LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
February 15/09
Bible Reading of the
day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8,1-10. In those days when
there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, he summoned the disciples
and said, My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with
me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to
their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great
distance." His disciples answered him, "Where can anyone get enough bread to
satisfy them here in this deserted place?" Still he asked them, "How many loaves
do you have?" "Seven," they replied. He ordered the crowd to sit down on the
ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them
to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They
also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed
also. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over--seven
baskets. There were about four thousand people. He dismissed them and got
into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
John Paul II, Pope from 1978-2005
Encyclical 'Slavorum apostoli' 13 /"Ut unum sint - May they be one" (Jn 17,21)
It is an unusual and admirable thing that the two saints, Cyril and Methodius,
working in such complex and precarious situations, did not seek to impose on the
peoples assigned to their preaching either the undeniable superiority of the
Greek language and Byzantine culture, or the customs and way of life of the more
advanced society in which they had grown up and which necessarily remained
familiar and dear to them. Inspired by the ideal of uniting in Christ the new
believers, they adapted to the Slavonic language the rich and refined texts of
the Byzantine liturgy and likewise adapted to the mentality and customs of the
new peoples the subtle and complex elaborations of Greco-Roman law... Thus,
though subjects of the Eastern Empire and believers subject to the Patriarchate
of Constantinople, they considered it their duty to give an account of their
missionary work to the Roman Pontiff. They likewise submitted to his judgment,
in order to obtain his approval, the doctrine which they professed and taught,
the liturgical books which they had written in the Slavonic language, and the
methods which they were using in evangelizing those peoples. Having undertaken
their mission under orders from Constantinople, they then in a sense sought to
have it confirmed by approaching the Apostolic See of Rome, the visible center
of the Church's unity... It can be said that Jesus' priestly prayer: ut unum
sint – «May they be one» (Jn 17,21) is their missionary motto in accordance with
the Psalmist's words: "Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples" (Ps
117[116],1). For us today their apostolate also possesses the eloquence of an
ecumenical appeal: it is an invitation to restore, in the peace of
reconciliation, the unity that was gravely damaged after the time of Cyril and
Methodius, and, first and foremost, the unity between East and West. The
conviction held by the holy Brothers from Salonika, namely that each local
Church is called to enrich with its own endowments the Catholic "pleroma", was
in perfect harmony with their evangelical insight that the different conditions
of life of the individual Christian Churches can never justify discord,
disagreement and divisions in the profession of the one faith and in the
exercise of charity.
Free Opinions, Releases, letters &
Special Reports
Syrian-Iranian Ties: Deterioration or Activation?By:
By Huda Al Husseini/Asharq Alawsat 14/02/09
Let’s Ask British Extremists.By:Tariq
Alhomayed/Asharq
Alawsat/14/02/09
We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land’New York
Times 14/02/09
Lebanese remember Rafik Hariri with huge rally-Los
Angeles Times 14/02/09
Latest News Reports From
Miscellaneous Sources for February 14/09
President Suleiman Condemns Sader's Abduction-Naharnet
30
Wounded in Attacks by March 8 on Masses Marking the Hariri Killing-Naharnet
Israel warns Hezbollah: Attempts to attack IAF
jets will draw ...Ha'aretz
Beirut rally
on Hariri assassination anniversary-BEIRUT
(AP)
Hariri:
June 7…Our Date with Free Choice-Naharnet
Geagea Assures Lebanese:
We Won't Abandon You-Naharnet
Jumblat: We Have No
Enemies at Home-Naharnet
Gemayel: We Promise
Victory in Elections-Naharnet
Sabaa: We Shall See Faces
of Criminals Behind Bars-Naharnet
Chamoun: June 7 is Coming
Up, Don't Put Martyrs' Down-Naharnet
Feb. 14 Rally: A Show of Force
Ahead of June Elections-Naharnet
Israeli warplanes strike on N Gaza-Xinhua
Johnny Abdo accuses the Syrian
regime of the assassination of PM Rafic Hariri-Future News
Lebanon: Thousands mark Hariri's assassination-CNN
International
Hundreds of Thousands Pay Tribute
to Rafik Hariri-Naharnet
Hariri:
June 7…Our Date with Free Choice-Naharnet
Geagea
Assures Lebanese: We Won't Abandon You-Naharnet
Jumblat: We Have No Enemies at Home-Naharnet
Gemayel: We Promise
Victory in Elections-Naharnet
Speeches at Rally Agree
Hariri was Big Loss-Naharnet
Saudi King Names Abdul
Aziz Khoja Information and Culture Minister-Naharnet
32 Investigators in
Damascus as U.N. Commission Requests Sayyed's Interrogation-Naharnet
NLP: Hizbullah Supporters
Attacked Our Convoy-Naharnet
Charge Sheet in Hariri
Murder Case Completed, 500 Witnesses Involved-Naharnet
Lebanese-American Groups
Ask Congressmen to Press Syria on Lebanon-Naharnet
France Hopes to See Hariri
Killers in Court-Naharnet
Canada Wants Hariri
Killers Tried-Naharnet
Egypt Arrests Lebanese
with Links to Hizbullah-Naharnet
Najjar: Decision to
Transfer Detainees Lies in Hands of The Hague Judge-Naharnet
Ban Backs Hariri Tribunal-Naharnet
Phalange Party Marks Ain
Alaq Bombings-Naharnet
Washington to Increase The
