LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
JANUARY 15/2006

Below is news from miscellaneous sources for 15.1.06
Lebanese police clash with anti-U.S. protesters-Reuters 15.1.06
U.S. envoy affirms support to Lebanon-UPI 15.1.06
Syria's Khaddam says forming exile government: press-Reuters 15.1.06
Democracy Should Come to Syria, But How?zaman.com.tr 15.1.06
Below news from Naharnet 15.1.06
Lebanon Cracks Qaida Cell Coming from Syria
Israeli Army Chief of Staff Warns of Possible Israeli Strike on Lebanon Infrastructure
Welch Pledges U.S. Commitment to Lebanese Sovereignty
Assad Inner Circle Embezzled $20 Billion, Khaddam Says
Syrian Arrested in Hariri Probe, Bringing Number of Detainees to 12
7-Point Syrian Compromise Meets Stiff Lebanese Resistance
Moqtada Sadr Calls on Hizbullah to Join Iraqi Shiites in Confrontation Against West
EU Affirms Commitment to Lebanon, Urges Syria 'Full' Cooperation

EU welcomes appointment of Brammertz to investigate Hariri assassination
Brussels, Jan 14, IRNA -EU-Lebanon
The European Union has welcomed the appointment of Serge Brammertz to head the International Investigation Commission into the assassination former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. Brammertz, a Belgian prosecutor, had been working at International Criminal Court, in The Hague. The current Austrian EU Presidency in a statement Friday night called on Syria 'to cooperate fully and unconditionally with the Investigation Commission'. The EU reaffirmed its full support for the government of Fouad Siniora and called on all the political forces of Lebanon 'to play their part in ensuring that the government loses no time in implementing the reforms necessary for the progress of the democratic Lebanon that emerged from the elections of June 2005'. "The European Union reiterates the importance it attaches to the Lebanese government extending its authority to the entire national territory and encourages it to continue the dialogue begun, in accordance with resolution 1559, with a view to the disarmament of Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias," noted the statement. The statement added that the EU fully supports the Lebanese government's intention to enter into negotiations with Syria 'with a view to demarcating the entire border separating the two countries'.

Democracy Should Come to Syria, But How?
ERHAN BASYURT-zaman.com.tr
01.14.2006 Saturday - ISTANBUL 20:16
Abdelhalim Khaddam, who spent 35 years working in the Asad regime in Syria, unexpectedly emerged as an opponent of the regime recently in Paris. His partnership with the Asad Family, which started in 1970, continued until 2005 when he was dismissed from office. He continued in his position of vice president for 21 years beginning from 1984 to 2005. He was the top Sunni leader in the Nusayri Shiite Asad Family government. There is a common opinion in the country that Haddam, whose wife is a Nusayri, is connected to the “bribery network” in the country.
Khaddam defends Bashar Asad was angry with former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, a Sunni leader, and told him he would be punished. This kind of a top level eyewitness account is catching the attention of the United Nations (UN) Detlev Mehlis Commission. Syrian Foreign Minister Faruk al-Shara is expected to make a deposition to the Commission in Vienna about Hariri assassination. Asad may also be called to give evidence.
Khaddam explained his aim, in an in depth interview he gave to Al-Arabiya TV on December 30, as to take steps that will change the history of the region. Haddam’s explanations must have influenced Syria because he was quickly announced a “betrayer” soon following his statement and all his assets were frozen. It is not clear who persuaded Haddam to call the Syrian people to rebel against the Asad Authority; however, he cannot have only now realized the high level of poverty in the country, and the injustice in income distribution and existence of arbitrary authority after 35 years! Another interesting development took place in the December 14 edition of the International Herald Tribune. The comment written by H.D.S Greenway with the headline, “The Return of the Neocons,” reports, the Neocons, the hawks of the American Administration, increased the speed of their initiatives to change the regime in Syria. Greenway noted the Prince of Darkness Richard Perle, who is one of the ideologists of Neocons, got together with Iraq Vice President Ahmed Chalabi and Syrian Reform Party Leader Farid Ghadry in his own home. Chalabi did a lot of things in Iraq to overturn Saddam Hussein. That’s why, he supplied misinformation. Even if he left Iraq in his childhood, he played for leadership in the post Saddam period; however, he failed to gain enough votes to enter parliament.
The Syrian Reform Party was established in 2002 to conduct studies to change the regime in Syria. After which time an umbrella organization was established where Kurdish parties especially took a place. The route followed has a lot of common points with Chalabi’s methods. Ghadri has also been living out of Syria since he was 10 years old. Like Chalabi, he draws attention with his closeness to the Jewish wing of the Neocons. His target is to bring democracy to Syria, a country he has not seen since his childhood. It is not sure yet whether Ghadri and Khaddamwill struggle together or not; however, it is claimed that Sadreddin Bayanouni, who is the leader of the Syria Muslim Brothers group in London, may support Khaddam in his rebellion against the Asad Regime. As the regime in Syria leans to a minority it is possible that a large participation social rebellion may overturn the Asad Regime. The Cedar Revolution in Lebanon is shown as an example to this. This is really a difficult process for Turkey. The overturn of the Saddam Regime and beginning of democracy was most beneficial for Turkey; however, the events after the operation for this reason are clear. When the final situation is considered, even the separation of Iraq is possible. We also cannot forget the thousands of innocent Iraqis who lost their lives. A real democracy in Syria would be hugely beneficial for Turkey; however, is stability possible in this way with the help of regime engineering? Are there any secret promises given to Syrian Kurds, as in the Iraq case? A real democracy in Syria should, of course, be demanded. This is also important for the balances in the region, which changed with the Shiite government in Iraq; however, this transition should not be like the Iraq case.
e-mail:e.basyurt@zaman.com.tr

