LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
FEBRUARY 28/2006

Below news from miscellaneous sources for 28/02/06
Saudi Forces Kill 5 Suspected Militants -AP 28.2.06
W.House cautious on Iran-Russia nuclear deal-Reuters 28.2.06
Syrian and Iranian Interests Converge in Lebanon-pinr.co 28.2.06
Brammertz Will Head to France to Interrogate Siddiq-naharnet 28.2.06
Larsen Supports Start Of National Dialogue to Strengthen State Control-Naharnet 28.2.06
Below news from the Daily Star for 28/02/06
Lahoud takes swipe at March 14 camp amid ouster bid
In visit, European Parliament envoy throws support behind probe
Electoral law commission to meet its deadline
Brammertz believed to be heading for France to interview Siddiq
Change and Reform bloc urges rational dialogue
Tufeili warns country on brink of civil war
Berri: Israel banking on our anxiety and chaos
Franjieh: Status of presidency concerns Sfeir
Dakkash among prospective presidential candidates
MPs to give 2nd petition to Berri on Wednesday
Air traffic controllers 'to be held responsible' for strike fallout
Ahmadinejad seeks to allay nuclear fears during Kuwait visit
Gulf charities walk tightrope on aid to Hamas-AFP
Sidon garbage falls into sea in repeat of environmental disaster

Lahoud takes swipe at March 14 camp amid ouster bid
By Majdoline Hatoum -Daily Star staff
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BEIRUT: An upcoming national dialogue was the subject of most discussions in Lebanon Monday as a smear campaign was launched by President Emile Lahoud against the March 14 Forces, who immediately hit back by accusing the president of attempting to instigate sectarian strife. Speaking from Jordan, where he is currently heading the 12th conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Council, Speaker Nabih Berri, who first called for the March 2 national dialogue, said: "There is an attempt to promote national unity in Lebanon. This unity cannot be restored except through a united position regarding issues that are not mentioned in the Constitution and in the Taif Accord."
Berri added that the success of the dialogue - which will focus on the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, UN Security Council Resolution 1559 and relations with Syria - "depends on all the participants; all the issues linked to the three points on the agenda will be discussed."
Asked about the investigations into Hariri's assassination, he said: "The investigations are now adopted by the UN Security Council and should be separated from the relations between Lebanon and Syria, which should always be excellent."
Meanwhile, Lahoud launched a harsh attack against the March 14 camp, naming Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and former President Emil Gemayel as warlords and accusing the parliamentary majority of serving Israel's interests.
In an open letter to Lebanese French-language daily L'Orient le Jour, Lahoud accused Geagea of partaking in an "endless war launched by the Lebanese Forces in the heart of Achrafieh, or in the mountain region against the Christians, the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese state."
He also criticized Gemayel, saying his current calls for freedom and independence were "fake."
"In 1988, Gemayel made 12 trips to Syria, pleading with Syrian officials to renew his presidential mandate," Lahoud said, adding that he was only pointing out these details to inform the public that "his (Gemayel's) struggle for independence is untrue and is only made to meet personal and not national interests."
Labeling the parliamentary majority as "the new supporters of chaos," Lahoud said the group was presently "seeking, with the assistance of Israel and its foreign allies, to weaken the Lebanese and divide them ... by using money and the press to manipulate the public and by launching fake media campaigns aimed at taking over the last and remaining state post, the Lebanese presidency."
He further said the Cabinet was "irresponsible and linked with foreign interests," and hinted at its possible involvement in last month's riots in Achrafieh.
Recalling a deal made last year by the Future Movement that the Majdal Anjar detainees be released from prison alongside Geagea, Lahoud said: "The Future Movement set a pre-condition to grant pardon to a group of extremists who killed a number of Lebanese Army soldiers, and may have infiltrated into the Achrafieh region on the so-called Black Sunday."
Lahoud said the sitting Cabinet "has always blamed its failure either on Syria or the president, or on the 'remains' of the former security apparatus. The
truth is the Cabinet is irresponsible and unable to rule."
The president insisted he would remain in power until "the last day" of his mandate, adding that by doing so he would be protecting the Constitution and hindering the March 14 Forces' "tyranny and dictatorial policies."
In response, the Future parliamentary bloc issued a statement criticizing Lahoud's letter as being comprised of "misleading information and lies."
"This letter represents a hideous falsification of well-known political and historic facts, and a cheap attempt to instigate sectarian strife in the country ... in order to stay in power despite the will of the majority of Lebanese, who are demanding he steps down," it said.
The bloc, headed by MP Saad Hariri, also announced it was looking forward to the national dialogue expected to begin Thursday and stressed the need to uncover "the truth" behind the late Hariri's murder and try his assassins before an international court.
Earlier in the day, Hariri had met with U.S. Ambassador Jeffery Feltman. No comments were made. Hariri also met with German Ambassador Marios Hass, who said that his country, as well as the EU, strongly supported the national dialogue.
"We consider this national dialogue to be the best way, if not the only way, to overcome the critical situation in Lebanon right now," Hass said. The dialogue has been welcomed by most Lebanese politicians. But many have set conditions to joining the discussion, such as Druze leader and MP Walid Jumblatt, who said he would not discuss the issue of disarming Hizbullah or ousting Lahoud since they both "should be implemented" without discussion. Other factions have welcomed the call for dialogue, including Hariri's Future Movement. Geagea, who did not comment on Lahoud's attack, said his party will take part in the national dialogue, but added the first matter to be discussed should be the presidency. "We definitely support the dialogue; and for us the main problem is the problem of ousting Lahoud and choosing a new president. This issue is the main issue currently, whether on the Lebanese, Arabic or international level when it comes to Lebanon," Geagea told reporters at his mountain residence in the Cedars. Geagea was confident that Lahoud would be thrown out of power, sooner or later.
"If he does not fall on March 14, he will fall on March 16, or 27 ... the main thing is that we are working on the issue of the presidency now, and it could be over before or after March 14." He added that political factions currently opposed to ousting Lahoud - such as FPM leader MP Michel Aoun and Hizbullah - could change their position soon. "All parties change their stances with time and according to circumstances ... but what's certain is that the situation can not go as is for a long time," he said.

