LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN

LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
July 09/08

Bible Reading of the day.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 9,32-38. As they were going out, a demoniac who could not speak was brought to him, and when the demon was driven out the mute person spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He drives out demons by the prince of demons."Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."

Free Opinions, Releases, letters & Special Reports
U.S. Ties Chavez to Hezbollah Aid-By: Washington Times 08/07/08
Franco-Syrian rapprochement comes at Lebanon's expense. By: Samuel Segev 08/07/08
The Government of National Revenge. By: Ghassan Charbel 08/07/08
A region in flames whose leaders seem not to notice. The Daily Star 08/07/08
Iran won't go away, the Saudis realize.By Thomas W. Lippman 08/07/08

Latest News Reports From Miscellaneous Sources for July 08/08
Three Obstacles Facing Formation of New Cabinet-Naharnet
Jumblat Accuses Rival March Forces of Trying to Nominate 'Losers' for Elections-Naharnet
Assad: No Need for Arms When Broad Mideast Peace Deal is Reached-Naharnet
Fatah-Intifada Evacuates Military Base in Rashaya-Naharnet
Adwan: Nothing New Regarding Distribution of Cabinet Seats-Naharnet
Saudi Arabia Urges Lebanese to Back Constitutional Institutions-Naharnet
British-Lebanese Businessman Denies Involvement in E Guinea Plot-Naharnet
Israeli Victims Sue Lebanese Banks-Naharnet
Aoun: Lebanese Forces Should be Represented by One Minister-Naharnet
Ron Arad info crucial in advancing Hezbollah deal-Ha'aretz
Lebanon: Israelis Sue Banks Over War-New York Times
Assad wants French role in Syria-Israel talks-AFP
Visiting Italian FM to hear misgivings about UNIFIL's performance-Ha'aretz
Israel, Hezbollah Sign Prisoner Swap Deal-Voice of America
Lebanese-Canadian Bank sued over bombings-United Press International
March 14 denies internal dispute over cabinet spots-Daily Star
Jumblatt blasts Western failure at honest dialogue-Daily Star
Sfeir laments tradition of unity government-Daily Star
Ain al-Hilweh leaders discuss fragile security-Daily Star
Hariri files suit against four suspects in father's killing-Daily Star
Lebanon region's 6th-biggest recipient of technical aid-Daily Star
Lebanon's Uniceramic shuts down local production operations-Daily Star
Project looks to curb gender-based violence-Daily Star
Nassim Center tackles trauma suffered by victims of torture-Daily Star
Lebanon's Antonine Sisters open new school in Canada-Daily Star
Syrian prisoners fear massacre in wake of riot-AFP

Fatah-Intifada Evacuates Military Base in Rashaya
Naharnet/Fatah-Intifada evacuated a military base in al-Balayit village in the Rashaya Province along the Lebanese-Syrian border, the state-run National News Agency reported Tuesday. It said about 15 Fatah-Intifada members, equipped with automatic machine guns, left the position early Tuesday.
Lebanese troops took over Balayit position, NNA said. Beirut, 08 Jul 08, 13:03

Adwan: Nothing New Regarding Distribution of Cabinet Seats
Naharnet/MP George Adwan of the Lebanese Forces said there is nothing new regarding ongoing consultations with Prime Minister-designate Fouad Saniora regarding the distribution of cabinet seats. In remarks published Tuesday by the daily Al Liwaa, Adwan said that the Lebanese Forces "still stands by its position on proportional government representation in line with its Christian size and status." Beirut, 08 Jul 08, 11:02

Three Obstacles Facing Formation of New Cabinet
Naharnet/Three obstacles from both the opposition and the pro-government camp were on Tuesday reportedly facing the formation of a new cabinet.
The pan-Arab Al Hayat newspaper said the obstacles facing the government formation were:
1- Failure by Hizbullah to name its second Shiite representative in the cabinet.
2- Demand by Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces for three Christian ministers.
3- Druze leader Walid Jumblat's insistence that he be represented by current Minister for the Displaced Nehmeh Tomeh.
Hizbullah had reportedly tipped caretaker Energy Minister Mohammed Fneish for the Labor Ministry portfolio, while it remained vague on the two remaining names.
News reports said that one of Hizbullah's three cabinet seats might go to former Minister Talal Arslan.
The leading daily An Nahar, meanwhile, quoted a senior source from the pro-government March 14 Forces as saying that the "differences and rivalries" within the ruling majority camp over the cabinet portfolios were due to "natural consequences" resulting from five weeks of trying to settle the dispute with the opposition over the distribution of seats.
It said a meeting of the March 14 Forces leadership is due to take place within the coming hours in an effort to settle the cabinet issue.
Al Liwaa dail, for its part, quoted a source from the majority camp as saying that "no government will be announced without March 14 Christians' (representation)."
The source said that March 14 Christians require no less fair representation than Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun.
He said it was likely that former MP Ghattas Khoury could pull out of the cabinet line-up battle for the sake of Mustaqbal allies from the Christian Qornet Shehwan Gathering. Beirut, 08 Jul 08, 08:40

