LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
June 1/2006

Below News From the Daily Star for 1/06/06
IMF: Lebanese economy has stabilized
Syria ignores Lebanon's rejection of warrants
Hariri extracts German call for Syrians to respect 1680
France, Lebanon hail CEDRE cooperation
ISF 'targets' Communist Party members
Lebanon condemns Israeli attacks in letter to UN
The national dialogue hasn't settled anything
Majority gets its way over Syrian warrants
Siniora awaits draft electoral law
Lebanon's March 14 Forces aren't going all the way
Beirut makes progress on budget deficit
Samir Kassir, one troubling year later.By Michael Young
Below News From miscellaneous sources for 1/06/06
Cedars Revolution activists meet Larsen, UN officials-Lebanon
Exclusive: Interview with Dr. Walid Phares on Iran and the Jihadi-Family Security Matters - Ridgewood,NJ,USA
Lebanon to Send Letter to U.N. About Israeli Attacks-Naharnet
Israeli Army Claims it Killed Three Hizbullah Fighters Attempting to Infiltrate during Clashes-Naharnet
Syria's silent purge-Guardian Unlimited - UK
Border Hostilities and International Resolutions-Dar Al-Hayat
Hezbollah caught in its own ambush-Ha'aretz
Lebanese protesters call for 'Death to Israel'-Calgary Sun
The Middle East: Volatile as ever-Monsters and Critics.com
Analysis: The missile is the message-Jerusalem Post
Uneasy calm on Lebanon-Israel border-UPI
LEBANON: CHIEF OF UN PROBE IN SECRET DAMASCUS VISITS, NEWSPAPER ...AKI - Rome,Italy
BBC Reopens Lebanon Bureau After a 15-Year Closure-Naharnet
Iraq, Syria through the eyes of Saladin-Gulf Times
Rockets hit Israel, Palestinians arrested-UPI
LEBANON: Families of the disappeared push for answers-Reuters
Largest US oil investor in Syria to quit-UPI

Syria's silent purge
Simon Tisdall - The Guardian
Wednesday May 31, 2006
Almost a year after Syria completed a humiliating military withdrawal from Lebanon amid predictions of imminent regime change in Damascus, President Bashar Assad is clawing back lost ground. Dozens of dissidents have been arrested in recent weeks. Among those detained were Michel Kilo, a prominent democracy activist, and Anwar al-Bunni, a top human rights lawyer. US and EU diplomatic protests have been brusquely rejected.
A silent purge of other signatories to this month's so-called Damascus-Beirut Declaration is also under way, sources said yesterday. Backed by about 300 Syrian and Lebanese intellectuals, it urged normalisation of bilateral relations. It coincided with a UN security council resolution demanding an end to Syrian interference in Lebanon. But Mr Assad, encouraged by Russia and China and backed by Lebanon's pro-Syrian president, Emile Lahoud, ignored that, too. The Syrian leader has cracked down on travel abroad for political purposes and renewed pressure on national media to toe the official line. And in a bid to neutralise the rise of political Islam, the secular ruling Ba'ath party has made a series of conciliatory gestures to the Sunni majority. Mr Assad has even taken to praying for the cameras. That contrasts with his late father's brutal suppression of the Muslim Brotherhood, symbolised by the 1982 Hama massacre.
"There's a big effort to try to get everybody on side. The strong message is that no criticism will be tolerated from whatever quarter," said Rime Allaf, a Syria analyst and Chatham House fellow.
Explanations of the regime's new bullishness lie largely beyond its embattled borders and, paradoxically, owe much to US policy choices. Washington's enthusiasm for regional democracy was tempered by Hamas' election victory in Palestine. The ensuing crisis there has in any case distracted attention from Syria, as has nascent civil war in Iraq. And then there is Iran, America's next big thing.
Isolating Tehran means inducing Syria, one of its few Arab allies, to stand back. Though it would not admit it, Washington needs Mr Assad. At the same time, the Syrian leader's recent muscle-flexing is also motivated by fear, fixated on two looming events.