Lebanese police clash with anti-U.S. protesters
14 Jan 2006 - BEIRUT, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Lebanese riot police fired smoke grenades and sprayed water on Saturday to disperse dozens of students protesting against the visit of senior U.S. diplomats to Beirut.
The protest turned nasty when security forces tried to clear protesters who gathered outside the government headquarters ahead of a visit by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Welch.
Some of the protesters, waving Lebanese flags and carrying placards protesting against U.S. influence in Lebanon and the Middle East, pelted police with stones.
"Welch is not welcome in Lebanon," one placard read.
Welch, who met with several Lebanese officials on Saturday, is due to hold talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora at the government headquarters.
Welch and U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Elliott Abrams began a trip to the region last week.
Their visit had been postponed because of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke but the United States has resumed efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without him.
The United States is assailed in much of the Arab world for what many perceive as its pro-Israeli stance.
But Washington has pledged to support Lebanon since Syria pulled its forces out of its smaller neighbour in April amid intense international and local pressure following the killing of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.
A U.N. inquiry has already implicated Syrian officials in the murder. Damascus denies any role.


 

U.S. envoy affirms support to Lebanon
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welsh Saturday asserted Washington's firm support to Lebanon's independence and sovereignty. Welsh, who arrived in Beirut earlier in the day, stressed that no deal should be made to undermine Lebanon's sovereignty and independence, in obvious allusion to Saudi and Egyptian efforts to work out an agreement between Lebanon and its former powerbroker, Syria.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Christian Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Welsh said Washington believes that it was time to achieve unity, cooperation and solidarity in order to resolve all the problems in Lebanon.
He added the U.S. supports dialogue among the Lebanese to achieve national unity and a democratic multi-confessional Lebanon which would be ruled with transparency and enjoy a strong economy. Lebanon has been rocked by bombings and assassinations since October 2004, including the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which many Lebanese blame on Syria. Welsh was greeted at the airport by Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, who asserted that all Lebanese, without exception, want to discover the truth behind Hariri's killing and supports the work of the international inquiry set up with Washington's backing. Salloukh said he affirmed to Welsh that the Lebanese people want security and stability in south Lebanon "which are undermined by almost daily Israeli violations, continued Israeli occupation of Shabaa Farms and the issue of Lebanese prisoners in Israel." He said he explained to the U.S. official "that the armed resistance constituted a natural reaction by the Lebanese people against Israeli occupation and aggression, and that it enjoys large popularity."
Anti-Israel resistance is perpetuated by the Shiite Hezbollah organization, which Washington considers as a terrorist group.

