LCCC ENGLISH NEWS BULLETIN
September 26/06
Biblical Reading For Today
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 8,16-18.
No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away."
New Opinion
The March on (Rome) Beirut -Hazem Sagieh Al-Hayat - 26/09/06
Sniora's Bitterness and the Fears of the Lebanese-Zuheir Kseibati Al-Hayat
A Lifeline for Lebanon: International Custody. By: Abu Arz, President of the Guardians of the Cedars Party 24.09.06
Latest New from the Daily Star for September 26/06
Brammertz confirms truck bomb killed Hariri but refrains from pointing fingers
Israeli troops to leave South by 'end of week'March 14 fears Hizbullah ministers will walk out
Rights group: Israel abducting civilians
UAE, Lebanese Army ink pact to de-mine South
Lawyer sues spiritual leader named by Arslan
UN team arrives to probe alleged war crimes committed by Israelis
Lebanon, a unique example of humanitarian solidarity-David Shearer
An hour with a confident Ahmadinejad-David Ignatius
Latest New from Miscellaneous sources for September 26/06
The Region: Stay away from Syria-Jerusalem Post
UN troops wary of attack in Lebanon-Seattle Post Intelligencer
IDF: Sorties will continue over Lebanon-Ynetnews
Olmert opposed to negotiations with Syria-Israel Today
Tamir: Israel must talk to Syria, Hamas-Ynetnews
Pope: Relations between faiths necessary-AP
Israel: Nasrallah 'spit in face' of int'l community-Ha'aretz
IDF Lebanon withdrawal days away-Jerusalem Post
UN force in Lebanon: There's a lot it won't do-International Herald Tribune
Clearing Lebanon's residue of war-BBC News
Torture Victim Had No Terror Link, Canada Told US-New York Times
After the war, Hizbullah reevaluates-Christian Science Monitor - Boston,MA,USA
Israel, Lebanon Try a New Peace-Turn Left
Russia starts sending equipment to Lebanon-1-RIA Novosti
Lasting quiet returns to south Lebanon-Houston Chronicle
President: Syria willing to make peace with Israel-Xinhua
Beilin: Israel Must Talk With SyriaArutz Sheva
Why death rumours dog Laden?CNN-IBN
Bill Clinton Defends Bin Laden Handling-ABC News
White House: Terrorism not linked to invasion-Newsday
Report: Israel's Olmert met secretly with senior official in Saudi -USA Today
Report: Syria calls for peace with Israel-Houston Chronicle, United States
Israel seen lifting nuclear veil in Iran stand-off-Mail & Guardian Online
Irish academics call to boycott Israel-Jerusalem Post
Lebanon telecoms liberalisation still on track-TeleGeography
MIDDLE EAST: Human rights violations in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Syria-Reuters
Brammertz confirms truck bomb killed Hariri but refrains from pointing fingers
Probe also cites 'link' between series of blasts, assassination bids in 2005
Compiled by Daily Star staff
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
New tests corroborate the theory that former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri was killed by a massive truck bomb detonated by a suicide bomber, a United Nations investigating team said in a report released Monday. Evidence found at the scene of the blast also included a tooth, probably of the bomber, which featured an unspecified "distinguishing mark" on its crown suggesting he may not have been from Lebanon, the report said.
The document, the third from a team led by Belgian prosecutor Serge Brammertz, reported progress in the probe of the February 14, 2005, explosion that killed Hariri and 22 others in Beirut. His supporters blame Syria, which has denied any role.
Brammertz handed his second and final report (the first was prepared by his predecessor, Detlev Mehlis) on Monday to UN chief General Kofi Annan, who met later in the day with Syria's foreign minister. Copies were also given to the members of the Security Council.
Brammertz is scheduled to brief the Security Council on Friday, after which it will hold closed consultations.
