LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
July 11/09
Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus
Christ according to Saint Matthew 10:16-23. Behold, I am sending you like sheep
in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware
of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their
synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a
witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about
how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment
what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your
Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the
father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to
death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the
end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I
say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special
Reports
Iraqi Success Will Depend on Next
U.S. Strategy Dr. Walid Phares
10/07/09
Preparations for Attack on Iran
Almost Complete.
Dr. Sam Vaknin 10.07.09
Elections can crack the dictator’s wall.By
Ian Buruma 10/07/09
In Solidarity with the Iranian
People. By:
Amil Imani 10/07/09
Mainstream" Islamist Convention Features Hate
Speech and and Hezbollah Defense/Right
Side News 10/07/09
Latest
News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for July
10/09
Israel must keep much of Golan: Netanyahu aide-Reuters
Is Lebanon Entering A New Era Or A Waiting
Period?RadioFreeEurope
Israel must stay 'deep in Golan'-BBC
News
Benny Gantz named deputy IDF chief amid
Ashkenazi-Barak row-Ha'aretz
Son of UN official kidnapped in Lebanon.United
Press International
New chapter for Syria-Saudi relations-The
National
Israel still split over results of Lebanon War
II-Ha'aretz
David Tolbert appointed to the Special Tribunal
for Lebanon-Examiner.com
Son of a French U.N official
assaulted in Beirut-Future
News
Berry re-opens House meetings-Future
News
Kouchner: forming the government is
not our task-Future
News
Hariri: I am on the footsteps of my
father-Future News
Reasons of Metn Rescue ticket
appeals-Future News
Frenchman Kidnapped in Beirut,
Attacked then Released with Broken Leg-Naharnet
Kouchner: Cabinet Formation Not Our Business-Naharnet
David Tolbert takes up his duties
as STL registrar-Future
News
As Safir Correspondent Kidnapped in
Damascus Released-Future
News
Jumblatt: My relations with the
Syrians in due time-Future
News
Roger Edde responds to FPM campaign-Future
News
Najjar: for optimism despite
obstacles-Future
News
Suleiman Grants Shaaban Amnesty-Naharnet
Hariri:
Only Unity Would Help Govern the Country, Veto Power Means Division-Naharnet
David Tolbert Appointed
International Tribunal's Registrar-Naharnet
Jumblat Ready to Open New
Page with Syria-Naharnet
Talk of 'Neutral' Minister
Revived as Hariri Seeks Women Participation in new Government-Naharnet
As Safir Correspondent
Kidnapped in Damascus Released-Naharnet
Geagea: Veto Power Will
Not Help Government's Performance-Naharnet
Gemayel: Proportional
Representation Cancels System of Accountability-Naharnet
Raad Meets Visiting
British Parliamentary Delegation-Naharnet
Kouchner in Beirut for talks with top Lebanese politicians-Daily
Star
Israel returns Lebanese man who crossed border-Daily
Star
If
proven, Israeli spy cells 'serious violation of Lebanon's sovereignty' - UN
envoy-Daily Star
Italy
'calling for dialogue,' says visiting MP-Daily
Star
Lebanon's politicians get bad grades for governance-Daily
Star
12
Fatah al-Islam members sentenced to life in prison-Daily
Star
Mikati: Lebanon can be only ruled through consensus-Daily
Star
Lebanese CEO sees opportunity in current crisis-Daily
Star
ISF
arrests 70 people in anti-crime sweeps-Daily
Star
Army
officer shot by stray bullet during civilian dispute-Daily
Star
Syrian intelligence agents arrest As-Safir journalist-Daily
Star
Interior Ministry targets unruly night spots, noise-Daily
Star
Sidon
excavation aims to uncover more ancient ruins-Daily
Star
June
saw huge influx of visitors – Civil Aviation-Daily
Star
Young
activists urge government to curb bribery in driving examinations-Daily
Star
Army officer shot by stray bullet during civilian dispute
Daily Star staff/Friday, July 10, 2009/BEIRUT: A Lebanese Army sergeant was wounded in Tripoli’s Tal neighborhood by
stray gun-fire Thursday as two civilians scuffled over “personal reasons,”
according to the National News Agency (NNA). The NNA said civilian Samih Raad
opened fire, wounding Hassan Samman in the foot, after going after him with a
knife. The army officer, who had been passing by as the incident occurred, was
shot in the foot by a stray bullet. The army arrested both of the principals in
the dispute. – The Daily Star
Minister Cannon Calls in Top Iranian Diplomat to Express Concern Over Continued
Detention of Canadian Journalist Maziar Bahari
July 9, 2009 (9:30 p.m. EDT)
No. 192 - Modification
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon ,Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, today made
the following statement regarding the continued detention of Canadian journalist
Maziar Bahari:
“Canada reaffirms the statement today by the G8 leaders condemning the
unjustified detention of journalists and others. Canada is gravely concerned
about the continuing detention of Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari, and by the
Iranian regime’s disregard for basic human rights, including freedom of
expression.
