quality of
Life
Beirut was ranked 155th in a yearly study of quality of life in international
cities which gave Zurich the first position in 2006.
The analysis, which assists governments and multinational companies in placing
employees on international assignments, covered more than 350 cities. Geneva and
Vancouver followed close on the heels of Zurich in the ranking, while Bangui in
the Central African Republic and Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of
Congo preceded Baghdad in three bottom slots.
The Worldwide Quality of Living Survey is conducted every year by the British
Mercer Human Resource Consulting. The company bases its assessment on 39
criteria including political, economic and environmental factors. It takes into
account the major concerns of city dwellers such as personal safety, health,
education, transport and public services.
"Cities are ranked against New York as the base city, which has an index score
of 100," the company said in a summary of its latest report posted on its
website. It said Zurich scored 108.2 placing it barely ahead of Geneva that
received 108.1 points and Vancouver with 107.7. In contrast, Baghdad received
14.5, the lowest score, making it the least desirable city for expatriates for
the third consecutive year.
The company said that most positions of European and Middle Eastern cities
remained unchanged with the exception of Cairo that has tumbled nine places to
occupy the 131st position with a score of 71.2 due to political turmoil.
In addition, the survey shows that Dubai is the leader among Arab counties with
an overall ranking of 85 and a sore of 85.2 points. It is followed by Abu Dhabi
in 92nd position with a score of 82.6. Beirut scores 60 and comes after Kuwait
city that ranks 134th with a score of 68.1. Riyadh scores 56.2 and is in 166th
place. Beirut, Updated 13 Apr 06, 11:25
Meeting Between Brammertz and Assad Cancelled After
Disagreement Over Protocol
Naharnet: A scheduled meeting between chief U.N. investigator Serge
Brammertz and President Bashar Assad related to the assassination of ex-premier
Rafik Hariri was cancelled after disagreement over the protocol of such a
procedure.
Al Liwa newspaper reported Wednesday that the meeting failed to take place after
Damascus rejected Brammertz's request to include issues that had not been
previously agreed on in a provisional protocol understanding reached between
both parties.
The paper quoted Damascus-based sources as saying that according to Syrian law,
discussing issues with Assad that had not been agreed on beforehand would
violate the country's sovereignty as the session would turn into an
investigation.
They said Assad would only agree to hold talks with Brammertz and his team under
the provisions of the understanding between the two parties. It was not clear
what protocol agreement the sources were referring to. Syria has been adamant on
signing such an accord with the U.N. commission before agreeing to a meeting
with the Syrian leader. However, there has been no announcement of such an
agreement by Brammertz or his German predecessor Detlev Mehlis.
Al Liwa's sources said Syrian authorities asked the chief investigator to
consolidate all his demands in one written memorandum adding that verbal
requests were unacceptable.The newspaper said the sources were referring to a
new demand by Brammertz for meetings with Syrian officials other than Assad and
his Vice President Farouk al Sharaa. Beirut, Updated 13 Apr 06, 11:18
Iran, Iraq and Syria . . . where next?
By: qlangley · Section: Diaries
The so-called 'insurgency' in Iraq is slowly being defeated. More and more of
the security work is being undertaken by Iraqi security forces, and the
anti-Iraqi terrorists are having fewer and fewer successes. When Dick Cheney
said the insurgency was on 'its last legs' he was, perhaps, understating his
case. The violence of last summer and autumn - when the violence of post-Saddam
Iraq peaked - was actually the death throes. It was a last violent spasm with a
single goal: to prevent the elections planned for the end of 2005. It failed. An
ever higher proportion of those engaged in terrorism in Iraq are not Iraqis, but
foreign Jihadists. This violence can, and will, be defeated, and the
installation of a new government will be a further incremental step to achieving
this goal. But there is a necessary precondition to the absolute defeat of the
Jihadists and Iraq's own totalitarians alike. Iran and Syria must be prevented
from fostering and sheltering anti-Iraq terrorists. The Iraqi government, and
its Coalition allies, must be willing to engage in hot pursuit of terrorists
into Iran and Syria.