According to the report, Syria has been generally cooperative with the probe, though the team did raise questions about information provided by Syrian officials in several interviews. It said investigators found it necessary to corroborate the answers given by those interview subjects, whose cooperation was "variable." Investigators had suspected for some time that Hariri was killed by a bomb packed into a Mitsubishi truck whose remnants were found at the scene.According to the report, new tests corroborate the theory that a man either inside or just in front of the van detonated the bomb, which was probably close to 1,800 kilograms. Investigators have found 32 pieces of remains from the person believed to be the attacker, who was likely 20-25 years old, the report said. Brammertz said evidence suggested that the team planning Hariri's assassination had him under surveillance.
At one point, he said, the attackers either tried to kill Hariri or carried out a rehearsal.
As with his previous reports, Brammertz' latest was largely technical and absent of sweeping theories or speculation. That contrasts with Mehlis, whose updates read like detective novels and revealed tantalizing bits of evidence.
New leads and phone calls traced through 17 countries were other highlights of the report. Brammertz cited "a considerable number of new leads for the investigation relating to the crime scene, its vicinity and the immediate perpetration of the crime."
He also pointed to a "link" between 14 explosions, assassinations and attempted assassinations that occurred in Lebanon throughout 2005. Investigators' work "in relation to the 14 other cases ... is beginning to produce links, notably in identifying potential conjoining motives," the report said.
Though no suspects were named in the report, Brammertz said the probe "has developed direct and indirect linkages between significant individuals in disparate groups that are relevant from an investigative perspective."
As for who ordered the killing, the report said investigators continue to probe "both the possibility that a single group, with a singular intent and capacity committed the crime; or that a well-defined or disparate collection of individuals or groups joined together with differing motives and intentions to commit the same crime." As for Ahmed Abu Adass, who appeared in a video claiming responsibility for the killing and has not been located since, Brammertz said the team "continues its examination of Abu Adass' involvement in the crime, including the validity of the claim of responsibility."
However, Brammertz said that Abu Adass' "profile is distinct ... he seemingly had more academic and intellectual interests and less technical orientation that that associated with those members of terrorist groups engaged in the operational aspects of terrorist activities, at least in Lebanon."
The motives behind the crime "are apparently of varying levels of international, regional and national relevance, and relate to political, economic, financial and business matters."A UN diplomatic source in New York told The Daily Star on Monday that Brammertz's report was "procedural, like the one he presented earlier this year." Rumors had been circulating recently in Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries that Brammertz would name names in his report. Saudi daily Okaz said Monday that Brammertz would reveal Syria's direct involvement in Hariri's assassination.
The newspaper added that Brammertz's report would disclose details about "a tape" that former Syrian Interior Minister Ghazi Kenaan allegedly "recorded about the planning of the February 14, 2005, murder."
"Senior Syrian officers and former Lebanese Environment Minister Wiam Wahhab planned the assassination," it claimed.
The article alleged that Kenaan "cut a deal with Mehlis to escape to Cyprus via the North Lebanese port city of Tripoli," but that a person close to Kenaan reported him to the Syrian authorities, which later "announced his suicide."Okaz said the report "will also reveal the names of those involved in the murder, including Syrian President Bashar Assad's brother in law, General Assef Shawkat and Brigadier Bahjat Suleiman, the former head of the Security Department." In addition, the newspaper claimed that the name of "an Iraqi, who detonated the white Mitsubishi truck that was seen at the site of the one-ton bomb explosion on Beirut's seafront, will be made public." - Agencies, with Naharnet
Jumblatt takes issues with Nasrallah
Daily Star staff
Monday, September 25, 2006
MUKHTARA: MP Walid Jumblatt had harsh words on Sunday for Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's "Divine Victory" speech on Friday, adding that his main disagreement with the resistance was its "adherence to the Syrian regime." "We are ready to show solidarity with the Syrian people, but we will not do so with the Syrian regime, which is responsible morally, politically and financially for the series of assassinations which Lebanon has witnessed since [Syrian President] Bashar Assad came to power," Jumblatt said during a meeting with members of the Progressive Socialist Party Youth Organization in Mukhtara. "Sayyed Hassan, rest your mind, I will not reach an agreement with you. When you separate yourself from the Syrian leadership, I will possibly hold a dialogue with you," the Chouf MP said. Dismissing the hundreds of thousands of supporters who gathered for the Hizbullah rally last Friday, Jumblatt said: "We are also able to gather a large number of people, but our people are different from theirs, and I insist on that." "Our people are democratic and open to discussions while theirs are stiff. They have one path and one following, to Syria and Iran," he added.