Hariri Tribunal Funding-Naharnet
2 Israelis feared dead in plane crash-Ynetnews
UNIIIC investigators visit Syria - reports-Daily
Star
Israel charges cargo was headed to Hamas or Hezbollah-Al-Arabiya
Lebanon-Syria Relations 'Contentious' Four Years After Hariri ...Voice
of America
MEU union warns of strike over kidnapping-Daily
Star
Israel, Iran liable to clash in 2009 over nukes, US intel chief said-Ha'aretz
IRAN: Tehran mayor gives tough speech-Los
Angeles Times
Love is in the air in Beirut as couples prepare to celebrate Valentine's Day-Daily
Star
Berri calls session on lowering voting age-Daily
Star
Bassil turns tables, accuses Hariri of spying on him-Daily
Star
UNIIIC investigators visit Syria - reports-Daily
Star
Israel passes threats to Lebanese government through UN envoy-Daily
Star
Safadi Foundation opens branch in Washington-Daily
Star
NGOs open public garden in Nahr al-Bared-Daily
Star
Poll supervisors will be allowed to vote - ministry-Daily
Star
EC ready to send monitors for elections-Daily
Star
Lebanese academic writes 109-page novel free of letter 'e'-Daily
Star
UNRWA opens first of six new school buildings to accommodate overflow of
Palestinian students-Daily
Star
Johnny Abdo accuses the Syrian regime of the assassination of PM Rafic Hariri
Date: February 14th, 2009 Source: voice of Lebanon
Ambassador Johnny Abdo accused the Syrian regime of the assassination of “Rafic
Hariri, the martyr of the Arabs” and some world powers such as France and the
U.S that made him believe “that he is safe from any assassination attempt”.
Abdo said “if Israel was behind the assassination of the ex-premier Rafic
Hariri, we would have been proud. Yet, our calamity is caused by the fact that
those closest to us, assassinated him. If Israel was really behind the attack,
statues should have been built for PM Hariri in Damascus and Beirut’s southern
suburb”.
He added “the great work that PM Rafic Hariri has done to accomplish April
Understanding was very important on the regional level, yet “is a Sunni PM
allowed to be the leader of the resistance and snatch the title from Hezbollah?”
He noted “General Aoun knows quite well that he has a grudge on Rafic Hariri for
being capable to set the foundations of independence with no arms or bragging.
Aoun knows quite well that the international resolutions issued after the
assassination protects the country, yet he won’t approve of any decision not
overseen by him”.
Mass rally in Lebanon to commemorate the martyr PM Hariri
Date: February 13th, 2009 Source: AFP
Hundreds of thousands of people crowded central Beirut on Saturday to mark the
fourth anniversary of former PM Rafic Hariri's assassination in a rally seen as
a political litmus test ahead of legislative polls.
Waving Lebanese and party flags as well as photos of the slain leader, men,
women and children gathered in a festive mood under sunny skies in Martyr's
Square as convoys of cars and buses lined roads leading to the capital.
“We have come to make our voices heard”, said Khaled Omar, 19. "We want justice
and we want the United Nations to watch us today.
Joseph Saleh, also 19, said he had travelled from the northern town of Batroun
to express his backing for the majority alliance. "We will be the winners of the
elections and in the end the truth will prevail," he said.
Security was tight in and around the capital with army troops deployed heavily
to avoid violence. The rally comes, as final preparations are underway in The
Hague for the launch of the international tribunal set up to bring Hariri's
killers to justice. It also comes as the country prepares for legislative
elections in June that will pit the Western-backed parliamentary majority headed
by Hariri's son and political heir, Saad Hariri, against a Hezbollah-led
alliance backed by Syria and Iran.
Saturday's rally is viewed as an indicator of the voters' mood ahead of the
polls on June 7.
“The size of the crowd is an indicator of the results of the upcoming vote”, MP
Moustapha Allouch, a member of the majority alliance.
Several members of the majority, including Saad Hariri, were to address the
crowd. Pre-recorded messages from Hariri's widow, Nazik, as well as former
French president Jacques Chirac, who was a personal friend of the billionaire
ex-premier, were also broadcast.
Hariri died in a massive car bombing on February 14, 2005 that also killed 22
others. The attack on the Beirut seafront was one of the worst acts of political
violence to rock Lebanon since the 1975-1990 civil war, and led to the
withdrawal of Syrian troops after a 29-year presence. The UN tribunal to try
Hariri's alleged killers is due to open its doors on March 1, housed in the
former headquarters of the Dutch intelligence service on the outskirts of The
Hague.
The tribunal will also try those presumed responsible for a series of attacks on
other Lebanese political and media figures. Seven suspects have been arrested in
connection with Hariri's assassination. Among them are four generals, including
the former head of Lebanese state security. The UN probe has also implicated
senior officials from Syria but Damascus has strongly denied any connection with
Hariri's death.
US President Barack Obama and UN chief Ban Ki-moon this week reaffirmed their
commitment to efforts to uncover the truth in Hariri's murder.
“This sad anniversary comes two weeks before the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
begins to function on March 1”, Ban said on Friday in a statement, referring to
the anniversary of the killing.
‘The Secretary-General reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations to the
Special Tribunal's efforts to uncover the truth, bring those responsible for
this horrific crime to justice and end impunity in Lebanon”.