Jumblat Accuses Rival March Forces of Trying to Nominate 'Losers' for Elections
Naharnet/Druze leader Walid Jumblat accused the pro-government March 14 camp to which he belongs as well as rivals from the Hizbullah-led March 8 coalition of trying to nominate "losers" in the upcoming parliamentary elections. "I feel that both March 8 and March 14 Forces will try to propose the biggest number of losers and non-professionals for the parliamentary elections," Jumblat said in an interview published by the daily As Safir on Tuesday.
He said that his rival, former cabinet minister Talal Arslan, however, was excluded from this category, citing his status in Lebanon's Druze Mountains.
Turning to the present government, Jumblat said: "It better be renovated and expanded."As Safir quoted a source close to Jumblat as confirming that the ministry of public works will go to caretaker Information Minister Ghazi Aridi.In his weekly editorial for his Progressive Socialist Party mouthpiece Al-Anbaa, Jumblat slammed the West for failing to open an "honest dialogue" with both the Arab and Muslim worlds. He also criticized the West for sponsoring what he called "the Zionist persecution." "How can countries that respect human rights interact with countries such as Syria ... which keeps nearly 6,000 political detainees in its jails, unless the West believes the Arab world doesn't need freedom?" he questioned. Beirut, 08 Jul 08, 09:34

Assad: No Need for Arms When Broad Mideast Peace Deal is Reached
Syrian President Bashar Assad has said there would be no need for weapons when a broad Middle East peace deal is reached, adding that there were plans for him to meet his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman in Paris. Assad, in an interview with Le Figaro daily on Monday, also said that Damascus has always recognized Lebanon's independence. "In 2005 I proposed to Lebanese officials the exchange of embassies between the two countries. We are awaiting the formation of a national unity cabinet in Lebanon to discuss the issue," Assad told the newspaper. He said preparations were underway to set up a meeting with Suleiman on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Union summit in Paris July 13. "I have known President Suleiman for 15 years…we have good relations," Assad said.
Some 40 leaders will launch the union in Paris, France's prized initiative during its European Union presidency which began July 1.
Asked about the issue of Hizbullah's arms, Assad said: "When true peace is (reached) in Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories, there would be no need to carry weapons."On the international tribunal that would try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's assassins, Assad said that his country backed ongoing investigations into the killing and that Damascus was cooperating with the commission probing the Feb. 2005 murder.
Assad also told Le Figaro that he is counting on the next American president to help support efforts to negotiate peace between his country and Israel.
He called his planned visit this weekend to Paris "historic" because "it opens a large door (for Syria) to the international scene."
Assad would not commit to meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during the visit — but did not rule it out.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said any meeting between the two leaders would mark "formidable progress" in Israel-Syria relations.
Syria and Israel have long been enemies but recently renewed indirect contacts through Turkish mediators.
"The two sides are testing their intentions," Assad told Le Figaro. "We must find a common base to start direct negotiations. As soon as this base is ready, we can engage in direct negotiations with Israel."Assad stressed the need for international backing for talks. "Of course, the role of the United States is essential, but that of Europe is complementary, and when we talk of the political role of Europe, France is in the avant-garde," he was quoted as saying.
He said he was waiting for the new U.S. administration to take office. He charged that President George Bush has "neither the will nor the vision" to move peace forward and said the U.S. leader's time is running out. "We are counting on the next American president and his administration," Assad said.
He also backed Iran in its stand-off with major powers over its nuclear ambitions, saying he did not think Tehran wanted to build an atomic bomb.(Naharnet-AP)
Beirut, 08 Jul 08, 05:03

