LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
November 02/09

Bible Reading of the day
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:1-12. When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for November 01/09
Jouzo: Let the Lebanese Maronite and the Rest of Lebanon Go Back to Syria/Naharnet
Qabalan: The resistance Arms Will Stay and We Will not Allow You to Help Kill Us/Naharnet
Sfeir: Events We Are Passing through are Worrying /Naharnet
Aoun Vetoes Giving Telecoms Ministry to Somebody Else Instead of Bassil /Naharnet
Syria's Al-Watan: Cabinet not formed soon due to some parties’ expectations/Now Lebanon
One killed, another injured during clash in Bekaa/Now Lebanon
Mashnouq: Hezbollah, FPM imposing new laws to form governments, negotiations held with May 7 mentality/Now Lebanon
Deputy PM confirms: Israel is gathering intel inside Lebanon/Ha'aretz
Yaalon: Israel Will Continue Surveillance Inside Lebanon Until Hizbullah Disarms/Naharnet
Baroud: Totally Determined to Unveil Israeli Spying Networks/Naharnet
Hizbullah Using Jumblat's Political Shift to Pressure Hariri /Naharnet
Election Challenges Decision to Come out Soon /Naharnet
Yaalon: Israel Will Continue Surveillance Inside Lebanon Until Hizbullah Disarms /Naharnet
Baroud Totally Determined to Unveil Israeli Spy Networks/Naharnet
Hizbullah Condemns Statement of U.S. Destroyer 'Higgins' Commander /Naharnet
Geagea: Those Who Want a Cabinet Should be Ready for Dialogue /Naharnet

Sfeir: Events We Are Passing through are Worrying
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir said during his Sunday sermon that "events we are passing through are worrying.""Everyone wants it his way without a united view on the nation's issues," Sfeir said. "This is harmful to the present and the future," he warned. "It's time for integrating the views on Lebanon," Sfeir urged. Beirut, 01 Nov 09, 10:05

Jouzo: Let the Lebanese Maronite and the Rest of Lebanon Go Back to Syria
In a statement on Sunday, Lebanese Sunni Mufti of Mt. Lebanon Sheikh Muhammed al-Jouzo said that "Lebanon has turned into an Arab Babylonian tower with its folkloric leaderships and new parliamentary faces only fit for exhibitions and decorations while the losers turn into sectarian symbols standing on the government's doors" with their conditions hindering the formation of the government. "There are politicians who move from right to left and vice versa while their slogans change with the stock exchange. One day you see him a Gulf Arab and another day a Persian Iranian when a third time he becomes an American and then again a Russian. One day you see him an enemy of Syria and then again Syria's best friend and so on. There are no principles, no morale, no charters and the 'unity' presidency stands bewildered before the political "Sufi-sectarianism"; next to the allies or to the opposition!" he added.
"There's no civilized nation in the world like that of our Great Lebanon. The Lebanese people abhor this category. To those I ask you, what's your true identity? Who robs the electricity money, the foreign, internal, sea and land telecommunications' money? A nation that lives the culture of hate with leaders leading them to sectarian wars, hating each other; hatred in the name of religion, in the name of sectarianism and in the name of the parties," he added. "Our educated youth is faced with only one exit, that of emigration. They have grown to hate their country and their nationality and have traveled in quest of finding another one keen to protect their integrity and protect them from the politicians and their resentment," he continued. This is the Lebanon of today, so why don't all the people emigrate and offer our country as a gift to Syria and their infidels? Did not the Maronite come from Syria, so why not go back to it and along with them all of Lebanon and not just those who have missed Syria?," he concluded. Beirut, 01 Nov 09, 15:41

Sfeir Opinion on Arms Voiced 'Fearing Others May Start Arming'
Naharnet/Sources close to Bkerki told Al Nahar daily that "the stance Patriarch Sfeir expressed about Hizbullah's arms was a matter of principle since he fears, according to signals, that others may resort to arming, given that it was not logical that arms exist in the hand of one unofficial side."The sources said that Patriarch Sfeir has already announced the same stances in more than one occasion not aiming to attack anyone, but he fears the outbreak of the situation in a fashion where things cannot be contained anymore. Regarding the suggested "spiritual summit", the sources said that it seemed distant since discussing internal affairs appears to be excluded. The sources said that Sfeir "condemned repeatedly the situation in Jerusalem and what the Christians and Muslims are being subjected to over there, but he sees that there is a political fire in Lebanon which nobody was trying to put off as he condemned the fire and its starters in Jerusalem. Since there will be no discussions in internal issues, it is not logical to hold a summit with a regional flavor which strays away from Lebanese internal situation -- which nobody wants to talk about and deeply discuss in these circumstances". Beirut, 31 Oct 09, 18:26