One is next month's UN report into the killing last year of the former Lebanese prime minister, Rafiq Hariri. Whether or not Mr Assad is accused of wrongdoing, senior officials have already been implicated. But the extent of the regime's embarrassment is likely to be directly proportionate to American determination to pursue it.
Potentially more problematic for Mr Assad in the longer term is the National Salvation Front, an umbrella opposition alliance that will hold its first conference in London next month. The NSF brings together two formidable figures: Syria's former vice-president, Abdel Halim Khaddam, who defected last year; and Ali Sadreddin al-Bayanouni, the exiled leader of Syria's Muslim Brotherhood.
Such collaboration by secular and religious opposition leaders was unusual, Ms Allaf said, and was an echo of Mr Assad's own recent efforts at cohabitation. "This is the first time in four decades that we've seen significant organised opposition to the regime. They've gone out on a limb to draw in other exiles and groups from around the world." If the NSF proved a serious proposition, she said, all Mr Assad's machinations could count for nought.

Cedars Revolution activists meet Larsen, UN officials
Urge UN to help Lebanon control borders with Syria
By Fadi Bark- Special to Lebanonwire
The CR-Committee 1559 meeting with special envoy Terje Rod Larson
A joint delegation from the World Council of the Cedars Revolution (WCCR) and the International Lebanese Committee for UNSCR 1559 was received at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan by members of the Security Council and the offices of the Secretary General.
The delegation was headed by Mr. Joe Baini, president of the World Council for the Cedar’s revolution, Dr. Rachid Rahme, S.G for CR in Beirut, Mr. Toni Nissi, Committee for 1559 Coordinator in Beirut and was accompanied by Professor Walid Phares, Senior Fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD). The aim of the visits was to inform the Security Council and the Secretariat General of the latest fact finding missions.
The delegation held its first meeting with UN Secretary General’s special envoy for the implementation of UNSCR 1559, ambassador Terje Rod Larson and his assistant at his offices.
Ambassador Larson with Toni Yacoub, Joe Baini, Michel Douaihi and Antoine Hosri
The WCCR-Committee 1559 team reviewed a special map of Lebanon’s borders with Syria and signaled 34 areas of contention between the two countries since 1975.
Dr Rahme signaled that Syrian intelligence and military elements have pushed inside the Lebanese territories about 5 kilometers. Nissi, comparing the Shebaa farms with the Bekaa areas occupied by Syria, said: “Syria has taken areas at least 20 times the size of the Shebaa farms if not more.”
Rahme said troops, terrorists and material are crossing these borders and connecting with networks existing inside the country already. “In the Ras Baalback area, training camps have been spotted, where FPLP-General command and local militias have been trained by pro-Syrian elements.”
Commenting on the findings of the Lebanese NGOs, Professor Phares said: “It is like there are no real borders between Syria and Lebanon despite all the UNSC resolutions.
Ambassador Larson with Kamal Batal, Joseph Sokhn, Rachid Rahme and Nina Rahme
There are no defense limits for Eastern Lebanon facing Baathist’ Syria, it is all open to the will of the Syrian regime. While the Damascus planners seem to discuss issues with the UN, in fact they are gaining time, a precious time till facts change on the ground.”
For his part ambassador Rod- Larsen said “while we are satisfied with the new UN resolution 1680 calling for the demarcation of the borders between Lebanon and Syria, the reports by your committees and other sources are of great concerns to the UN.” The delegation asked the UN official for a new team of observers to reconfirm the withdrawal on the ground.
At the French Mission
The delegation was received at the French Mission at the Security Council by First Secretary Mr Ludovic Pouille. The discussions focused on the borders issues and the mass graves discovered in several locations in Lebanon. The delegation praised France’s role in the monitoring of the implementation and the “diplomatic architecture” among the Security Council members.
The delegation was then received at the British mission by First Secretary Mr. Nick Williams. A thorough report was discussed about the type of measures needed to stop the infiltrations across the borders.
