LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
FEBRUARY 24/2006

Below news from the Daily Star for 24/2/06
Majority ministers boycott Cabinet session after relocation to presidential palace
Nasrallah dares America to try to disarm Hizbullah
Rice visit to Lebanon confirms U.S. support to March 14 Forces
Sports fans will be barred from matches, Fatfat announces
Jumblatt still holding out on joining national dialogue
Brammertz makes first visit to Syria, meets Moallem
Tueni hopes dialogue will not become battlefield
Second rocket discovered in Hermel
MP Kenaan urges respect for Constitution, warns against violence
Students in Sidon protest against Rice's visit
Lahoud's fate is no longer in his hands
March 14 Forces call on Lebanese expatriate community for support
Shiites blame Iraq shrine bombing on U.S.
More than 130 die, 168 mosques attacked in Iraq violence
Israel seals off refugee camp, kills five
UN slams Turkey's anti-terrorism laws, urges reform (AFP)
Media watchdog urges Mubarak to keep press law pledge (AFP)
Iran hints at compromise on nuclear issue
A much-needed briefing for Rice. By: By Bouthaina Shaaban -24.2.06
 

In Surprise Stop in Lebanon, Rice Snubs Pro-Syrian President
By JOEL BRINKLEY
Published: February 23, 2006
BEIRUT, Feb. 23 — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit here today, a stopover whose most notable feature was her decision to snub Emile Lahoud, the pro-Syrian president of Lebanon.
"I've already met him," Ms. Rice explained with a shrug and a coy smile, referring back to her last visit here, six months ago.
Ms. Rice's stated purpose for flying several thousand miles out of her way for a four-hour tour near the end of a Middle East visit was to show "support for the Lebanese people and the Lebanese government as they continue to recover their sovereignty," as she put it on the flight here this morning. Ms. Rice also frequently cites Lebanon as one of the administration's successes in its call for greater democracy in the Middle East.
She met with every manner of political leader here — Christian, Muslim and Druze — in a country long riven by religious sectarian rivalry and warfare. But the new great divide, as the State Department sees it, is between the Lebanese politicians who supported Syria during its long occupation of Lebanon and those who did not.
The assassination early last year of Rafik Hariri, the popular anti-Syrian politician, sparked an uprising of resentment that helped force Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon. An election a few months later put Fouad Siniora, a protégé of Mr. Hariri, into the Prime Minster's office. But Mr. Lahoud lingers on, his term extended by a constitutional amendment Syria forced through the Lebanese Parliament.
That Parliament is now debating a recall initiative that could remove Mr. Lahoud from power. Asked her view of that possibility during a news conference with Mr. Siniora, Ms. Rice responded that the decision was "up to the Lebanese people." But for many Lebanese, her decision not to see Mr. Lahoud during her visit probably spoke louder than words.
Lebanon has so long been controlled by foreign powers that many Lebanese still seem inclined to look outside for guidance. Several Lebanese journalists asked Ms. Rice whom the United States supported to be the next president of Lebanon and seemed unpersuaded by her answer that it was not for her to say.
Mr. Siniora was clearly grateful for the visit, and Ms. Rice took pains to place no real pressure on his government to deal with an important lingering problem, the disarming of the Hezbollah militia that controls southern Lebanon. More than one United Nations resolution over the last two years — particularly Resolution 1559 in 2004 — has called on the Lebanese government to disband Hezbollah and extend its authority across the entire country. But Hezbollah remains the de facto ruler of Lebanon's south.
Asked about that today, Ms. Rice professed not to be in any particular hurry.
"The Lebanese government fully understands its commitments under 1559, and that includes disarming Hezbollah." she said, but then added: "This is part of an evolutionary process that is going on in Lebanon."