While it is wholly illegitimate for Iran and Syria to shelter terrorists who
fight against the elected government of Iraq, it is perfectly right and proper
for Iraq to shelter freedom fighters against the oppressive regimes of its
neighbours. Aiding them, as Britain aided the French Resistance, is a sensible
as well as moral policy.
Syria in particular is a dictatorship totally devoid of any democratic
trappings. The Syrian government continues to oppress its own people, and it is
through Syria that Iran sponsors Hizbollah in its murderous attacks on Israel
and Lebanon. Bringing down the Syrian government, or at least totally disrupting
its control of the country, is a major strategic priority that will benefit all
Syria's neighbours. Destabilising Syria will help to stabilise the rest of the
region, as well as providing an object lesson to Iran.
The model for this should be the destruction of the Taleban rather than the
overthrow of Saddam. The west should arm and support Syrian dissidents rather
than invade. The CIA and special forces can provide tactical support, and
perhaps air cover can be provided from Iraq. Soon the Assad dictatorship will be
fighting for its life.
Of course, this set of priorities will need to be completely reversed if Iran is
anywhere close to developing nuclear weapons. Estimates vary, but most suggest
that Iran is 5-10 years away from doing so. Intelligence estimates are
notoriously unreliable. In Iraq, for example, they grossly underestimated
Saddam's WMD programme in the 1990s, and apparently overestimated it in 2003.
Nonetheless, Iran is almost certainly several years away from developing a
usable bomb.
In five years time Iraq will be a stable democracy, already past the second the
election under its democratic constitution; Iran's Syrian ally will have been
overthrown, though it could be still in the early stages of its own democracy;
and Iran will have been cut off from sponsoring Hizbollah, leading to a more
prosperous and stable Lebanon.
Support for Iranian dissidents and freedom fighters can do much, especially in
this transformed situation, to force a change of policy on the mullahs, or
perhaps help ignite a new revolution. Invading Iran or launching a strike on its
deep bunkers must remain a live option, if they seem like the only practical
route to prevent the current theocracy from gaining nuclear weapons, but it
seems there are other options still available.
***Quentin Langley is editor of www.quentinlangley.net an academic at the
University of Cardiff and is a columnist with Campaigns & Elections.
Syria and ally Iran more confident
DAMASCUS, Syria, April 13 (UPI) -- Syria and Iran appear to have gained greater
confidence and political stamina after Tehran succeeded in enriching uranium
needed to produce nuclear arms. Speaking to journalists after talks with
visiting Iranian cleric Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Thursday, Syrian Foreign
Minister Waleed Moallem said Syria and its ally Iran faced mounting pressures
due to their resistance of foreign hegemony. "When we ask why Syria and Iran are
facing such tremendous pressures, the answer is simple, because they have
independent stances and positions that serve the interests of their peoples and
not foreign hegemony and occupation," Moallem said. He charged that double
standards implemented in dealing with international issues "is a main reason for
conflicts and those behind it should assume full responsibility." If
"international laws, agreements and treaties (were) implemented equally on all
countries of the world, justice would prevail more," he added. Moallem said he
discussed with Rafsanjani, who heads Iran's powerful Expediency Council, means
to further consolidate bilateral relations as well as developments in the
region. "We have reached common assumptions that developments in the region show
that the Syrian stance is correct and right," he added. The Syrian News Agency
said Syrian and Iranian officials also discussed ways of cooperation in several
fields, economic development, cultural and social. Rafsanjani arrived in
Damascus Wednesday for a five-day visit, receiving a warm welcome in the Arab
country which has been increasingly isolated by the international community.
Oman concludes two major pacts with Lebanon
Khalij Ti,es: 13 April 2006 -MUSCAT — The Sultanate and Lebanon have given a new
thrust to bilateral cooperation with the conclusion in Beirut on Tuesday of two
major pacts — the first to promote investment in each other's country, and the
second to set up an Omani-Lebanese Cultural Centre.The agreements were inked on
behalf of Oman by National Economy Minister Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, currently
visiting Lebanon. Lebanon's Minister of Finance, Dr Jihad Azaour, signed the
first agreement and Minister of Culture Dr Tarek Mitri the second. The ceremony
was attended by Lebanese Premier Fouad Siniora. Macki, in remarks afterwards,
said the deals were a "reflection of the distinguished ties between the
Sultanate and Lebanon." He added the accord dealing with promotion and mutual
protection of investment would give new impetus to opportunities for joint
investment while safeguarding such investments against non-commercial risks.