Jumblatt: no compromise on International Tribunal, freedom, and demarcating
Shebaa farms
Date: February 14th, 2009 Source: Future News
Head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt refused, during the annual
commemoration for the assassination of Martyr Premier Rafic Hariri, any
compromise at the expense of the International Tribunal, the freedom, the
justice, demarcating Shebaa farm borders and the crossings of smuggling and
terror out of the Palestinian refugee camps.
He asserted that “life is a triumph for the powerful and not the weak”, pointing
out that the peoples that defeated the troops of trusteeship and occupation and
supported its people in the South the Dahieh during July war (referring to
Israeli war against Lebanon summer 2006) is as loyal as Martyr Premier Hariri
was in April”.
Jumblatt said “we should distinguish between compromise and truce”, refusing any
compromise in the issue of the International Tribunal or the issue of arming the
Lebanese Army and reconstructing the Nahr El Bared camp and invigorating the
judiciary, “since there is no freedom without judiciary and sticking to Taef
agreement and there is no compromise at the expense of Taef, the Arab unity, or
the Palestinian Cause”, he added.
“we have no enemy in the inside and dialogue is above all, as we demand them to
respect our martyrs as we respect theirs”, Jumblatt said adding “as a Lebanese
state and Lebanese people we insist on truce and others insist on armistice with
Israel at the expense of Gaza strip, despite that it is the first frontier for
objection, and that its land is occupied”.
“Between March and March it is a long wait, no compromise, no truce, and no
dialogue”, he said.
Jumblatt added “as Lebanese state and people, we insist on armistice with Israel
and our land is freed whereas others are fighting their battles through Gaza and
its own lands are occupied and brags about ‘opposition’, and asks the Turks,
modestly and shamefully, to freeze their connections with Israel as if Lebanon
and Palestine are products traded over at negotiation counters”.
“There is no compromise at the expense of freedom, justice, and demarcating
Shebaa farms and the borders of smuggling, outside refugee camps, and there is
no compromise on ongoing the files of the displaced due to aggression (Israeli
war against Lebanon in July 2006). There is no compromise at the expense of the
LAF and reconstructing EL Bared camp and the right to Return”, Jumblatt said.
Jumblatt addressed the crowds of March 14 saying “your river flowed bountifully
and you responded to the Patriarch’s appeal (Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah
Boutros Sfeir) and you debarred the troops of grudge and blood and imposed the
Tribunal with your determination, loyalty, persistence, and sacrifices and you
refused chaos when the Grand serial was blockaded. You calmed sedition after the
incidents of the two Ziads (who were kidnapped and killed), and you supported
your people and our people at the south and Dahieh during the days of the
Israeli aggression, your loyalty in July resembles martyr Hariri’s loyalty in
April (referring to April 1996 understanding)”.
Geagea: It’s time for crimes to be judged
Date: February 14th, 2009 Source: Future News
Head of Executive Commission of the “Lebanese Forces” Samir Geagea assured from
Martyrs Square that many prominent Lebanese figures have been assassinated over
the past thirty years, but history has no mercy and it is time for judgment.
Geagea said, “If it was not for the cedars revolution, Lebanon, its people and
the cedars may have ceased existing. Before the cedars revolution, we were
conquered, tormented, persecuted and exiled. Our freedom was confiscated, and
our hands were tied”.“We are fed up with persecutions and subjugation, but we have created free
descendants beginning with John Maroun, to Fakhr al-Din, Kamal Jumblatt, Bashir
Gemayel, Rene Moawad, and Rafic Hariri”, Geagea added.
He added, “They want our state to be an elusive one without any ability to take
political decisions, and without an army or security. They have forgotten the
Taef agreement. They only remember the law of wiretapping, not to implement the
law but to cover up their illegitimate deeds”.The Lebanese have another date in June –the parliamentary elections- where they
must continue their march and prove that the Lebanese fear nothing until we
attain the dream of March 14, and celebrate the establishment of a true Lebanese
state, Geagea said.
Hariri: I am still convinced that the Syrian regime assassinated my father
Date: February 14th, 2009 Source: El Ahram
Head of AL- Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Saad Hariri asserted that his
convictions are steady that the Syrian Regime is behind the assassination of his
father, Martyr Premier Rafic Hariri, as he asserted that “we will accept the
preemptive decision to be issued by the Tribunal”.
He considered that all attempts to hamper launching the Tribunal has failed, and
“we are lucky in Lebanon for the speed of the Tribunal’s establishment”.
He pointed out that the “other team is using political money and has huge
financial and media capabilities able of practicing hype”. Hariri criticized the
attacks against Egypt pointing out that it is due to the Iranian decision”.
MP Hariri’s words were in an interview to AL-Ehram, the Egyptian magazine, at
his office in Qreitem castle.
*Honestly, why did you declare a stance totally supportive to Egypt and
President Hosni Mubarak and criticized Hezbollah’s attack against Egypt?
-Egypt has always been the first country to serve the Arab Causes, especially
the Palestinian Cause, and I am against engaging the Lebanese in Arab-Arab
disputes and all my life I’ve seen that Egypt has offered and is still offering
the Palestinian Cause and the Arab nation all of its effort and support.
Today Egypt and as a result of its geographical status and its common borders
with the Gaza Strip, is positively protecting the Palestinian Cause and the
Egyptian national security, and I oppose whoever who accuses Egypt of betraying
its Arabism and its history and whoever criticizes President Hosni Mubarak or
the Egyptian leadership trying to interfere in the Egyptian national security.