Rice pays surprise visit to Lebanon
On the table: ‘Show support for Lebanese government’; President Lahoud's ousting
Roee Nahmias
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived Thursday in Beirut in a surprise visit to support a Lebanese government that is trying to shake off Syrian influence and overthrow President Emile Lahoud.
Shortly after arriving, Rice told reporters, "The only purpose of the visit is show support for the Lebanese government and the Lebanese
people, while attempting to achieve full sovereignty."
Rice met with the Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh and with the Maronite Patriarch of Lebanon Nasrallah Sfeir. Later she is scheduled to meet with the Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, which the political block he is associated with, "March 14 Forces," is deepening its political fight to overthrow Lahoud.
Following the huge crowd that demonstrated after the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, a political block was established in March 14 of last year which includes Sunnis, Druze, and Christians. They call for "new order" in Lebanon and opposing the Syrian influence, including the overthrowing of Lahoud. The block even gave Lahoud an ultimatum to resign by March 14, but he remains defiant.
Lahoud is expected to participate in a Lebanese government meeting on Thursday evening, but according to London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat, two thirds of the parliament ministers who belong to "March 14 Forces" will not attend.
On Wednesday, the "Forces" managed to obtain 14 public signatures of past and present parliament members, confirming they supported Lahoud only because of "Syrian threats."
That decreases the number of Lahoud supporters to 82 parliament members, while the Lebanese constitution requires 86 to support extending the president's term. Even if this constitutional detail may not bring about Lahoud's ousting, the petition definitely does not add to his calm.
'A big test expected today'
Furthermore, Lebanese Communication Minister, Marawan Hamadeh, who has close ties with Druze leader Walid Jumbalat, and who also belongs to the "Forces," said that ousting Lahoud is a "sure thing". Speaking to al-Sharq, he said "today we expect a big test", but refused to confirm whether Ministers associated with the "Forces" will be absent from the government meeting headed by Lahoud.
Hamadeh, who in an act of protest removed Lahoud’s picture from the wall of his office, noted that the most important thing now is to determine the identity of the next Lebanese president. This, after the Maronite Patriarch of Lebanon Nasrallah Sfeir gave his blessing for Lahoud's removal, but without using violence.
What about Lahoud himself? His associates said that "his resignation is not on the agenda", and blamed French President Jacques Chirac, for being among the conspirators to oust Lahoud.
It seems that Lahoud's troubles are not over. The newspaper Al Hayat, published in London, reported that the Vatican also supports Lahoud's ousting. According to the report, it is Christian sources who are trying to remove Lahoud from power, and they are supported by the Vatican. This gives Patriarch Sfeir a stronghold in the matter. Sfeir, on his part, already hinted to Lahoud that it is best if he resigns, but for now the saga continues.
On other matters of Rice' visit, the American secretary of state arrived in Beirut after visiting Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Rice failed to convince the Saudis to stop the aid to the Palestinians. Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak asked Rice to allow the Hamas enough time to formulate its positions and respond to Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' demands.

Berri Hopes to Invite Rice in the Future to Ski at Shabaa
Parliament speaker Nabih Berri told U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday he hopes to invite her one day to ski in the Shabaa Farms after she told him that skiing was one of her hobbies.
Rice, who is on a one-day trip to Lebanon, held talks with Berri at the Speaker's residence in Ain el Tineh. After the meeting, the Shiite speaker said no party in Lebanon can impose its idea on the other and that all problems should be solved through dialogue. During the photo-op, Rice was heard telling Berri how much she liked the weather in Lebanon and that skiing was one of her hobbies. "The best place for skiing in Lebanon is the Shabaa Farms. We hope to receive you there one day," Berri responded.The farms are located at the foothills of Mount Hermon, an area that is considered good for skiing. However, the region has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. Shabaa is at the center of much controversy as the Shiite Hizbullah refuses to lay down its weapons until Israel withdraws from the area. The international community, led by the United States, is seeking to disarm the group. It says that Shabaa belongs to Syria and that therefore the liberation of the farms is not a valid argument. Beirut, Updated 23 Feb 06, 15:55

