LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
February 23/09

Bible Reading of the day.
John2/1-11/ The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage.  When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”  Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.” Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes a piece.  Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” They filled them up to the brim.  He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.  When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom, and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!”  This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
Murr exposes Aoun in Metn. By: By: Sami Farid 22/02/09
The story of the fertile land of the South and “orphan” rockets. Future News 22/02/09
What do the negotiations with Israel mean?Future News 22/02/09

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for February 22/09
Rockets just one of Bibi's problems-The Australian
Jumblat Renews Faith in State, Says May 7 Over-Naharnet
Berri Says 2009 Polls Will Bring National Unity Government-Naharnet
Franjieh: Refusal to Participate in Future Government Is a Crime-Naharnet
Sfeir Urges Security Forces to Find MEA Employee 'At Any Cost'-Naharnet
Suleiman: A Nation Cannot be Built By Military Rule-Naharnet
Saniora Vows Not to Succumb to Intimidation-Naharnet
Lebanon's PM information bureau: The southerners’ interests are not subject to political disputes-Future News
Shams Eddine: Berri’s statement contains an insult not from our culture-Future News
MP Franjieh: Syria and Iran exchange Ghaza with South Lebanon/Future News
Jumblatt stresses to continue a calm stabilization-Future News
Defence chiefs urge hawk Netanyahu to strike deal with Syria-Times Online
Kerry: Syria willing to help on Palestinian unity-Ynetnews
US Lawmakers "Hopeful" After Syria Talks-CBS News
Lebanese president: Israel has no pretext to launch war against ...Xinhua
Berri, Sanioria Word-Breaking War over State Budget-Naharnet
Katyusha Attack: Iranian Reaction or Message to Syria!-Naharnet
Suleiman: Rocket Attack is a Challenge to National Will-Naharnet
Iran: Impossible to Stop Nuclear Plan-Future News
Israel's Ambassador to Washington: to serious and immediate actions against Iran-Future News
Lebanese Forces Party: the Aounist media is keen to defend the militias’ weapons-Future News

Sfeir Urges Security Forces to Find MEA Employee 'At Any Cost'
Naharnet/Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir on Sunday urged security forces to find kidnapped MEA employee Joseph Sader "at any cost."
"Security forces must find Joseph Sader at any cost so as not to be accused of handling the case carelessly," Sfeir said during his Sunday sermon.
Sader was snatched off the airport highway two weeks ago. Sfeir described Sader's abduction as "worrying." Beirut, 22 Feb 09, 12:

Suleiman: A Nation Cannot be Built By Military Rule
Naharnet/President Michel Suleiman stressed that parliamentary elections would take place on a single day and said "a nation cannot be built by military rule."
"A nation is built in a military spirit and not by military rule," Suleiman said in an interview published Sunday by the daily Al Balad.
"Democracy in Lebanon stems from the national covenant," Suleiman said, stressing the need for the various Lebanese confessions to be represeneted in the government. Suleiman, who pledged to fulfill a lot of promises during his inaugural speech, believed the the period following general elections would "pave the way for implementing a series of reforms based on good governance." "We will try as much as possible to maintain reforms that had been already completed such as holding elections in a single day," he vowed. Suleiman believed that achieving "institutional success in Lebanon is not difficult." Beirut, 22 Feb 09, 09:01

Saniora Vows Not to Succumb to Intimidation
Naharnet/Prime Minister Fouad Saniora vowed Sunday not to succumb to intimidation or extortion and said "turning the country into a militia is not acceptable."
"All domestic issues can be solved through dialogue. Arms and intimidation cannot solve anything," Saniora said during a celebration in his honor in the southern port city of Sidon. "We have never succumbed to intimidation or extortion and we will not succumb now," Saniora vowed. "We will not back down from our goals."
"Turning the country into a farmhouse or a militia is not acceptable," Saniora stressed, adding that this will be tantamount to "squandering the blood of our martyrs."
Saniora said he has no reservations to "brotherly" ties with Syria, adding that "we hope we would be able to discuss issues like border demarcation, arms smuggling and missing Lebanese as the need arises."On the war of words between him and Speaker Nabih Berri, Saniora acknowledged that the political conflict has "entered a new phase" and pledged not to tire out despite the obstacles. Turning to the issue of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Saniora said: "We were able to survive wars … By this, we will have achieved a first step toward bringing back freedom of speech to the Lebanese."Saniora stressed the need for e a "new Arab political speech to unite our ranks and set priorities and rid sectarian bias and the logic of intimidation." Beirut, 22 Feb 09, 14:30

