LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
JUNE 15/2006
Below News From miscellaneous sources for 15/06/06
Brammertz Confirms Link Between Hariri's Murder and 14 OthersNaharnet
Lebanon: New evidence Mossad behind assassination-Ynetnews
Violence in Syria Points to Growing Radical Islamist Unrest-Global Terrorism Analysis
Syria's Defense Minister visits Iran-UPl
Lebanese man confesses to killing on Israeli orders-Reuters
Saniora Praises Impartiality and Professionalism of Brammertz-Naharnet
For Iraqis, Exodus to Syria and Jordan Continues-New York Times
Religion and Political Satire in Lebanon-Asharq Alawsat
Lebanon unveils new Web site to boost tourism-People's Daily Online
Ministry of Tourism launches new official Lebanon tourism website-TDN
Syria backs Venezuela's for security council seat-Jerusalem Post
Syria: Declaration for democratic change-United Press International
Below News From the Daily Star for 15/06/06
Brammertz suspects Hariri blast linked to 14 bombings
Lebanon gets first 'code of corporate governance'
Families of missing turn to UN for fifth time
ACS commencement sees students enter real world
Ministry Web site aims to net tourists online
How much longer will Lebanese have to wait for an independent judiciary?
Lebanon to assign judge to Tueni probe
Minister upbeat about Lebanon's tourism prospects
Haddad warns Beirut bureaucracy impeding economic growth
Frail Arab nationalism, between a ball and chain-By Michael Young
In saying little, Brammertz said a lot-By William Harris

Families of missing turn to UN for fifth time
By Rym Ghazal -Daily Star staff
Monday, June 12, 2006
BEIRUT: Relatives of detainees in Syrian and Israeli jails have sent yet another memo to the UN Commission on Human Rights - the fifth to date - requesting an "international inquiry" into the cases of thousands of loved ones missing since the Lebanese Civil War.
"It is the same memo we sent before, but we haven't heard anything back as it should be an official memo from the Lebanese government," Ghazi Aad, director of SOLIDE (Support of Lebanese in Detention and Exile), told The Daily Star.
In the memo, a total of 12 requests were made, most of which revolved around investigating Syrian jails and searching for missing Lebanese citizens there. The memo also calls for investigating mass graves and demands monetary compensation for the relatives from the Syrian government.
The memo did not just focus on missing Lebanese, but also on the cases of missing Syrian citizens and on the release of all Arab prisoners in Israeli jails.
"We demand that the fate of those missing be exposed and those responsible for their disappearance be prosecuted," one clause of the memo read.
A documentary was also shown Sunday evening in front of the UN House in Beirut, where the relatives of the missing have been holding a year-long protest. The documentary focused on "highlighting" the need for an international enquiry into the case, with a special presentation by Syrian dissident and former detainee Nizar Nayyouf, along with the stories of the some of the families. "We believe that establishing an international inquiry is the only solution, and without it, I doubt anything will ever happen to this case," Aad told The Daily Star. SOLIDE will be meeting with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora for the fourth time this week, where Aad hopes "our demands will be taken seriously."

Brammertz suspects Hariri blast linked to 14 bombings
By Leila Hatoum -Daily Star staff
Thursday, June 15, 2006
BEIRUT: The UN probe chief into the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri briefed the Security Council on his latest progress report, saying there is a potential link between Hariri's murder and 14 other blasts and killings of anti-Syrian Lebanese figures. The UN Security Council convened Wednesday to discuss a US-French draft resolution to extend Serge Brammertz' mandate, in a bid to "help the continuity of investigations."
The final draft, as UN officials described shortly before the meeting, includes extending the work of the UN probe for an additional year "to help the continuity of the investigations into the terrorist crime and 14 other explosions" that took place between October 2004 and December 2005. Brammertz' mandate ends Thursday after his appointment six months ago to head the probe. The resolution was expected to be passed during the Council's closed session Wednesday, but the session was ongoing when The Daily Star went to press.
The Belgian prosecutor said Lebanese authorities probing the 14 other blasts lacked "significant forward investigative momentum" because they lacked "forensic capacity to collect and analyze evidence effectively."
He said his panel had reached the preliminary conclusion that the 14 cases "were not commissioned and executed by 14 disparate and unconnected persons or groups with an equal number of separative motives." He said that from an analytical standpoint, the cases could be linked, notably in the similarities "in the modus operandi and their possible intent."