Rice Snubs Lahoud, Says Syria Must Stop Intimidating Lebanon
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pledged support Thursday for the Lebanese government as it strives to cautiously distance itself from Syria, which has dominated the country for most of the past three decades.
"It's up to the Lebanese to decide who is going to govern this country," Rice told a press conference after talks with Prime Minister Fouad Saniora. Speaking hours after arriving on a surprise visit to Beirut, Rice said Syria must give "full cooperation" to the U.N. investigation into last year's assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The U.N. Security Council has twice accused Damascus of failing to cooperate fully with the inquiry, which has implicated Syrian intelligence officials. Syria has rejected the investigation's findings and claims it is cooperating fully. The top U.S. diplomat came to Lebanon as tensions are on the rise over attempts by anti-Syrian legislators, who command a majority in parliament, to oust President Emile Lahoud. Rice, who is on a regional tour, met with Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Druze leader Walid Jumblat and legislator Saad Hariri. She left after a 4-hour visit.
"The sole purpose of this trip is to express support for the Lebanese people and for the Lebanese government as they try to recover fully their sovereignty," Rice said upon her arrival. Rice will not meet Lahoud, who is under international and local pressure to step down. But when asked if she had a message for him, she said: "I talked in the past to him and my message was it is his responsibility as president of Lebanon to be concerned by the sovereignty of Lebanon."
Earlier, she told reporters accompanying her that the Lebanese "need a presidency that looks forward, not back, and that defends Lebanese sovereignty." "My view is that the United States ought to be supporting the pro-Lebanese government," Rice said. Asked if Lahoud is an obstacle to Lebanon's progress, Rice replied: "The Lebanese people will have to decide what the obstacles to their progress are, but I think they do want to look forward." The top U.S. diplomat's trip to Lebanon came after speculations it would be cancelled for security considerations.
An Nahar's Washington correspondent Hisham Melhem reported that Rice's visit could be put off because of security concerns after the news was leaked to the media. Lebanese officials initially had no comment on the visit, but troops were spotted on major highways and police were removing parked vehicles overnight from designated streets on her route.
Rice arrived at midmorning on the second day of her Middle East tour. She spent Wednesday in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, two key players in Arab attempts to mediate between Lebanon and Syria whose relations deteriorated severely after Hariri's assassination. "Syria should not be in a position to intimidate, or to continue to occupy by stealth, Lebanon and that there should be an understanding that Syria has responsibilities under (U.N. resolution) 1559," Rice said.
The 2004 resolution called for Lebanon's sovereignty to be respected and demanded that all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias to be disarmed -- a reference to Hizbullah."There is no doubt that 1559 should be implemented," she added.
Rice last visited Beirut on July 22. Hours later a bomb exploded on a street popular for its nightlife. Lebanon has been plagued by a series of bombings targeting anti-Syrian politicians and journalists in the last year.
The U.S. has led the campaign against Syria, demanding it stop interfering in Lebanon after forcing Damascus to withdraw its army in April in the wake of Hariri's assassination. The top U.S. diplomat said on LBCI last week that Lebanon would be better off with a new president who "looks to the future of Lebanon, not its past." Her comments were taken by anti-Syrian groups as a nod for change. Beirut, Updated 23 Feb 06, 17:05

Jumblat Says U.S. Not Interfering After Meeting With Rice
Druze leader Walid Jumblat denied Thursday that Washington was meddling in Lebanese affairs, saying he supported a US-sponsored international resolution that calls on Lebanon to hold presidential elections free of foreign influence.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Jumblat said the visiting top U.S. diplomat was not interfering in the presidential issue. Rice's surprise visit to Lebanon comes amid a stepped-up campaign led by the March 14 groups on President Emile Lahoud to step down. "I personally support U.N. Resolution 1559," said the head of the Progressive Socialist Party, adding that the main article of the 2004 resolution was related to current efforts to remove the president from office.  Jumblat's meeting with Rice was also attended by legislator Saad Hariri at the Druze leader's mansion in Beirut.For his part, Hariri criticized Lahoud for claiming he was a friend of his father, who perished in a massive bombing last year. "No one can say there was a friendship between President Emile Lahoud and (former) Prime Minister Rafik Hariri," said the young leader. Hariri and other March 14 politicians blame Syria and its Lebanese allies for the killing. Lahoud's Aide de Camp, ex-commander of the Presidential Guards Brigade, Brig. Gen. Mustafa Hamdan, is currently detained in Roumieh prison along with three former Lebanese top security officials for their alleged role in the assassination.
"I can understand that Lahoud wants to claim his innocence of the crime. But I cannot understand his claim that he was his (Hariri Sr.) friend," said the slain former prime minister's son. Beirut, Updated 23 Feb 06, 15:36