We consider that Egypt is the Arab nation that sacrificed most for the
Palestinian Cause and offered thousands of martyrs. Moreover, President Hosni
Mubarak was the commander of the air force during the victory of October 1973,
and he has a great national history; He is a victorious military leader.
Whether in the Lebanese or the Palestinian crisis, Egypt has always been by the
side of the state and legitimacy and it never nurtured sectarian division. The
inter-Palestinian division occurring today only serves the Israeli enemy.
*Do you think the attack against Egypt was because what the Palestinians are
enduring in Gaza or because of the Iranian decision?
-I think it is because of Iran, but at the end we should consider Egypt’s
outlook towards the Palestinian Cause. Egypt opened Rafah crossing before the
wounded and the aids, since it realizes the Israeli plan which is to abuse the
large-scale displacement that could have happened and then prevent them from
returning, thus creating a new tragedy which will joggle the Palestinian Cause.
*Did you receive any direct messages from Hezbollah as some kind of rebuke,
after you declared your support to the Egyptian role honestly and criticizing
Hezbollah?
- Regarding my support to the Egyptian role, I haven’t received any messages
from Hezbollah but I did receive messages of rebuke for the internal stances in
Lebanon, and we always rebuke Hezbollah and we’ve criticized it from the
beginning for his attack against Egypt.
*After the famous May 7 incidents, you’ve met with Iranian ambassador in Beirut,
did you meet with him another time?
- I haven’t met him for quite a while, and that was the last time, and I believe
that the state is the basis of relations and Lebanon is a free Arab country and
all forces should treat it accordingly as any diplomat should deal with the
Lebanese state and not only with its friends in Lebanon.
*How do you assess you current relations with Hezbollah?
- We are different in politics but together we’ve decided to organize this
political difference so that it does not reflect on the ground, according to
Doha Agreement.
Hezbollah have political ideas to propose and we too have our own political
ideas and at the end people will chose between the two projects.
*We are few days away from the beginning of March, the date of launching the
International Tribunal; is there any new information about it?
- There have been attempts to hamper launching the Tribunal and apparently it
has failed. We are lucky in Lebanon for the speed at which the Tribunal was
established. Yes Rafic Hariri was assassinated four years ago but any
International Tribunal, and judiciary designation and funding it requires a lot
more than this time, though the Tribunal will begin on the 2nd of March.
* Are you fearful from politicizing the Tribunal and obscuring the Truth for
international interests?
- No I am not concerned for this at all. This talk is false. Before they used to
doubt establishing the Tribunal and now after it has became a reality they began
talking about politicizing it. We will hear much of this talk, but I believe
that justice should take its course.
* Do you still believe Syria is somehow behind your father’s assassination?
-Yes, I believe the Syrian regime did it. This is a political conviction I will
never change. Yet, we accept whatever presumptive decision the tribunal makes.
* Does Saad Hariri move around normally in Lebanon or is haunted by security
fears?
- I hope I can move about normally. This only a wish though. There are security
risks but I admit I am moving more than ever despite the threats I every minute
and in every place.
* Why are there so many public and media preparations for the fourth anniversary
of the assassination of President Martyr?
- Each year, we are keen on commemorating the assassination anniversary of Rafic
Hariri, Minister Bassel Fleihan and all the martyrs. This is a political stand
we assume to affirm the principles we declared on March 14, 2005 which include
justice independence, Arabism, sovereignty and freedom. We constantly remind
people about them and we still demand justice to uncover the truth about the
crime that killed the moderate and patriotic man.
* Is the purpose of crowding the attention exploiting the occasion for the
upcoming parliamentary elections?
- That day is not about the elections. Last year there were no elections but the
anniversary was held on February 14. It is my father’s martyrdom anniversary and
we’re used to hold a large public demonstration at Beirut downtown.
* Do you expect lavish participation this year?
- People’s opinion came ahead of us. They will surely be at this painful
anniversary that ended Syrian tutelage.
* It is being echoed in Lebanon that political money is heavily present in the
upcoming parliamentary elections and that MP Saad Hariri allocated more than 250
million dollars for the elections battle?
-Hariri smiles and looks at his media advisor Hani Hammoud and says: These words
are inaccurate. American elections did not cost this much money. Still, let me
say: people’s consciences cannot be bought or sold. Their stands are known and
firm and cannot be bargained. “Future Movement” and “March 14” supporters are
with Arabism and independence. The election law is clear about this. I don’t use
political money but we do have philanthropic social institutes since 20 years
ago. We’re still on t he same path; we still do charity work that has no
relation whatsoever to the elections.
* Do you accuse the opposite faction of employing political money?
- Of course. The opposing faction uses political money but I am sure people’s
consciences are difficult to be bought. Moreover, it has huge media and
financial capabilities next to their ability to intimidate as is happening now.
* Was intimidation part of last May incidents and is it true Beirut was under
their control within hours?
- Yes it was. But I think the “tough guy” does not resort to making stands. The
confident faction does not act as such and Lebanon’s a democratic country. So we
either behave according to the democratic approach or we don’t. Till now, I
don’t know what the political gain “Hezbullah” achieved from the incidents of
May except for giving a certain quickly-reneged impression. It was the first
faction to go down to the streets as the cabinet headed by PM Fouad Siniora that
was repeatedly targeted ongoing.
