LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
March 10/09

Bible Reading of the day.
 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 19,23-30. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible." Then Peter said to him in reply, "We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
 
 Gregory the Great (c.540-604), Pope and Doctor of the Church
 Homily 5 on the Gospel/"We have given up everything and followed you."
 You have heard, my brethren, that Peter and Andrew abandoned their nets to follow the Redeemer at the first sound of his voice (Mt 4,20)... Perhaps someone will say to himself under his breath: «What have those two fisherman abandoned to answer the Lord's call? They had practically nothing.» But in this matter we should think of their disposition of heart rather than their fortune. The person who has not kept hold of anything for himself has left a good deal; the person who has forsaken everything has left a good deal, even if it is but small. As for ourselves, we passionately hold on to what we possess, and what we don't have, we pursue with all our desire. Indeed, Peter and Andrew left a great deal since both forsook even the desire to possess. They forsook a great deal because, in giving up their goods, they also gave up their covetousness. In following the Lord they gave up everything they might have desired if they had not followed him.

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
The Lebanese ordeal/Future News 09/03/09

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for March 09/09
Aoun: I Will Not Grieve over Feltman-Naharnet
Assad: Peace must be comprehensive-Jerusalem Post
Peace with Israel possible, says Syria's Assad-Reuters
Clinton trip shows different side-Boston Globe
Assad: No Guarantees that Hariri Tribunal won't be Politicized-Naharnet
Mokhtarian: Tashnak wants good ties with Future movement/Future News
Feltman: Support to Lebanon and dialogue with Syria do not contradict/Future News
Judicial Reshuffle Sparks Minority Reaction-Naharnet
Standoff Looms over Administrative Appointments-Naharnet
Najjar Warns of 'Bad Impact' if MoU Not Endorsed-Naharnet
Britain's Contact with Hizbullah Angers Israel-Naharnet
Gemayel: We Will Run Elections in Jezzine Where An Entry Visa is Required-Naharnet
Raad: Election Battle is to End Foreign Domination-Naharnet
Hizbullah, Amal Criticize Judicial Reshuffle-Naharnet
Saniora: Israel's Nuclear Sole Possession of Nuclear Arms Endangers Region-Naharnet
Berri optimistic that polls will take place on time-Daily Star
Feltman: US, EU observers to monitor Lebanon vote.(AFP)
Opposition cries foul over judicial appointments-Daily Star
Israel opposes UK-Hizbullah talks-Daily Star
Response from the Indian Embassy in Beirut-Daily Star
Israel foils bid to smuggle in drugs from Lebanon-Daily Star
Beirut unveils quality management model, excellence award-Daily Star
National environment meeting begins-Daily Star
Army denies report of officer's arrest-Daily Star
Master Scotch blender gives crash course on how best to enjoy whisky.-Daily Star
Visiting scholar sheds light on issue of Palestinian refugees-Daily Star
Fashion show turns up the heat in snowy Faraya-Daily Star
Snowman contest part of efforts to promote Cedar region-Daily Star
Obama considers reaching out to Taliban 'moderates'.(AFP)
Turkish minister warns Obama against 'genocide' recognition.(AFP)

Standoff Looms over Administrative Appointments
Naharnet/A standoff over administrative appointments has sparked a new round of bargaining among Lebanon's rival political leaders, who are pressing to resolve the dispute soon. Local media said Democratic Gathering leader Walid Jumblat insists on appointing Adnan Dumyati, a Sunni, for the post of Mount Lebanon governor.
The daily As Safir quoted Jumblat as saying that Dumyati's nomination was "because he had been previously demoralized."
As Safir also quoted sources in the Druze opposition as saying Dumyati, who was former Mount Lebanon governor, has "clean hands."
Other political leaders, however, seemed to be proposing a "compromise," according to local media. Regarding the post of the Director-General of the Interior Ministry, which was occupied by Atallah Ghasham, news reports said Hizbullah and AMAL Movement have agreed to name a retired Lebanese army brigadier general. The name of the son of Brig. Gen. Fayez Rahhal is also being proposed for the post.
President Michel Suleiman has pushed for the speedy appointment of Beirut and Mount Lebanon governors and the Interior Ministry's Director-General.
Meanwhile, a ministerial source told As Safir that administrative appointments related to the electoral process have been put on "hot fire," particularly with regards to appointments of Beirut and Mount Lebanon governors, as well as the Interior Ministry's Director-General. The source explained that governors for the Akkar and Hermel provinces would be appointed at a later stage. He did not give any deadline to resolve the issue of Beirut and Mount Lebanon governor appointments, but he stressed that it should be settled as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the daily Al Akhbar said Archbishop Elias Aude has informed President Michel Suleiman of his wish to appoint Brig. Gen. Elias Habr as Beirut governor. The paper said Habib Abu Fadel, son of MP Morris Fadel, and Ghabi Lion, an engineer from Zahle, are also being proposed for the post. Beirut, 09 Mar 09, 09:29