Rice on surprise trip to back Lebanon against Syria
Thu Feb 23, 2006
By Saul Hudson
BEIRUT (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a brief visit to Lebanon under tight security on Thursday to show support for a government working to shake loose the influence of its former political master Syria.
"The sole purpose of the trip is to express support for the Lebanese people and the Lebanese government as they continue to try to recover fully their sovereignty," Rice told reporters as she flew into Beirut from Saudi Arabia.
She later said after talks with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora that it was "time to reiterate and to affirm the firm support of the United States of America for the Lebanese people".Rice's visit came as political tension was rising in Lebanon where the majority anti-Syrian coalition has launched a campaign to unseat President Emile Lahoud, a close ally to Damascus.In a snub, she avoided meeting Lahoud and suggested he should resign because of his links to the past when as recently as a year ago Lebanon was effectively run from Damascus."They need a presidency that looks forward not back and that defends Lebanese sovereignty but it is a decision that they will have to make," Rice said.Due to security fears in a country where several anti-Syrian figures have been killed in recent months, Rice did not announce her trip before leaving earlier on Thursday from Saudi Arabia.During her four-hour visit she met officials and politicians who are striving to establish Lebanon's independence from Syria which until last year had thousands of troops based in its tiny neighbour.
DISARMING HIZBOLLAH
Rice reiterated Washington's call for disarming anti-Israel Hizbollah guerrillas in line with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, but indicated there was no deadline for the government to do so.
"This is part of an evolutionary process that is going on in Lebanon and we have tried to be supportive of that process that the Lebanese themselves are carrying out," she said. "But there is no doubt that 1559 is going to have to be implemented."
Siniora, in apparent reference to the time the Bush administration has given him to tackle Hizbollah, said: "Really, I appreciate as well the show of patience that Secretary Rice has been showing to Lebanon."
Rice also said Syria needed to cooperate fully with a U.N. probe into the killing just over a year ago of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri which many people blame on Damascus.
Chief U.N. investigator Serge Brammertz visited Syria for a few hours on Thursday for talks on Syrian cooperation with the inquiry, Lebanese security sources said.
Rice held talks with top anti-Syrian politicians Walid Jumblatt and Saad al-Hariri, son of the slain ex-PM. She also met top Maronite Christian cleric, Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir."There was a president imposed by Syria. Our battle... is to have a Lebanese president that we elect," Jumblatt told reporters after the talks.Rice, who initially said she would only speak on the phone with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, another close ally to Damascus, later changed her plans and paid him a brief visit.
While she focussed on Lebanese politics with other officials, she discussed with the Shi'ite Muslim speaker the sharp rise in sectarian tension in Iraq after the blowing up of a Shi'ite shrine this week."This is a good thing for us to talk about -- solidarity with Iraq," Rice told Berri, also a Hizbollah ally, at the start of their meeting.(Additional reporting by Nadim Ladki)

Syria Rejects Interference in the Region's Affairs, Information Minister Says
Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 08:05 PM
Damascus, SANA
Syria on Thursday rejected movements that aim to interfere in the Lebanese internal affairs and the region’s countries under the pretext of democracy. This came in a statement by Minister of Information Dr. Muhsen Bilal to journalists commenting on the US Secretary of State Condolezza Rice visit to Beirut. Following the conclusion of the higher Syrian-Iranian joint committee’s meetings, the Minister renewed Syria’s condemnation of the terrorist explosions which targeted mosques and holy shrines in Iraq on Wednesday, saying that these acts aim at instigating sedition among Iraqi people.
Dr. Bilal said that Syria and Iran are pushing back the unjust, unfair and irresponsible pressures and working in the interest of their people. “Syria and Iran respect the international community and the UN resolutions, but Israel which is an outlaw didn’t implement any of the International Organization’s resolution and it continuously practice the state terrorism,” Dr. Bilal added.
He said that the Iranian first Vice-President Parvis Davoudi described his meeting with President Bashar al-Assad as excellent and cordial as well as President Assad as a great leader who enjoys wise vision.
“Syria backs Iran’s right to possess nuclear technology for peaceful purposes… as well Iran supports Syria’s stances in her just demands in achieving the just and comprehensive peace which ensures the Israeli full withdrawal from the Golan into the line of June 4th, 1967,” Minister of Information told Journalists.
He underlined that works are underway to link gas and petroleum pipelines as well as roads and railways from Iran to Syria via Iraq, saying that these projects will come in the interest of the three countries.