In visit, European Parliament envoy throws support behind probe
Daily Star staff- Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BEIRUT: Paulo Casaca, the head of the European Parliamentary delegation to NATO, said UN Security Council Resolution 1559 "will guarantee the establishment of independence and freedom in Lebanon." Casaca met Monday with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir in Bkirki. In remarks afterward, he said: "We have discussed the major issues in Lebanon, in particular the need to free Lebanon from any foreign forces or armed militias."
He continued: "I believe there is an agreement over the need to implement Resolution 1559," which he said will provide the Lebanese with their independence and freedom. "We have also informed the prelate of the European Union's preparations for the holding of a conference in Lisbon on April 7 and which aims to honor the martyrs that died for the sake of Lebanon's freedom and independence," Casaca added. According to Casaca, "peace and accord between the Lebanese cannot be achieved but through the uncovering of the truth behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri."
Casaca voiced his surprise at the pictures of "non-Lebanese political leaders hanged on streets in the Bekaa." "This phenomenon was never seen but in Lebanon," he said. Asked if the European Parliament supported the extension of the work of the UNIFIL, he said that such an issue should be resolved by the Lebanese government, adding that the European Parliament was ready to help Lebanon in regaining its independence. He also stressed the importance that Lebanon have an "independent and strong army."
As for the identity of Shebaa Farms, he said: "This issue should be resolved by the United Nations and Lebanon has to submit necessary documents concerning that matter." Casaca also met with Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamade and Army Commander General Michel Suleiman. He was accompanied by a delegation from the International Committee for the Implementation of Resolution 1559. Casaca also held talks with MP Saad Hariri. - The Daily Star

Electoral law commission to meet its deadline
By Raed El Rafei -Daily Star staff
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BEIRUT: The national commission for drafting a new electoral law will meet its Tuesday night deadline, according to the commission's secretary, Nawaf Salam. "In principle we will be working on the final touches to the new draft law tomorrow," Salam told The Daily Star Monday. He added the commission will then meet with Premier Fouad Siniora to submit its draft.
Once Siniora receives the draft, the proposed bill will be discussed in Cabinet. The Cabinet should then add its comments and submit the bill within one month to Parliament, which will in turn hold a vote on the law.  Meanwhile, the Lebanese Association for the Democracy of Elections (LADE) and the Maharat Foundation revealed that most political coalitions received high levels of media coverage, considering the Lebanese media as a whole, during the 2005 parliamentary elections.
In a conference held Monday, LADE presented their study on media coverage of the electoral period and proposed a code of conduct for journalists and media institutions covering elections. According to the study, while the media, seen as a whole, during the electoral period was balanced, media outlets taken separately were biased. Based on the results, the media in Lebanon was found to be lacking an objective basis.
LADE criticized Lebanese television stations for starting their news bulletins with editorials, instead of straight news, adding "these editorials could have a direct influence on voters' decisions." The association concluded that prominent political figures got excessive coverage compared to the coverage which the parties they represent received.
They also put forward suggestions to organize campaign advertising and media coverage during elections stressing the need to guarantee equality among candidates. Suggestions included limiting political advertisement to one minute on television for every candidate and 10 minutes to electoral lists comprising between eight and 12 members. LADE's guide exposed the difficulties faced by journalists covering elections such as political pressure imposed by their lack of knowledge of the electoral law and techniques of monitoring elections. The guide also included a code of conduct for journalists which stressed precision, integrity, respecting the right to reply, respecting candidate's private lives and refraining from expressing discriminatory opinions.
The guide is part of a capacity building program for journalists covering elections funded by the EU.

