LCCC ENGLISH NEWS BULLETIN
October 06/06
Biblical Reading For today
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 10,1-12.
After this the Lord appointed seventy (-two) others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.Latest New from the Daily Star for October 06/06
Israel placates Rice by loosening closures
Berri: Lebanon more imperiled now than during war
Siniora vows to remain in office, insists he is premier 'of all the Lebanese'
Lahoud reiterates accusation that Chirac is trying to hamper Hariri investigation
Ankara prepares to join UN forces in Lebanon
Activist asks UN rights panel to help try Israelis accused of war crimes
South adjusts to new phase - and lots of languages .
Donors may contribute solar-power apparatus for new homes - UNNSSF chief: Injection of LL50 billion is not enough
War-inspired advertising makes its mark, but not everyone approves
Women's rights groups back in action on nationality issue
Tomatoes and partisan troops are not a recipe for effective diplomacy
Syrian police prevent Kurdish demonstration
Egypt's stability faces stiff challenges
Latest New from miscellaneous sources for October 06/06
Maronite bishops to new government demanded byAsiaNews.it
Rice presses Iraq leaders on unity in surprise visit-AP
A Tough Mideast Tour for Rice-Washington Post
Rice leaves Israel without agreement to ease Palestinian -ABC Online
Real Negotiations With Syria? Don't Even Think About It!-Jewish Exponent
FACTBOX-Key facts about UN force in Lebanon-Reuters
UNIFIL says it boosts Lebanon's economy-Washington Post
SYRIA: Kurds arrested in protest over lack of citizenship-Reuters
Siddiq: No Value in Lahoud's Amnesty Grant-Naharnet
Rice's Visit to Mideast Won't Weaken Syria, Hezbollah-Middle East Online
Arab, Muslim states blast UN envoys' Lebanon report-Reuters
UNHCR reaches out to worried families in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley-Reuters
After war in Lebanon, Israeli settlements growing again-Christian Science Monitor
Cleanup to Start at Old Sites in Lebanon-Washington Post
Spokesman: UN Will Not Honor Request To Disarm Hezbollah-Evening Bulletin
HEZBOLLAH WILL 'FREE' ISRAELI OCCUPIED GHAJAR AND SHEBAA-AKI
LEBANON: HEZBOLLAH'S SOLE FEMALE TOP OFFICIAL HAS HARSH WORDS-AKI
Lebanese Army Prevents Hezbollah Demonstration-Arutz Sheva
Ex-Mossad chief says Hezbollah lost war-Aljazeera.net
Hezbollah deserter's appeal rejected-Advertiser Adelaide
Hezbollah listened in on IDF beepers, cell phones-Ha'aretz
Hezbollah expert to address Congress-Cleveland Jewish News
Syria grants Shell oil rights, seeks higher output-Reuters
Report: Turkey to deploy troops in Lebanon-Seattle Post Intelligencer
UN: Check Lebanon for rights abuses-United Press International
Syria still against Lebanese government: Israeli DM-People's Daily Online
Swedish caretaker government approves naval exercise off Lebanon-Raw Story
Maronite bishops’ “no” to new government demanded by Hezbollah and Lahoud
by Youssef Hourany - October, 2006In a statement, the bishops make it clear that they see the call for an executive of national unity as a means to avoid the creation of an international court on political crimes, starting with the murder of Rafic Hariri. They say this move would serve the aims of "certain international parties and factions".
Beirut (AsiaNews) – The Maronite bishops’ rejection of suggested changes in the current government led by Fouad Siniora was seen as a "blow" to the President of the Republic, Emile Lahoud and Hezbollah. The bishops’ view was expressed at the end of their monthly meeting yesterday, together with a strong appeal to unity among all Lebanese and an emphasis on the need to carry out concrete gestures able to lift the country out of the crisis currently gripping it.