14 MPS ADMIT COERCION IN LAHOUD VOTE
Fourteen current and former Lebanese members of parliament have signed a petition in which they admit to voting in favor of an extension to President Emile Lahoud’s term of office under duress, according to the Lebanese Daily Star.
The petition was submitted to Parliament Speaker Nabih Beri.
If the MPs had not voted in favor of a three-year extension to Lahoud’s term of office in 2004, he would not have received the two-thirds majority of the 128-seat parliament required for the extension.
The petition is part of a campaign initiated by an anti-Syrian coalition called the March 14 Forces to oust the pro-Syrian president using public pressure and legal channels. They are striving to end his mandate constitutionally by March 14, 2006.
Lahoud's six-year term was extended by three years in September 2004, when Syria forced lawmakers to vote in favor of the move. In the petition the MPs say they were subject to “pressure and threats by the Syrian and Lebanese security apparatus,” which forced them to vote in favor of the extension against their will. The initiators of the petition are asking Beri to call for a session announcing the president’s mandate is null and void, and asking MPs to elect a new president.
Lahoud is refusing to step down. Syria pulled out of Lebanon in April 2005, ending a 29-year presence in the country. The pullout followed domestic and international pressure after the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri.
Critics say Syria still has intelligence agents covertly stationed in Lebanon, and that Damascus still holds sway over Beirut’s policies and decision making. By The Media Line Staff on Thursday, February 23, 2006

Lebanon, "a Message of Peaceful Coexistence"
Interview With General Michel Aoun
ROME, FEB. 22, 2006 (Zenit.org).- General Michel Aoun, who headed the transition military government in Lebanon from 1988-1990, is optimistic about his homeland.
"It is very clear to me that the Lebanon is a message of peaceful coexistence," he said during a visit in Rome.
Aoun was visiting the Lebanese community here and attending meetings in the Vatican. ZENIT was able to receive his insights on the Mideast and other topics.
After almost 15 years of exile in France, where he founded the multiconfessional Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese general returned to his homeland last May 7 to play a leading role again in the future of his country.
Last week, Benedict XVI analyzed coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon with Fouad Siniora, the Sunni Muslim president of the Lebanese Council of Ministers.
Q: At the general audience, you spoke for a few minutes with Benedict XVI. Did you already know Joseph Ratzinger?
Aoun: I knew him only by name and by his office. I know that he participated much in the elaboration of Catholic doctrine. I met him for the first time.
It was really beneficent for me to receive his blessing. I know that he will always have a thought for Lebanon, that he will defend it, he who is the greatest moral authority in the world; and this will help Lebanon much.
Q: You also met with John Paul II. What impression do you retain of him?
Aoun: John Paul II breathed holiness. He was a man of justice, law, and very profound morality. His life was a permanent struggle to liberate humanity. We were able to see it when he came to Lebanon, in his personal concern for the country, a country that was suffering and that continues to suffer.
Q: John Paul II wanted a Synod of Bishops on Lebanon. He called for the liberation of Lebanon from occupation …
Aoun: Yes, indeed. I myself addressed a message to that Synod. I think this greatly homogenized relations between Christians and Muslims and also between Muslims among themselves. It was an appeal for moderation, tolerance and respect of the other in the framework of freedom.
Q: How do you see the role of Christians in the country? Do you think that Christians engaged in politics can meet again and be reconciled?
Aoun: The majority of Christians wish to unite themselves to the Christian group that favors a policy of understanding, in order to protect the whole world and have the community respected. I think we are on the verge of achieving it.
Q: Do you think there will be a hardening of attacks? We have seen, among others, the death of Rafik Hariri, of journalist Samir Kassir, of Gebran Tueni. Are you still optimistic despite everything?
Aoun: The Lebanese people have given numerous martyrs for their freedom and independence. One more crime will not destroy them. The Lebanese are going to harden against crime.
There are many who are jealous of their freedom and independence. I think that this will entail a remission of this type of events in general, and that we will come out of it with constructive ideas for the country.
Q: In his message of peace, Benedict XVI addressed the nations launching an appeal for disarmament and inviting them to reinvest the money dedicated to armaments in the development of peoples. Do you think that Lebanon, the Middle East and Hezbollah will adopt, little by little, the logic of disarmament for development?
Aoun: Certainly. It is an international initiative. I believe that the whole world could contemplate disarmament at this moment.
Q: It is said that Lebanon is impoverished because the diaspora continues. Is this true?
Aoun: Lebanon has been impoverished over these past 15 years. After the hot war of arms, we have suffered the economic war. Around 100,000 people leave the country every year, especially the living forces, the young people, who have gone to build elsewhere.
I think that the restoration of power in Lebanon, in a climate of confidence, security, as well as with measure to fight against corruption, might make the Lebanese return to their beautiful country. Above all, it is a question of stability and of confidence in the authority.
Q: John Paul II used this expression for Lebanon: "More than a country it is a message." How do you interpret this phrase?
Aoun: I see very clearly that Lebanon is a message of peaceful coexistence, of mutual understanding, of respect, of the right to difference; a place where all believers can express themselves freely. This is Lebanon.
If there is an attempt to destroy it, this will have a negative influence in the entire world.
I wrote in 1989 that attention had not been given to the confrontation between Islam and the West. The world did not believe in the development of monocultures that reject the other's right to difference.
Now we are in a global war against terrorism, against "monoculture." Pluralism is the expression that represents society most correctly.
Q: Lebanon accepts this mosaic of different cultures …
Aoun: If one studies the demography of Lebanon, one realizes that all the communities that are present here suffered persecution and sought refuge in Lebanon to be able to preserve their customs and religion. They have a common aspiration to freedom, to freedom of faith.
Q: What do you expect from the Christians in Lebanon and, more concretely, from the Maronites?
Aoun: For us, the expression "Maronite" is no longer the exact term; there is much more talk of "Christians" in general. We regard the rites as secondary traditions, because we are all Christians for Christ, whether Maronite, Greek-Catholic, Melkite, etc.
What is essential is Christianity and I believe that the role of Christians can decrease or increase according to the time or the situation.
Christians have brought about the unity of Lebanon; they were the only ones who cohabited with the different Muslim groups, when coexistence among the different Muslim groups did not exist.
They have a historic role, which is to live their mission, to be an element of understanding, a federalizing element of the people of Lebanon in its different components. Playing this role, they can, I believe, recover their function in the republic and participate in politics and in the socioeconomic construction of the country.