Brammertz believed to be heading for France to interview Siddiq
Syrian national is suspected of involvement in the Hariri assassination
By Rym Ghazal -Daily Star staff
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BEIRUT: Unconfirmed media reports have circulated that chief UN investigator, Serge Brammertz will be heading to France within days to question a Syrian national suspected of involvement in former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination.
Al-Liwaa newspaper reported Monday that Brammertz, accompanied by other members of the international commission investigating the assassination, are planning to meet with the French judge who interrogated Mohammad Zuhair Siddiq, the witness-turned-suspect in the massive bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others in central Beirut on February 14, 2005.
When contacted by The Daily Star, the spokesperson for the investigative team could not confirm or deny the report. "We don't divulge any of Mr. Brammertz travel plans," said the spokesperson. The announcement of Brammertz's trip to France comes amid conflicting press reports over the possible release of Siddiq. "We still have not had anything official sent to us about Siddiq's release. So we don't even know if he has truly been released as media reports have been saying," said a spokesperson at the Justice Ministry to The Daily Star.
Over the weekend, there were reports that France had decided to release Siddiq, almost five months after French authorities detained him for lying to the United Nations probe. Siddiq had previously told UN investigators that Syrian and Lebanese intelligence officials were implicated in Hariri's assassination. He later claimed he was forced to give his testimony.
The French authorities detained Siddiq near Paris on October 16, 2005 after the UN commission recommended his arrest on the grounds of giving false evidence to the probe.
Lebanese prosecutors have charged him, in absentia, with giving false testimony to mislead UN investigators and playing an indirect role in Hariri's killing. As reported earlier by The Daily Star, the French court refused a request from the Lebanese authorities to extradite Siddiq to Lebanon, fearing he could face the death penalty for his alleged involvement in the murder.
Prosecutor General Saed Mirza formally made the request to the French authorities, who said Lebanon would not guarantee not to execute Siddiq if he was found guilty. When contacted by The Daily Star, Mirza said: "There has been no official confirmation from France." An-Nahar reported Lebanon is considering asking France to provide protection to Siddiq and bar him from leaving the country until additional procedures are taken to set up an international tribunal to try the suspected killers of Hariri. Meanwhile, judicial investigator Elias Eid will interview new witnesses in the Hariri case, and will re-interrogating the two arrested Lebanese generals, Raymond Azar and Mustafa Hamdan. The Daily Star tried to contact French officials in order to obtain information on Siddiq's status, but there was no official comment.

Change and Reform bloc urges rational dialogue
By Hadi Tawil -Special to The Daily Star
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BEIRUT: The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc held their weekly meeting on Monday, after which the group issued a statement saying that it was "looking forward" to the start of the national dialogue on Thursday. Following a meeting at the home of MP Michel Aoun in Rabieh, the bloc issued a statement saying: "The dialogue can come with the basis of establishing an equal, law-abiding country, and removing Lebanon from any foreign agreement or tutelage that might affect its freedom, sovereignty and independence." The statement said the bloc regrets "the maneuvers, prior conditions and escalatory measures," currently taken by some political figures. "Therefore," it continued, "the bloc calls on all parties to free themselves from all foreign bets and reliances, be it regional or international. "It also calls on all parties to start preparing their reform papers in order to present them in the dialogue for them to be discussed rationally and in the most transparent way, in the process of preserving the national interest of the country and the future of its generations, and its leading role both regionally and world wide." The parliamentary bloc added: "The Lebanese people in their various sects and social backgrounds have chosen their leaderships which represent them, with their due reservation to the 2000 electoral law."
It added that those parties should be responsible for "finding consensus solutions to all issues and crises" facing Lebanon and that "everybody should respect and obey the outcome of the dialogue." Regarding the presidency, the MPs said that the next president should be chosen on the basis of "balance, stability and fairness," as "he is the protector of the Constitution and the representative of all Lebanese from one side, and the outcome of the person having the strongest Christian representation from another side."

Tufeili warns country on brink of civil war
By Morshed al-Ali -Daily Star correspondent
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BAALBEK: Former Hizbullah Secretary General Sheikh Sobhi Tufeili warned Monday that the "troubling" political impasse in Lebanon "could quickly take the country to the brink of a civil war." The cleric, who was one of the resistance's founding fathers and its first leader, said the only parties interested in another such conflict in Lebanon were the U.S. and Israel.
During a news conference held at his Baalbek home, Tufeili said "the actions of some politicians are speeding up the outbreak of civil war," but stressed that Lebanon "has had enough of bloodshed and destruction."
Commenting on the battle for Baabda, Tufeili said politicians should appoint a new president only after "reaching an understanding for a substitute [president] or through a new Parliament elected on the basis of a fair proportional electoral law, or by introducing a new system that allows the people to directly elect a president.""No one has the right to adhere to [the presidency] if he is unqualified for the position, but rather he should step down," he added. Tufeili said he regretted that Hizbullah's weapons have become a contentious issue, stressing the resistance's arms are "a symbol of freedom and dignity." However, the cleric slammed the recent visit by United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, saying American pledges of promoting democracy in Lebanon were "fake." Tufeili further advised leaders throughout the region to work together to overcome strife and safeguard the Islamic nation.

Berri: Israel banking on our anxiety and chaos
Daily Star staff-Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BEIRUT: Speaker Nabih Berri met Monday with the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa in Jordan, with whom he discussed the situation in the Arab world and the latest developments in the Lebanese arena. Berri presided Monday over the opening ceremony of the 12th conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union held in Jordan. In a speech delivered during the conference's opening ceremony, Berri said "terrorism and the organized crimes against the region represent a free service for Israel."He explained: "Our experience in Lebanon confirmed that fighting terrorism and the organized crimes is tantamount to fighting Israeli aggression."Berri also said that "Israel is trying to bank on the state of anxiety and chaos we are witnessing and attempting to destabilize the relations between Lebanon and the other Arab countries."
The speaker urged the participants in the conference to "back Lebanon's national dialogue" and called on the Arab parliamentary institutions to "exert all possible efforts to include the teaching of democracy in the educational programs."
Berri also asked the Inter-Parliamentary Union to "reject any attempt to isolate the Palestinian government and to back the will of the Palestinian people."Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Speaker Jassem al-Khorafi criticized U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to Lebanon, adding that her abstention from visiting President Emile Lahoud "would stir up the situation in Beirut." In remarks delivered on the sidelines of the conference, al-Khorafi said that "Rice should have been keener on the Lebanese people's freedom to resolve their internal problems." - The Daily Star