“Mr. Bahari is a professional and experienced journalist who was doing his job
covering an important and difficult story.
“This week, I called in the Iranian chargé d’affaires in Ottawa to urge Iranian
authorities to release Mr. Bahari and reiterated Canada’s demand for immediate
consular access, full legal rights and protection for Mr. Bahari, as well as
clarification of the allegations against him.
“The Government of Canada has also again made representations to the authorities
in Tehran, and will continue to press Iran for action in resolving this case.
“Canada urges Iran to fully respect all of its human rights obligations, in law
and in practice. We continue to support freedom, democracy, human rights and the
rule of law in Iran.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Frenchman Kidnapped in Beirut, Attacked then Released with Broken Leg
Naharnet/Unknown assailants ambushed a Frenchman in Beirut, briefly kidnapping
him and severely beating him before letting him go. The daily An-Nahar, which
carried the report, said Mathieu Fever was seized at 5:00 pm Wednesday as he
drove his car in Beirut's Badaro neighborhood. Fever is the son of Jean-Francois
Fever who is in charge of security of U.N. agencies in Lebanon, including the
office of Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Daniel Bellemare. An
Nahar said the attackers in a four-wheeler wrapped up Fever's head in a plastic
bag and took him to an unknown destination. It said Fever was beaten up before
being released two hours later with a broken leg and returned to Badaro where he
was abducted. The Frenchman, who carries a diplomatic passport, filed a
complaint with Lebanese authorities, which immediately opened an investigation.
Beirut, 10 Jul 09, 07:37
Suleiman Grants Shaaban Amnesty
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman on Friday granted amnesty to Palestinian
prisoner Youssef Shaaban, who has been jailed since 1994 for allegedly killing a
Jordanian diplomat.
Suleiman referred Shaaban's dossier to the justice ministry to carry out the
necessary measures. His release comes several years after the execution of the
true killers of Jordan's second-ranking diplomat in Beirut Naeb Imran Maaytah.
Beirut, 10 Jul 09, 14:51
Kouchner: Cabinet Formation Not Our Business
Naharnet/French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner reiterated on Friday the
Lebanese should form their own government and insisted that Paris would not
interfere in the country's internal affairs. "We will not interfere in cabinet
formation. It is not our mission," Kouchner said following talks with President
Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace. The foreign minister arrived in Beirut on
Thursday for a two-day visit. He said there are issues that are making progress
in the region, except for the Palestinian-Israeli track. "I think things are
better in Lebanon. In the region, … countries like Syria and Saudi Arabia are
meeting and there is rapprochement," he said. "I don't come here only when
things are complicated. I also come when things are calm," he told reporters.
Asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's latest threats to
Lebanon, the FM said: "I am not worried" about them. However, he criticized the
cancellation of a concert by French-Moroccan singer at Beiteddine festival after
several media reports said the star had ties with Israel.Kouchner also urged
Iranian authorities to release French academic Clotilde Reiss who was arrested
for allegedly taking part in opposition protests after last month's disputed
presidential vote. Kouchner earlier met with Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh,
who said in a statement that he told his French counterpart about continuous
Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty. Salloukh also stressed on the right
of return for Palestinian refugees. Kouchner also held talks with caretaker PM
Fouad Saniora at the Grand Serail and later met with Premier-designate Saad
Hariri. He said from Qoreitem that there are still problems between Lebanon and
Syria. But they have to solve them and France would be glad to help if asked for
mediation. "I don't think that the Syrians have to facilitate formation of a
cabinet. This is an internal mission that Hariri has to carry out," he added.
Beirut, 10 Jul 09, 11:46
Hariri: Only Unity Would Help Govern the Country, Veto Power Means Division
Naharnet/PM-designate Saad Hariri has said that the upcoming Lebanese cabinet
should end divisions and unify the people to stay away from sectarian tensions.
"In a country made up of 18 sects, we have to unify people," Hariri told French
weekly magazine Paris Match, adding that the government should try to end
divisions that are creating sectarian tensions. "We could say that," Hariri said
when asked if he wasn't able to form a government made up of the majority that
won the parliamentary elections because Hizbullah is strongly armed. He said in
the interview, however, that only unity will allow him to govern because veto
power in the cabinet means continuation of divisions among Lebanese.
"I am the prime minister of all of Lebanon and all Lebanese," Hariri said in
response to a question. He said he should make sacrifices like his father in
order to govern the country.
On relations with Paris, the premier-designate said that although "France has
its interests in Syria and Lebanon, it is always supporting us.""It is thanks to
France that diplomatic relations were established between us and the Syrians …
President (Nicolas) Sarkozy achieved this," he told Paris Match. "There is no
change (in ties) between France and Lebanon," Hariri added. Beirut, 10 Jul 09,
09:37
David Tolbert Appointed International Tribunal's Registrar
Naharnet/U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed David Tolbert, an
American, as the Registrar of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Tolbert will
succeed Robin Vincent at the court which will try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's
suspected assassins. "The secretary-general is grateful for Mr. Vincent's
assistance in the establishment and commencement of the tribunal's work," U.N.
spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters in New York on Thursday. Tolbert, who
will take up his duties on 26 August, has served in a number of senior
capacities with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY),
which is responsible for trying those responsible for the worst crimes committed
during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s. He also served as Ban's special expert
on U.N. assistance to the Khmer Rouge trials. The international tribunal is
based in The Hague, Netherlands. Its president is Antonio Cassese of Italy.
Daniel Bellemare, a Canadian prosecutor and former head of the International
Independent Investigation Commission (IIIC), serves as the court's prosecutor.
Beirut, 10 Jul 09, 08:17
Talk of 'Neutral' Minister Revived as Hariri Seeks Women Participation in new
Government
Naharnet/As the process of formation of a new national unity government was
moving slowly in a climate of regional convergence, Prime Minister-designate
Saad Hariri was reportedly promoting women participation in the next Cabinet.
Pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat said Friday Hariri appears to be insisting on having
higher women participation in the new government.
It said Hariri had already requested from the various parliamentary blocs he met
earlier last week as part of official consultations that they propose to him
names of women to be represented in government. Citing political sources, al-Hayat
did not rule out the possibility that government would be formed by the end of
July. An-Nahar newspaper, meanwhile, said talk of a "neutral minister" has been
revived during a recent meeting between President Michel Suleiman and Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri. Berri told An Nahar he would resume the so-called
Parliamentiary "Wednesday meet" starting next week in an effort to "follow up on
issues of concern to all the Lebanese." Beirut, 10 Jul 09, 10:07
As Safir Correspondent Kidnapped in Damascus Released
Naharnet/As Safir newspaper's correspondent Helmi Moussa who was kidnapped in
Damascus on Tuesday was released three days later, the daily said. It said
Moussa, a Palestinian journalist who is an expert on Arab-Israeli affairs, had
been the paper's correspondent in Damascus for a long time. He was released
after Syrian authorities listened to his testimony in issues under
investigation, As Safir said Friday. Media reports on Thursday said Moussa was
arrested for alleged ties with a man lately seized in Lebanon on suspicion of
spying for Israel.