* Do you fear losing parliamentary majority in the upcoming elections to be held
on June 7th?
- We are hearing about this lately. But I strongly believe the other faction is
the one that fears the elections outcome. We are doing our job and will go
through the elections democratically. We believe things are positively evolving.
And we expect heavy participation in the elections and have big hopes we’ll win
majority.
* Some information indicates certain states demanded PM Fouad Siniora to remain
as head of the national unity government on the expense of Saad Hariri?
- The option of maintaining President Fouad Siniora as head of cabinet undergoes
several considerations which include my complete devotion to the elections
battle and campaign. This phase will be difficult. PM Siniora proved high
competency in dealing with phase circumstances in these 2 and a half years. I
preferred being with my allies to prepare for the elections.
Gemayel: we want to know who assassinated Rafic, Pierre and the rest of the
martyrs
Date: February 14th, 2009 Source: Future News
Head of “Kataëb” President Amine Gemayel assured in the speech he have at
Freedom Square today, the assassination anniversary of President Martyr Rafic
Hariri is a sad day but on that day Lebanon won back its freedom and dignity.
Gemayel stressed the need to know the assassins of PM martyr Rafic Hariri, his
son Pierre and the rest of the martyrs.
President Gemayel indicated “the tragedy of the martyrdom of President Rafic
Hariri altered into a track of freedom to the people and the nation,” and
asserted “this time we celebrate the anniversary of the assassination
anniversary of Rafic Hariri and Lebanon is freed from tutelage. The state has a
new president, a symbol of unity and the Tribunal is completing its achievements
and is about to unveil the criminals who assassinated our martyrs.”
He added “we are fourth months away from critical parliamentary elections. May
this day be a victory promise in the upcoming issuance coated with the blood of
leaders, ministers, MPs, officers, soldiers, journalists and innocent citizens.
Allegiance to Lebanon established by Rafic Hariri is worthless unless we are
allegiant solely to the state.”“Winning the elections is the correct punishment to the slayer, whether a
person, an organization, a regime or a state,” Gemayel proudly spoke “because
loyalty to martyrs is not fulfilled through crying and offering condolences. But
we will rebel until we know the whole truth. Elections are a critical issuance
on the Cedars Revolution track of maintaining the patriotic achievements
accomplished in the past four years.”
He continued “parliamentary elections are not about choosing between candidates
of 2 competing national factions in the service of the state and the people. It
is about choosing between candidates with two contradictory projects: a project
to complete the march of sovereignty, independence, economic renaissance and
retrieving out immigrating youth and the project to reinstate tutelage, hegemony
and organic subordination to military, sectarian and political pivots.”
He emphasized the other project contradicts the religious, cultural, scientific
and educational legacy stressing “it is a state that replaces Beirut with
Tehran, Tripoli with Damascus and Lebanon with its absence.”Head of “Kataeb” sturdily concluded “Sheikh Saad, we want to know who
assassinated your father Rafic Hariri and my son Pierre and the rest of the
martyrs. Loyalty to martyrs is through continuing the patriotic project
strengthening the cause many died for.”
Chamoun: Our success depends on your performance in June 7
Date: February 14th, 2009 Source: Future News
National Liberals Party leader Dory Chamoun labeled the crowd rallying in the
Freedom’s Square as "loyal to the memory of the martyr President Rafic Hariri.”
Chamoun urged March 14 supporter to participate in the decisive parliamentary
elections on June 7, “your victory in the elections would be for the sake of the
martyrs, and to prove our refusal to the woven plots against the Cedars
homeland,” he addressed the crowd eagerly.
He added “You are the people who swore in this square to remain loyal to their
country, and who swore to defend their country’s independence in 2005 … you only
give what is good for Lebanon and the nation.”“I address March 14 and those who repeated Tueini’s oath, we depend on you and
we pin high hopes on you to achieve victory on June 7, which will be a test of
your faith and conviction in the path, our success depends on your performance
on the electoral day,” Chamoun noted.
NLP leader believes “some people are transgressing what is sacred by mending the
criminals’ image, and by portraying them as innocent.”
Al-Sabeh: We broke the barrier of fear and the criminals will soon be imprisoned
Date: February 14th, 2009 Source: Future News
MP Bassem Al-Sabeh said “The blood of the martyr President Rafic Hariri desrves
going back to Liberty Square, particularly next year as the results of the
tribunal in The Hague are complete”, pointing “the Tribunal will begin, and the
criminals will be imprisoned”.
Sabeh added, “There is a campaign against reviving this anniversary, they want
the Lebanese to stay home and be silent, but you all have broken the barrier of
silence just like you did in 2005”.“This small country has been subject to many criminal acts killing many martyrs.
However, you have failed 30 years of fear. We realize the importance of
establishing good relations with Syria, but it is the regime of Bashar al-Asaad
that we have a problem with”, he added.
Sabeh denounced the requests to forgive an Arab regime -meaning Syria- that have
caused long disputes and differences among the different sects in Lebanon, and
even among the Palestinians themselves.He added, “This massive gathering today is a defense for Lebanon’s freedom and
the anniversary of the President Hariri, celebrating the launch of the
International Tribunal”.
Rafic Hariri is instilled in our hearts by Saad Hariri
Saad Hariri
Date: February 14th, 2009 Source: Private
A new year brings us February 14 and we keep remembering him.