Qatar's FM mediates between Lebanon and Syria
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
BEIRUT, Lebanon
The Qatari foreign minister held talks with Lebanese and Syrian leaders on Wednesday in an attempt to defuse tensions between the Mideast neighbors, whose relations have deteriorated sharply since last year's assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Foreign Minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr Al Thani arrived in Beirut on a previously unannounced visit after a stop in Syria where he had talks with President Bashar Assad. In Beirut, he met separately with President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. Sheik Hamad insisted that his talks in Damascus and Beirut should not be viewed as a Qatari initiative but simply a friendly visit to help repair strained relations between Lebanon and Syria. Later, Hamad said his country supported any Arab initiative to improve Lebanese-Syrian relations, but gave no indication if he made headway in patching up ties. So far Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Arab League have sought but failed to mend relations between Lebanon and Syria.

UALM: Our Australian flag is sacred
For Immediate Release
Sydney, Australia – The United Australian Lebanese Movement (UALM) firmly condemns the decision by the socialist youth group Resistance to sell “Australian flag-burning kits” to university students during campus orientation week.
The UALM is a staunch supporter of freedom and human rights, but there is a limit and to encourage and condone the burning of the national flag of Australia is totally unacceptable
We strongly believe that with freedom of expression comes the responsibility of expressing ones self with respect and dignity and without offending others. To burn the Australian flag or at least to sell “Australian flag-burning kits” is offensive not only to all Australians but it is an insult to all those who have died protecting Australia and the freedom that we enjoy today.
The excuse that the selling of “Australian flag-burning kits” and the actual burning of the Australian flag is in protest of government policy is weak, since the flag does not belong to the government of the day but rather the nation as a whole.
The UALM calls upon those responsible for the flag burning kits to rethink their way of protesting and to back down from their plan. We also call upon the Federal government to look at the need for legislation making flag burning an offence under Australian Law to deter other incidents in the future.
The Australian flag is for all Australians and we are proud of it.
Media contact: Charlie Khouri
Ph :( 02) 9687 0518
Fax: (02) 9687 0975
Mob: 0411 868 222