Franjieh: Status of presidency concerns Sfeir
By Maroun Khoury -Daily Star correspondent
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BKIRKI: Former Minister Suleiman Franjieh said Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir "has concerns about weakening the status of the presidency."Speaking following a meeting Monday with the Prelate, Franjieh stressed the need to preserve "the status of the president and to respect the Maronite Patriarch," adding that "failing to agree on the postulates of the Christian sect is a sign of weakness." Asked about the means by which to preserve the presidency, Franjieh underlined the importance of the "unity of the Christian rank," adding: "In light of the sectarian regime in the country, the positions of the president and Bkirki should be sacred." The former premier said "the presidency has always created divisions between the Christians."
According to Franjieh, Speaker Nabih Berri's national dialogue scheduled for Thursday "will not yield any results if each party remains firm in its positions and the Christians remains divided."He added: "There are divisions inside the majority regarding the new president as there are 10 candidates among them and they will not be able to agree on one name."Franjieh further said the petition calling for the resignation of President Emile Lahoud "is not an expression of democracy."
As if he discussed with Sfeir the possible means to resolve the situation, Franjieh said: "The solution is to launch a dialogue by gathering all the parties without vetoing any party," and added that he is "ready to participate in a dialogue between all the Christians."Asked his position on Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Franjieh said: "I disagree with Geagea on politics but that doesn't mean that we cannot sit around a table and hold discussions."The Prelate also met with former Minister Fares Boueiz, who said the presidency crisis could only be solved "through accord."

Dakkash among prospective presidential candidates
Daily Star staff-Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BEIRUT: With the battle for a new president being the center of attention of politics nowadays, speculation is surfacing in Lebanon that the consensus candidate in the Baabda-Aley by-elections, former MP Pierre Dakkash, will run as a presidential candidate, among others. According to the analysis of Elaph news website on Monday, several candidates have a shot at succeeding President Emile Lahoud. While MP Michel Aoun's name has come up frequently, other politicians such as former Foreign Minister Jean Obeid, former Intelligence Chief Johnny Abdo and the Governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, Riad Salameh, also have been mentioned. Despite the secrecy over the names of presidential candidates to be proposed by the March 14 Forces, Elaph learned from sources in Lebanon about a "proposal made by the parliamentary majority to name former MP Pierre Dakkash as a presidential candidate." Dakkash ran on Aoun's list during the 2005 parliamentary elections, but the late LF candidate Edmond Naim won the seat. Now Dakkash is running to fill his vacated post. Dakkash is the only candidate that Aoun has proposed as a consensus candidate for the Baabda-Aley by-elections.
And now, since the FPM has made a pact of understanding with Hizbullah, Dakkash has also garnered the militia's support. Furthermore, former MP Talal Arslan, a pro-Syrian Druze figure and Chouf MP Walid Jumblatt's rival, praised Dakkash several times before as a candidate for the Maronite seat in Baabda-Aley. The sources added that "it is not easy for the FPM, Hizbullah and former MP Talal Arslan to reject such a consensus candidate since Dakkash enjoys all qualifications making him a candidate accepted by all Lebanese." When contacted by The Daily Star, Dakkash said: "I haven't heard about this."
"Let Lebanon pick the president they feel deserves the seat, and one that the Lebanese people want," he said.
Salameh is a viable candidate, according to Elaph, due to "his good reputation of being the successful governor of Lebanon's Central Bank since he took office in the early 90s." He was not available for comment. - The Daily Star