Macki said the Cultural Centre, to be based in Beirut and which will be financed
by the Sultanate, would result in an "Omani cultural presence in Lebanon, which
is a cultural hub and tourist destination in its own right." It would spotlight
Oman's culture, he added. Also on Tuesday, Siniora conferred with the Omani
Minister on ties between the two countries.Macki outlined the Omani government's
efforts to boost the country's economic development by attracting investments,
pointing that a legal framework that aims to encourage foreign investment in
diverse economic fields had already been created. Siniora said Oman's leading
role at the regional, Arab, Islamic and international levels had earned it
international respect.
The two sides discussed ways of activating two-day economic and investment
cooperation.
Khaddam Offers to Represent Jumblat in Syrian Court Case
Naharnet: Former Syrian Vice-President Abdel Halim Khaddam has offered to act as
Walid Jumblat's attorney in a case filed by the Syrian government against the
Druze leader. Al Mustaqbal newspaper said Thursday Khaddam made his proposal
during a telephone conversation with Jumblat, who answered that he had no
objections. A Syrian military court in Feb. issued a lawsuit against Jumblat for
"inciting the U.S. administration to occupy Syria" as well as "defaming"
Damascus by blaming it for attacks on anti-Syrian figures. The case against the
Druze leader falls under Article 298 of the Syrian penal code according to which
such a crime is punishable by life imprisonment with hard labor. It is not clear
how Khaddam, a defector who is now living in self-exile in Paris, would be able
to act as Jumblat's legal representative in a Syrian court case.
The Druze leader has told The Washington Post that the United States should
topple Bashar Assad's regime and bring the Syrian leader to trial before an
internationally-recognized tribunal. Similarly, Khaddam has called for the
overthrow of the Assad regime prompting a Syrian military court to charge him
with inciting a foreign attack against Syria and plotting to take power.
Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh revealed on April 3 that a Syrian
penal tribunal issued last month arrest warrants against him, Jumblat and
journalist Fares Khashan. Hamadeh said after the issuance that he considers the
subpoenas a security threat against him and the two others. He did not say what
the charges are or if they are related to the earlier case against Jumblat.
Jumblat is one of the key leaders of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority that
accuses Damascus of involvement in attacks against Lebanese politicians and
journalists including the massive bombing that killed former Prime Minister
Rafik Hariri in Feb. 2005. Hamadeh, Jumblat's key aide, survived an
assassination attempt in Oct. 2004 that was largely blamed on Syria. Khashan, a
columnist with the Hariri-owned Al Mustaqbal newspaper, regularly launches
scathing attacks against Assad's regime. The three figures are said to be on a
hit list of anti-Syrian activists targeted for assassination. Beirut, Updated 13
Apr 06, 12:10
No decision on Jamal extradition
By Katherine Danks-13apr06
NEW South Wales Police are yet to decide whether they will seek the extradition
of Australia's most wanted terrorism suspect Saleh Jamal, a spokeswoman said
today.
Jamal, 31, could walk free from a Beirut jail within weeks after the Lebanese
Court of Appeal ruled that terrorism charges could not be upheld against him due
to a lack of evidence. Jamal, who is alleged to have threatened to fly a plane
into the Sydney Harbour Bridge if forcibly returned to Australia, is wanted for
a shooting attack on the Lakemba police station in Sydney in 1998. A State Crime
Command spokeswoman today said police would discuss the case with the NSW
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before deciding whether to seek Jamal's
extradition to Australia.
"Police intend speaking with the DPP before making a decision about extradition
proceedings," the spokeswoman said. It was too early to speculate whether he was
likely to face criminal charges in Australia, she said.
Jamal, of Belfield in Sydney, fled Australia using a fake passport in March 2004
while on bail for the attack. He was arrested in May 2004 while trying to flee
Lebanon, again using a false passport.