Berri, Sanioria Word-Breaking War over State Budget
Naharnet/The dispute between Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Fouad Saniora over the 2009 state budget has taken on a personal tone.
The daily An Nahar on Sunday quoted ministerial sources as saying that the lastest war of words between Berri and Saniora over the Council for the South budget was a clear indication that the crisis has "entered a new, uncomfortable phase for mediations." President Michel Suleiman has been trying to mediate an end to the standoff which erupted Jan. 30 after Lebanese leaders failed to agree on funds for the Council. Suleiman set a 10-day deadline for the leaders to resolve the budget crisis, but the ultimatum passed without an agreement. Berri has reportedly called Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah "a liar like his master," in an indirect reference to Saniora.
The ministerial sources said that the crisis has taken on a personal tone, particulary since Berri has held on to his demand for allocating LL 60 billion to the Council, a request rejected by Saniora. One Cabinet minister said the issue now revolved around "who would break the word of the other" and not around the budget.
Sources close to Saniora said Berri was adopting the "logic of power" similar to that of May 7, a reference to events when the Hizbullah-led March 8 forces seized control of West Beirut, forcing the shutdown of all media belonging to thefamily of parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri. Beirut, 22 Feb 09, 11:00

Katyusha Attack: Iranian Reaction or Message to Syria!
Naharnet/A weekend rocket attack on Israel from southern Lebanon was seen as an Iranian reaction to remarks by hawkish Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu who has named Tehran as Israel's main threat. The daily An Nahar on Sunday quoted high-ranking officials up-to-date with Saturday's incident as saying that evidence show that the motive behind the rocket attack that injured three Israeli people was "an Iranian response to Netanyahu's remarks." Netanyahu's statement on Friday came after accepting the task of forming a new government in the wake of the tight elections. "Iran is seeking to obtain a nuclear weapon and constitutes the gravest threat to our existence since the war of independence," Netanyahu said at a ceremony at President Shimon Peres's official residence. "The terrorist forces of Iran threaten us from the north," he said in reference to Lebanon and Syria, where Israel says Tehran supplies arms to Hizbullah and Hamas. The sources told An Nahar that the rocket attack could also possibly be a "message" to Damascus, which at the time of the assault was receiving U.S Senator John Kerry as the new U.S administration reviews its policies towards such states in the Middle East. Beirut, 22 Feb 09, 08:01

The story of the fertile land of the South and “orphan” rockets
Date: February 22nd, 2009 Future News
Once more, anonymous rockets resurface.
Once more, the majority- keen on the security and stability of the Lebanese people reasserts their rightful demands.
Once more, since responsibility of Hezbollah’s and his proxies is lifted by merely denying culpability, the question remains: Why is it that till today decisions of the Dialogue Table, particularly concerning the confiscation of Palestinian weaponery outside the camps is not implemented?
In the near past and in line with the Gaza incidents, rockets were launched from the south and fingers were thus pointed to the Palestinian General Commandment (PFLP-GC) which neither denied nor adopted the recent operation.
Yesterday, these “orphan” rockets fired from Mansouri fell northern Israel, Israel retaliated by shelling plains of Qolayleh villagea. Consequently, President of the republic Michel Suleiman scurried off to slam the act and to denounce “rendering the Lebanese south a rocket-launching platform.”
Regional mail
In this context, high-ranking sources taking part in yesterday’s communications told “An-nahar” daily that evidence show that the motives of the faction behind the rocket launching – even if it resided under the name “anonymous”- was “an Iranian reaction towards the statement of Benjamin Netanyahu, responsible of forming the new Israeli government and who considered Iran the largest threat to Israel.”
The sources stressed this “rocket-featured message” could possibly have one more destination: Damascus, which was receiving at the time the rockets were set off, the head of the Foreign Relations Committee at the American Congress John Kerry.
Masters at slanders
At the time UNIFIL and Lebanese Army units were reinforcing their security presence in the south, frictions surfaced again among the second and third presidencies over the issue of Council for the South when House Speaker Nabih Berry insulted PM Fouad Siniora and Finance Minister Mohammad Chatah. In an interview with “Al Akhbar” newspaper, Berry literally said “Chatah is a liar just like his mentor.” Berry signaled as well that Minister Ghazi Aridi saved Siniora at the cabinet session from immense embarrassment when cloudy atmosphere could have pushed the latter into resigning in case he and Minister Chatah failed passing the Council for the South budget reduction
PM Siniora’s information office replied that “insults against head of the cabinet and Finance Minister are a rebuffed deterioration of political speeches, which is unacceptable. But at the same time, this will not prompt us to use the same manner and therefore will not be drawn into these kinds of polemics.”
Chatah on the other hand commented on the words of head of Council for the South saying “I will not enter the insults game and will not go along those who master it. Some master slanders and insults, but I, I am neither a master nor a student. I don’t even want to be good at it.”
Berry claimed he had intented to clarify his statements to Al Akhbar but the PM office’s response made him “think twice” about it, given that the cabinet head waited for his clarifications till 3 in the afternoon yet, Berry didn’t show.