Lebanese security services have arrested more than 70 people this year in a
crackdown on espionage rings, and authorities in Beirut have said a number of
suspected spies had crossed into Israel. Beirut, 10 Jul 09, 08:26
Geagea: Veto Power Will Not Help Government's Performance
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader said Thursday the use of veto power in a new
government will harm its performance. "Veto power does not assist the formation
of an effective government that looks after the people's needs. It is high time
for the government to start paying attention to day-to-day affairs," Geagea said
after talks with a British parliamentary delegation. He called on political
opponents to "behave in a democratic manner as we did." He said ahead of the
June 7 polls outcome "we asked that team to form a government if it wins because
the Lebanese must know who is in charge of the country." "If the existing state
of affairs continues, i.e. overlapping governments, a cabinet that is a
miniature replica of parliament and an assembly which is an image of the street,
then we will get nowhere," Geagea said. He stressed the need for "a clearly
defined government" adding he "did not know what proportional representation
meant in practice." Geagea renewed his confidence in the president and the
premier-designate and called for a "non-obstructive" government. Beirut, 09 Jul
09, 19:44
Gemayel: Proportional Representation Cancels System of Accountability
Naharnet/The adoption of proportional representation in a new government will
"cancel" the parliament's role as a monitor of the executive branch's
performance, Phalange leader Amin Gemayel said Thursday. MP Michel "Aoun's
demand for proportional representation contradicts all the principles of
democracy in systems all over the world," Gemayel said after meeting a
delegation of British parliamentarians. "A government based on proportional
distribution cancels the parliament's role in (the system of) accountability and
inquisition. "It completely abolishes the democratic system because democracy is
what keeps the government's performance in line, punishes and monitors," he
added. If the democratic system is compromised, Gemayel said, the government
will "not fear being held accountable for the next four years because then the
cabinet will be a mini-replica of parliament."
Gemayel repeated calls for a speedy formation of cabinet, warning that Lebanon
was "about to face great dangers." Beirut, 09 Jul 09, 19:01
Preparations for Attack on Iran Almost Complete
By: Dr. Sam Vaknin
10 Jul 2009
http://www.analyst-network.com/article.php?art_id=3027
Late last year, Israel embarked on a coordinated campaign of leaks to the press
regarding its determination to take out Iran's nuclear facilities if Obama's
then-new administration fails to sway the Iranians diplomatically. Israel is
unwilling to accept a nuclear Iran: "It is not an option", say its senior
intelligence and military leadership.
On January 20, 2009, I appeared as a guest in the most popular political affairs
program in Macedonia ("Glasot na Narodot", or The Voice of the People). I warned
that Israel is willing to wait 6 to 8 months for Obama's "diplomacy" with
regards to Iran's nuclear capability to show some progress. If Iran remains
recalcitrant, Israel plans to bomb two facilities in Iran as it did in Iraq in
1981, I said. Refueling won't be a problem, I assured the program's host,
Slobodan Tomic: both Egypt and Saudi-Arabia offered to help.
Israel has decided to go ahead. Taking into account political, geopolitical,
military preparedness, and climatic conditions, there are two windows: between
July 21 and 24 and between August 6 and 8. Advance teams comprised of Mossad
agents and military personnel are already on the ground in Saudi Arabia, Egypt,
and Iraq (including in the Kurdish lands, adjacent to Turkey).
A mock has been erected not far from Eilat (near the Red Sea, opposite Aqaba). A
defunct airbase in Biq'at Ha'Yareach (Moon Vale) has been resurrected to
accommodate Air Wing 10. In a country as small and intimate as Israel, it is
amazing that this has been kept a secret: hundreds of recruits and reservists -
from mechanics and pilots to cooks and administrators - have been re-stationed
there in the last few months.