Israel: Prisoner Swap Deal Signed with Hizbullah
Naharnet/Israel's military said it began digging up the bodies of Lebanese fighters Monday after the government struck a deal with Hizbullah guerrillas to swap five living prisoners and dozens of bodies for two Israeli soldiers captured in 2006. Israel said in a statement that the swap agreement was signed "in the presence of a U.N. representative." Implementation of the deal depends on carrying out further steps, the statement said without providing specifics.
Hizbullah officials refused to comment. Israel approved the swap June 29. It will hand over Samir Qantar, serving multiple life terms for a 1979 attack in Israel's north, as well as four Hizbullah prisoners and dozens of bodies of fighters. In return, Israel is to receive two soldiers captured by Hizbullah in a 2006 cross-border raid that set off a fierce 34-day war. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the two soldiers dead before his Cabinet approved the deal, but Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who has not allowed Red Cross visits or given any sign that the two are alive, called the declaration "speculation."
Israeli military officials said the exchange was likely to take place sometime during the four days beginning Sunday.
The military confirmed that the process of exhuming bodies had begun at the Amiad cemetery for enemy combatants, not far from the Israel-Lebanon border. It was declared a closed military zone to prevent reporters from witnessing the process. The military rabbinate called up reservists to help with identifying the bodies before the exchange. Channel 10 TV showed video of about a dozen workers in white protective suits digging in the cemetery, before a soldier put his hand in front of the camera lens and stopped the filming.
In another aspect of the agreement, mediated by a U.N.-appointed German official, Hizbullah has compiled a report on the fate of Ron Arad, an Israeli airman captured alive after his plane was shot down over Lebanon in 1986. Israeli negotiator Ofer Dekel was in Europe on Monday to pick up the report, the military officials said. However, in announcing the signing of the swap agreement, government spokesman Mark Regev added, "so far we have not received the report concerning the fate of our missing navigator, Ron Arad. When that report is received, we will have discussions inside the government on how to move forward."
Regev would not say where the signing took place.On Friday, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported that Israel had received the report about Arad and added that the airman had been dead for more than 10 years. In exchange for the report on Arad, Israel is to provide information on four Iranian diplomats who disappeared in Lebanon in 1982.Iran, which supports Hizbullah, claims the officials were kidnapped by Lebanese Christian militiamen and delivered to Israeli troops. Israel has long denied holding them.(AP-Naharnet) Beirut, 08 Jul 08, 04:27

British-Lebanese Businessman Denies Involvement in E Guinea Plot
Naharnet/A British-Lebanese businessman, implicated in the case of Briton Simon Mann who was jailed for 34 years for leading an abortive coup in Equatorial Guinea, said he had "absolutely nothing" to do with it. Ely Calil, a British citizen of Lebanese descent, was named by Mann during his trial as the mastermind of the failed 2004 bid to oust the oil-rich west African country's leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema. Calil told the Daily Telegraph newspaper Tuesday that he had supported democratic change in Equatorial Guinea but added: "I am not a coup planner. I don't have a talent in that sense." He also said that Sir Mark Thatcher, son of Britain's former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, had no involvement with any plot. "He (Thatcher) was like a prize to Simon. They got drunk in South Africa together and who knows what they talked about but he had nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with a coup," Calil said. The businessman added the plot detailed by Mann in court during his trial in Malabo -- which ended with his conviction Monday -- was "pure fantasy" concocted by the authorities for political purposes.
During the trial last week, Mann acknowledged that he knowingly took part in the attempt to topple the government. His lawyer, however, argued that Mann was a secondary player and not the author of the botched coup try. In addition to Mann, the court also convicted six others Monday. Lebanese businessman Mohamed Salaam, convicted of aiding in coup attempt, was sentenced to 18 years, while five Equatorial Guineans were each sentenced to a little over five years.
Charges were dropped against a sixth Equatorial Guinean due to lack of evidence. Summing up the case, the judge in Mann's trial recommended that the state prosecutor prepare for the extradition of both Calil and Thatcher.(AFP-AP-Naharnet) Beirut, 08 Jul 08, 06:27

Aoun: Lebanese Forces Should be Represented by One Minister
Naharnet/Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun said Monday that only one minister should represent the Lebanese Forces in the new cabinet.
Aoun, following the weekly meeting of his parliamentary bloc, found strange the on-going delay in the cabinet line up. "What was the majority doing during the past few weeks?" he asked, referring to the March 14 forces' accusations to Aoun of intentionally blocking the cabinet formation. Aoun said the majority is not capable of renouncing the agreement he had reached with Premier-designate Fouad Saniora concerning the cabinet portfolios. "The majority has no right to delay the cabinet line-up for five days, or a day or even a minute," the FPM leader added. Aoun highlighted the recent robbery incidents in the Metn region, accusing the security forces of neglect. He asked the justice and administrative parliamentary committee to speed up its discussion over the new parliamentary elections law in order to adopt it as soon as possible. Beirut, 07 Jul 08, 18:42

Geagea's Cabinet Line Up Mathematics: Five Days Less than Five Weeks
Naharnet/Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Monday contacts were underway between forces of the March 14 majority alliance to distribute the remaining cabinet seats among themselves, noting that five days more would be less than five weeks needed by the opposition for a similar task.
"It took the opposition five weeks" to agree on its share of cabinet seats, "we have the right to five days" to accomplish the mission, Geagea told reporters at his residence in Meerab. He denied rumors regarding alleged differences within March 14, saying: "What the Lebanese people achieved on March 14 would not be wasted by anyone."Geagea said the Lebanese Forces and Cornet Shahwan would be represented in the new cabinet in line with their real popularity and role.
He said Premier-designate Fouad Saniora "knows what cabinet seats we want."In answering a question as to whether the LF party is interested in the justice portfolio, Geagea said: "The Lebanese Forces was denied justice for over 15 years."He concluded by stressing that it is time for Syria to release all Lebanese detainees it holds after Israel agreed to release Lebanese prisoners. Beirut, 07 Jul 08, 12:47