His memories live in us, in our every move and idea. We remember him with every
breath and his picture is shaped right before our eyes an act of willingness and
struggle.
On February 14, 2005, they killed him in the heart of Beirut but Hariri was
resurrected in all our hearts.
He instilled in our hearts us Lebanese from farthest east to lowest south and
from Bekaa fields to the shores of our capital- a splinter of his march, his
struggle, his success and parenting.
In the fourth year, I feel something I have never felt before. I see him
standing in our family, hugging each one of us, and kissing the young ones. He
is brushing away signs of hesitance and granting us loads of support in fear we
might become frail by dilemmas.
I see him at the forefront of flag carriers at the Freedom Square, standing
robustly under the rain, screaming with the people and singing the anthem of
freedom and coexistence. He is preaching them to stay forever united so that he
can bid goodbye our beloved Lebanon and rest assure it is safe from the evil
aspirations aiming at its stability and free decision.
Yes, Rafic Hariri will be among us today, next to Bassel Fleihan and all his
dearly loved compatriots who died in February 14.
You will see the figure of Rafic Hariri rising amidst the crowds, adjacent to
the Freedom Statue and Mohammad al-Amine Mosque, at the Mar Jirjis Chapel, at
the sea portals and An-nahar fort, marching down with Samir Kassir, George Hawi,
Pierre Gemayel, Walid Eido. He is there with Antoine Ghanem, Francois al-Hajj,
Wissam Eid and Samer Hanna and the long, long chain of Independence Intifada
martyrs. He is there alongside the crowds coming from Akkar, Donniyeh, Menyeh,
Fayhaa. He is there with the swarms from the north, from Koura, Zghorta, Betroun
and Kalamoun.
He is in the eyes of the good people proudly striding from Kissrwan, northern
and southern Metn raising with other martyrs- fists of victory, waving the flags
with the people of Baabda, Shouf, Iklim, Saida and the South.
You will see them all today, here in the heart of Beirut the adored companion of
Rafik Hariri, entrusted of his approach, and embracing Independence Intifada and
the symbol of Lebanese unity and adherence to facing confrontations.
This is the February 14 anniversary of the year, an utterly patriotic
anniversary, a referendum of the state you aspire. Would you rather have a
nation that lacks national decision or possesses freedom of choice in running
its affairs?
Would you rather have a state working under neighboring and distant regimes or
one that is competent where a certain sect, faction or even another state
doesn’t fight back to gain authority in its lands?
Would you rather have a state set for economic and social challenges with full
responsibility and below a sound democratic parliamentary umbrella or a state
that does not abide by international law and public order norms?
Today on February 14, we answer all these questions and continue to answer on
March 14. We will represent this answer on June 7th.
The International Tribunal is on the verge of starting, as First of March opens
the gates to a fundamental phase of the tribunal’s records. I know as all
Lebanese do that the soul of Rafic Hariri, and the souls of innocent martyrs
will haunt down the criminals and Lebanon will regain victory, freedom and
Arabism.
France reveals its commitment to the establishment of the international tribunal
Date: February 13th, 2009 Source: Future News
France revealed its committment for the establishmebent of the international
tribunal on the assassination of martyr Rafic Haririon the first of March,
pointing to its contribution in transferring the documents from Lebanon to The
Hague.
In a press conference, spokesman of the French ministry of Foreign Affairs Eric
Chevalier explained that “his country complied with the demand of the
international investigations committee to transfer the documents and the
investigations archive from Lebanon to the special tribunal in The Hague.”
He asserted that France “helped in the logistics folowing the Security Council
resolution that allows the investigator to ask for the help of any state.”
“My country supports practically and financially the tribunal as it donated E4.5
million the past three years,” the French spokesman said.
On the other side, French Foreign minister Bernard Kushner avowed “France’s
commitment to the establishment of the international tribunal on the first of
March.”
On the eve of the fourth comemoration of the assassination of Hariri, Kushner
expressed solidarity with Nazek Hariri and the families of the 22 victims along
side him, and with the Lebanese government and people.
“During the past four years, France supported fully the Lebanese authorities and
the investigations committee to discover the circomstances of the explosion,” he
said.
The Foreign minister reminded of France’s support “to the unity, sovereignty and
independence of Lebanon following the resolutions of the Security Council.”
Kushner revealed France’s hope that “the Lebanese dialogue and reconciliation
era goes on,” and hoped the upcoming parliamentary elections will be held on
June 7 with a complete respect to democracy.”
Mufti Kabbani visits the shrine of President Martyr and meets MP Hariri
Date: February 13th, 2009 Source: Future News
Mufti of the republic Sheikh Mohammad Rachid Kabbani visited today the shrine of
President Martyr Rafic Hariri and head of “Al Mustaqbal” parliamentary bloc MP
Saad Hariri in Koraytem. Sheikh Kabbani assured tomorrow is a day of loyalty to
the patriotic approach of President Martyr Hariri.
Mufti Mohammad Rachid Kabbani visited MP Hariri atop a delegation of Mufti from
several regions in the presence of Mohammad Sammak and Nader Hariri.
In remarks after the meeting, he said “my colleagues and I visited the shrine of
President Martyr Rafic Hariri and read Fateha for his soul. February 14 is a day
of loyalty to President Martyr and his patriotic march to establish a modern
Lebanon. After the Friday prayer, we headed to Koraytem and met MP Hariri.”
