LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
MARCH 22/2006

Below news from the Daily Star 22/03/06
U.S. philanthropists visit with aim of funding charity projects
Qatar latest stop in regional tour for UN envoy
Mortar shells found near Hariri's Qoreitem home
Complications plague third round of Lebanon's national dialogue
British MP slams court ruling against Lebanese lawyer
Students protest against Mansourieh power lines
With dialogue adjourned, Parliament convenes
It's time for real answers, not flattery
PSP urges PFLP-GC to fight Israel from Syria
EU positive on recent Lebanese steps
Below news from miscellaneous sources for 22/03/06
Beirut's glittering downtown belies poverty in suburbs-Reuters
Hizbullah and the explosive issue of Lebanese politics-Al-Bawaba
UN envoy to Lebanon begins regional tour in Cairo-AKI - Rome,Italy
Hizbullah Leader in Lebanon Calls for Closer Ties with Syria-SANA
Credit Suisse gets licence for Lebanon subsidiary-Reuters
Lebanon, Israel warned to keep border areas calm-Xinhua
Syria jails 7 activists of an outlawed party-Khaleej Times
Ukraine withdrawing peacekeepers from Lebanon-ITAR-TASS

British MP slams court ruling against Lebanese lawyer
Daily Star staff-Wednesday, March 22, 2006
BEIRUT: A member of the British House of Commons said the military court's ruling against Mohammad Mugraby was a severe setback. Julian Brazier said Tuesday: "Over the past few years, many of us who regard ourselves as friends of Lebanon have been encouraged by Lebanon's progress toward freedom and democracy. This ruling represents a severe setback. If the trial now convicts Mohammad Mugraby, it will be an insult, not just to the European Parliament, but all parliaments in Europe. Politicians and lawyers alike will be horrified. I do hope that, at this 11th hour, the Lebanese authorities will draw back from this unwise prosecution."
A statement issued by Mugraby's law office said the Military Tribunal of Lebanon held a hearing on Monday in the charges brought by the military prosecutor against lawyer Mugraby for having allegedly "defamed the military establishment and its officers" in a testimony he gave before the European Parliament in Brussels, on November 4, 2003. The tribunal, headed by Army Brigadier General Nizar Khalil pronounced its ruling on the procedural defenses presented 10 days earlier by the defendant and decided to reject them all. Several international human rights organizations had strongly protested the prosecution, announced their support for Mugraby, and demanded that his trial be cancelled. - The Daily Star

Complications plague third round of Lebanon's national dialogue
March 14 camp accuses Damascus of interfering in talks
By Nada Bakri -Daily Star staff
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
BEIRUT: Political developments on the eve of the national dialogue's third round indicated more complications are plaguing the talks, and will likely limit the odds of participants reaching an agreement on the presidency or Hizbullah's arms. Ratcheting up the pressure, the March 14 Forces accused Syria of interfering in the dialogue through its allies, and warned it would resort to street protests to oust pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud if the dialogue fails to end his term. Syria's allies in turn voiced their conviction Lahoud should finish his term, and accused the anti-Syrian presidential candidates of being illegitimate.
In addition, the latter group insisted Hizbullah's arms are not to be touched before liberating the remaining occupied land and freeing of Lebanese prisoners from Israeli jails.
"There is a Syrian decision to obstruct this dialogue. The Syrians are not ready to compromise on the presidential issue," an anti-Syrian source participating in the dialogue told The Daily Star Tuesday, on condition of anonymity.
"Pro-Syrian politicians' statements do not imply they are willing or even want to reach common ground through this dialogue," the source added. The source said regaining control of the presidency is "central and key to ending the political and economic crisis, and we will not give up our efforts to change Lahoud." The source - who did not expect the dialogue's third round to achieve a breakthrough - said there is hope an Arab Summit scheduled for the end of March will contain some solutions.
"Arab leaders might decide during the summit to pressure Syria to demarcate the borders, cooperate on the Shebaa Farms issue and to oust Lahoud. Otherwise there is little hope anything can be accomplished locally," the source said.
The latest setbacks were received with Arab dissatisfaction. While Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Lebanon Abed Aziz Khoja has publicly said he was disappointed with the unconstructive political climate, other Arab diplomats declared the same position in private meetings with Lebanese leaders, according to political sources.
Nevertheless, political bickering intensified after a senior Hizbullah member accused anti-Syrian politicians of failing to lead Lebanon out of the socio-economic crisis, and of receiving orders from the U.S. "It is not acceptable that [the March 14 Forces] translate every step we take as being based on orders from the Syrians. This means they are trying to escape their responsibilities. We also accuse them of being submissive to U.S. orders," Hizbullah number two Naim Qassem said during a radio interview.
Qassem dismissed reports his party had discussed presidential candidates with majority leader Saad Hariri. "We did not discuss names. Some parties conveyed their opinions in front of us, and we listened to them. But we are convinced the president should complete his term and the problem is not the presidency but the way [the government] is running the country," he added. Hizbullah's strongest ally, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, launched his latest attack on March 14 politicians, accusing the camp of being comprised of former collaborators with Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services.
"All the presidential candidates who belong to the March 14 camp have lost legitimacy. They all collaborated with the Syrian and Lebanese intelligence services," Aoun said in an interview with Kuwaiti daily Al-Rai to be published Wednesday.
"How can I rest assured that such a candidate is capable of reforming the country? I myself am intimidated by this task, so how can I guarantee someone else can do it?" Aoun asked. Meanwhile, Democratic Gathering leader Walid Jumblatt's top aid, Ghazi Aridi, made an unprecedented trip to meet with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Back in Lebanon, both political camps participating in the talks have rejected the notion of any bargain by which Hizbullah would keep its arms in return for ousting Lahoud.
Sources close to Lahoud say the president does not feel threatened by calls for his resignation, and suggest that replacing him might yet be far off, unless a possible Arab initiative pressures Syria to shift its stance. The March 14 camp is aggressively lobbying for a president of their choosing, to which Nasrallah and Aoun are opposed.
FPM top sources told As-Safir newspaper if the battle for the presidency is to be addressed Wednesday, they will, along with their allies, propose Aoun as a presidential candidate. The partly believes Aoun to be the only Maronite Christian with a wide base of support across the country. Beirut was a beehive of diplomatic activity on the eve of the dialogue's resumption. American Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman reiterated U.S. support for the talks in a meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri. He also handed Berri a letter from Congress suggesting cooperation between the Lebanese and the U.S. legislative bodies. After a meeting with Aoun, UN envoy to the South Geir Pederson encouraged Lebanese leaders to find "common ground."