Qabalan: The resistance Arms Will Stay and We Will not Allow You to Help Kill Us
Naharnet/Shiite Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Qabalan in a ceremony in Meys el-Jabal stressed that "Lebanon's glory has arisen thanks to its honorable resistance fighters who have sacrificed their lives and blood for the integrity of this land". Qabalan rhetorically asked the public "what did the others offer when our children and women in southern Lebanon were being killed? Some were conspiring against us while the others were visiting with the murderers' ministers in Washington," he added. "Does democracy mean giving up our integrity and strength? Or is it allowing the enemy to kill and annihilate us? To those we say that the arms of the resistance are staying despite of Israel's threats. We will neither allow you nor the national committees to help our enemies kill us that easily under unfunded pretexts," he continued. The Mufti said that it is the resistance who protects Lebanon's sects, unity, and co-existence formula. "Let them reason and be aware that the country belongs to everyone and we all belong to the country; it's not monopolized for a specific category or a certain sect above the other," he clarified. Sheikh Qabalan called all to work together "to put Lebanon's best interests above our own. Let us give up our selfishness and stop bargaining with loyalty and nationalism. Nobody, despite his position, comes above the other. This is Lebanon and we will have no other, may he leave whoever wishes to do so," he concluded. Beirut, 01 Nov 09, 14:53

One killed, another injured during clash in Bekaa
November 1, 2009 /Naharnet/Now Lebanon: On Saturday at midnight, 15-year old Majd al-Fouani from Ali al-Nahri was killed, while his relative Abbas Ayyoub was injured after they clashed with members of the Al-Moussawi family in Raeet, a village in Bekaa, when the latter opened fire from his car toward Fouani’s car before proceeding to escape.
An investigation is underway.-NOW Lebanon

Al-Watan: Cabinet not formed soon due to some parties’ expectations
November 1, 2009 /Now Lebanon/Syrian Al-Watan newspaper reported on Sunday that the Lebanese cabinet is unlikely to be formed soon due to many factors, namely the negative influence on Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri from some parties within the majority, as well as the parties’ expectations with regard to the Iranian nuclear program, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and several other issues. Al-Watan quoted an opposition source as saying that there are no domestic obstacles preventing the formation of the new government, adding it will be formed once Hariri makes his final decision. He added, however, “The prime minister-designate has yet to have made up his mind, precisely because of these influences and expectations.”
The source described the cabinet formation as a “game of yo-yo,” wavering between progress and set-backs lacking in any justification or explanation.
“Hariri is prisoner to such a game,” said the source, adding that his allies prevent him from making a final decision. The source described Hariri’s statement, that his deliberations are not restricted to discussing cabinet portfolios but include issues related to national dialogue, as “inaccurate,” and stressed that his discussions over the past four months had been solely restricted to ministerial portfolios.-NOW Lebanon

Yaalon: Israel Will Continue Surveillance Inside Lebanon Until Hizbullah Disarms
Naharnet/Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon stressed on Saturday that "Israel has the right to collect investigatory information from inside Lebanon in all means possible," adding that "Israeli secret service agents are maintaining their activities inside the Lebanese territories."Yaalon added: "We would stop our investigatory activity only upon the dismantling of Hizbullah's weapons arsenal, and when the Northern borders become borders of peace.""As long as Israel lives a state of conflict with its enemy, it will carry on with collecting investigatory information about it," said the Israeli top official.Yaalon revealed that "Israel does not have a strong defense system in the face of rockets it is being subjected to", stressing that "the best mean of defense is attacking by waging fierce military operations.""Israel has to respond by conducting a fierce military operation in each time it suffers rocket barrages, we cannot get used to a situation when our territories in the north and south become the target of rockets while we sit still without a harsh response that thwarts the succession of such attacks," concluded Yaalon. Beirut, 31 Oct 09, 18:57