Mufti Kabbani added “late President Hariri is no ordinary man or leader. He was
a rare patriotic symbol, not only to his sect, but also to Lebanon as a whole.
This house (Koraytem) is open to all the Lebanese, Muslims and Christians. This
house should forever be Lebanon’s foundation for its owner sacrificed his money,
blood and soul for the future of Lebanon.”
MP Hariri received the ambassador of USA to Lebanon Michel Sison who presented
“a letter of condolence to head of the parliamentary majority, MP Hariri.”
Sison stated “tomorrow we witness the fourth anniversary of President Rafic
Hariri’s assassination. This barbaric act could not deter democratic factions
from courageously struggling to establish a free and sovereign Lebanon.
President Barak Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released statements
last week to affirm ongoing support to Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence.
The American administration will as well continue supporting the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon. And so, we intend to increase our funding to the Tribunal.
The United States of America still adheres to Security Council Resolutions 1559
and 1701.”
The statement pointed to the wide public support to the Lebanese people “on this
painful anniversary, in support of Lebanon and all those voices calling for
peace and moderation within it.”
MEU union warns of strike over kidnapping
By Mohammed Zaatari /Daily Star staff
Saturday, February 14, 2009
SIDON: The syndicate representing Middle East Airlines (MEA) employees on Friday
pledged to adopt "escalatory steps" if kidnapped colleague Youssef Sader was not
set free. In a statement, the syndicate described Sader's abduction as "an
unjustified attack on MEA." It pledged a "major response against whoever thinks
of attacking any employee with MEA, the company that has served the nation in
dark times." The statement called for speeding up efforts to achieve Sader's
release. Sader, 50, an official of MEA's IT department, was kidnapped Thursday
morning near Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport by three unidentified
assailants who reportedly sped away in a sport utility vehicle. Angry residents
of Sader's hometown of Maghdousheh in south Lebanon blocked a road later in the
day to protest against the kidnapping. Sader's brother, Antoine, said
unidentified gunmen snatched Youssef in an area within 100 meters from an army
checkpoint adjacent to the airport. As of Friday, it was not clear if Sader's
kidnapping had any political motives
2 Israelis feared dead in plane crash
Two men, one of whom resides in Tiberias, listed as passengers on flight that
crashed in NY
Ahiya Raved Published: 02.13.09, 20:34 / Israel News
The name of a 27-year old Israeli from Tiberias appears on the passenger list of
a Continental Airlines flight that crashed Friday in Buffalo, New York. Another
Israeli is also assumed to have been on the flight.
George Abu-Karem's family said representatives from the Foreign Ministry and the
airline had been updating them on the efforts to identify the body of their
loved one among those of dozens of other casualties. None of the passengers on
the flight had survived the crash.
The family of another Israeli said to have been on the flight resides in the US,
and received word of the disaster just a few hours after it had occurred.
Abu Karem, a former member of the South Lebanon Army, left behind a mother and
three sisters. He had worked as a security guard at a bar near the Sea of
Galilee.
One of his friends told Ynet he had arrived from Lebanon ten years ago with his
family. "He's a great guy who always helps everyone," he said.
The Foreign Ministry told Ynet that a representative from the Israeli Consulate
in New York was on his way to the crash site in order to validate the
information.
Continental Connection Flight 3407 flying from Newark Liberty International
Airport in New Jersey headed for Buffalo Niagara International Airport crashed
into a house while coming in to land Thursday night.
Syrian-Iranian Ties: Deterioration or Activation?
14/02/2009
By Huda Al Husseini/Asharq Alawsat
A few weeks ago, Syrian President Bashar al Assad told a delegation made up of
members of the US Congress visiting Damascus that he realized that having close
ties with America would cost Syria its ties with Hezbollah and Hamas in
particular. But it was clear that the new US administration or Israel would not
raise the ceiling of expectations to include Syria’s relationship with Iran.
In reference to Iran, US Vice-President Joe Biden said during the 45th Munich
Security Conference that was held last week, “Continue down your current course
and there will be pressure and isolation; abandon your illicit nuclear program
and support for terrorism and there will be meaningful incentives.”
In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said that Iran is prepared
to negotiate with the United States “but this depends on whether Washington is
prepared to change its strategy. We have to know what its objectives are.”
Therefore, each party is requesting that the other changes its strategy. US
President Barack Obama expressed flexibility in openness towards Iran but if
neither of the two sides takes the first step, nothing will change.
Obama is facing many problems that need solving before the political price is
paid for talks with Iran, especially that this is not considered an urgent issue
and best left to the Iranians.
Presidential elections are scheduled to take place in Iran next June. Openness
towards the United States could harm a candidate’s reputation just as openness
towards Iran will bear a heavy price for Obama. Moreover, the Supreme Guide of
the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, will not allow there to be any
kind of openness towards the US administration as long as the new administration
relies upon the same policies as the former Bush administration but through new
people.
Because US-Iranian ties will remain frozen for now, as neither of the two sides
believes that it is crucial to melt the ice quickly, there has been an increase
in Western and Arab voices calling for pushing Syria to cut its ties with Iran.
But if Obama’s priorities are to rescue the American and international
economies, to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible, to deal with the problems
in Afghanistan and tension with Russia, which all come before improving
America’s ties with Iran, then the same should also apply to Syria. Whilst alll
these voices are keen to convince Syria [to cut ties with Iran], it is not
certain that Syria’s priorities would change if it cut ties.