Commenting on Nasrallah's reference to Hizbullah supporters as "most honorable," the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc president asked: "Does he consider us traitors?" "I don't know why a great Arab and international leader such as Nasrallah uses such words," he added. Jumblatt also addressed Nasrallah's insistence that the resistance will not lay down its arms until there is a "strong, just and capable state""The strong, just and capable state is the state of law, one law, with weapons in the hands of the Lebanese Army, and the decision of war and peace is that of the Lebanese state," Jumblatt argued.The PSP leader noted that Nasrallah had not mentioned the Taif Accord in his speech."They already wanted to eliminate Taif so the country would be an open arena for the Islamic Republic's ambitions in the region, which also eases the return of the Syrian regime," he said. - The Daily Star
Tests show Hariri killed by truck bomb
Associated Press - 2006 / 9 / 25
New tests corroborate the theory that former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed in a massive suicide truck bomb, investigators said in a report Monday. The report from Belgian prosecutor Serge Brammertz's investigators said that Syria — which had been accused of obstructing the probe — has been generally cooperative in its investigation of the Feb. 14, 2005 bombing that killed Hariri and 22 others. Investigators had suspected for some time that Hariri was killed by a bomb packed into a Mitsubishi minivan and detonated by a suicide attacker. According to the report, new tests corroborate the theory that a man either inside or just in front of the van detonated the bomb, which was probably close to 1,800 kilograms (3,960 pounds). Hariri's killing provoked an international outcry that ultimately forced Syria to withdraw thousands of its troops from Lebanon in April 2005, ending nearly three decades of military dominance of the country. Syria has denied involvement in Hariri's death. Brammertz' predecessor as chief of the investigation, Germany's Detlev Mehlis, had said the killing's complexity suggested the Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services played a role in Hariri's assassination. Yet Brammertz shied away from making any such claims. As with his previous reports, Brammertz' latest was largely technical and absent of sweeping theories or speculation. That is starkly different from Mehlis, whose updates read like detective novels and revealed tantalizing bits of evidence.
Pope: Relations between faiths necessary
By MARTA FALCONI, Associated Press Writer
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy Pope Benedict XVI told Muslim diplomats Monday that "our future" depends on good relations between followers of both faiths as he sought to put to rest anger over his recent remarks about Islam and violence. The pontiff also quoted from his predecessor, John Paul II, who had close relations with the Muslim world, calling for "reciprocity in all fields," including religious freedom. Benedict spoke in French to a roomful of diplomats from 21 countries and the Arab League in his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome. After his five-minute speech, in a salon in the papal palace in the Alban Hills, Benedict, greeted each envoy one by one. He clasped their hands warmly and chatted for a few moments with each of the diplomats. "The circumstances which have given risen to our gathering are well known," Benedict said, referring to his remarks on Islam in a Sept. 12 speech at Regensburg, Germany. He did not dwell on the contested remarks, which set off protests around the Muslim world.
Iraq's ambassador to the Holy See said Benedict's address to the envoys should bring an end to the anger over the pontiff's remarks on Islam and violence. "The Holy Father stated his profound respect for Islam. This is what we were expecting," said Iraqi envoy Albert Edward Ismail Yelda as he left the half-hour meeting. "It is now time to put what happened behind and build bridges."
When the protests started flaring, Benedict offered deep regrets for offense felt by Muslims and insisted his remarks did not reflect his own opinion and were misunderstood. He stopped short of a full apology that some Muslim leaders demanded. Speaking in Germany, Benedict quoted the words of a Byzantine emperor who characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread by the sword the faith." Addressing the diplomats, he did say that Christians and Muslims must work together to "guard against all forms of intolerance and to oppose all manifestations of violence."He said he arranged the meeting to "strengthen the bonds of friendship" between both sides, but he did not offer any analysis of the controversial passage, which came in a speech exploring faith and reason. Benedict said that dialogue between Christians and Muslims "cannot be reduced to an optional extra. It is, in fact, a vital necessity on which in large measure our future depends," he said, quoting to a speech in gave to Muslims in Germany in 2005.