Aoun Vetoes Giving Telecoms Ministry to Somebody Else Instead of Bassil
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun has reportedly rejected giving the telecommunications ministry to somebody else in place of his son-in-law Jebran Bassil.
Sources from the majority March 14 coalition told the daily An-Nahar in remarks published Sunday that Aoun "firmly rejected" an offer to retain the telecoms portfolio in the new government provided somebody else, and not Bassil, was named for that post. They said Aoun insisted on maintaining both the telecoms ministry and Bassil.
The sources deduced that the Opposition has not yet receive a "serious signal" from Syria to facilitate government formation. This shows the dual behavior, the sources went on to say. "On the one hand, Damascus' very close allies show flexibility, while the rest of the allies spell out stiff demands away from the spotlight."Ad-Diyar newspaper, meanwhile, said contacts continued between Center House and Rabiyeh via envoys, particularly deputy Speaker Farid Makarai who is handling carrying view points from both sides. FPM sources told An-Nahar, however, that "there is nothing new so far" between Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri regarding a Cabinet lineup. They said a meeting between Hariri and Aoun would likely take place after Hariri winds up talks with his allies. "We gave him proposals and we are waiting for his response. Either partial or total portfolio rotation or keep the portfolios as they are," one FPM source said. Beirut, 01 Nov 09, 08:35

Hizbullah Using Jumblat's Political Shift to Pressure Hariri
Naharnet/Hizbullah was reportedly using Druze leader Walid Jumblat's political shift to exert pressure on PM-designate Saad Hariri in his effort to form a national unity government.
Pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat on Sunday quoted a Cabinet minister from the majority March 14 alliance as saying that Hizbullah, instead of interfering to persuade Free Patriotic Movement leader Mihcel Aoun into softening his stance, was urging political parties, including Jumblat, to compel Hariri to make new concessions. "Instead of capitalizing on Jumblat's Aug. 2 political shift, Hizbullah is using it as means of pressure against Hariri," the minister said. Beirut, 01 Nov 09, 09:11

Hizbullah Condemns Statement of U.S. Destroyer 'Higgins' Commander
Naharnet/Hizbullah condemned the statement of the commander of USS Destroyer 'Higgins' -- participating in the biggest ever joint military drill with Israel -- who said that "defending Haifa is like defending San Diego".In a press communique released Saturday, Hizbullah said that they were not surprised by the statements of the 'Higgins' commander that show "the extent of U.S. commitment to defend the occupier enemies, especially that the July 2006 war was a U.S. war like its leaders expressed when they preached that it (the war) comes in the context of the birth of a new middle east". The communique added that the U.S. opened its weapons arsenal to Israel and established air bridges "to support the enemy with arms and ammunitions, and they rejected all initiatives to stop it (the war), even the Israeli pleading to stop it after two weeks from waging it". "As Hizbullah condemns the old-new U.S. stances which insist on supporting the Israeli flagellant, it considers that this new stance -- which does not give any value for Arab governments and people -- comes to express the insolence and arrogance of the U.S. administration and its barefaced bias to the interest of the aggressor occupier, the thing that stems profound inquiries which we put in the register of those still considering Washington as an honest mediator and sponsor for peace in the region," concluded Hizbullah's communique. Beirut, 31 Oct 09, 17:03

Election Challenges Decision to Come out Soon
Naharnet/Sources from the Constitutional Council uncovered that parliamentary election decisions will be announced before year's end.
They told the daily An-Nahar in remarks published Sunday that work was well under way in preparation for issuing decisions on parliamentary election challenges. The sources said the final decisions will come out all at once.

Baroud Totally Determined to Unveil Israeli Spy Networks
Naharnet/In his first official visit to the Lebanese South, Caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said that the Lebanese State has "total determination to continue in uncovering spying networks … especially when a flagrant enemy declares the persistence in planting spying networks in Lebanon." Baroud said that unveiling the Israeli spying networks was related to all Lebanese not only Hizbullah or the southerners. The Interior minister added that Israeli spying networks represent a clear and outrageous violation of international legitimacy resolutions and cannot but be faced with full determination. Regarding cabinet formation, Baroud said that there is no getaway from Lebanese solidarity since the future of Lebanon and its sovereignty depends on the ability of the Lebanese to form a national unity government. Baroud started his tour by visiting the village of Rmeich, the village of the assassinated Lebanese Army Brig. Gen. Francois al-Hajj. The Interior minister placed a wreath of flowers at the tomb of the late general.From Rmeich, Baroud headed to Tebneen where he attended the ceremony of rejuvenating its prison on the hands of the civil society volunteer organization "Joy of Giving". Baroud expressed his happiness in being "in a dear Lebanese region that was at some period a big prison during the days of occupation and is now a free land." Baroud concluded his tour by visiting the border towns of Bent Jbeil and Maroon al-Rass, the scenes of fierce battles in the July 2006 war between Hizbullah and Israel. "We are all a part of this resistance and we are all in front of a national responsibility to protect this country each from their position," said Baroud, adding that he came to Bent Jbeil to be "next to the resistance fighters who paid a precious price in favor of every Lebanese". Beirut, 31 Oct 09, 21:19