Syria's Khaddam says forming exile government: press
Sat Jan 14, 2006
BERLIN (Reuters) - Former Syrian vice president Abdel-Halim Khaddam, a fierce critic of President Bashar al-Assad, told a German magazine he was forming a government in exile and believed Assad would be forced from power this year.
Khaddam, who now lives in Paris, told the weekly Der Spiegel on Saturday that Assad was facing growing pressure from economic problems at home and the international investigation into the killing of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.
"His fall has already begun. I don't think his regime will last out this year," Khaddam, who accuses Assad of ordering Hariri's murder, said.
The former vice president, for 30 years a confidant of Assad's late father, Syrian leader Hafez al-Assad, left the government in June. He has been accused of treason and expelled from the ruling Baath Party after a series of verbal attacks on the president. Khaddam told leading Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat earlier this month that he wanted the Syrian government toppled.
Asked by Der Spiegel whether he was seeking to form a government-in-exile, he said: "That is correct".
He said he would be ready to work with both Islamist leaders, whom he called "part of the rich Islamic mosaic that defines the basic character of our country" and the Baath Party.
"I would not rule out any political group that sticks to the basic rules of democracy," he said. "One should not make the mistake with the Syrian Baath Party that the Americans made with the Iraqi Baath Party," he said.
"The majority of Baathists in Syria have long ago turned against the regime. They see the government's mistakes every day," he said. Khaddam also repeated the allegation he made earlier this week that Assad had ordered the murder of Hariri.
"I'm convinced: the order came from Assad. He is an extremely impulsive man, he is always losing his cool."
Syria has denied any role in the bomb blast that killed Hariri and 22 others in Beirut last year.© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Pressures on Syria Condemned
Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 01:45 PM
CAPITALS, (SANA)
Iranian News Agency of ‘Qods’ vehemently condemned Saturday the US pressures on Syria, stressing that the West has been seeking to implement its schemes in the region to preserve its and Israel’s interests, seize the region’s treasures and resources and to prevent any approach or reconciliation among countries of the region. “Abdul-Halim Khaddam latest statements and allegations come within the framework of the US projects to distribute crisis in the region in order to guarantee its interests as well as the West and Israel’s interests at the region states ‘s expense.” The agency said. In Cairo, Egyptian News paper ‘Akhbar-Al-Yom’ called on all Arab countries to back Syria in the face of the campaign she is being exposed to, stressing that “This campaign poses a challenge to all Arabs.”

Franjieh: Syria Is Lebanon’s Depth
Saturday, January 14, 2006 -
BEIRUT, (SANA)
Syria is Lebanon’s depth as well she is the Arab depth door and no one can doubt that, Former Lebanese Minister said Friday. Suleiman Franjieh, in an interview with al-Manar T.V. criticized those who raise doubts regarding Hizbollah patriotism and its sacrifices to liberate Lebanon, underscoring the necessity of protection of the national resistance arm to face the Israeli aggressions and liberate the rest of the Lebanese land which is still occupied.
“ Who tries to strike civil peace in Lebanon is the same side who raises doubts about Hizbollah patriotism,” he said, criticizing the political level that Walid Jumblat has reached to and his continuous endeavors to attain his personal benefits using all means to do that.“I will not renounce my history to make use of circumstances and swoop on my friends,” he said.
Franjieh stressed that Lebanon can be governed only through the dialogue and democratic reconciliation.

US State Department Envoy Visits Lebanon
14 January 2006
Beirut. US State Department Envoy to the Middle East David Welsh arrived today for a visit in Lebanon to show US support to the country, AFP reports. Welsh will be received by the Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, will talk with the Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir and with the Christian and Druze leaders Michel Aoun and Walid Jumblatt. According to some sources the US envoy will not meet with the Lebanese President Emil Lahud.  This visit comes at a moment when Washington and Paris once again asked Damascus to cooperate with the UN Commission investigating the murder of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Lebanon denies Syria's intention to draw borders in Shebaa
Official sources have declined to "An-Nahar" that the government received any Syrian official stance as regards Syria's readiness to draw borders with Lebanon in the occupied Shebaa farms.
Commenting on what "Al-Arabia" T.V satellite channel said about the said matter, officials said that is just talking if it is not coped with practical steps that Syria officially provide the UN with documents and maps which prove that Shebaa belongs to Lebanon --and it is—Then the question will be part of the international law but there is nothing new so far.
"An-Nahar" correspondent in Damascus Shaaban Aboud said that a reliable Syrian source denied that there is an agreement between Syria and Lebanon as regards drawing borders in Shebaa farms. The source pointed out that Damascus, in principal, agreed on drawing borders between Syria and Lebanon. "We have announced our stance in more than one occasion. We affirmed that this matter falls within an integration vision of the relation between Syria and Lebanon," the source said. The source said that the question of drawing borders is not separate of other issues which should be tackled .These matters should be tackled within a clear and fraternal atmosphere between the two countries. However, we did not find, at present, that our Lebanese brothers have intention to discuss the bilateral relation. "during meetings with Arab parties recently held, we have submitted ideas and suggestions aimed to improve relations including the question of drawing borders .It is illogic that some parties in Lebanon are arbitrarily dealing with these ideas ",the source added.
An-nahar
Edited and translated by Champress for original text in Arabic Plz visit our Arabic section www.champress.net or www.annaharonline.com