Benedict also cited John Paul II as saying, "Respect and dialogue require reciprocity in all spheres," particularly religious freedom. This is a major issue for the Vatican in Saudi Arabia and several other countries where non-Muslims cannot worship openly. Saudi Arabia does not have diplomatic relations with the Holy See. Among predominantly Muslim nations with diplomatic relations to the Vatican, only Sudan did not participate in the meeting.Among those attending was a diplomat from Indonesia, where Christian-Muslim tensions were further heightened last week by the execution of three Catholic militants. Benedict last month had appealed for the men's lives to be spared. Turkey also participated. Benedict has said he hopes to go in November to that predominantly Muslim but officially secular country, whose officials were among the first to vigorously protest the Regensburg remarks.
Last week, the Holy See's ambassadors stationed in Muslim countries met with officials to assure them that the pope respects Islam and to urge a complete reading of the speech, which was an exploration of the relationship between faith and reason. The Vatican and much of the Muslim world share some important goals for each side, including the battle against legalized abortion. Benedict also was among the first to urge Israel to use restraint and turn to dialogue in its battle in Lebanon against Hezbollah guerrillas over the summer.
AP correspondents Victor L. Simpson and Frances D'Emilio contributed to this report from Vatican City.
The March on ( Rome) Beirut
Hazem Sagieh Al-Hayat - 25/09/06//
Our political culture is rich with expressions such as 'eternal victory', 'divinely-guided victory' and 'glorious victory'. In this respect, Saddam Hussein has innovated almost epic imageries, such as 'the mother of all battles', 'Saddam's Qadissiya', and others. As for 'godly victory', coined by Ali Khamenei in his letter congratulating Hassan Nasrallah and used by Hezbollah to describe the recent war and its consequences, it is a qualitative development in the dictionary of war eloquence.
Despite this, and because experience has taught us that the more victory was exaggerated, the more there was behind the scenes, it is likely that this 'victory' is hiding territorial desires and crises. It may be difficult to envision all the crises and desires, but it is clear that declaring 'victory' in this manner is meant to resolve unresolved debates and settle many open-ended issues. It is unacceptable to involve the sacred in such a situation, particularly as we see the Israelis, who have formed a government investigation commission and might form an official investigation commission, go in the opposite direction. They are moving from the sacred to the mundane, from the fixed to the mobile, and from certainties to questions. According to their media, their politicians and intellectuals, this can lead them to realizing the real lessons of the war.
The declaration of a 'godly victory' is a recipe to delay and suppress the debate and seize power or come close to seizing it. Legitimizing the use of such a declaration is easy only for a party that calls itself Hezbollah, because it implicitly entails that the others are the party of the devil. People like those should not be in power, and should not be able to facilitate the work of the court and the investigation regarding the assassination of Hariri, or to co-operate for the implementation of Resolution 1701. Even when they are moderate devils, such as the 'understander' Michel Aoun or the advocates of 'scientific socialism' who praise 'divine victory', their role should be limited to paving Hezbollah's passage to power.
It is known that the Ugandan rebels also have a 'Lord's Army', led by clergyman Joseph Kony, who is not too ashamed to do horrible acts, the most famous of which was abducting and whipping children. Such acts were thought to be the means to reach power in the capital. This, of course, is not the case with Hezbollah, which is a popular and serious phenomenon, distinguished from other Hezbollah parties established by the Iranians in many countries. The elements of Hezbollah's power are very diverse and rich: a sect that was falsely made to believe that the rest of the Lebanese are targeting it, as well as the continuous resources of Iranian oil revenues. All this gives its radical threat to the Lebanese situation an obvious urgency.