Lebanese-Canadian Bank sued over bombings
Naharnet/Published: July 7, 2008 |MONTREAL, July 7 (UPI) -- The Lebanese-Canadian Bank in Montreal was sued for damages Monday by four people injured in Israel by Hezbollah bombings in 2006. In a news release, lawyers for the four Israeli-Canadians alleged that, since 2004, the bank allowed two groups associated with Hezbollah "to open and maintain accounts and to freely transfer many millions of dollars of Hezbollah funds and to carry out millions of dollars in financial transactions." All four people were injured by attacks in northern Israel during the summer war.The groups the lawsuit names are the Yousser Company for Finance and Investment and the Martyrs Foundation, both of which are on the U.S. list of terror organizations, the release said. The suit is the first civil action brought by Canadian victims of Hezbollah rocket attacks in a Canadian court. The amount of damages sought wasn't specified. There was no immediate response from the bank on the announcement.

Canadian Bank Sued by Hizbollah Terror Victims
Monday, July 7, 2008
For Immediate Release July 7, 2008
CANADIAN VICTIMS OF HIZBOLLAH MISSILE ATTACKS BRING HISTORIC CIVIL ACTION AGAINST LEBANESE CANADIAN BANK IN MONTREAL
Canadian victims of Hizbollah terror attacks have filed a precedent setting civil action in the Quebec Superior Court against the Lebanese-Canadian Bank (LCB) in Montreal. The plaintiffs, all of whom were injured in Northern Israel in Katyusha rocket attacks, allege that LCB unlawfully provided financial services to the Hizbollah terrorist organization by allowing charity groups affiliated with Hizbollah to transfer funds prior to and during the terrorist attacks on Israel citiesin 2006.
The law suit, filed today, contends that since 2004, LCB permitted the Yousser Company for Finance and Investment and the and Martyrs Foundation, two Lebanese terrorist groups, to open and maintain accounts at LCB, and to freely transfer many millions of dollars of Hizbollah funds and to carry out millions of dollars in financial transactions, within and without Lebanon, by means of wire transfers, letters of credit, checks and credit cards provided by LCB. LCB, it is charged, facilitated Hizbollah's terrorist activities and is liable to the plaintiffs for the harm that has been inflicted upon them and their families in the rockets attacks.
This is the first civil action brought by Canadian victims of Hizbollah's rocket attacks in a Canadian court.
The plaintiffs are Sara Yefet, Shoshana Sapir and Rochelle and Oz Shalmani The families are represented by Montreal attorney Jeffrey Boro, Professor Ed
Morgan of the University of Toronto's International Law and Counter-Terrorism Project and attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner of Israel. The plaintiffs claim that Hizbollah used the financial services which it was provided by LCB in order to build its terrorist infrastructure, to train, pay and equip its terrorist operatives, and to carry out terrorist attacks. LCB's management, officers and employees had full knowledge that Yousser and Martyrs are part of Hizbollah's financial arm and that the financial services were being provided to a violent terrorist organization. Both Yousser and Martyrs have been designated by the U.S. Treasury as terrorist organizations. The fact that the two groups are part of Hizbollah's financial arm is notorious public knowledge in Lebanon.
According to attorney Darshan-Leitner: "LCB knew that both charities are part of Hizbollah's financial arm and that by providing them banking services they were really assisting the Iranian backed terrorists in Lebanon and their rocket attacks against civilians. How in 2006 in the midst of a deadly Middle East war does any responsible bank transfer any funds to something called the `Martyr's Foundation' in Lebanon? This law suit is only the beginning of the uncovering of Hizbollah's extensive financial network in Canada."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Telephone: In USA/Canada: 1 917 519 9340
Telephone: In Israel: 052 383 7020
Email: media@israellawcenter.org