MPs to give 2nd petition to Berri on Wednesday
Democratic gathering bloc says issue of presidency not debatable
By Karine Raad -Daily Star staff-Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BEIRUT: Democratic Gathering bloc MP Akram Chehayeb announced Monday that the petition calling on President Emile Lahoud to resign would be handed to Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday. Chehayeb made the announcement soon after a meeting held by the parliamentary dialogue and the coordination committee of the March 14 forces with the participation of MPs Butros Harb, Walid Eido, Mosbah Ahdab, Tony Zahra and Elias Atallah.
But Chehayeb added that the president's resignation, the probe into former Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination, the international court and Palestinian arms outside Palestinian camps are not debatable issues and therefore should be part of the national dialogue. "No one will object to dialogue," he said, adding that there should be a president running the dialogue and that this president should be neutral. The national dialogue called for by Berri stipulates three topics to be discussed: the probe into the assassination of Hariri, Resolution 1559, which demands the disarmament of all militias, and Syrian-Lebanese relations.
Meanwhile, Energy and Water Minister Mohammad Fneish slammed the March 14 forces, especially those who have rejected that the issue of the presidency be discussed during the dialogue, saying:
"The country should be run by consensus. No party, no matter how powerful and widely supported, should determine the destiny of the country, its strategic position and future."Fneish added that "it is funny how alibis are presented by some about the illegitimacy and unconstitutionality of the president and that intimidation was exercised against them [to sign the extension].
"If his extension is unconstitutional and the president should be ousted then all subsequent developments to the extension are void, including the 2000 electoral law. The president remains in post and exercises the constitutional authority as it is his duty to remain so that the country does not face a vacuum or crisis."
Meanwhile, Future Movement MP Nabil de Freij called for being chosen as representative of the six Christian minority confessions officially recognized in the Lebanese Constitution, "if candidates in the dialogue are to be chosen according to sectarian affiliation." Berri had invited MP Michel Murr to join in the national dialogue as a representative of the Greek Orthodox faith, causing an outcry that the dialogue should not be based on confessions. De Freij, a Protestant, said: "Should the dialogue be based on sectarian considerations, then Christian minorities, which represent a remarkable percentage of Lebanese people, should not be marginalized." He stressed that "either the dialogue should be comprehensive and all inclusive or restricted to the heads of parliamentary blocs."In a statement Monday, the Future Movement bloc particularly highlighted that the majority of the Greek Orthodox support MP Ghassan Tueni as a representative in the dialogue, not Murr.
The Greek Orthodox MPs addressed a letter to Berri in which they expressed support to Tueni or Deputy Speaker Farid Makari but not MP Michel Murr "who everybody knows only represents himself and has never recognized any Orthodox authority."The MPs stressed that despite their conviction that dialogue should be held on political, not sectarian bases, they support Tueni as a national struggler and a wise politician.
Otherwise, as a political representative, "Makari, the deputy speaker, currently occupies the highest Orthodox political position and has priority for representation."Also as part of the ongoing campaign for dialogue, the Phalange Party and the Progressive Socialist Party held a meeting during which they stressed that the dialogue has to be positive so it can protect Lebanon from crises and preserve stability so that the country "is not turned into a battlefield for foreign bickering.""We want a transparent dialogue that does not include compromises about other issues; we set a series of national goals that we do not wish to overstep, including the resignation of the presidency," the Phalange Party president Amin Gemayel said.
Asked what will happen if the March 14 forces fail to meet the deadline set to oust the president, Gemayel replied: "We set March 14 as a launching station; it might be before or after March 14. What is important is that Lebanon recovers its presidency."

Air traffic controllers 'to be held responsible' for strike fallout
Daily Star staff-Tuesday, February 28, 2006
BEIRUT: The director general of the Civil Aviation department Hamdi Shawq said the air traffic controllers "will be held responsible for any moral or physical damage to the civil aviation" if they decide to go on strike.
Air traffic controllers at Rafik Hariri International Airport have decided to hold a strike as of March 1 during night shifts (from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.) to call for their right to receive over-time wages. A source in the air traffic controllers committee said the Shura Council issued a decision ordering the civil aviation administration to give their employees over-time wages, accumulated since 2001. The source added that the 45 air traffic controllers are working 240 hours per month instead of 140 and not receiving any over-time compensation. In a statement issued Monday, Shawq said the issue is being studied by the judiciary and no one in the administration can interfere with it. He added that the administration "has never rejected any decision by the Shura Council." "When the Shura Council will issue its final decision, then the administration will assume all its duties," Shawq said.He continued: "The difficult financial situation in the directorate general of civil aviation is burdened by the administration and all the employees and not by the air traffic controllers alone.""However, the situation in the country's public administrations suffers from flows and requires patience, solidarity and high sense of responsibility," he said. He added all possible efforts have been made to address the situation of the directorate general by promoting its role in the fields of safety and security and by building human capacities. He asked all the air traffic controllers to postpone their decision "for the sake of the country's economy," stressing that the directorate "will give them all their legal rights when the Shura Council issues its final decision." - The Daily Star

Saudi Forces Kill 5 Suspected Militants
© 2006 The Associated Press
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi security forces shot and killed five militants the government said Monday were suspects in last week's foiled suicide bombing of a huge oil processing complex in the kingdom's east.
Security forces detained a sixth militant who was not harmed in one of two simultaneous raids in the capital, Riyadh, the Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.
"We think all the men involved had something to do with the Abqaiq attempt," the ministry's chief spokesman, Lt. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, told The Associated Press in Dubai, referring to Friday's attempt to detonate car bombs inside the world's biggest oil stabilization plant.
The ministry's statement said security forces swooped on a "rest stop" in the eastern Riyadh suburb of Yarmouk where the militants met to plan their operations. Earlier, al-Turki said the forces raided a Yarmouk house that was under surveillance.
"After a heavy exchange of gunfire, security forces were able to control the situation in a short time, killing all five at the scene," the ministry statement said.
The security forces suffered no casualties, al-Turki added.

"We will interrogate the arrested man," he said.

Friday's attack, the first ever on Saudi Arabia's vital oil infrastructure, was claimed by the Saudi branch of al-Qaida.

Two suicide bombers were killed in the attack, which was foiled when security guards fired at their vehicles outside the gates to Abqaiq. Two guards were killed.

On Sunday, the Interior Ministry identified the two dead assailants as Abdullah Abdul-Aziz al-Tweijri and Mohammed Saleh al-Gheith and said both were on a list of the kingdom's 15 most-wanted terrorists issued in June.