The Maronite bishops came together in Bkerke under the chairmanship of the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir. In their final statement, they said: "The debate under way about a change of government and the formation of an executive of national unity, should not be motivated by a hidden objective aiming to prevent the setting up of an international court to judge the assassination of the ex-prime minister Rafic Hariri and all the homicides committed later. This would serve the objectives of certain international parties and factions." The statement also criticised recent statements and popular rallies (Hezbollah with its "Divine Victory", the Lebanese Forces with "They died for us", the Maradah of Souleiman Frangieh with the announced foundation of a party and General Aoun’s announcement of a rally) because "they do not serve the country and national unity, rather they deal it a grievous blow."
The words of the Maronite bishops have been seen and read as a "new blow" against General Emile Lahoud, current President of the Republic, who supports the view that there is the need to form a new "more representative" government, as requested by Hezbollah. A demand that has the backing of General Aoun together with his ally Souleiman Frangieh, and the leader of the Bekaa, Greek Catholic MP Elie Skaff.
Sheikh Nahim Kassem, the deputy secretary-general of the Party of God, came out against the suggestions of the Maronite bishops, reiterating the call for the formation of a new "more effective and more representative" government. He said the "latest attitude of the Maronite bishops is very conditioned by the stands take by Saad El Hariri and Walid Joumblatt."
The Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Mouhammad Rachid Gabbani, has declared himself in favour of the bishops’ statements. In his view, he told AsiaNews, Bkerke’s concern about the risk hanging over the creation of an international court, which would be charged to try criminals who caused the assassination of the ex-premier Rafic Hariri, was "right and proper".
In their statement, the bishops also "renewed their gratitude towards all those people and organisations who helped Lebanon during this latest crisis". They drew attention to the need for commitment to rein in emigration that had recently increased. A common, capable effort must be made in order to motivate youth to remain in their land of origin, because "young people are the true richness of Lebanon, and we call on all to offer their contribution in an able way to remove the prevalent state of anguish and worry."
At the end of their statement, the Maronite bishops joined their voices to that of Benedict XVI, so that in this month of October consecrated to the devotion of Our Lady of the Rosary, she may remain "the light of our families".Meanwhile, the Patriarchal Synod of the Greek-Orthodox Church of Antioch also raised concern about the diminishing Christian presence in the Middle East, during its deliberations under way in Damascus under the chairmanship of Patriarch Ignatius VI Hazim. The patriarch and his Synod are set to take a stand in the light of a report published in recent days, which revealed that more than 60% of young Christians have had to leave Lebanon, Syria and Iraq over the past two years.
Roed-Larsen Warns of "Devastating" Israeli Response to Hizbullah's Actions
Naharnet/The international community will not allow Israel to invade Lebanon again, nor is Israel willing to repeat the "costly" experience. But Hizbullah "provocations" along the border, could draw "devastating military strikes," according to U.N. envoy Terje Roed-Larsen.
The Norwegian diplomat, who is overseeing the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559, lashed out at both south Lebanon antagonists – Israel and Hizbullah - in a Nov. 21 debate at Harvard University in Boston. An Nahar carried excerpts of his remarks in its Sunday edition.
Referring to last week's clashes in the south, Roed-Larsen said: "I cannot describe what happened as an act of resistance, because there's nothing to resist. Hizbullah's actions were provocative and exposed the Lebanese population to danger."Could Israel re-invade? He was asked. "The occupation of Lebanon was costly, and the international community will not allow a repetition of this experience," Roed-Larsen answered. "But Israel could deal a devastating military blow to Lebanon, not by invading it, but by mounting intensive air strikes."He confirmed the implementation of parts of Resolution 1559 that deals with the withdrawal of Syrian military and intelligence forces from Lebanon. But some secret service activities may still be in the works. "This is difficult to ascertain because of the secretive nature of their work."The next six months could witness "tangible progress" toward disarming Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, said Roed-Larsen, who praised Premier Saniora for pursuing dialogue with the Palestinians and Hizbullah. But the U.N. envoy warned that Israel's "regular violations of Lebanese sovereignty, and its refusal to implement other U.N. Security Council resolutions," hindered the disarmament process. He urged all countries to "respect" Lebanon's sovereignty," and called for normal diplomatic relations between Damascus and Beirut. Beirut, 27 Nov 05, 11:36
Aoun: Lebanon's Future Not Built in Embassies
Naharnet/Gen. Michel Aoun has said Lebanon's future "will not be built in embassies," assuring that his Free Patriotic Movement "exists in its inner power."