Friday's festival does not hide the desire to end the disparity between a parliamentary majority and what is supposed to be a popular majority. Thus, we must remain vigilant and cautious. During the 1920s, the political elite in Italy were fragmented, the government was weak, and the democratic forces were scattered. Many people wanted a strong rule. The sense of absurdity and futility was rampant. The middle class' fear of communism was accompanied with lower classes nationalism. For those reasons, 50 thousand fascists were more than enough for Benito Mussolini to march on Rome. They toppled the government and brought the Duce to the premiership. They were driven by a deep-rooted faith that they were the representation of the will of nature, while they represented in fact the Italians' frustration, the ambiguity of their future, and the emptiness of politics and their politicians. The nationalist faith of the fascists is the secular equivalent of the 'godly victory' celebrated by Hezbollah.
Israel: Nasrallah 'spit in face' of int'l community
By Haaretz Staff and Agencies
Israel blasted Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday for his declaration that no army in the world could make the group disarm, calling it a "spit in the face" for the international community. United Nations Resolution 1701, which ended the 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on August 14, calls for the "disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon." "Nasrallah is challenging not only the government of Lebanon, but the entire international community," said Mark Regev, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. "The international community can't afford to have this Iranian-funded extremist spit in the face of the organized community of nations." In his first public appearance since the start of the war with Israel on July 12, Nasrallah told a mass rally in Beirut that his group would not hand over its weapons until a new government was established in Lebanon. "The current government is unable to protect Lebanon, or to reconstruct Lebanon or to unify Lebanon," he said, calling for a new "national unity government." An estimated 800,000 people, mostly Shi'ite Muslims, turned out for the rally in a bombed-out suburb of the Lebanese capital to celebrate Hezbollah's "divine victory" in the war. Nasrallah said Hezbollah emerged from the war stronger than it had been before it. "[It] has recovered all its organizational and military capabilities," he said. "It is stronger than it was before July 12." "The resistance today, pay attention ... has more than 20,000 rockets," he told the crowd. Regev also noted that according to the UN cease-fire resolution, Hezbollah "shouldn't have any rockets."
The huge turnout in a country of just four million was a gesture of defiance to Israel but also marked a challenge to the U.S.-backed government of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Hezbollah has two ministers in the cabinet, but most cabinet members oppose the group's alliances with Syria and Iran. Nasrallah said he had decided to appear at the rally despite threats to his life. "They said that this square would be bombed and this stage would be destroyed to frighten the people and keep them away," he said.
Since the war, Israeli officials have said they would continue to target Hezbollah's leadership but Prime Minister Ehud Olmert refused to comment on Thursday on whether Israel would try to kill Nasrallah if he appeared at the rally. Nasrallah debated with his aides until 30 minutes before the rally, about whether to attend. "But my heart, mind and soul did not allow me to address you from afar," he said. "You are proving by attending this victory celebration that you are more courageous than on July 12 and August 14," he said, referring to the beginning and end of the month-long war. The crowd roared with cheers as Nasrallah appeared waving to the crowd, flanked by his bodyguards as an announcer said "the leader has arrived."
Father Ghattas Khoury
Father Ghattas Khoury was born in the village of Bekafra in Lebanon the hometown of St. Sharbel. He moved to the United States of America in 1989. He served proudly and with distinction several parishes in Willington, West Virginia, Youngstown Ohio, Cincinnati Ohio, and currently as pastor of the Cathedral of St. Maron Church in Detroit MI. As of October 1st, he will assume the role of Pastor of St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church in Phoenix, AZ. Under his spiritual leadership while in Detroit, St.Maron's parish community experienced a renaissance and seats began to fill again at Sunday mass. Fr. Ghattas was instrumental in assembling over 1000 people of various faiths at a special memorial service following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. He has been extremely ecumenical - attending and participating in many Christian-Muslim affairs and events.
Fr. Ghattas restructured the parish council leadership at St. Maron's resulting in a regrowth of church activities. A very budget conscience and visionary leader, he oversaw building improvements to the church and banquet facility. In an effort to keep church expenses down, he personally attended to the landscape of the church grounds, mowing the lawn himself. In 2006, and at the bequest of Fr. Ghattas, Maronite Cardinal Boutros Sfeir, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, accepted his invitation to travel to the United States from Lebanon to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of a Maronite Eparchy (Diocese) in America with Detroit as its first seat. It is evident that Fr. Ghattas is a man of deep prayer who makes liturgical celebrations central to events - making clear the link between faith and unity. He inspires, promotes and supports all the ministries of the church. These ministries embody, more often than not, selfless, sacrificial giving, exemplifying the mission of Fr. Ghattas.