The killings Monday left only four militants on the list of 15 at large. Ten have died or been killed, and one has been captured.
Witnesses to Friday's attack said security forces traded fire with gunmen outside the facility after the explosions, and the hunt for attackers continued for hours. The Saudi branch of al-Qaida warned in an Internet statement Saturday that its suicide bombers would strike the oil industry again. Al-Qaida militants launched a campaign of violence in Saudi Arabia _ birthplace of Osama bin Laden _ in 2003.
Saudi security forces have largely had al-Qaida militants on the run for the past year, arresting hundreds of suspects. They killed or captured all but one of the top 26 militants on a most-wanted list issued in December 2003, then issued the second list in June. Saudi Arabia holds over 260 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, a quarter of the world's total. It is the world's largest exporter, currently putting out about 9.5 million barrels per day, supplying 11 percent of global consumption.
Abqaiq processes about two-thirds of the country's oil before export.

W.House cautious on Iran-Russia nuclear deal
Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:45 AM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House reacted skeptically on Monday to reports that Iran had reached an agreement with Russia on a proposed joint venture to enrich uranium in Russia.
Russia's original proposal -- welcomed by the White House -- had been for Iran's uranium to be enriched in Russia to defuse suspicions that Iran might divert some nuclear fuel into a weapons program.
However, Iran has always insisted upon its right to enrich the uranium it mines in its central desert on its own soil, and it was uncertain how the original Russian proposal could be tailored to please Tehran.
It was unclear what the new agreement announced in Iran on Sunday involved.
"We'll see, but given their history you can understand why we remain skeptical," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said of Iran.
Alarmed by Iran's resumption of nuclear fuel research, including some small-scale enrichment, and curbs on inspectors' access to suspected sites, Western nations are expected to call for Iran to be referred to the U.N. Security Council at a March 6 meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. atomic watchdog.
"We'll see what happens with the discussions with Russia but our concerns are very well known," McClellan said.
He said Iran needed to suspend all enrichment activities as required by the IAEA, noting that he had seen comments from an Iranian official suggesting Iran will continue to conduct some enrichment activities in Iran.
"The international community has expressed their concerns about the regime's intentions. We are concerned about Iran pursuing nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian program. and the regime has shown that it cannot be trusted," McClellan said.© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Brammertz Will Head to France to Interrogate Siddiq
Chief U.N. investigator Serge Brammertz is expected to head to France in the near future to question a Syrian national suspected of involvement in former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination, Al Liwa reported on Monday. The announcement of Brammertz's trip to France comes amid conflicting press reports over a possible release of Mohammed Zuhair Siddiq, the witness-turned-suspect in the massive bombing that killed Hariri and 21 others in central Beirut on Feb. 14, 2005.
While the Associated Press reported that Siddiq was set free, An Nahar and other news organizations said he was still held in detention. Brammertz, who will be accompanied by other members of the international commission investigating the assassination, is also planning to meet with a French judge who had interrogated Siddiq. On Friday, France decided to release Siddiq almost five months after French authorities detained him for lying to the U.N. probe.
Siddiq had previously told U.N. investigators that Syrian and Lebanese intelligence officials were implicated in Hariri's assassination. He later claimed he was forced to give such a testimony.
The French authorities detained Siddiq near Paris on Oct. 16, 2005 when the U.N. commission recommended his arrest on grounds of giving false evidence to investigators.
Lebanese prosecutors have charged him in absentia with giving false testimony to mislead U.N. investigators and playing an indirect role in Hariri's killing.
In December, France rejected to hand over Siddiq to Lebanon fearing he could face the death penalty for his alleged involvement in the murder.
French authorities replied to a Lebanese request to extradite the witness-turned-suspect, saying it could not hand over someone who could be sentenced to death.
Prosecutor General Said Mirza had formally made the request to French authorities, who said Lebanon failed to provide guarantees that it would not execute the Syrian suspect if he was found guilty.
Meanwhile, a Lebanese judiciary source told Agence France Presse that French judicial authorities have not informed Lebanon's prosecutor general of its decision to free Siddiq.
"Prosecutor General Said Mirza has not been officially informed by the French judiciary of its decision to free Siddiq," the source said.
An Nahar reported that Lebanon is considering asking France to provide protection to Siddiq and bar him from leaving the country until additional procedures by the United Nations are taken to set up an international tribunal to try the suspected killers of Hariri.
Last month, a U.N. legal counsel, Nicolas Michel, visited Lebanon to study the nature and scope of such a tribunal.
 

Lebanon admits allowing weapon delivery
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The Lebanese government has admitted to allowing the delivery of a convoy of arms from Syria to Hezbollah. Sources say Lebanese soldiers halted a convoy of trucks carrying arms from Syria at an army checkpoint last month, but the Defense Ministry ordered the soldiers to allow the convoy to proceed, the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported. The Lebanese government has admitted both that it had allowed the convoy to pass and that the arms had been destined for Hezbollah, the newspaper said.
The United Nations has published a statement condemning the Lebanese government for violating a U.N. Security Council Resolution that calls for disarming the country's militias.
Hezbollah claims it is not a "militia" so it is not covered by the resolution's demand that all Lebanese militias be disarmed, the newspaper said.