Lebanon's Antonine Sisters open new school in Canada
Headmistress hails 'blessed and remarkable leap'
By Kamal Dib -Special to The Daily Star
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
MONTREAL: Lebanese-Canadians made history in July by consecrating a full-time educational institution in the heart of Canada's capital, which is a major milestone for the community. The school is called the Providence Academy and is run by the Antonine Sisters, a Maronite Catholic order that originates in Lebanon.
The head of the school, Sister Felicite Daou, called it a "blessed and remarkable leap for the mission and a graceful moment in our dedication to the service of the people of Ottawa." The Antonine Congregation has operated in Ottawa for 20 years and the opening of the school was a turning point and a great accomplishment for hard work. Sister Daou stressed the role of this new school "in a society, where respect for individuals inherently implies respect for diverse cultures and religious beliefs."
The new school will be added to the kindergarten that was opened five years ago. Alongside the provision of "an exceptional pedagogic program," the school pamphlet says, "the school nurtures students spiritually, culturally and morally, so they may grow up to become living testimonies to the biblical word while meeting with their parents pedagogical and moral expectations from our mission." It also instills in students a sense of national commitment, "to become responsible citizens well aware of their role in the community and capable of successfully functioning in a multicultural environment."
The school accepts girls and boys, offering classes from kindergarten to grade 8 and progressing over the years to add classes up to the secondary level (grade 13). The academic program is trilingual: French and English are taught as a first language and Arabic (or another international language) as a second language. The academy offers a trilingual program developed in accordance with the Ministry of Education in the province of Ontario.
The opening ceremony was attended by Massoud Maalouf, Lebanon's ambassador to Canada, who made a speech on the occasion; Georges Abou Zeid, consul of Lebanon; representatives of Lebanese-Canadian community associations; Ottawa Municipal Council members Eli Elchantiri and Jacques Legendre; clerics from Maronite and other churches; and others.
Sister Eva Chamoun, the new head of the school, spoke about the institution and paid homage to Canada: "I cannot but thank the Lord for Canada, such a beautiful and welcoming country," she declared. "We not only live here but rather belong to Canada. Being served by the Antonine Sisters, originated in Lebanon, shall never make the academy waive the true spirit of Canadian education, but this rather brings enrichment to our curriculum and academic practices."
Elaine Habib, representing the parents' committee, made a moving speech about her long experience with the Antonine Sisters and the school, which "became a reality for the community and for our kids.
"One of my main concerns was to be able to find a school that will teach my son the values that I hold on to dearly," she said. "I wanted a school that provided a positive, safe and productive learning environment. I wanted a school that would allow my son to grow with strong self-esteem and yet a place that would shelter him from facing issues that he may not be ready to deal with yet.
"I met with Mother Felicite and I knew right away that this is the best place for my son," Habib added. "I sensed the dedication, the rich experience and the strength of the mission of the Antonines Sisters. I registered Peter immediately and later I registered my second son, Philippe."
Many institutions and individuals have contributed financially or by volunteering their time to the Antonine two establishments. They have included religious congregations, students' parents, and Lebanese-Canadian and other Canadian businesses and private persons. Among them are the SÏurs de la CharitŽ of Ottawa, the SÏurs de la CongrŽgation Notre-Dame, the Antonine Order in Lebanon (Sister Marie-Madeleine), the Antonine Apostolate of North Jackson, Ohio; sisters Eva Chamoun and Dolly Azzi of Ottawa and Sister Edith Haroun from Lebanon, Kamal Dib, Jean Emmell Architecte, Pierre Tabet, Alain Dagenais, Simon Khalil, Christian Plante, JohnVan Gulik, Roland Eid, Bruno Wakim, Naoum Azzi, Amin, Naoum, Joseph Oneid, Ghassan Eid, Elias Chahine, Viviane Bou-Assali, Crystelle Renaud, , Gery Absi, Beno”t Martin, and members of ƒglise Saint SŽbastien.
Volunteers who prepared the opening ceremony possible included Mel Sater, Eliane Habib, Antoine Abou-Arraj, Lisette Mazraani, Youssef Ghantous, Gilbert Halaby, Mme Lafleur-Succar, Jean-Pierre Souaid, Pierre Hanna, Antoine al-Hage, Abdallah Moubayed, Nagib El-Hindi, Fadi Swayty, Georges Haddad, Souad Moubarak, Laudy Awad, Sam El-Kessrewani, and Jihad al-Chantiri.
The Antonine Sisters have over 60 years of professional experience exemplified in their educational institutions, which receive close to 15,000 students in Lebanon and abroad.