Professor Walid Phares and Ambassador Rod Larsen
At The Lebanese Mission:
The delegation then moved to visit the Lebanese Mission at the UN and held a meeting with Charge D'affaires - Deputy Permanent Representative Miss Caroline Ziade.
At the US Mission:
Finally, the delegation was received at the US Mission by Ambassador Jackie Sanders, Special Political Affairs. The meeting focused on the nature of support the Lebanese Government and army needed to deploy enough units along the borders but also inside the country. “The Cedars Revolution is under attack,” said Joseph Baini, “and it needs the support of all its friends around the world, particularly of the United States.” Discussions also covered the various matters related to the assassinations, the terror war against Lebanon and the regional context created by the Iranian regime.
Cedars Revolution and Committee 1559 at the French Mission At the British Mission:
Dr Rachid Rahme, Secretary General of the Council of the Cedars Revolution in Lebanon said “these meetings at the UN Security Council were very beneficial to the civil society in Lebanon as they contributed into informing the highest decision making system in the world.
With the Lebanese Government under pressure by Syria and its allies, including Hizbollah, our NGOs have played the role of a bridge between the Lebanese People and the UN so that the international community is informed about the dramatic developments inside the country. We particularly thank our counterparts in the Lebanese Diaspora for their constant efforts to salvage the Cedars Revolution.”
The Cedars Revolution-Committee 1559 delegation held an evaluation meeting at the UN after the day long encounters. Commenting on the results the President of the Council M Joe Baini said: “we have delivered the message to the United Nations and the international community: Lebanon’s borders with Syria are not controlled by the Lebanese army and they are used by Syria to connect with Terrorist groups inside the country. The Lebanese people inside the country and in the Diaspora are calling on the UN to initiate an action to control these borders and enforce UNSCR 1559, by supporting the Lebanese Army and by stopping Syria from re-invading Lebanon via its Terror allies.
The delegation at the Lebanese Mission
We believe the Security Council missions we visited understood the message.” On his part, M Tom Harb, Secretary General of the Committee 1559 said “we do appreciate all what the UN Security Council in general and the US, UK and France in particular, is doing for Lebanon. However it is important for the international community to understand that the Syrian-Iranian alliance is on the offensive in Lebanon since last summer to obstruct UNSCR 1559, intimidate the Lebanese people and reestablish a terror regime in the country. Lebanon is not free yet; in fact is it being re-invaded. M Toni Nissi, coordinator of the Committee 1559 in Lebanon said “Lebanon’s civil society is extremely concerned about the borders with Syria in particular. They are wide open and no one is there to stop the flow of arms and terrorists. If no action is taken by the UN, the Cedars Revolution and Lebanon’s new liberties will be extinct within a year.”
New Jersey dinner
US Ambassador at the UN, Jackie Sanders, listening to M Toni Nissi’s explanations of the fact finding missions to the Lebanese borders.
The delegation was received by the US National Council for the Cedars Revolution at a dinner in New Jersey at the “Cedars of Lebanon” restaurant. M Jean Souaid, chairman of the World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU) Chapter in New Jersey welcomed the delegation and encouraged them to continue their work for Lebanon’s freedom and sovereignty.
M Souaid said “the Lebanese-American community is standing firmly by the Cedars Revolution and wishes to see UNSCR 1559 being implemented.”
M Fady Bark, Secretary General of the WLCU in North America promised more efforts on behalf of the community activists and associations to back efforts by international Lebanese NGOs working in support of democracy and freedom in Lebanon.”
www.cedarsrevolution.org
 

Exclusive: Interview with Dr. Walid Phares on Iran and the Jihadi Threat
Author: Dr. Walid Phares
Source: The Family Security Foundation, Inc.