Aoun: I Will Not Grieve over Feltman
Naharnet/MP Michel Aoun on Monday took a jab at Jeffrey Feltman saying he was "not in mourning" for being snubbed by the top U.S. envoy, who visited Lebanon twice last week but did not include the Free Patriotic Movement leader in talks with the political leadership. "Feltman did not visit me. And I am not in morning," Aoun said, after a weekly meeting of his Change and Reform parliamentary bloc. "I gained an hour of what could have been a waste of my time," he added. Feltman and fellow envoy Daniel Shapiro were in Lebanon on Friday and again Sunday to reassure leaders of Washington's continued support despite rapprochement with Syria. Shifting his focus to Lebanon, Aoun slammed the judiciary for becoming politicized and said he did not want a review of recent judicial appointments rather a revamp of the whole system. A reshuffle Friday of top judicial posts, ending a three-year vacuum, sparked controversy after the parliamentary minority voiced reservations over some nominations and slammed the move as "politicized."
"Judicial independence is missing," Aoun said, lamenting that the judiciary "has become subject to partitioning and to the (political) authority."
The way through which the appointments were handled was reminiscent of "the former troika" system, Aoun said. He was referring to the previous system of governance under President Emile Lahoud, late Premier Rafik Hariri and Speaker Nabih Berri, when the three top figures monopolized decision-making.
"As a matter of principle, we reject and oppose the conditions under which the judicial appointments were made," Aoun said.
He explained that the minority's position on the appointments was not a personal attack against the judges. "Regardless of who the judges are, there are ethical standards that must be implemented and this is a matter we will not compromise on." The judicial appointment that drew the most controversy was that of the Investigative Magistrate into the February 2005 assassination of Rafik Hariri, Judge Saqr Saqr, who was named government delegate to the military tribunal. Al-Akhbar newspaper quoted sources from the opposition as saying Suleiman's appointment of Saqr was a "reward" for his refusal to free the four former security chiefs detained for alleged involvement in the Hariri assassination. "The judiciary's most important qualities are integrity and competence," Aoun said, disclosing that his bloc was preparing a draft law under which Parliament would ensure judicial independence. Under the bill, the Supreme Judicial Council will become the "highest elected authority and will have command of decision-making." Aoun said what he was proposing was "a new judicial system altogether."
On the much anticipated elections, Aoun warned that "registrars in some provinces, such as the Shouf-Alley, have been falsifying identity cards." He urged Interior Minister Ziad Baroud to put an end to the practice saying "we are ready to help the judiciary uncover the offenders." Beirut, 09 Mar 09, 18:21

Assad: No Guarantees that Hariri Tribunal won't be Politicized
Naharnet/Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said there were no guarantees that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon will not be politicized, in an interview published by the United Arab Emirates-based al-Khaleej newspaper on Monday.  "If the United Nations and the Security Council do not carry out their duties, do you expect small institutions stemming from them to work independently?" Assad ridiculed. "There are no guarantees. But if politicization exists, Lebanon would be the first to pay the price," Assad said, adding that he hoped the court would not be politicized. Turning to the issue of upcoming Lebanese elections, Assad believed the polls "would not bring stability." "Lebanon lives on consensus and explodes in the absence of harmony," Assad stressed. "Consensus brings stability," he concluded. "The winning side in elections could either take Lebanon toward consensus or vise versa." Beirut, 09 Mar 09, 11:39

Judicial Reshuffle Sparks Minority Reaction
Naharnet/A major reshuffle of judicial posts has sparked reactions from the minority March 8 Forces, with Hizbullah voicing reservations and the Free Patriotic Movement of Michel Aoun and AMAL Movement criticizing the measure. Social Affairs Minister Mario Aoun, who is also an official of the FPM, has slammed the reshuffle, which was approved by President Michel Suleiman on Friday. Aoun wondered why the decree was issued ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
"This issue will lead to problems. The Justice Minister (Ibrahim Najjar) who made the appointments is not neutral. He belongs to a political party that has its political, judiciary and legislative interests," Aoun has said. Hizbullah and AMAL Movement also criticized the move.While Hizbullah claimed the reshuffle has been "politicized," AMAL Movement MP Ali Bazzi said that "it seems not all issues are agreed upon through consensus." Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, however, has decided not to interfere. "I did not examine [the reshuffle] after it had been issued. I know nothing about it and I will not interfere," Berri told An Nahar from Muscat. An Nahar also cited ministerial sources in the ruling March 14 coalition as saying that the "Aounist" criticism is based on personal motives. The sources said the FPM argued that Beirut and Mount Lebanon judicial posts were not what the Aounists had wished for. Beirut, 09 Mar 09, 11:16