"If there is any intention to build Lebanon's future, it will not be built in embassies,'' Aoun told FPM committee coordinators in Rabieh Wednesday, in a clear message to the March 14 Forces. "The Free Patriotic Movement exists in its inner power, and has not emerged from an embassy or an empire; and is not financed from abroad to bribe its people," Aoun said. "We do not practice any act outside the ultimate democratic framework," he added.
He said that "we cannot associate with lies for the rest of our lives, or live with some participating with lies while wearing the purity dress."
"In what equation can Lebanon be governed? And where is the Taef formula? Is it a Sunni-Shiite formula, and the Christian stays out?" wondered Aoun.
He charged that some politicians want to know where the movement was heading for "while for the past 23 years we didn't know where they had gotten us into. That's why we shall stay vigil on the national unity…" Beirut, 05 Oct 06, 14:19
Lebanese Army Warns Hunters to Keep Out of South
Naharnet/The Lebanese army has warned against hunting in south Lebanon where its soldiers have deployed alongside U.N. peacekeepers to consolidate a ceasefire, the military said Thursday. "Some people are still hunting in the zone of the deployment of the army and UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), impeding the mission of these forces and exposing them to risks posed by mines and bomblets," it said.
The army warned that hunters' guns would be confiscated, and noted that hunting has been banned across Lebanon since 1997 as part of conservation measures. Hizbullah have kept their weapons out of sight but have refused to disarm since a U.N. ceasefire resolution which ended their month-long war with Israel on August 14.(AFP) Beirut, 05 Oct 06, 13:43
Turkey Reportedly to Deploy Around 260 Troops in Lebanon Next Week
Naharnet/A Turkish television station reported Thursday that some 260 Turkish soldiers will join the international peacekeeping force in Lebanon next week. The Turkish troops would be the first Muslim forces to deploy in Lebanon as part of the expanded U.N. operation.
Private NTV television reported that a Turkish engineer company of around 260 soldiers was expected to fly to Lebanon from Ankara on Tuesday. Turkey was not expected to offer more land forces, but is also contributing some navy ships.
NTV said a Turkish frigate would leave Friday a naval base near Turkey's popular southwestern resort of Marmaris to serve in an international naval task force led by Germany and charged with preventing arms smuggling to Hizbullah. The Turkish contingent would be deployed in an area some 15 kilometers away from the port city of Tyre and will help reconstruct damaged bridges or roads, NTV said. The area is about 20 kilometers north of the Lebanese-Israeli border. Another Muslim country, Indonesia, was also expected to deploy troops in Lebanon later. The previous United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had a contingent of Iranians in 1978-79, but these were withdrawn after the Islamic revolution of 1979 in Iran.