''Syrian and Iranian Interests Converge in Lebanon''
pinr.co 27.2.06: Syria and Iran share a history of strategic coordination based on intersecting regional interests. These interests matched perfectly when Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party governed Iraq. They also aligned near perfectly in opposition to Israel's forays into Lebanon, which gave rise to their creation of Hezbollah as a counterweight to Israeli power. Iran and Syria continue to share common interests in Iraq where they have cooperated due to their mutual antipathy toward the United States. It is in Lebanon that their interests most directly converge; Beirut figures prominently in both Syrian and Iranian strategic calculations.
The Syrian-Iranian Axis
Damascus is the junior partner in this relationship since it has less to offer and has chosen to cast its lot with Iran. Tehran wields greater geopolitical heft. With Iranian assistance, Damascus believes it can stave off international pressure while expanding its freedom of action in Lebanon. This is a deal its Sunni-dominated Arab neighbors, which are troubled by Tehran's influence over Damascus, will not offer.
For its part, Tehran counts on Syria to facilitate the continued primacy of Hezbollah in Lebanon in order to advance its own interests in the region and beyond. For Tehran, Hezbollah represents an effective threat to Israel and is a central pillar of Iranian grand strategy. A strong Syrian-Iranian axis only fortifies Hezbollah's position in Lebanon and, therefore, Tehran's position.
In late January of 2006, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad traveled to Damascus in order to cement ties between the two increasingly isolated countries. Both states are closing ranks in an effort to allay mounting international pressure.
Tehran maintains a keen interest in keeping the foundering Assad regime afloat, lest it lose a key facilitator of its regional strategy. Tehran harbors concerns about Damascus' straitened position in the face of the U.N. investigation into the assassination of Rafiq Hariri in Lebanon and the defection of former Syrian Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam, who is openly advocating regime change in Syria. Present at this meeting were high-ranking officials closely linked to Hezbollah, possibly including Imad Mughniyahits, the group's operational commander. Perhaps not so coincidentally, a suicide bomber carried out a successful attack in Tel Aviv around the time of the meeting.

Reports also indicate that the two countries reached an accord whereby Syria would agree to store Iranian "materials" and weapons should Tehran come under U.N. sanctions. Reports also suggest that Syria may already be storing Iranian WMDs. Tehran also allegedly resolved to provide safe haven to any Syrian intelligence official indicted over the Hariri assassination. Tehran would also provide further military aid to Damascus and financial aid to offset Western sanctions.
Veiled Threats from Syria and Iran
The recent upheaval surrounding the Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad was a windfall for Damascus and Tehran, which almost certainly played a joint role in orchestrating some of the more spirited protests. The Danish and Norwegian embassies were put to the torch in Damascus and Beirut as masses of enraged demonstrators ran amok in the streets.
It goes without saying that Syrian security forces would not have acted so munificently if the protests were directed against the regime. Those same security forces, however, prevented the protesters from storming the U.S. and French embassies for fairly obvious reasons. In Beirut, it is alleged that Syrian security forces, dressed like civilians, played an instigative role in the protests.
Both Tehran and Damascus planned to exploit the cartoon imbroglio to demonstrate the underlying Muslim rage in the region, and to provide a foretaste of what would ensue if the West pursues action against either of the governments. The message, put none too subtly, is that any such actions could potentially convulse the entire region and set in train a cascade of destabilizing events. It is, therefore, not in American interests to place undue pressure on Tehran or Damascus, or any of their regional proxies -- such as Hezbollah -- for that matter.
The Assad regime's message conveys a particular clarity. Damascus is telling the United States that if its government is removed from power, Islamists will be waiting to take power. In fact, Damascus has feverishly attempted to depict itself as a victim of radical Islamic militancy to counter charges that it promotes such activity, and has more or less staged clashes between Syrian security forces and militants to prove the point.
Damascus is also exploiting the cartoon flap to foment sectarian strife in Lebanon in order to reclaim its influence over that country. Its still considerable intelligence presence in Lebanon affords it the ability to aggravate the sectarian tensions that have divided the country. Reports suggest that Damascus has recently covertly moved radical Islamists into Lebanon to stir the pot, which has not gone unnoticed in Beirut. It has focused its efforts on the Christian dominated neighborhoods of Beirut, the focus of the recent riots.
By sowing this sort of discord, Damascus hopes, rather transparently for those who care to notice, to maintain Lebanon in an ongoing state of instability. It is a state to which Lebanon is certainly accustomed. In so doing, it plans to poignantly remind Washington and, to a lesser extent, Paris that Syria's presence in Lebanon was a sedative one and that Syrian interests cannot be ignored.
Damascus is not averse to destabilizing its neighbors if doing so will diffuse Western pressure. These neighbors most notably include Saudi Arabia and Egypt. While they harbor little goodwill toward Syria's Alawite government, they share a powerful interest in maintaining stability in Syria at the present time, especially in light of the situation in Lebanon. They simply see no attractive alternative to the status quo at present and fear the instability that a cornered Damascus could visit upon them should its gloves come off.
Saudi Arabia, which anxiously seeks the restoration to power of Syria's Sunni majority, fears that Damascus may attempt to destabilize the Saudi peninsula if pushed too far. For its part, Egypt has little interest in seeing the Assad regime collapse given the potential fallout. In the face of its own troubles with the Muslim Brotherhood, Mubarak finds little virtue in an Islamist rise in Syria, even if Syrian Islamists tend to be more moderate than Egypt's. Additionally, it would not enhance his son's prospects of succession.
Arab Regimes Concerned over Shi'a Influence in Region
The Sunni-dominated Arab regimes are deeply concerned about the specter of burgeoning Iranian influence in the region, which makes them especially keen to pry Damascus away from Tehran's tightening embrace. Riyadh and Cairo have sought to convince Damascus that its long-term interests are best secured through their partnership; that their influence with Washington will protect Syrian interests; and that Tehran is ultimately a weak reed upon which to lean, given its increasing isolation.
These attempts have failed and will likely continue to do so, however, as an alliance with Tehran affords Damascus the greatest opportunity to reassert its most cherished desideratum -- control over Lebanon. Riyadh and Cairo, which have, for their own reasons, tried to persuade Damascus to fully quit Lebanon, cannot provide that.
The Sunni Arab regimes are particularly fearful of the emergence of a notional "Shi'a Crescent" sitting athwart the Middle East should Iranian influence grow unchecked, encompassing Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Their fear is compounded several fold by the prospect of a nuclear-armed Tehran in the vanguard. Accordingly, they seek to check Iranian influence where the opportunity arises.
They have seen one such opportunity in Lebanon, although they recently suffered a setback when Arab sponsorship of a Lebanese-Syrian accord failed. This was not especially surprising, given the obstacles in place and the local advantages their opponents enjoy.
Riyadh in particular seeks to counter Iranian influence in Lebanon so it can establish its own leadership of the Arab Middle East and the greater Muslim world. It must first undermine Shi'a influence, which it hopes will throw a net around the Alawite regime in Damascus. In this manner, Sunni rule will be restored in Syria and the Syrian-Iranian axis will be severed, thus ending Iranian dreams of regional hegemony. Tehran is naturally working equally hard to prevent such a development.
Conclusion
Damascus and Tehran are currently fellow travelers that will extract what they can from one another. Their relationship does not rise to the level of a full-fledged alliance, however, and it is a partnership that has its limitations. In the first place, Tehran is not concerned, ultimately, with the fate of Syria. Tehran is concerned about Syrian weakness inasmuch as it affects Tehran's ambitions in the region and beyond. Accordingly, it appears to be acting to cover its bases in Lebanon by carving out a strong Shi'a bloc for itself at Damascus' expense.
Of course, part of this effort is also due to Tehran's fear of Saudi machinations in Lebanon. Tehran is seeking to establish ties with the Lebanese government by cementing ties with Shi'a leaders in Beirut, a process begun under Ahmadinejad's predecessor, Mohammad Khatami.
Reports also indicate that Tehran is beginning to question the fealty of Hezbollah's current leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and may be looking for a successor to consolidate Iranian support within the organization. This may prefigure a major rift within the organization and bears watching.
In addition, Damascus is the much weaker partner and must fear for its future if Tehran ends up cutting a deal with the West over its nuclear program that may set Damascus adrift, calling to mind the Thucydidean maxim that the strong do what they can while the weak suffer what they must. Although not likely in the near future, the possibility exists that Tehran will use its influence over Hezbollah to broker the party's ultimate disarmament as a bargaining chip within the framework of a broad international agreement.
Ironically, it was Bashar Assad's father, Hafez, who had held out the possibility of disarming Hezbollah as part of a comprehensive peace settlement that would have secured Syrian influence in Lebanon, sanctioned by Washington. It is now Tehran that sits in a position to broker such an arrangement, which would marginalize Damascus and leave it to the mercy of others.
Report Drafted By:
Brian Maher
The Power and Interest News Report (PINR) is an independent organization that utilizes open source intelligence to provide conflict analysis services in the context of international relations. PINR approaches a subject based upon the powers and interests involved, leaving the moral judgments to the reader. This report may not be reproduced, reprinted or broadcast without the written permission of inquiries@pinr.com. All comments should be directed to content@pinr.com.