The Government of National Revenge
By: Ghassan Charbel
Al-Hayat - 07/07/08//
They say the atmosphere was good, pleasant and warm; that the dialogue was candid, transparent and friendly; and that the two men were quick to find identical, similar and common grounds. The two men practically proved that dispute did not necessarily lead to hostility, and neither one of them touched high voltage lines or got electrocuted. They say the dinner was delicious; salad, dandelion leaves, grilled lamb chops, hommos and other kinds of food that do not threaten the health of the national unity government. They claim that a new page was opened between Prime Minister Michel Aoun and General Fouad Siniora; the spring of accusations will dry up; the school of gripe will change its curricula; forgiveness has folded the page of massacre; and a new era of love has started and will last this time since the two men have shared bread, salt and Gibran.
I know that citizens wish this lunch had taken place right after the July War, even if it had been a feast over ministerial posts, granting the opposition the obstructive third, and letting into the government those who are preparing to join it now. All that would have cut the path of agony short. All that would have spared us the funerals and the tents, and perhaps even paved the road to the palace. All that, however, is in the hands of history now, and according to wisdom, better come the dinner late than never.
An old friendly tie links me to both men, at least from my side. For now, what ties me to them is a line of ink, questions and answers. I met the general in the shelter of the palace almost two decades ago. I saw him repressed in exile, and I met him as an angry leader upon his return. I also knew the "soft and firm" man on his grounds at the ministry of finance, then a master at the Grand Serail after the earthquake, then a besieged captive in the era of tents and camps. This is why I was pleased to hear about the dinner. Alas! Poor intentions are often the spice of writers, may God forgive me!
I had a feeling that the dinner was also an opportunity to savor some feelings of revenge, which is absolutely legitimate in politics, especially that the concerned party felt that he had been unusually mistreated. On the way to Rabieh, Prime Minister Siniora did not miss the fact that it was the general who was inviting him, the very man who led the masses and the slogans to seal the siege around the Serail. Some hypocrites claim that the general was among those wanting to break into the Serail had the others not realized that it was a serious demarcation line among the sectarian, confessional and political powers in the region. He was also aware of the fact that the invitation was issued by someone who has studied psychological war during his military training in France, and that he masters the art of demonizing his opponents, drowning them with accusations, and profiting from playing the victim. Neither did he forget the fact that the general had held him and his team responsible for the debt, waste, and corruption by using his selective memory that at least ignored the role of parties who were active partners in the accused republic.
Nor did Siniora miss the fact that after dinner, he was receiving an envoy from Hezbollah which had lost the way to the Serail after the July War and the sit-in. Siniora may have found some vindication on that day; after all, for two years he had been subject to all forms of accusations, starting with the charge of stealing bread from the people, wasting foreign aid, and collaborating with Condi in the Great Middle East conspiracy. This is not to mention the movements of the Labor Union which only awakes on the eve of national catastrophes. Most likely, Siniora was smiling, and in his mind, he was telling himself that had the accusations been true, the opposition would certainly not have agreed to participate in a national unity government under his premiership. He smiled and savored the pleasure of revenge.
The man behind the invitation also felt the desire to avenge those who two decades ago said his cabinet was an unconstitutional misfit; the desire to avenge the March 14 Movement which did not inaugurate him as its leader as he stepped out of the plane nor did it offer him what he deserved on its electoral lists. And the desire to avenge the March 14 Christians, the Lebanese Forces, Bkirki, and all those who believed that Hariri's blood alone had opened a new page while forgetting the general's stances and guns. Having lost the palace, he punished those who cut him off. His coalition enters the government with an exceptional size. It is the sweetness of revenge.
It is the sweetness of revenge. The opposition fed the majority a cup of poison during the disciplinary operation in Beirut. It fed it the bitter cup of the obstructive third in Doha. The majority responded by feeding the majority the cup of the presidential elections and the cup of returning Siniora to the premiership. Amidst the exchange of bitter and poison cups, a government of national revenge will be born.
They say the dinner was delicious, the "understanding" was deep, and that love between the two men would last since they have shared bread, salt and Gibran

Is Michel Aoun the squeaky wheel of Lebanese Politics?
Published: Tuesday, 8 July, 2008 @ 3:46 AM in Beirut
By Ghassan Karam,
Special to Ya Libnan
Politics imitates life in Lebanon, especially the phenomenon of Michel Aoun.
His constant protestations and continuous squabbles appear to be designed to bring attention to himself. His behavior is nothing short of the total belief on his part that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
The General does not let an opportunity pass by without fulminating about it and without making sure that his silly and often meaningless and superficial tirades are heard by everyone. Unfortunately this childish and immature behavior has been paying off. Michel Aoun squeaks and the whole cabinet runs to apply the grease in order to appease his tantrums.
We all know, or at least we should know, what happens to the poor parent who keeps giving in to the screams of the child in supermarkets and public places. The parent winds up in spoiling the child silly and in encouraging the disruptive behavior. Many psychologists and social workers council exactly the reverse policy in order to instill in the offending child what is acceptable and what is not. Do not give in to the child if you do not want to help create a monster, what needs to be done is to demonstrate that responsible behavior is encouraged while the reaction that is based on screaming and carrying on is simply infantile, unproductive and is not to be tolerated.
It is time that PM Saniora, Saad Hariri and all the other March 14 politicians start treating Michel Aoun just like the attention craving individual that he is. Do not give in to his demands but instead require that he undergoes a behavior modification of significant proportions if he expects to be listened to or to be taken seriously just like a grown up. It is time that the current majority stop rewarding the squeaky wheel by rushing to shower it with attention that it does not deserve.
In the same way that children ,often, develop bad habits when the grown ups in their lives do not discourage them from adopting unacceptable and antisocial habits politicians can often be encouraged to "misbehave" whenever the political hierarchy rewards their inexcusable rants instead of ignoring their empty protestations for what they are.
It is time that a legitimate offer is made to the political group that Mr. Aoun represents and that if he chooses to refuse the offer then that should be his prerogative but that his illegitimate protestations and screams should not be rewarded.
Ghassan Karam welcomes your correspondence at wp.karam@gmail.com