Jamal was sentenced by a Lebanese Military Court in February 23 last year to
five years' jail on charges of possessing weapons and explosives, forging an
Australian passport, forming a group and planning acts that endangered state
security.
He allegedly told his wife, in an intercepted telephone call, that she would
never see him again because he was going to a place "that is higher than the
mountains", The Australian newspaper reported. Prosecutors wanted to mount a
charge that Jamal was planing to become a suicide bomber.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the Lebanese Court of
Appeal slashed his sentence to two years on Monday after ruling the terrorism
charge could not be upheld. He is due to be released next month.
The Government had a "close and active interest in the case" and had most
recently visited Jamal in jail on January 9, a DFAT spokeswoman said. Jamal
would be transferred to the custody of Lebanese General Security "pending a
decision on his status", she added. The spokeswoman would not elaborate further.
Jamal allegedly told The Australian last year that if Australian authorities
tried to seek his return, he would fly a plane
Who will decide Lebanon's future?
18:06 | 13/ 04/ 2006
BEIRUT. (RIA Novosti political commentator Marianna Belenkaya) -- These days the
Lebanese are observing one more anniversary of the start of the civil war, which
broke out in 1975 and ended in 1990.
The 15 year long confrontation involved not only different ethnic, religious,
and political groups in Lebanon but also outside forces. The war ended more than
15 years ago, but the Lebanese are haunted by the fear that history may repeat
itself, and this fear is well justified. At the same time, Lebanon is trying to
return its prewar glory of a Mid-Eastern Switzerland, a paradise for tourists
and businessmen. Will discord prevail over a common striving of the Lebanese to
make their country prosperous?
The lessons of the past are making the Lebanese politicians very cautious -
despite periodic political rows inside the government and parliament, they
always come back to the negotiating table. But does everything depend on the
Lebanese alone? They are under a very strong influence of the outside forces,
and their country depends too much on the geopolitical situation in the Middle
East in general.
Geographically, Lebanon is located between Israel and Syria. Geopolitically, it
is affected not only by the aftermath of the Arab-Israeli conflict, but also by
the developments around Iraq and Iran.
The conference of national dialog, which has been going on in Lebanon since
March 2, has the following problems on its agenda: the destiny of President
Emile Lahoud, prospects of Lebanese resistance, a disarmament of the Shiite
Hezbollah movement and Palestinian refugee armed formations (militias) in
Lebanon. They are tied up into the knot of regional problems. The latter cannot
be solved unless the Arab-Israeli conflict is settled and the Palestinians are
happy, and unless Washington achieves mutual understanding with Tehran and
Damascus. But these goals are unrealistic today.
It is hard to imagine that Israel will ever recognize the right of Palestinian
refugees to return. So, regardless of whether they want it or not, the Lebanese
will have to absorb the Palestinian refugees on their territory into the
Lebanese society. Otherwise, the refugees will continue to be a source of many
domestic cataclysms. But at the same time, the outstanding refugee problem and
the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian territories
make Palestinian and, on a broader plane, regional resistance forces legitimate
for the majority of the Arabs.
The Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian resistance forces are naturally
interconnected and give each other all-round assistance. Iran does the same,
because they have the same goal. Therefore, it is very difficult to prevent
Damascus and Tehran from interfering in the domestic affairs of Lebanon, because
it is part of the resistance territory. It is in the context of the resistance
prospects, that is, by agreement of all outside forces, that the destiny of
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud can be decided.
The Lebanese leaders who are members of the March 14 coalition headed by Saad
(son of ex-Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, who was assassinated last year) believe
that the head of state, whose term was extended for another three years in the
autumn of 2004 under pressure from Damascus, is a pro-Syrian politician. Other
members of the political elite think that the President is a genuine patriot
supporting the resistance forces. They are part of Lebanese society: the Shiite
Hezbollah, Amal movements and their Christian ally, the head of the Free
Patriotic Movement Gen. Michel Aoun. They are also Lebanese, and their opinion
cannot be ignored. A failure to understand this will prod the country to a civil
war.
In early April, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the links of
the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah with Iran and Syria are the biggest problem for
Lebanon today. Describing the situation in Lebanon, she said: "This is probably
the worst example of Iranian intervention in the internal affairs of a sovereign
country". However, Washington's and Paris's influence on the internal Lebanese
situation is quite comparable with that of Tehran or Damascus.