Last month, Turkey's parliament approved sending soldiers to help monitor the cease-fire between Israel and Hizbullah, despite widespread public opposition. Turks, most of whom are Muslims, are wary of being drawn into fighting with fellow Muslims to protect Israel, whose 34-day bombardment of Lebanon was extraordinarily unpopular in Turkey as in much of the Islamic world. Turkey's prime minister has assured the public that Turkish soldiers will be withdrawn immediately if asked to disarm Hizbullah fighters in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions.(AP-AFP-Naharnet) (AFP photo shows Indonesian soldiers, who are waiting to join the U.N. force in Lebanon, marching during a ceremony in Jakarta)
Beirut, 05 Oct 06, 10:44
Russian FM: Kidnapped Israeli Soldiers Alive, in Good Health
Naharnet/Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that two Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Hizbullah in a deadly cross-border raid in July are alive and in good physical condition, Yediot Aharonot's website reported. Ynetnews said that a delegation from the Knesset and Karnit Goldwasser, the wife of one of the kidnapped soldiers, met with Lavrov in Strasbourg on Wednesday. It said she asked the foreign minister for Russia's involvement in U.N.-led efforts to release the soldiers. The Israeli website quoted Lavrov as saying that his country "is putting pressure on Iran and Syria to receive more information about the kidnapped soldiers." Syrian and Iranian-backed Hizbullah kidnapped Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser on July 12, sparking a 34-day Israeli offensive on Lebanon that came to an end on August 14. Lavrov reportedly said that Russia obtained information that "the condition of the kidnapped soldiers in Lebanon is good" despite reports that they were wounded. Ynetnews said Karnit Goldwasser asked Lavrov for promises that the servicemen would "receive appropriate medical attention." It added that Lavrov said he would inform Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about the latest developments on the case during his upcoming visit to Moscow. Beirut, 05 Oct 06, 10:10
Cleanup to Start in Days at Byblos Castle Damaged in Oil Spill During War
Naharnet/Cleanup is set to begin within days at the first of three ancient World Heritage sites damaged in the summer's Israel-Hizbullah war -- a crumbling old castle rising from the Mediterranean whose foundation stones are now coated with oil sludge.
Thousands of dollars from European and other donors will go toward repairing the damage at the three sites -- first at the ancient Phoenician port city of Byblos whose history stretches back 7,000 years, and then to Roman ruins at Baalbeck and Roman-era frescos in Tyre.
But officials say they also worry that many other historic sites, such as old souks, or markets, not listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites, also were damaged and are getting less attention. In Byblos, once teeming with fishermen and tourists, the famous ruins of the crumbling castle-fortress, which have provided the backdrop for dozens of international concerts, are now blackened at the base with scum from an oil spill. The oil spilled after Israeli airstrikes hit fuel storage tanks in Jiyyeh south of Beirut in mid-July, during the Israeli offensive. "The stones of the two ancient towers at the port's entrance, and all the archaeological ruins, are very stained. The site is in immediate danger," said Mounir Bouchenaki, who headed a UNESCO team that traveled to Lebanon to inspect the sites after the Aug. 14 cease-fire. The cost of the cleanup could be around $100,000, and the work is expected to start within days after money arrives and coordination with Lebanese officials is completed, he said. Byblos, one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world, has been linked to the legends and history of the Mediterranean region for thousands of years and is directly associated with the history and diffusion of the Phoenician alphabet. The English word Bible is believed to be derived from Byblos, meaning "the papyrus," or "the book." The charming harbor town is a major tourist site where international festivals are held every summer. The site must be cleaned before winter to prevent permanent damage, said Bouchenaki, who also is director-general of ICCROM, the International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property.
Other challenges await.
Down the southern coast at Tyre, valuable frescoes in a Roman-era tomb were shaken to the ground. And inland, a block of stone at the Roman ruins of Baalbeck was toppled. In addition, already existing cracks in the temples of Jupiter and Bacchus at Baalbeck may have widened because of vibrations from bombings in the area, says the UNESCO team and Lebanese officials. Lebanon has five UNESCO World Heritage sites: Baalbeck, Tyre and Byblos, plus Anjar and the Holy Valley of Qadisha and the Forest of the Cedars of God in northern Lebanon. The country's archeological treasures have already been damaged by earthquakes and wars -- some of them looted during Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war. The sites were spared any direct hits in this summer's war, but the three at Byblos, Baalbeck and Tyre are in urgent need of repairs, according to Lebanese officials and the UNESCO team.
Across the country, dozens of other old traditional buildings, hilltop castles and ancient bridges were damaged. "We are still taking stock of our losses," says Omar Halablab, director general of the culture ministry. Bouchenaki agreed that more serious damage was done to other, non-listed historic structures, old souks and buildings all over the country, particularly in south Lebanese villages near the border with Israel.