What do the negotiations with Israel mean?
Date: February 22nd, 2009 Future News
What stops Lebanon from answering the calls for negotiations with Israel? The question imposes itself according to the consecutive news in the region, from the Turkish mobilizations on the Damascus-Tel Aviv axis, to the seductions nourished in this context by French president, Nicolas Sarkozy and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Of view, these calls are important enough if Lebanon response’s was to ward off the Zionist threats from our land and our people, and sees the state restitution of all the authority on its territory and will close "the regional court” opened to all conflicts in the South.
However, to dive in the depths of the significance will put the point on enormous risks. As first, the boring return to the "path and destiny" track, which implies that Syria will be in charge of the negotiations in the name of Lebanon as it had made over the 90’s and will manage the Lebanese forehead to the will of its political orientations.
The Lebanese must never erase from their memory what occupied them in this context, when Bachar Assad hardly threw his first call, that he has been met by MP Michel Aoun in mid path… Numerous had hurried to shout solidarity with Gaza, the streets were suddenly cluttered by organized demonstrations, the fingers threatening turned to a pointed stroke and the promises to wipe out the Zionist state resounded like Nejad’s.
The risk doesn't end at this stage. The fall of Lebanon in the trap of the negotiations with Israel announces its remoteness of the Arabian shelter embodied by the initiative of peace thrown during the summit of Beirut in 2002.
Lebanon, abandoning its adherence thus, devotes itself to the violation of the factors of its power and its essential immunity. Certainly, the battle of liberation that the Lebanese always lived, and sacrificed for it their health, finances and morals, could ever have seen the day without the political, logistical and financial Arabian support.
What one offers us today doesn't pass beyond regaining the "Ghajar" village that was lost at the time of the "divine victory" within the war of July 2006 indeed. This whereas the Farms of Chebaa remain prohibited unless the Syrian régime admits our right of it.
What is more dangerous is the welcoming of these calls, far from worrying about the questions of the Palestinian refugees and their "right of return".
Besides, no one should have the illusion of being able to do that far from an Arab unanimity.
It may be that Lebanon has an essential and deep interest in a syro-Israeli peace. History didn't reveal an agreement so serious between two states concerning a third like the one Tel Aviv and Damascus had over Lebanon. However, the problematic original is of the way of which it is necessary for us to benefit from this "peace" waited to avoid being victims again!
It is clear now that Syria gets involved in the project of peace with the intention to take advantage of all its cards in the political game. This novelty doesn't order too many proofs; in fact, the subject of the Israeli praising of "the Syrian power" in Lebanon is evident. Thus, the Hebrew state extols a Syrian role in Lebanon that controls the border in the south, especially as several forces in Lebanon, Damascus and Tel Aviv are working in order to interrupt the application of the 1701 and the investment of its hypotheses to guarantee the protection of the country.
The fear of being the victim of the syro-Israeli peace doesn't amount to this factor alone. Indeed, the other factor that lands is translated through the results that will be imposed on us once the international attempts succeed to isolate Iran of Syria. This same factor can show on the surface by means of the consequences that will interrupt the path of the project. And, it will be revealed shortly…
The Lebanese certainly must act and decide once for all about their entire destiny. Nothing serves them to ask God to attenuate the ineluctable.
We lost our sovereignty as our pens signed the miserable agreement of Cairo, the day when the Syrian régime had condensed its best efforts to reduce Lebanon at a rear and unique scene of conflicts with Israel and to crown itself eternally as the Tyrant governor of our brothers, the Syrian people.
Here it is what is proposed to us today by the regime in exchange for our salvation, with insurance policies and economic profits, guaranteeing itself a place in the World Trade Organization and a convention for a European partnership… But, what occupies us then?