Killer at the door
14 January 2006 -Kalij Times
WITH three deaths and dozens of cases being reported from Turkey, the world’s worst fears about bird flu appear to have come true. These are the first cases of humans picking up the killer virus from birds outside Asia. Logically, the second stage could be the mutation of virus leading to easier transmission of the disease between humans.
This is what the World Health Organisation and experts apparently had in mind when they had warned recently of a ‘global pandemic’ leading to millions of deaths around the world. In a fresh warning, a worried WHO has pointed out that despite the best efforts of many governments, the threat of a pandemic is continuing to grow. If the world doesn’t deal with the threat quickly enough, it could be faced with immeasurable global consequences, warns the WHO. God forbid such a doomsday scenario should ever come true. We only hope WHO and its experts are wrong, as they have often been in the past.
However, the world cannot afford to leave these things to divine intervention and remain complacent. It is faced with a clear and present danger in the disease which demands the international community’s collective and concerted response and promptly. It’s good therefore that the UN is taking steps to initiate global action on this front. The world body has appealed for $1.5 billion in funds to help fight the disease with a worldwide vaccination programme and prepare for the possibility of a human pandemic in which bird flu virus is passed from human to human. The UN has also issued an alert about the frightening possibility of the disease travelling from Turkey to its immediate neighbours in Europe and the Middle East such as Iran, Iraq, and Syria etc. In a globalised world, disease evidently travels fast just like everything else. And global problems call for global solutions.

Lebanese president blasts Khaddam
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Lebanese President Emile Lahoud blasted former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam for accusing him of corruption and embezzlement of public funds. A presidential statement said Saturday Khaddam's claim that President Lahoud is involved in corruption "is not only untrue but constituted unlimited insolence from a man who has the least right to accuse others of what he is." The statement accused Khaddam of being a symbol of corruption when he was in charge of Lebanese-Syrian relations under late Syrian President Hafez Assad. "Khaddam, who was sunken in bribes, blackmail and corruption, has no right to fabricate lies against the president of the republic," the statement added.
Khaddam, who has been living in Paris for the past six months after breaking away from the Syrian regime, accused pro-Syrian Lahoud of corruption in an interview with the French daily Le Nouvel Observateur.
In a related development, the Qatar-based al-Jazeera news channel reported that France will not renew Khaddam's visa and Saudi Arabia refused to host him. It said an official French delegate traveled to Saudi Arabia to discuss the possibility of receiving Khaddam, but Riyadh refused, prompting the delegate to head to the United Arab Emirates for the same purpose.
Khaddam, who was in charge of Syrian policy in Lebanon from the 1970's until 2000, declared war on the Syrian regime last month by accusing President Bashar Assad of having ordered the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a powerful Beirut blast in February. Under massive Lebanese and international pressure, the Syrian forces withdrew from Lebanon in late April after a 29-year presence in the country.

LEBANON: Trial of human rights defender postponed
01/14/2006
BEIRUT, 1/12/2006 (IRIN) - The trial of a prominent human rights lawyer due to appear in a Beirut court earlier this week has been adjourned to 20 March due to procedural errors.
Muhammad Moghraby was accused of "slandering the army establishment and its officers" after delivering a speech to a European Parliament delegation in Belgium on 4 November 2003. In the speech, Moghraby criticised Lebanon's military-court system and the inadequate legal training provided to judges.
He also denounced the alleged ill-treatment and torture employed by military courts to extract confessions from suspects.
"Moghraby was not legally summoned," said his lawyer, Fouad Sfeir. "They [the authorities] did not use legal procedures."
Sfeir explained that the prosecution had wrongly accused Moghraby of committing the alleged "crime" on Lebanese territory. "They don't even know what they are talking about," the lawyer said.
Under Lebanese law, any attempt to undermine the respect due to the nation and its institutions is a crime. Human rights activists, however, say that security forces use the law to conduct arbitrary arrests.
After the withdrawal of Syrian troops in April 2005 after 30 years of control over Lebanon, many hoped that national institutions would become more democratic.
"But it's still the same old mentality," complained Sfeir. "From a political point of view, no change has happened in these institutions - military or judicial."
If found guilty, Moghraby could be sentenced with up to three years' imprisonment.
Local and international human rights groups, meanwhile, have called for the government to drop the charges.
In a statement issued last week, human rights watchdog Amnesty International defended Moghraby, saying he was simply exercising his right to freedom of expression. The organisation pointed out that such freedoms were guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Lebanon is a party.
It also stated its concern that the case against Moghraby comes within "a pattern of harassment" against him, possibly related to his work in defence of human rights.
"It's not the first time they tried to prosecute me; it might be something like the ninth," said Moghraby.
No comments on the case have been available from the government.