"We think that another mission is necessary to study the impact of the bombings on the sites which are not listed as World Heritage sites, but are equally important," he said. Bouchenaki said further research, using sophisticated photographic measurement technology, also would be needed to ascertain the extent to which Baalbeck's colossal structures were damaged.(AP) (AP photo shows local tourists in a boat sailing past an ancient fortress at the Phoenician port city of Byblos) Beirut, 05 Oct 06, 10:59
Balanced view
Posted on 10/3/2006
By Ahmed Al-Jarallah
Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
AS we take a deep look at the issue of the looming civil war in Palestine, the conflict of interests with Israel and US on one side and Iran and Syria on the other, and the interests of Kurds in Iraq and Turkey ... the visit of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the region needs no introduction while America struggles to win the war on terrorism. Rice neither needs an introduction nor lessons on terrorism in the Middle East. Here the issue of terrorism is crystal clear, a result of America’s foreign policy, because Washington prefers to see the region through Israeli eyes.
Rice must have certainly made note of what the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques had to say and tomorrow she will be taking more notes from foreign ministers of GCC countries and Egypt and Jordan when she meets them in Cairo. She will definitely hear from the foreign ministers that America is to be blamed for the escalating terrorist activities because of Washington’s behavior and policy in the region which needs to be overhauled. May be the moderate Arab countries will side with America’s war on terrorism, but not before demanding to identify why and how terrorism was born. In this case we must admit the cause was the US and Western policy for 58 long years, beginning with the case of Palestine.
Terrorism was born on the agonies of the oppressed people. The Americans played with the emotions of these people by supporting Israel’s occupation of Palestine, including Arab and non-Arab holy places. Fighting America became a duty for the victimized people because they looked at America as the biggest evil, which with its strong arm tactics protected the occupiers. Rice must realize terrorism has no place in bringing peace to the Middle East and surrounding areas. Hamas for example, explained its resistance and terrorism was a result of Israel’s stubbornness which has imposed hunger on the Palestinians, but the Palestinians recently disclosed the real goals of Hamas and their false slogans.
On the issue of making alliances in the region, we have seen that the US administration doesn’t listen to advice of its allies, but bases its decisions on theories of advisors from outside the region, who are not even aware of its minute details in addition to their incapability of identifying the needs of each state in the region. The French have identified some of the details, but the British were at their best in dealing with the fine details, so they knew exactly when to stay and when to leave. All we want from Rice is to benefit from the experience in the Middle East without giving a reason for terrorism to snowball. Rice is capable of putting the Palestinian issue on the right track and finding a fair and final reconciliation, with the establishment of a Palestinian state which is capable of co-existing peacefully with the Jewish state.
Keeping the atmosphere hostile in the region can only benefit terrorism, which has shown keenness to feed on corrupt deals and blackmail. If Rice fully acknowledges this reality and is willing to establish a peace front with the GCC countries, Egypt and Jordan, then she has to give an ear to advice from these countries on how to achieve peace. The most important advice for America is to stop viewing the region through Israeli eyes by promoting a balanced approach to the conflict. America must share its views with other countries in the region at least to stop terrorism from growing stronger.
e-mail: ahmedjarallah@hotmail.com
Monday October 02, 2006
For Immediate Release
In response to President Bush’s commitment to the reconstruction of Lebanon,
The ALC renews its trust in the President’s initiatives towards Lebanon
WASHINGTON – On September 23rd, President Bush designated a presidential delegation from the public and private sector to help rebuild Lebanon.
Deputy Under Secretary of State Dina Powell headed the delegation that visited Lebanon along with private sector leaders John Chambers, President and CEO of Cisco Systems, Craig Barrett Chairman of Intel Corporation, Youssef Ghafari Chairman of Ghafari, Ray Irani Chairman CEO Occidental Petroleum Corporation among others.
Last Monday, and after their audience with the President, members of the Presidential Delegation met during a conference call with Leaders from the Lebanese American Community and others from the Arab American Community. The President of the American Lebanese Coalition (ALC) Joseph Gebeily M.D. and Vice Presidents Mr. Joseph Hage and Mr. Milad Zohrob joined the conference where Powell briefed the Leaders on the delegation’s recent visit to Lebanon and announced the creation of a $160 million fund by the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) where Citibank will guarantee the financing to small- and medium-sized businesses and provide construction loans to families. Moreover Cisco, Intel and Ghafari will provide $10 million to create jobs and training programs for the Lebanese. Also, Powell announced the launching of the website www.lebanonpartnership.org to promote the efforts of the presidential initiative.