Murr exposes Aoun in Metn
Date: February 22nd, 2009
By: Sami Farid/Future News
The arrogance and superiority General Aoun has been practicing over his allies has led to the political break up with Michel el-Murr, the key vote holder in the Metn area. The “Rabieh General” is depressed and outraged over this recent disalliance with Murr, sources close to General Aoun say. Lack of confidence and trepidation overwhelm his followers.
The discussion in Rabieh, (the headquarters of Michel Aoun north of Beirut) is nowadays mainly about Michel el-Murr-- two weeks or less after Aoun used to smile arrogantly whenever he was asked about his position from the Christian Orthodox Metni leader.
Aoun, a Maronite, repeated with a brief nervous gesture- whenever one of his close followers ask him about the fate of the alliance with Murr: “in less than a week, you'll see someone knocking at my door impatiently, and when you ask the guards about his identity, they will answer: this is Vice Prime Minister MP Michel el-Murr, General”.
These phrases were heard by all those who met Aoun during the period prior to the break up with MP Murr. Moreover, the “General” used to add: “Murr knows quite well what he will endure if he doesn’t abide by my terms and join my electoral ticket under my conditions”.
The sources quoted eye witnesses saying Aoun had sent Murr an oral message three weeks ago saying: This is my last offer: I guarantee you a seat in the northern Metn, and your son in law (Antoine Gharios) a seat in Baabda”.
Murr’s refusal came categorical: “No.”
Aoun was shocked by Murr’s answer, especially after he had received leaks from Murr’s private conversations saying “even if Tashnag (the 10,000-strong Armenian party) joins Aoun’s electoral ticket, I will be capable of beating him through my alliance with Kataeb party in northern Metn”.
Murr also ridiculed Aoun’s offer saying “Does my son in law need this grant while he has more votes in this circumscription than the General does”?
The sources pointed out that “Hezbollah” intervened to revive the Aoun-Murr alliance, but Murr answered “I accept under the following condition: 4 MP’s for me and 4 for Aoun”, but the “General” went crazy and said “let him go, he will come back to me asking for forgiveness”.
Away from the reactions of superiority and arrogance, Aoun’s electoral machine keeps on supplying him with unpleasant statistics concerning his electoral situation in the northern Metn.
The sources linked Aoun’s concerns to the following report: Christian Orthodox will eventually join Murr who is already close to the Maronite Patriarchy and President of the Republic who both oppose Aoun for claiming to monopole the Christian leadership.
If this occurs, then Aoun’s popularity will decrease to 34%. The decline follows a 2007 popularity set back when Aoun ran against the Kataeb leader in the by-elections for the seat of the Metn that went vacant due to the assassination of Minister Pierre Gemayel.
Moreover, the fact that many Orthodox members of the Syrian Socialist Nationalist Party “SSNP” complain about the way the “Rabieh General” is treating them by insisting on imposing his favorite candidate Milad Sabaali on the party.
The sources expected the “Rabieh General” to stay silent if asked about Michel Murr after he learned that his time of monopolizing the Christian arena has ended for good.
Aoun now fears the same fate in Keserwan as opinion polls show.
Aoun lost 11% of his movement’s popularity, and reports state that Jbeil’s voters intend to hold Aoun accountable for the improper manner with which he approached President Michel Sleiman, the son of Jbeil.
Sami Farid