Syria arrests pro-democracy students: Rights lawyer
Web posted at: 2/27/2006 3:44:19
Source ::: AFP  DAMASCUS: Syrian security services have arrested three students for trying to set up a peaceful democratic discussion group, prominent rights lawyer Anwar Bunni said yesterday.  The three students were “arrested on Saturday as part of a campaign against students who tried to meet and set up a democratic and peaceful youth group,” he said. Two other students at Damascus University were arrested for the same reason late January, he added.
Earlier this month, Bunni accused the Syrian authorities of clamping down on dissidents despite their inaction in the face of violent protests outside European diplomatic missions in Damascus over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

Three Cheers for Australia!
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks. A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state and its laws were made by
parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia & nb!sp;law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," he said on national television. "I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another the Islamic law, that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option," Costello said.
Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear off". "Basically, people who don't want to be Australians, and if they don't want to live by Australian values and understand them, well then they can basically clear off," he said. Separately, Howard angered some Australian
Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
AMERICA and Canada..... ARE YOU LISTENING?
Australia- The Right to Leave Our Country - YOU Have the right...the right to leave !
After Sydney not wanting to offend other cultures by putting up Xmas lights.
After hearing that the State of South Australia changed its opinion and let a Muslim woman have her picture on her driver's license with her face covered. This prompted this editorial written by an Australian citizen. Published in an Australian newspaper.
Quote: IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It I am tired of
this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.
However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of Australia being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Australians ,we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, Learn the language!
Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push but a fact because Christian men and women! , on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, Because God is part of our culture. We will accept your beliefs and will not question why, all we ask is that you accept ours and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us. If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like " A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from.& By all means keep your culture but do not force it on others.
This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND,! and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom," THE RIGHT TO LEAVE".
If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted. Pretty easy really, when you think about it. I figure if we all keep passing this to our friends (and enemies) it will also, sooner or later get back to the complainers, lets all try, please.
Thank you!