Brammertz' briefing was as technical and straightforward as his report and said that there was "considerable progress" in the investigations. He repeated the points mentioned in his report that the UN probe leans toward the possibility that the bomb which tore Hariri's convoy apart was above ground.
He added: "In light of the potential linkages between the Hariri investigation and the 14 other cases, the [UN probe] believes a much more concerted and robust effort is needed to move these cases forward."
Brammertz also spoke of Syria's "satisfactory cooperation ... in a timely manner" with the UN probe; and the fact that the UN probe will continue to demand "complete and full cooperation," from Damascus. Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister and former Ambassador to the UN Faisal Mekdad also welcomed the report, saying his country "believes the investigations must always be independent and objective in a proficient manner without politicization."
Mekdad told the UNSC members: "[Brammertz'] report has mentioned Syria's satisfactory cooperation. We are comfortable with the manner in which the investigations are occurring in a secret fashion ... and we call upon everyone not to jump to false conclusions." Mekdad was referring to Lebanese March 14 politicians who have accused Syria of assassinating Hariri.
"Some are actually using this investigation to jump to false conclusions and give falsified evidence to primarily pressure my country," he added. US Ambassador John Bolton said he was "very pleased" with the Brammertz report,
saying it showed "the continuing progress and professionalism of the investigation."Lebanon's representative at the UNSC briefing Ambassador Boutros Assaker said authorities in Lebanon "work in hard conditions, which the Lebanese government is trying to enhance and develop."He also referred to Syria without naming it when he called upon all member countries "especially those named in the [Brammertz] report to continue to extend full cooperation to the UN probe." - With agencies.

Violence in Syria Points to Growing Radical Islamist Unrest
By Chris Zambelis- Daily Star
According to reports in early June, Syrian authorities claim to have disrupted an attack by radical Syrian Islamists near Ummayad Square in Damascus, possibly targeting government buildings. A team of 10 armed militants allegedly opened fire against a Syrian police patrol around dawn after being spotted in an abandoned building located in the immediate vicinity of Syria's state-run General Organization of Radio and Television headquarters and other key government buildings, including the Ministry of Defense, Criminal Security Department and Customs Department. The ensuing battle lasted for more than three hours. The militants also used hand grenades during the fight, which left four militants dead. A Syrian security official and a guard at Syrian Television were also killed while others were injured. The remaining six fighters were arrested (al-Hayat, June 3; al-Ahram, June 8). The incident remains shrouded in mystery. No group has claimed responsibility for the apparent botched operation. Interestingly, Syrian authorities did mention that all of the assailants are Syrians who had once observed a Sufi tradition but have since adopted a radical fundamentalist takfiri worldview (al-Hayat, June 3). These details imply that Syrian intelligence tracked these individuals and may have more information about their origins and background than they are publicizing. Some local Syrian sources suggest that the botched plot was actually the result of a U.S. and Israeli effort to destabilize Syria by supporting radical Islamist fundamentalists (Tishrin, June 3). Syrian officials did mention that the militants were armed with U.S.-made M-16 semi-automatic rifles, hunting rifles, mobile phones, homemade bombs and detonators. They also wore military camouflage uniforms (al-Jazeera, June 2; al-Hayat, June 3).
Significantly, Syrian sources claim that the captured militants were carrying CDs and cassettes of sermons by Mahmoud al-Aghasi (known as Abu Qaqa), a Syrian with close links to al-Qaeda. His sermons mention a previously unknown group called Ghuraba al-Sham (Strangers of Greater Syria). It is unclear whether Ghuraba al-Sham is another name for Jund al-Sham (Army of Greater Syria), one of an array of obscure Syrian radical groups with alleged ties to al-Qaeda that have been implicated in violence during the last couple of years. Jund al-Sham has also been linked to Mustafa Setmariam Nasar (known as Abu Musab al-Suri), a leading Syrian al-Qaeda member. Abu Qaqa holds a Pakistani passport and is believed to be presently in Chechnya. He has been implicated in facilitating the streams of insurgents and other radicals that reportedly make their way to Iraq through Syrian territory. He is also reported to be linked to the late Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. He has spent time in prison for organizing radical activities in Syria (al-Ahram, June 8; al-Arabiya, June 5).
Upon cursory examination, this latest incident fits the larger pattern of simmering tensions and increasing violence between Syria's radical Islamist community and the state. The ongoing insurgency in Iraq is also contributing to the radicalization of Syria's Islamist opposition. Ongoing efforts by Damascus to stem the flow of insurgents and radicals to Iraq to fight U.S.-led coalition forces and recent reports alleging Syrian intelligence cooperation with Washington, including allegations of Syrian involvement in the detention and torture of al-Qaeda detainees in order to curry favor with Washington in the war on terrorism, is also sure to inflame tensions among Syria's radical Islamist community.