Date: May 31, 2006
FSM Contributing Editor Dr. Walid Phares, terrorism expert and author of Future Jihad, is currently on a research and speaking tour of Europe. Starting the tour from Paris as a newly appointed Visiting Fellow with the European Foundation for Democracy in Brussels, Dr. Phares is delivering a lecture to the Policy Exchange Institute in London on May 31. One of the primary subjects of interest in his tour and an issue of importance for Europe as well as for the United States is the impact of Iran’s increasingly belligerent stance toward the world. Here, Dr. Phares answers FamilySecurityMatters.org’s questions about Iran’s intentions and possible methods for influencing Western decision-making and dealing with any potential conflict.
Interview with Dr. Walid Phares on Iran and the Jihadi Threat
May 31, 2006
FSM: While the West ponders how to deal with Iranian belligerence and nuclear ambition, does it have any allies in the Muslim world?
WP: Yes, which is whyIran knows that it faces a crisis and is seeking support for its objectives. Ahmedinejad's regime fears isolation by the international community and pressure by Iran's youth. This in turn is pushing Tehran to attempt to appear as representative of the Muslim world in international crisis. Recently, Iran asked the Conference of the non-aligned countries to support its choice for a “peaceful” nuclear industry. Soon, Tehran will put pressure on the Organization of Muslim states. In short, the more the Mullahs fear their own people and the people’s trends towards democracy across their borders, it will seek support from outside Governments
FSM: So Ahmadinejad is facing internal opposition, as well as from the rest of the world?
WP: Iran is not a homogenous nation. In case of conflict, the Ahmedinijad regime will also be facing its own minorities, including Arabs, Azeris, Kurds, and Baluchis, in parallel to a growing young and democratic opposition. The majority of the Iranian people is opposed to Tehran’s mullahs, but as was the case in the Soviet Union, or even under Saddam Hussein’s Baath, there is little the domestic opposition can do to face these oppressive regimes. It is only with tremendous sacrifices and international support that change can occur.
FSM: What about outside Iran? Does Ahmadinejad have allies to help him project power and achieve his objectives without a regular war?
WP: Yes. The Iranian regime will eventually use Hizbollah in the upcoming confrontation with the international community in general and the West in particular. Hizbollah will be used to respond or to preempt without a regular war. Tehran has a strategic alliance with the Syrian regime, Hizbollah and at some point, anti-Western and anti-democratic governments and organizations worldwide.
FSM: With these strengths and weaknesses, what can the United States do to deal with the growing Iranian threat?
WP: The U.S. has to be concerned about Hizbollah first in the current situation. They are well funded, very well organized, and we assume that their penetration of the U.S. is deeper than al Qaeda's. It is only rational for the U.S. to think in pre-emptive ways. An attack here is clearly in the realm of the possible, if the crisis with Iran persists. Second, Washington must mobilize its allies against Iranian intelligence activities on all continents as well.
FSM: What about Al Qaeda versus Hizbollah? Is Al Qaeda immobilized now and has Hizbollah completely taken over their pre-eminence?
WP: Hizbollah does have larger numbers of terrorists in this country and around the world, but we still have to deal with Al Qaeda’s second generation who are not immobilized. In fact, they will be more difficult to intercept. Western legal systems can't do it. Hizbollah has taken advantage of the US focus on al Qaeda, to build its structures. Both are in the stage of planning
FSM: Why can’t Western systems intercept them?
WP: Our legal systems have been paralyzed by our academic systems. The latter were influenced and penetrated by Wahhabi financing and infiltrations.
FSM: How has your reception been in Europe? Do you think that the Europeans have woken up to their problem and are willing to correct it?
WP: Europe is struggling with its past nonchalance with the Jihadi threat. Its traditional elites are still dodging the problem. But its public, as in the US, shows interest in the challenge. The Madrid and London bombings, the Van Gogh assassination and the France incidents, in addition to the Cartoons crisis, have opened an eye in Europe.
FSM: So there's hope. Thank you, Dr. Phares for this enlightening interview.
WP: My pleasure.
**Dr. Phares is a senior fellow with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C., and the author of the book, Future Jihad.
Visit Dr. Phares on the web at www.walidphares.com and www.defenddemocracy.org   www.UN1559.org
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