Geagea: Those Who Want a Cabinet Should be Ready for Dialogue
Naharnet/LF leader Samir Geagea has said the opposition should show more flexibility if it wants a national unity cabinet but cast doubt on the March 8 forces' willingness to form a government. "The problem with the other team is that their Lebanon is … the Lebanon without borders, history or policy," Geagea said during a dinner hosted by LF lawyers at Regency Palace hotel in Adma on Friday night. He cast doubt on the opposition's willingness to form a national unity government saying, "I have the impression that the other team does not want to form the cabinet." "Those who want a national unity cabinet should be ready for dialogue with the other (team) and show some flexibility," Geagea stressed. He reiterated that the opposition sends positive signals and makes encouraging statements but no progress is made because its demands remain the same. The LF leader also lauded PM-designate Saad Hariri on his "patience" and "steadfastness." Beirut, 31 Oct 09, 13:26

Suicidal circumstances
Over the last two weeks, four Ethiopian women in Lebanon were found dead, probably from suicide.
Hayeon Lee , November 1, 2009 /Now Lebanon
From the moment she arrived in Lebanon, Martha*, an Ethiopian woman in her twenties, was subjected to abuse by her employer and her three children – a 9-year-old and two teenagers. They beat her ceaselessly, verbally abused her, locked her in the house, and bolted the fridge door. “Imagine a 9-year-old child beating you. I cried,” said Martha. Two months into her ‘contract’, she escaped to the Ethiopian consulate where she was followed by her employer, with children in tow, who tried to publically beat her. The consulate protected her and let her leave with an apparently apologetic member of the employment agency that had brought Martha to Lebanon.
Surprisingly, Martha was sent back to the same family and the brutal regime from which she had fled. “I tried to kill myself by drinking some cleaning liquid, but only my mouth burned. I did not try again,” Martha smiled sadly. In fact, Martha lasted a year and escaped when her employer asked her to go out and buy a broom. “As soon as I was outside, I started to run.”
Martha survived, but many other women who come to this country as maids, only find themselves hostages to brutality that ends up taking their lives. In the past two weeks, four Ethiopian women have died in Lebanon as a result of either suspected or confirmed suicide. Three – Matente Kebede Zeditu (26), Saneet Mariam (30), and Tezeta Yalmiya (26) – were reported in the media. Although Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) figure of more than one death out of around 200,000 domestic workers per week created waves when it was released in August 2008, the Lebanese government has taken no substantial action, and maids keep dying needlessly.
“These deaths are the tip of the iceberg,” says Nadim Houry, senior researcher at HRW. “It is only the most dramatic manifestation of a number of violations [of basic human rights] such as ill-treatment, and isolation of these workers.”
For example, it is standard practice for Lebanese employers to ‘retain’ the domestic worker’s passport, while many do not let them go out for years at a time. Verbal abuse is common as is the withholding of salaries. Although most of these “standard practices” are illegal under the Lebanese constitution and the overwhelming majority of Lebanese, who employ domestic staff treat them fairly, the problem is that there is no law enforcement body to protect the most basic human rights of foreign maids and prosecute abusive employers.
As a result, Many choose to end their lives. But even then, the suffering continues with the repatriation of the body. A Nepali woman who died at the end of August is still in the morgue. “There are some cases where a body is left in the fridge for a long time, and neither the insurance nor the employer wants to pay for the trip home,” says Houry. The best way to stop these deaths, he says, is to hold the Lebanese government accountable. “What would be required are concrete measures by the government that would reduce the isolation that these workers feel.” Official police sources said that the Ethiopian woman who committed suicide by jumping from the seventh floor in Gemmayze, did so because of a soured relationship with her sister. Nevertheless, Broukti*, an Ethiopian domestic worker, who has worked for more than a decade in Lebanon and is also a local community organizer, is skeptical. “I don’t believe it. If it was in Ethiopia, nobody would kill herself because she fought with her sister.”
In fact, according to the deaths recorded by HRW, much more than half of all deaths are those of Ethiopian women who make up less than a quarter of the workforce. Broukti has two explanations. Firstly, the problem is that many of the women from her country come from rural areas and pay hundreds of dollars to smugglers believing they will work in white-collar jobs abroad. When they arrive in Lebanon, they find their situation unbearable. The Ethiopian government’s ban on Ethiopians coming to Lebanon since last year has only exacerbated the problem. Furthermore, for many of these women, the treatment as second-class human beings without family, friends, culture and humanity is insufferable. “We are Ethiopians with a history. We have never been colonized. We colonized until the border of Saudi Arabia. We’re a very proud nation,” Broukti says.