Najjar Warns of 'Bad Impact' if MoU Not Endorsed
Naharnet/A ministerial committee will soon meet to consider the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, as Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar said failure to endorse the MoU would have a "bad impact." An Nahar daily quoted informed sources on Monday as saying they hoped a solution would be found to Hizbullah's reservations about some of the MoU's articles. Last week, the cabinet postponed discussion of the MoU till Thursday and formed a committee tasking Ministers Mohammed Fneish, Khaled Qabbani and Najjar with studying the memorandum and making proposals for this week's session.
The memorandum proposed by the justice ministry seeks to regulate relations between the Lebanese judiciary and the tribunal's general prosecutor.
Najjar told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat that the cabinet should "unanimously and as soon as possible" adopt the MoU, warning of a "bad impact" if it isn't approved. Najjar stressed that the tribunal's prosecutor, Daniel Bellemare, hasn't "until this moment" asked the Lebanese judiciary to hand him the investigation file on ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassination. Beirut, 09 Mar 09, 09:23

Britain's Contact with Hizbullah Angers Israel
Naharnet/Israel described as "extremely dangerous" a British decision to reconsider its policy toward Hizbullah, saying the Jewish state protested the move to British authorities. "Israel absolutely rejects the possibility that Hizbullah could become a party that dialogue could be held with," Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yossi Levy said. "Any decision by a Western state, particularly a major country like Britain, to hold such talks is rejected," he stressed.
Levy said Israel protested to Britain about its decision, informing it that the Israeli government does not separate between the political and military wing of Hizbullah.
Britain's Foreign Office announced Thursday that it has contacted Hizbullah's political wing in an attempt to reach out to its legislators. Its ultimate aim, it said, is to encourage the group to abandon violence and play a constructive political role in Lebanon. Levy said "Hizbullah is a terrorist organization that dragged Lebanon into war with Israel." As Safir daily on Monday quoted Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman as saying that the U.S. was previously informed about the British efforts to reestablish contact with Hizbullah and that it did not oppose the move.
Gordon Duguid, a State Department spokesman, said Friday that the U.S. "is not ready" to follow its ally Britain in opening low-level contact with the political wing of Hizbullah. Duguid told reporters that President Barack Obama's administration, which has promised to reach out to U.S. foes, had been consulted by Britain before the announcement. But Duguid insisted the new administration was following longstanding U.S. policy -- including that of the preceding George Bush administration -- to shun contacts with Hizbullah's political and armed wings. Beirut, 09 Mar 09, 08:35

Gemayel: We Will Run Elections in Jezzine Where An Entry Visa is Required
Naharnet/Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel said Sunday that his party will run in elections throughout Lebanon, pointing that polls are going to be "fateful."
"Elections are going to be fateful because they will determine the future of Lebanon and will turn a painful page of Lebanon's history to open a new chapter of national and political path," Gemayel said during the opening of a Phalange party center in Kahhale. While pledging allegiance to Bkirki and the Lebanese army, Gemayel called on all Lebanese, living in the country or abroad, to vote. He said his party chose Edmond Rizk to run for elections in the southern town of Jezzine "despite fears over Jezzine which has become completely outside state authority and where one has to obtain a visa from status quo forces before entering." Beirut, 08 Mar 09, 20:46

Raad: Election Battle is to End Foreign Domination
Naharnet/Hizbullah on Sunday launched its electoral campaign in the southern towns of Nabatiyeh and Zahrani  Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad on Sunday said the electoral battle was not over seats, but was aimed at ending foreign domination. "The battle is not about winning seats. It is a battle to end foreign hegemony and guardianship," Raad said during the launch of Hizbullah's campaign in the southern towns of Nabatiyeh and Zahrani. He reiterated the Opposition's principle of partnership. Beirut, 08 Mar 09, 20:07

Hizbullah, Amal Criticize Judicial Reshuffle
Naharnet/Hizbullah and AMAL Movement on Sunday criticized a major reshuffle of top judicial posts, which has been approved by President Michel Suleiman.
While Hizbullah claimed the reshuffle has been "politicized," AMAL Movement official Ali Bazzi said that "it seems not all issues are agreed upon through consensus."
"We would have hoped that the judicial system stays away from politicization," a statement by Hizbullah said Sunday. "Nevertheless, judicial reshuffles were ambiguous in terms of time," the statement added. It said the decision has "caused damage to human interests as well as to the principle of justice." Bazzi, in turn, said: "We were not informed about the reshuffle in the first place." "It seems that not all issues are agreed upon through consensus regardless of our opinion on this reshuffle," Bazzi said, adding that AMAL Movement has "some reservations on the details" of the appointments. Local media has said that the decree was issued after unanimity was reached among members of the Higher Judicial Council. But As Safir daily said several Council members had reservations about the names of some judges.
Beirut, 08 Mar 09, 16:34