The ALC has always trusted the President’s initiatives and commitments towards Lebanon and this project is an example of the Bush Administration’s commitment to rebuild not only infrastructure but also democracy in Lebanon. The Lebanese American Community is ever grateful to the President’s support for the Cedar Revolution that freed Lebanon from 29 years of Syrian oppression and resulted in a democratically elected parliament and government. In response to the President’s appeal, the ALC is prepared to launch a targeted effort towards the Lebanese-American community, and is thrilled and confident that Lebanese American Business Leaders will participate in the reconstruction of Lebanon.
Rice makes surprise visit to Iraq
By ANNE GEARAN, AP Diplomatic Writer -05/10/06
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, making an election-season visit to Iraq, said Thursday she will tell its leaders they have limited time to settle political differences spurring sectarian and insurgent violence.
"They don't have time for endless debate of these issues," Rice said during a news conference aboard her plane. "They have really got to move forward. That is one of the messages that I'll take, but it will also be a message of support and what can we do to help."
Rice said Iraqis must resolve for themselves complex problems such as the division of oil wealth, possible changes to the national constitution and the desire for greater autonomy in various regions of the country.
"Our role is to support all the parties and indeed to press all the parties to work toward that resolution quickly because obviously the security situation is not one that can be tolerated and it is not one that is being helped by political inaction," she said.
Car bombs, as well as other explosions and shootings, killed 34 people across the country Wednesday. At least 21 U.S. soldiers have been killed since Saturday, a disproportionately high number. Most of the casualties have been in Baghdad amid a massive security sweep by American and Iraqi forces that has been going on since August.
A military transport plane that flew Rice and her party into Baghdad Thursday had had its landing delayed by 35 minutes by "indirect fire" — either from mortar rounds or rockets — in the airport area, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.
Rice met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other officials as the sectarian spiral of revenge killings between Shiites and Sunnis threatened to undermine his government. The tit-for-tat killings have become the deadliest violence in Iraq, with thousands slain in recent months, and Shiite and Sunni parties in his coalition accuse each other of backing militias. "Obviously the security side and the political side are linked," she told reporters.
Rice described the task as "the ability to get everybody to understand precisely how their interests are going to be represented and how their interests are going to be served in this political process." Such an understanding would draw Iraqis out of the insurgency working against the al-Maliki government and away from the sectarian militias blamed for much of the recent violence, she said. "This visit will be an opportunity for consultation and dialogue on a number of issues that are important to both countries," al-Maliki said through an intrepter. "This is, of course, a time of challenge for the Iraqi people," Rice said. "They are a committed people and we know they will overcome these challenges." In addition to meeting al-Maliki and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Rice also was to meet with Sunni leaders.
The Bush administration has made similar arguments at each stage along Iraq's stop-and-go struggle toward a functioning democracy. Although an elected parliamentary government has replaced Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, it has been unable to counter the rise in violence.
On Monday, al-Maliki announced a new security plan to unite the feuding parties, creating local committees in which Sunnis and Shiites will work together to manage efforts to stop the violence on a district-by-district level. But contentious details of the plan still must be worked out — and Shiite and Sunni parties for a second day on Wednesday put off negotiations. At the same time, Sunni-led insurgents have continued their attacks targeting civilians, Iraqi officials and U.S. and Iraqi troops. The conflict, now in its fourth year, has claimed the lives of more than 2,700 American troops and cost more than $300 billion. There may also be a political cost for Rice's Republican Party. With less than five weeks left before congressional elections, new polls show Americans are increasingly unhappy with the war in Iraq and President Bush's leadership. Bush asserted last Friday that critics who claim the Iraq war has made America less safe embrace "the enemy's propaganda." He acknowledged setbacks in Afghanistan against a Taliban resurgence but predicted eventual victory.