Lebanon is a very diverse country. Its ethnic and religious groups are being
driven to different poles: some to the West, other to Iran, and still others to
Syria. This situation is rooted in history. Different trends prevailed during
different periods.
It is not possible to separate Tehran from Hezbollah, just as it is not possible
to separate the Vatican from the Catholics scattered all over the world. But at
the same time Hezbollah is part of Lebanon in much the same way as the French
Catholics belong to France, and German to Germany. An attempt to disrupt the
links of the Lebanese communities and political groups with their vis-a-vis from
the outside world may upset the equilibrium inside the country.
But in reality neither the West, not the regional forces care about Lebanon's
destiny. They are working for their own interests at its expense. In this
context, the Lebanese politicians should display wisdom and remember that their
task is to implement a popular Lebanese slogan: "Lebanon is Above All!" This
task is not an easy one.
Where is the world's anger?
By Buthaina Shaaban
Friday, April 14, 2006
"We should feel ashamed that such things are happening at our present time:
where's the anger of the world?" That was what the American Senate House Speaker
said on occasion of the House's decision to allow for additional sanctions
against Sudan over Darfur. Later, there were American public demonstrations
describing Arabs and Muslims as "Jihadies" and holding "Jihad responsible for
what is happening in Sudan."
Meanwhile, Marcello Pera, the Italian Senate president launched a train called
the "West-Express," with the mission of warning Christian Europe against the
danger of Islam in the West. The "West-Express" is a call for protecting the
Western Christian identity against the threat of Islam. It took off from Rome,
carrying on board more than 500 politicians, heading toward Paris, Madrid and
even Istanbul. The Italian Senate president is warning against the spread of
Islam in Italy and the threat it poses to Christianity and Western culture. One
can only wonder how the West would have reacted had the Muslims launched a
similar initiative.
As for the Carnegie report on world peace published in Washington, D.C., it also
warned against the "ambiguity" of Islamists, which is the major dilemma facing
the West and the international organizations. Western countries are "convinced
that democratic transformation in the Middle East is vital for peace in the
world." The Western countries wish the political movements in the Middle East
were "secular, with liberal credentials, and record in democratic processes."
Scores of other similar initiatives and studies are instigating Islamophobia in
the West, under a cover of scientific and objective analysis. They demonstrate
total lack of understanding of what Islam and Muslim culture are about.
To borrow the American Senate House Speaker's words, one can only wonder where
"the anger of the world" is. Indeed, the world, "should feel ashamed" that the
democratically elected Palestinian government cannot hold meetings thanks to the
Israeli military siege. The world "should feel ashamed" of the daily news of
murdered Palestinian and Iraqi civilians under occupation. The world "should
feel ashamed" of the European laws passed for preventing Arabs from enrolling in
"delicate" scientific studies. The other side of this shame is Arab failure to
tell the world about what is really happening to Palestinians and Iraqis.
Instead, they are busying themselves with minor issues such as "who represents
Palestinians in foreign forums" and "who controls the checkpoints." Meanwhile,
extremists in the West are taking control of world media and politics.
Close examination of Islam, Islamic and Arab culture and reality, will reveal,
even to the inexpert eye, the tolerance and inclusiveness they enjoy. Prophet
Muhammad's message to the world was one of mercy and righteousness. The
ministers of foreign affairs in Iraq, Hoshyar Zebari, and in Sudan, Lam Akol
Ajawin, as well as thousands of Arab and Muslim philosophers, writers and
leaders, are live examples of the maturity of Arab identity and its acceptance
of variant ethnicities and religions over thousands of years of history.
There are so many things happening to Arabs and Muslims that should call for the
world's shame. Western political selectivity of concerning itself with Darfur
and not Palestine and Iraq is only one example. Spreading xenophobia in the West
against Arabs and Muslims is another. The "world's anger" should target such
injustices happening in our time. It should target all forms of aggression and
racism, regardless of origin and place, to truly preserve the world's peace.
**Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban is the Syrian expatriates minister