A mysterious facility also sprouted up not far from Dimona's nuclear reactor,
next to a university town called Sde Boker. It is not known what is its role,
though speculation is that it is intended to shield the sensitive facility from
an Iranian counter-attack. Several batteries of aged Patriot missiles have been
recently replaced with brand new anti-missile rockets developed by Israel.
Citizens are reporting dry runs in the skies of the Negev, Israel's traditional
air force training grounds and a desert with some resemblance to Iranian
conditions. Piecing these scant testimonies together, it seems that the Israelis
are concentrating their effort on midair refueling and surgical strikes on
multiple targets.
Finally, HAGA (Hagana Ezrakhit), the Civilian Defense Force, a part of the
Israeli Defense Force (IDF), has been instructed to begin preparations for a
possible Iranian counter-strike with long-range conventional missiles. At this
stage, Israel is not contemplating chemical or biological warfare (though the
distribution of gas masks does seem to be part of the drill).
No one knows for sure where will Israel strike. Wiping off all the widely
distributed and impregnable components of Iran's capability to enrich uranium is
close to impossible. The after-effects of even a limited air attack may be
devastating and not necessarily short-term, as the Israelis are convinced. The
price of oil is likely to spike and radicals and extremists throughout the
benighted region are bound to leverage the attack to smear and taunt Israel and
its allies but, then, what else is new. The Arab countries are likely to breathe
a sigh of relief that the Iranian bully has been humbled.
The big question mark is how will the Obama administration react to such a fait
accompli that flies in the face of the new President's stated policies. Will
Obama try to make an example out of Israel and harshly punish it - or will he
merely verbally lash it and proceed with business as usual? Time will tell.
Soon.
Iraqi Success Will Depend on Next U.S. Strategy
By: Dr. Walid Phares
09 Jul 2009
In a briefing organized in Congress in July of 2007, I submitted a plan to the
U.S. House Caucus on Counter Terrorism called "Freedom lines" suggesting a
second phase in the American military campaign in Iraq. This plan was suggested
as of 2004. After having analyzed the long term goals of al Qaeda and the
Iranian regime in Iraq and discussed them with CENTCOM officials and National
Defense University professors, the proposed plan projected a rapid training and
expansion of the Iraqi armed forces followed by a gradual redeployment of U.S.
and Coalition forces out of the cities and urban zones. Today we see the first
phase of withdrawal beginning to take place. It is in this redeployment stage,
where Iraqi forces will be taking over from Americans and allies in all cities
and most towns. Two crucial questions arise immediately: Will Iraqi forces be
able to control their own urban zones? And as a corollary, what should be the
next phase for U.S. and Coalition forces on Iraqi soil?
According to the plan I have suggested the answer to the second question can
determine the success or failure of the first. Indeed, for Iraqi forces to win
the battle against their security challenges, it will depend on what kind of
strategic mission U.S. armed forces will be tasked with in the next stage of
their new deployment. Here is why:
The enemy's intentions
The two main forces the U.S. and the West are facing in the region, and which
are threatening the rise of democracy amongst local civil societies have been
and continue to be the Salafi Jihadists led by al Qaeda on the one hand and the
Ayatollahs' Pasdaran on the other hand. These two threats -- regardless of how
various U.S. administrations perceive them or project them -- are the main
challengers to Iraq's national security. And thus their intentions towards
Iraq's future will determine the fate of the post redeployment stage. What are
al Qaeda's and Iran's plans with the completion of American pull out from the
cities? The combat Jihadists (often called "the extremists" by the U.S.