Most political analysts assume that in return for peace with Israel, Syria wants
to regain the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee, and an improvement in its
economic situation. It also wants to normalise ties with the West, the United
States in particular. These analysts believe that America, Israel, and Western
states are able to meet these Syrian demands in return for a change in its
behaviour and relations. However they failed to ask whether this is what Syria
really wants.
I asked an Arab official about the reasons behind the Saudi-Syrian dispute.
“Lebanon,” he answered. “Who said that Syria would be satisfied with the Golan
Heights in return for leaving Lebanon? Syria does not need complete peace – it
is happy with a Syrian-Israeli ceasefire,” he said.
In 1982, when Syrian forces withdrew from Lebanon immediately after the Israeli
invasion, Iran rushed to help Syria by forming Hezbollah. After that, Syria
returned to transform Lebanon into a battlefield where it could settle its own
accounts with Israel. Israel did not consider using the Golan Heights to
pressure Syria and Syria remained content that its back (the Golan Heights) was
protected whilst at the same time it continued to justify its presence in
Lebanon on the basis that it is its “soft underbelly.” In 2005, Syrian forces
withdrew from Lebanon after one million and a half Lebanese protested against
Syria’s presence and eclipsed the March 8 Alliance that called for Syria to
remain in Lebanon. Syria also withdrew as a result of international pressure.
Iran and Syria formed a strategic alliance in 1980 when Damascus chose to side
with Tehran in the Iraq-Iran war. At the time, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein
was Syria’s archenemy because of the conflict between the two Baath wings in
Damascus and Baghdad.
The relationship with Iran gave the Syrian regime strength as well as military,
economic and trade support. A relationship with United States or Europe,
however, might impose restrictive conditions upon it.
A British politician said that Syrian President Bashar al Assad is keen on
maintaining the relationship that Syria has with Iran and will not be lured by
promises. He wants to see real action before he makes a decision. He saw what
happened to Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi after he abandoned his nuclear
programme; despite that Libya has oil, the Colonel became marginal. “There is no
doubt that Syria admires the role that Qatar is playing – it is a small Gulf
state that is mediating between Iran, the Arabs and the West and Damascus knows
that the role of mediator would give it power. For example, between Gaddafi and
Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al Thani, al Assad would choose to follow the example
of Sheikh Hamad,” said the politician.
But the problem is that Syria is not rich like Qatar – it has very little to
offer as a mediator. Its role, and Qatar’s role, might come to an end when the
US administration decides that it is time for direct negotiations with the
Iranians. Syria will no longer be a threat to US interests; this appeared to be
the case when American forces in Iraq carried out a military operation within
Syrian borders last year, just as Israel has invaded sites in Syria on numerous
occasions without being met by any confrontation. Syria is yet to respond
despite its claim that it is waiting for the right time to do so.
On their part, the Iraqis have not allowed Syria to interfere in Iraqi politics.
Moreover, what Iran is doing in Iraq is not in coordination with Syria.
Syrian “power” remains in Lebanon and now it is trying to exploit the
Palestinian cause in Lebanon through its Lebanese allies especially as the
parliamentary elections draw near. But what is interesting is that Iran and
Hezbollah are consolidating their positions in Lebanon without Syria’s
participation, even if it is not possible for both of them to do without Syria’s
“approval.” Damascus was forced to deny that President Bashar al Assad had
played a role in influencing Hezbollah not to intervene in helping Hamas in the
Gaza war, as claimed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s envoy Phillipe
Marini. Hezbollah or Iran cannot afford to upset Syria as Iranian military
support goes through Syria before it reaches Hezbollah-controlled areas in
Lebanon and Syria could make Iran pay for what it has suffered for the sake of
Iranian-Syrian ties such as being exposed to Israeli invasions within Syria, and
the success of Israeli intelligence in destroying its security apparatus, which
led to the assassination of Hezbollah’s military leader Imad Mughniyeh.
The success of the recent Iraqi elections has reflected badly upon Syria and
also Iran. Syria is no longer a concern for the Americans in Iraq and the Iraqis
will not accept any interference from the Syrians; this reduced a lot of
Washington’s concerns regarding Syria. But there is still Iran; this issue will
be settled by Washington and Tehran.
Some officials in the Israeli military believe that the collapse of the current
Syrian regime would harm Israel. They prefer the idea of achieving peace with
the regime, not out of fear of Iran, but rather so that fundamentalists would
not reach a position of power in Syria. Israel and Turkey got over the anger of
Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a Turkish delegation arrived in Damascus to
talk to Hamas about releasing the kidnapped Israeli soldier.
Syrian-Iranian ties are no longer a priority; the reason, according to a Western
diplomat, is that everyday, President Obama reads the intelligence reports that
used to reach the office of former president George W. Bush who prevented Israel
from carrying out a military strike against Iran. With Obama, even dialogue
about rushing towards negotiations has died down and this casts doubt as to
whether Iran is capable of producing a nuclear weapon. This is not the case even
though Iran did launch a rocket into space.
It seems that many factors will change, numerous houses of cards will fall and
the elections in Israel and in Iran, after what happened in Iraq, will determine
the value of bilateral ties and the threats that it faces, including
Iranian-Syrian ties. The two countries might be forced to cling to their
relations and to stimulate ties in reaction to America’s new lack of concern