Second Lebanon War victims file suit in New York, Montreal
Meverick
Israelis who have lost their loved ones or who were injured during the Second Lebanon War have filed a lawsuit in the US against Lebanese banks that are alleged to have aided Hezbullah during the conflict. The amount of the claim is estimated at $100 million.
The claim was signed by 60 Israelis and was filed at the New York Federal Court against five banks, claiming they held accounts and knowingly provided financial services to Hizbullah and its fundraising entity IRSO (Islamic Resistance Support Organization) – openly raising capital to fund the organizations’ terror activities. The claim states that the banks violated international law.
The respondents are Fransabank, Lebanon Commerce Bank, Bank of Beirut, French-Lebanese Bank, and MEAB (Middle East Africa Bank.) Other financial institutions whose names have yet to be disclosed have been served a statement of claim.
Attorney Oren Gutterman specializing in damage and injuries is representing the claimants together with two US attorneys. According to Gutterman, the lawsuit is based on an America law allowing foreign citizens to file a damage or injury claim in the US and is open to additional claimants who wish to join.
Gutterman added that the lawsuit is part of the international efforts to fight terror by curbing the cash flow to various terror organizations. The way to do that is making terror aid uneconomical by the court placing high penalty amounts on the banks helping to fund those organizations, he said.
Two months ago, some 50 Americans hit by rockets and terror attacks filed a lawsuit on the amount of half a billion dollars against a Swiss bank, claiming the bank has been funding Hizbullah, Hamas, and the Islamic Jihad.
The statement of claim shows that the bank had transferred money to Iran despite the US federal prohibition, and was used to find terror activities.
On Monday, three Canadian victims of the Second Lebanon War filed a lawsuit in Montreal against the Lebanese-Canadian Bank.
The plaintiffs, all of whom were injured in Northern Israel in Katyusha rocket attacks, allege that LCB unlawfully provided financial services to the Hizbollah terrorist organization by allowing charity groups affiliated with Hizbollah to transfer funds prior to and during the terrorist attacks on Israeli cities in 2006.
The law suit, filed today, contends that since 2004, LCB permitted the Yousser Company for Finance and Investment and the and Martyrs Foundation, two Lebanese terrorist groups, to open and maintain accounts at LCB, and to freely transfer many millions of dollars of Hizbollah funds and to carry out millions of dollars in financial transactions, within and without Lebanon, by means of wire transfers, letters of credit, checks and credit cards provided by LCB. LCB, it is charged, facilitated Hizbollah's terrorist activities and is liable to the plaintiffs for the harm that has been inflicted upon them and their families in the rockets attacks.
This is the first civil action brought by Canadian victims of Hizbollah's rocket attacks in a Canadian court.
The plaintiffs are Sara Yefet, Shoshana Sapir and Rochelle and Oz Shalmani
The families are represented by Montreal attorney Jeffrey Boro, Professor Ed Morgan of the University of Toronto's International Law and Counter-Terrorism Project and attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner of Israel.
The plaintiffs claim that Hizbollah used the financial services which it was provided by LCB in order to build its terrorist infrastructure, to train, pay and equip its terrorist operatives, and to carry out terrorist attacks. LCB's management, officers and employees had full knowledge that Yousser and Martyrs are part of Hizbollah's financial arm and that the financial services were being provided to a violent terrorist organization
Both Yousser and Martyrs have been designated by the U.S. Treasury as terrorist organizations. The fact that the two groups are part of Hizbollah's financial arm is notorious public knowledge in Lebanon.
According to attorney Darshan-Leitner: "LCB knew that both charities are part of Hizbollah's financial arm and that by providing them banking services they were really assisting the Iranian backed terrorists in Lebanon and their rocket attacks against civilians. How in 2006 in the midst of a deadly Middle East war does any responsible bank transfer any funds to something called the `Martyr's Foundation' in Lebanon? This law suit is only the beginning of the uncovering of Hizbollah's extensive financial network in Canada."
I have a raw video for you of a Hezbullah rocket attack from the summer of 2006. It looks like the attack on the Haifa train station. Let's go to the videotape.