Administration) are clear in their intentions: attack Iraqi forces, civil
society and foreign presence mostly in Sunni Arab areas and when possible across
the country. There will be no change in strategy for al Qaeda but an increase of
activities in an effort to crumble the government's presence in what the Salafi
Jihadists would want to transform into a future "Emirate." The Iranian factor is
more complex: Tehran's influence in Baghdad is projected to increase. Behind the
scenes, the pro-Khomeinist politicians in Iraq will pressure the Shia-dominated
government to lessen their alliance with the United States and tighten their
cooperation with the "Islamic Republic of Iran." The real battle will be within
the Shia community of Iraq. The Pasdaran's tentacles will attempt to eliminate
the anti-Iranian cadres and consolidate the pro-Iranian groups, including the
armed ones. The far goal is undoubted: Spread Iranian indirect control from
border to border to connect with Syria's.
Iraqi resistance to the two threats
Can Iraq's government and armed forces resist the post U.S. redeployment assault
by al Qaeda and the further infiltration by the Iranian regime? The answer is
yes, if. If the country's national leadership stays united, closely allied to
the United States and aware of the two threats, it will be able to ride the
dangerous waves and reach stability by 2011 and beyond. But if the Iraqi
government -- and its successor after the fall's elections -- fail in meeting
the three above mentioned conditions, the threats will prevail. Do Iraq's army
and security forces have enough numbers, equipment and training to respond to al
Qaeda? Technically yes. If backed by their government, they can withstand terror
strikes as long as needed and deny a repeat of Fallujah. Violence will take
place, and might even increase, but the measurement is by the ability of the
armed forces to deny the terrorists a territorial control, not to stop the
bombings. However, Iraq's ability to maintain unity against al Qaeda is based on
its ability to deny further Iranian infiltration. And to do so, Iraqis need to
be shielded from penetration coming from the east and the west: Iran and Syria.
This is where U.S. role becomes critical.
US deployment inside Iraq
US deployment on borders
New redeployment: deterrence or neutrality?
If the U.S. forces leaving cities would regroup in large bases and await calls
from Baghdad's government to help when needed, they risk missing the bigger of
the threats: a strategic penetration by Iran from border to border. Americans
may be called to assist against al Qaeda while the Pasdaran will be subtly
occupying the country. In short we will be doing the dirty job for the next
dominant power: Iran. Hence, all depends on the deals already cut: If the Obama
administration has accepted the idea of a future influence by Iran in Iraq, in
return for a deal on regional issues, then expect U.S. "neutrality" towards
Iranian influence in urban Iraq. But if Washington perceives Iran's role in Iraq
as a threat, then it should use its redeployment as deterrence against the
Khomeinists. Everything else will unfold quickly.
Redeploy along the borders
In military history, deployments have constituted half of most victories. In my
2007 plan, I suggested a withdrawal from the center of Iraq and a deployment
along the borders with particular focus on the frontiers with Iran and Syria.
The thick presence along the two rivers should be remodeled into thick massing
along the borders to the east and to the west, leaving most of the country to
its armed forces. By redeploying as two buffers facing Tehran and Damascus,
significant dividends will emerge: One, Iraqis will be able to pacify the center
at will without main concerns about trans-borders penetrations; two, the Iranian
regime will be deterred from a thrust into its neighbor; three, the Syrian
regime will lose the land bridge it hoped to access with Iran; four both the
Assad and Khamanei regimes will have to focus on their growing domestic issues,
instead of "meddling" in a post withdrawal Iraq.
Although such a strategic move should have been the next logic step in U.S.
plans in Iraq, Washington decision makers have been advised in an opposite
direction: "Engage" Iran and Syria and cut a deal with them as to the future of
Iraq. The next stage of U.S. redeployment, if directed at deterring Iran can
lead to Iraqi victory over terror. But if deterring Tehran's regime is not on
the agenda, Iraq will be challenged by al Qaeda in its center and penetrated by
Iran from both borders.
— Dr. Walid Phares is Director of the Future Terrorism Project at the Foundation
for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) in Washington, D.C., and a visiting scholar
at the European Foundation for Democracy in Brussels. He is the author of the
recently released book, The Confrontation: Winning the War against Future Jihad