A compassionate pastor, a spiritual leader, a man with a beautiful mind and quick wit, a joyful celebrant of the Holy Scripture, a prolific writer and speaker, a discerning advocate of Lebanese unity, Fr. Ghattas sees merit in all who enter the doors of the Cathedral. An avid reader, archivist and biblical historian, he is a tremendous motivational advisor, counselor and teacher. An outstanding Servant of God, he is steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. With the power of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Ghattas has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the foundation of the Maronite mission, leading his flock to worship and praise. Considered a "pastor's pastor" by his many parishioners, fellow clergy and church leaders, Fr. Ghattas' honesty, integrity and desire to know God gain him the respect and admiration of Maronite leaders worldwide. He is truly driven by an amazing love for people of all ages, races, nationalities and walks of life. His service and ministry at the Cathedral of St. Maron's coupled with his uplifting message of hope that has touched the lives of so many Maronites will be unforgettable. A priest in the true sense of the word, Fr. Ghattas, visited the sick, attended to the needy, prayed for the deceased, and pastored to the Maronite community in Detroit with an unselfish passion.
We wish him well on his new journey.
Siniora's Bitterness and the Fears of the Lebanese
Zuheir Kseibati Al-Hayat - 25/09/06//
The cloud dusts of war have not yet subsided, and the Lebanese are facing a host of problems, beginning with the issue of who is supposed to apologize to whom. These problems will not end with the fear that Israel will not be able to co-exist with a Hezbollah that possesses over 20,000 missiles, as Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah revealed at the Victory Festival. This is because the Resistance emerged from the seventh Israeli aggression on Lebanon stronger than before, and because the theory of deterring aggression has fallen apart, as Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has said. The Lebanese believe that another, more intense war will come. Therefore, they opt for emigration.
The most reassuring point in Nasrallah's speech was that he extended his hand for dialogue, and the call for everyone to participate in rebuilding Lebanon because "our fate is one". What is most worrying is his campaign against the "impotency" of the ruling group (Hezbollah included) in protecting national unity. It is as though he is calling for changing the regime, whereas the 'other' party is accused of wanting to break the back of the Resistance in order to break out of the impasse of disarming it, since the justifications of the 'other' party will fall through as soon as the Shebaa Farms are liberated and the prisoners released. This party has interpreted the attack by Hezbollah and its Secretary General against the regime to mean that they have only one, ultimate objective: doing away with the Taif Agreement, which laid down the foundations of a Republic of peace and consensus after the civil war. This interpretation is no longer a whisper about the desire to replace the regime of this Republic, which has been tottering, thanks to the forced marriage between the March 14 Forces and the Hezbollah-Amal group. The regime's end is impending, now that the victorious group, which has 'deterred' Israel, is plucking the fruits of victory on the borders and that has resisted a war of total destruction.
This is the political harvest season, especially since Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is reassuring the weary with his 20,000 rockets, and is fixed on political rivalry with the other concerned Lebanese parties. However, the complaint of the majority group - that has been accused, once again, of appropriation and covering up lawlessness - is reminiscent of the effectiveness of the national dialogue when one party appropriated the decision to go to war. Thus, the question concerns the feasibility of reviving the dialogue, but with the guarantee that there will not be a repetition of July 12 and its consequences - the Israeli destruction of the country. In this transitional phase, and assuming that the region south of the Litany remains intact under the umbrella of Resolution 1701, how wide is the gap between Hezbollah's campaign for what it calls a 'national unity government', and its campaign by its representatives of the party against the regime? These representatives now consider that the Taif Agreement was never implemented and that it has now become outdated. Very well, then. True, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called on all of the concerned parties to participate in the rebuilding phase, and this is a reassuring move, given that reconstruction is the opposite of preparing for war. And, yes, it is good that he admitted that there are several schisms in Lebanon. The simplest example of the gulf between such conflicting visions is Nasrallah's adamant refusal to lay down his arms, while Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and the ruling majority see no protection except through an adherence to the truce with Israel. The former insists that his rockets can deter Israel, while the Prime Minister has concluded from the war of July 12 that 'the theory of deterrence has collapsed'. Moreover, there is no substitute to diplomacy in resolving the Shebaa Farms issue.