It is important to differentiate between the different groups in the region bearing the same or similar names, including a distinct organization called Jund al-Sham based in Ain al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon and another implicated in the 2005 suicide attack in Doha. Tanzim Jund al-Sham (Organization of the Army of Greater Syria), which is implicated in attacks in Syria during the last year, is also believed to be a distinct organization (Terrorism Focus, October 4, 2005; Terrorism Focus, June 24, 2005).

Syria's Defense Minister visits Iran
TEHRAN, June 13 (UPI) -- Syrian Defense Minister Hasan Turkamani began a four-day visit to Iran MOnday as the two states, both viewed with displeasure by Washington, draw closer. Turkamani was accompanied by a high-level military delegation. AKI news agency reported on June 12 that Turkamani's agenda is expected to focus on regional issues including the insurgency in Iraq, which the Bush administration charges both countries are covertly assisting. Both, however, deny the assertion. Turkamani was invited to Teheran by Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najar. European diplomatic sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, believe that military cooperation between Syria and Iran is "growing" rapidly and will be a major topic in discussions between Turkamani and Iranian officials. The diplomatic sources said that Iran sent Syria a consignment of four destroyers a week ago. In May Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki visited Syria, where he held discussions with top Syrian officials, including President Bashar al-Assad.

Lebanon to assign judge to Tueni probe
By Therese Sfeir -Daily Star staff
Thursday, June 15, 2006
BEIRUT: Six months after the brutal assassination of one of Lebanon's most prominent journalists and politicians, the country's justice minister proposed a name of a judge to investigate the murder. Local daily An-Nahar Director General and March 14 Forces MP Gebran Tueni was murdered in a car bomb on December 12 and due to a delay in legal procedures an investigating magistrate into the case was not assigned - leaving the case open. On Wednesday, Justice Minister Charles Rizk addressed a letter to the Higher Judicial Council - the country's highest legal authority - saying that now that the council's members had been appointed, the first order of business would be to assign a judge. However, the minister refused to reveal the name of the magistrate to the media.
The council will hold a meeting on Friday at 10 a.m. to appoint a magistrate in Tueni's case. Headed by Magistrate Antoine Kheir, the meeting will also focus on the appointment of investigating magistrates to look into the disappearance of imam Musa Sadr in 1978 and the murder of the four judges in Sidon in 1999. In August 1978 Sadr and his two companions departed for Libya to meet with officials from Moammar Gadhafi's government. They were never heard from again. As for the four Lebanese judges, they were murdered before Sidon's courthouse in 1999. Early this week, five remaining members of the 10-member Higher Judicial Council were appointed after several months' delay due to political bickering that had left Lebanon's legal affairs at a standstill.
President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora signed the decree Monday to appoint five judges to the council. Those included: Magistrate Abdel-Latif Husseini, head of the Court of Appeals in North Lebanon; Saad Jabbour, head of a chamber at the Court of Appeals in Mount Lebanon; Nehme Lahoud, head of a chamber at the Cassation Court; Choukri Sader, head of the Legislation and Consultations Committee at the Justice Ministry; and Ferial Dalloul, head of the Primary Chamber in Nabatieh.
The new members took an oath before Lahoud Wednesday.
"It is your duty to preserve an independent judiciary," Lahoud said, addressing the council. "It is your obligation to make nonbiased rulings; your mission is to restore justice and I urge you not to let politics interfere with your work. Never let politicians dictate their terms on you." He added: "Work in full transparency and assign the right judge to the right mission; make sure all judges have good reputation and are professional." During an interview Wednesday with Voice of Lebanon radio, Rizk said that the country's 
judiciary would witness "major reforms and will become an example for all the Lebanese society's institutions."
He added the council would hold intensive meeting to find the means to implement article 95 of Lebanon's Judicial Law, which states that "the judicial council would have the jurisdiction to decide on the incompetence of a judge, based on justified reasons." - Additional reporting by Nafez Qawas

Frail Arab nationalism, between a ball and chain
By Michael Young -Daily Star staff
Thursday, June 15, 2006
In recent weeks, as the World Cup neared, numerous commentators saw an opportunity to hold up football as further proof that exclusionary nationalism remained alive and well, despite the suffocating rhetoric of concord that accompanies international sporting events. As author Tim Parks wrote in The Wall Street Journal, "the fantastic comedy of the World Cup lies in the tension between the pious internationalist rhetoric and the nail-biting, hysterical, nationalist reality."