Franco-Syrian rapprochement comes at Lebanon's expense
Samuel Segev
Updated: July 8 at 12:55 AM CDT
Print Article E-mail Article TEL AVIV -- Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak once likened Israel to an "isolated villa in a jungle." He warned that should Israel lose its deterrence, it will be eaten up by the jungle animals.
Lebanon appeared this week to fit quite well into Barak's zoological description. Being unable to overpower Syria and Hezbollah, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora is being forced to pay the price of the possible Franco-Syrian rapprochement. Syrian President Bashar Assad is going to Paris on Saturday to attend French President Nicolas Sarkozy's initiative for a "Mediterranean Union." Some 45 countries, including Israel, are expected to attend this one-day event on July 13. Sarkozy will host Assad at the Elysee on Saturday.
Ahead of his arrival, Assad asked his supporters in Beirut to remove all obstacles and join in a new national unity government headed by Siniora. The new government is expected to be announced later this week.
This new Franco-Syrian rapprochement is totally at Lebanon's expense.
Siniora was forced to grant Hezbollah not only veto power in the new government, but also to compromise on principles.
Officially and publicly, France remains committed to United Nations resolutions calling for the establishment of an international court to try the assassins of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri. Syria is directly implicated in this assassination. Sarkozy made it clear that France would not compromise on this issue. Syria, however, is looking for some "creative ideas" that would exonerate Assef Shawkat, Assad's brother-in-law and the head of the Syrian intelligence services.
Should this happen, it will be a terrible blow to former President Jacques Chirac, whose personal friendship with Hariri shaped France's anti-Syrian policies in recent years.
Sarkozy is now making Lebanon the focus of his rapprochement with Syria.
He found Assad more than willing to co-operate in this endeavour. In response to Assad's invitation to Sarkozy to visit Damascus, the French president made the following conditions for accepting the invitation:
"ö That a consensus Lebanese president be elected, in succession to the Syrian "puppet" Emile Lahoud. This was done. Assad facilitated the election of chief of general staff, Gen. Michel Suleiman, as a consensus president and he is likely to have his first face-to-face meeting with Assad in Paris.
"ö That a new Lebanese national unity government be formed, under Siniora's premiership. The composition of the new government will be announced later this week.
"ö Finally, that Syria fully recognize Lebanon's independence and appoints a Syrian ambassador to Beirut for the first time since Lebanon's independence in 1943.
Assad promised that once Israel withdraws from Shebaaa Farms and the Lebanese-Syrian border is demarcated, he will send an ambassador to Beirut.
What remains, of course, is the disarmament of Hezbollah according to UN Security Council Resolution 1701. France, together with the U.S., sponsored this resolution. Assad knows that Sarkozy cannot and would not retreat from that resolution. Hence, Syria is advancing another "creative solution." In May 2009, Lebanon is due to hold new parliamentary elections and Hezbollah is expected to be the big winner. Such a victory will undoubtedly lead to major changes in the domestic political structure of Lebanon. In such a case, Hezbollah's armed militia would become part of the Lebanese army, subordinated to a new government greatly influenced by Hezbollah.
Until then, Syria suggests maintaining the status quo, because the present Lebanese government is unable to disarm Hezbollah by force.
The U.S., Europe, Israel and the moderate Arab countries will continue to insist on Hezbollah's disarmament, but in practice nothing can be done. Sarkozy is not sure that the UN and the international community would accept this Syrian "creative solution." France will certainly insist Syria co-operate in preventing the continued smuggling of arms to Hezbollah. The question is whether this is enough.
During his meeting with Assad on Saturday, Sarkozy will certainly discuss the Israeli-Syrian conflict. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would like very much to meet with Assad in Paris. France does not believe that the time is ripe for such a meeting. France prefers that Turkey continue to mediate between Israel and Syria. Therefore, at Syria's insistence, France assured Assad that no effort will be made to facilitate a meeting between him and Olmert.
The Mediterranean Union will not become a platform for solving the Arab-Israeli conflict, or solving Olmert's domestic problems.
Following the brilliant rescue operation of Ingrid Bettancourt and the Colombian hostages, Sarkozy and Bettancourt pledged publicly to help release the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilead Shalit, from the hands of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel now hopes that Sarkozy will use his influence with Assad to convince Hamas leaders in Damascus to release the kidnapped Israeli soldier. Should Assad respond positively to Sarkozy's request, this could be Assad's only contribution to ending this human tragedy.
***Samuel Segev is the Winnipeg Free
Press Middle East correspondent.