Confusion and anxiety prevail among the Lebanese, while bitterness now has dominated the relation between Nasrallah and Siniora since July 12. Hezbollah will not forget what it considers to be a 'stab in the back'. Prime Minister Siniora's reply to this is: 'What have I done? We, all the Lebanese, were victorious, but the disaster of the destruction was overwhelming.' It was in proportion to the viciousness of Israel's aggression.
In the Victory Festival, Nasrallah stood victorious with the members of the Resistance, surrounded by hundreds of thousands. The Resistance is stronger; Israel did not break its back. He was very harsh with Walid Jumblatt and Siniora, and was not moved by Siniora's tears. So, the feeling of bitterness has returned to the Lebanese, although Hezbollah's leader shares the hope for reconstruction and a dialogue that will revive the hope of maintaining the unity of the country forever.
Every day there is a new problem, and Siniora wonders what he has done except contribute to Lebanon's victory? Despite all the noise and accusations of treason, the Prime Minister works diligently in his call for 'rationality': 'I am the Prime Minister of all of the Lebanese'.
Nasrallah's new project is a national unity government, following a victory that does not exclude anyone. However, there are those among the March 14 Forces who are sure that replacing this government is impossible. This is simply because, if what is called for is to make Syria's allies ministers, then this government will lose its ministerial majority, despite its parliamentary legitimacy. In this way, the forced marriage will become a mandatory divorce which no one will have the power to prevent. The March 14 Forces, or at least some of its members, consider a participation with Syria's allies as tantamount to dissolving the March 14 Forces itself, and negating everything that it has achieved. They believe that the first prey to the alliance will be the Lebanese constitutional cover for the planned international tribunal investigating the assassination of former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri. Moreover, they see that the greatest fear induced by the slogan of a 'national unity government', and with it, buoying up pro-Damascus figures, is the revival of what has become known as the 'Syrian-Lebanese security order'.
As long as Nasrallah insists on his project, the next political confrontation is on its way - regardless of the fact that Nasrallah does not want to exclude any party. Siniora bitterly complains that salt is being rubbed into the wound. He is responding by calling for 'reason' and preserving the continuity of the government. He is opposed to the fall of the government, "unless this is what the Lebanese want", and is self-confident that he can give up the premiership if necessity, without flinching. It is as though what he really means in every pronouncement he has made is this: I, too, have learnt to resist.
The confusion of the Lebanese remains following their victory in the Israeli war and in rising above destruction. They are also anxious over a war of political attrition directed at their unity under the guise of a battle for replacing the government or undermining it by expanding it. Is this not the path to complete defeat; when no dialogue will do any good because of slander and accusations of treason?
Monday, September 25, 2006 by Staff Writer
Olmert opposed to negotiations with Syria
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he opposes negotiating with Syria because the Islamic nation is the main operator of terror in the region.
The prime minister said that the conflict with the Palestinians is more urgent and he sees a greater need to focus on that.
Olmert’s comments came in response to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s statements that Syria is interested in peace with Israel, not in her annihilation. The Syrian foreign minister said that the end of the war in Lebanon presented the opportunity to revive the peace process.
Israeli officials said that Syria should first prove it is a peace partner and cease supporting terror before Israel opens talks with the nation.
Security Minister Amir Peretz said that the State of Israel is prepared for any scenario or any threat, and will be ready to respond to any Syrian provocation. “The belligerent declarations of the Syrian president do not fit in with his talks of peace,” Peretz said. “If the Syrian President has sincere intentions, then he can prove this by veritable actions such as halting support for (Palestinian Prime Minister) Khaled Mashaal and stop supplying weapons to Hizballah. The State of Israel strives for peace with all its neighbors as soon as the appropriate conditions are in place.”