After the French and Dutch rejections of the European constitution last year, to name more obvious instances of nationalistic reaffirmation, such a conclusion is trite. But for Arab states specifically another question comes to mind, even as several of them make their way through the World Cup tournament: Does their nationalism retain any meaning?
The simple answer is that it does, but in the most fragile of ways. Whether it is Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, or Jordan, to name only them, the state often appears to be balanced on a precipice of
illegitimacy, ready to shatter into smaller units if the wrong blend of intimidation and patronage is deployed. Perhaps its time to ask whether a crumbling of the Arab state system - long regarded in the region as the most perfidious of foreign intentions - would not in fact lead to more stable political orders.
If one problem had to qualify above all others as the bane of the Arab world, it was the formation of the Arab nationalist state, starting roughly in the mid-1950s. The regional system that emerged at the time was the fruit of two complementary ideological conceits: that it was somehow the destiny of the Arabs, like others, to seek fulfillment by consolidating themselves into larger political units; and that the paramount instrument for this, the natural redistributor of public wealth and therefore social justice, was the state. This became more apparent when some countries formally adopted socialism, but even the capitalist West often seemed to believe then that there was only perdition outside the state's embrace.
For much of their post-colonial history, however, the Arab states have had to address a double failure: a failure to effect political unity, even to create something vaguely approximating the European Union; and a failure to adequately redistribute national prosperity and social justice. While some countries did ameliorate antiquated social and economic systems through measures extending education, communications and other benefits to marginalized groups, the flip side of this was a modernization of mechanisms of repression. Social mobilization demanded tying a much tighter leash on those who were previously quiescent.
In some cases it's those who were quiescent, those from the fringes, sometimes minorities, who dominated the state, as in Syria, and in a different way today, Lebanon. In other places, such as Iraq under Saddam Hussein, Jordan or Bahrain, ruling minorities used the state to reinforce their supremacy. And in a place such as Saudi Arabia (which never subscribed to Arab nationalism per se, but which readily toed the "nationalist" line when dealing with its Arab comrades), the state was the redoubt of a family and a religious sect, while a sizeable minority, in this instance Shiites, was cut off from the levers of power.
The idea that the disintegration of the unitary state in Iraq was the Bush administration's doing is at best tendentious. The US invasion certainly precipitated Iraq's break-up, but it was Saddam who had mined the waters long before, through his savage mistreatment of Kurds and Shiites. In the name of Arab nationalism, Saddam murdered hundreds of thousands of people, declared war on Iran, and bullied his weaker Arab brethren, invading the most vulnerable of them in 1990.
It's not the United States that wanted Iraqis to adopt the very loose formula for unity in their Constitution, as this increased the chances that Iraq would become more unmanageable. If there is an absurdity in American policy, it's to assume that the US can still instill a sense of overriding common national purpose in Iraqi security forces deriving from a fractured political order. Kurds in the north and Shiites in the south, for example, will always first reflect the political and social mood surrounding them.
Much the same holds in Lebanon, where sectarian identities have sprung to the fore amid the inability of rival political forces to come to an agreement on a post-Syrian political system. Two weeks ago, Hizbullah used the pretext of a television satire show to cut off a main national artery, the airport road, and to march on Sunni, Christian and Druze neighborhoods in Beirut, reminding
other religious communities that it will readily go to the hilt in protecting its weapons and prerogatives. If the benchmark of national reconciliation is that one sect can maintain a private army while the others cannot, then it won't be long before the Lebanese start wondering whether the existing state is worth preserving, even under the loose definition of statehood applying in Lebanon.
One can go on. Apologists for the Syrian regime defend Baathist despotism as a necessary barrier blocking a potential Islamist onslaught. Perhaps, but such a wretched rationale is only further proof that the legitimacy of the nationalist state has evaporated. How could it be otherwise, with all hope being placed in an Alawite-led, family-operated business, whose prospects for long-term survival diminish by the day?
So the next time you cheer on Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, or Saudi Arabia in the World Cup finals, remember that you might be partaking of that rare instance where football is more a unifier than a divider. With their states discredited, who can blame the Arabs for pinning their national hopes on 11 men running after a ball?
**Michael Young is opinion editor of THE DAILY STAR.