Berri Says Polls Will Take Place Despite Security Fears
Naharnet/Speaker Nabih Berri voiced optimism Sunday that the elections will take place on June 7 as scheduled and will bring Lebanon closer to "more democracy and dialogue." "We are all on the same page and there is no alternative to consensus and mutual understanding," said Berri during a banquet thrown in his honor by Lebanon's ambassador to Oman. He reassured the Lebanese that the elections "will take place on time despite rumors of possible postponement and concerns that the military establishment will not be able to maintain security during the one-day polls." He said risk assessment "will be left for security and military leaders."
Berri also accused some politicians of "bribery and obstructing the constitutional council to prevent it from reviewing past breaches." On Saturday, Berri praised MP Walid Jumblat's "courage and better sense of judgment," An-Nahar newspaper reported Sunday. Berri said "it was not strange that Jumblat has mastered the arts of the political game in Lebanon.""There is no alternative to a government of national unity. Let us resolve our disputes within the framework of such a government instead of (taking the battle to) the streets," Berri said. "This is what will happen after June 7," he added. Berri said that during last week's national dialogue he "assured the participants that they will be part of the next unity government." Beirut, 08 Mar 09, 11:02

Hariri Says in Contact with Hizbullah on MoU
Naharnet/MP Saad Hariri has been conducting "behind the scenes" talks with Hizbullah to discuss the party's reservations to a memorandum of understanding between the government and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the pan-Arab al-Hayat daily said Sunday. Cabinet on Thursday postponed discussion of the MoU for the second week in a row after minority ministers argued that the third clause in the draft text of the memorandum would "expose Lebanon and subject every Lebanese to scrutiny."
The paper said Hariri has been adamant to keep discussion on the MoU shielded from public political bickering and "media limelight in order to understand concerns (over the document) and reach a satisfactory solution for everybody." The memorandum proposed by the Justice Ministry seeks to regulate relations between the Lebanese judiciary and the STL's general prosecutor. The Cabinet agreed to form a committee to study the issue In an interview with Abu Dhabi television, Hariri disclosed he has been in contact with Hizbullah on the MoU, and expected "an imminent agreement" on the issue.
He said that the third clause did not represent an infringement of Lebanon's sovereignty. "Lebanon's sovereignty was breached the day (former Premier) Rafik Hariri was killed. Finding out the identity of the killer is not a violation of this sovereignty." Hariri warned that "countries proven uncooperative with the STL will be penalized." He also said that recent signs of rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Syria were not "linked to the STL, but will benefit Lebanon's stability and security and will help establish new ties with Syria." Beirut, 08 Mar 09, 12:42

The Lebanese ordeal
Date: March 9th, 2009 Source: Future News
National accord does not need to be defended. It is one of the essential issues sought by all countries. Yet, it was transformed into an ordeal by March 8 which had carried out every possible attempt at thwarting the national accord consecrated by the “Taéf agreement”
National accord requires a non-violent democratic political process. Yet, what we witness on daily basis proves the contrary; and the most dangerous issue in this concern is that the minority is imposing violence in the pretext of being “obliged and not having another alternative.”
This ordeal is unprecedented. There is no country in the whole world that had experienced such a sharp division between two radically contrasting projects, as Lebanon did. How can we reach an “accord” in Lebanon when callers for “Lebanon First”, a motto announced by MP Saad Hariri, are faced by their partners in the country with totalitarianism and arrogance.
Up till now, the minority had not declared its political, economic and social project and all it does is intimidating the Lebanese. All the war decisions taken by a certain category, the ghettos, the restricted zones and burning tires…do not indicate a possible accord.
How can the Lebanese reach an accord when there are forces that do not acknowledge Lebanon as an independent entity and link their fundamental choices to regional states; such as the “Baath” party and the “Syrian Nationalist Socialist Party” whose decision resides in Syria, and others who adhere only to the Persian “Wali Al- Fakih” who dwells overseas, in Iran!
The national accord should only serve the Lebanese’ interests and aim at improving their economic and humanitarian situation and not at making them subservient to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and humiliated by the Syrian intelligence.
The national accord should be between all internal factions and all political programs and not at the expense of the Lebanese entity; and partnership must be in citizenship and not in authority.
The political force which will win in the parliamentary elections must fulfill its promises, but we know nothing about March 8 promises accept: the anonymous missiles, the concealed Lebanese, Ghettos, restricted zones and wars launched upon Hemionic decisions.