EU positive on recent Lebanese steps
Siniora assured of support for donor conference with no strings
By Raed El Rafei -Daily Star staff
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
BEIRUT: The European Union was surprised by the positive results of the Lebanese national dialogue thus far, particularly considering the tension in the region, according to a spokesperson from Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's office.
Siniora, who met with U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman and Army Commander General Michel Suleiman and Foreign Minister Faouzi Salloukh on Tuesday, returned late Monday from a trip to EU headquarters in Brussels. Following his meetings Monday with EU foreign ministers, Siniora conveyed the importance of reaching an agreement among Lebanese parties on a program of reforms, the spokesperson said. Siniora had said from Brussels that the EU did not impose any political conditions on Lebanon in return for its support to the Beirut One Donors' Conference. However, European officials did stress the conference will only be held once a solid program of economic reforms is approved.
"Support to Lebanon is independent of the results of the national dialogue; there are no political conditions," Siniora said after meeting with EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana. "What we agreed on is for Lebanon to have a program of reforms that is credible and promotes investment and growth."Solana praised the national dialogue and reiterated the EU's support for the Beirut One conference expected to take place in the coming months. It is hoped the gathering of international donors will give a strong push to Lebanon's economy. During his visit, Siniora also briefed the EU ministers on his country's economic reform plan in an attempt to rally support for the conference.
The premier's program of economic reforms, which includes privatization plans and tax reforms, has been submitted to the government but has yet to be endorsed by the Cabinet amid fears the various political groups will not approve it.
"The country's dire economic situation means it is urgent for the Lebanese to agree on these reforms soon," the spokesperson said, adding that Siniora welcomed any criticisms of the program as long as there are suggested alternatives.
The EU ministers issued a statement pledging their support to Lebanon's "unity and sovereignty and the national dialogue that is contributing to providing stability in the country, preserving its unity, and starting political and economic reforms."
Siniora also met with European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who welcomed the national dialogue and hoped it would lead to political stability. "We see positive developments in Lebanon," said Ferrero-Waldner, who described the Lebanese dialogue as "the right path to take."
"This national dialogue constitutes a very good base. It will allow the reforms to go forward," she said.
Siniora and Ferrero-Waldner also discussed the Association Agreement between the EU and Lebanon and the European Neighborhood Policy. According to the EU, the Association Agreement, which comes into effect in April, will create a free trade zone between the EU and Lebanon over a period of 12 years, and help to increase economic growth. The European Neighborhood Policy is touted as possessing economic and social benefits. The European Commission and Lebanon will hold a preliminary round of consultations on an ENP action plan in early April in Brussels. Responding to a question posed by a reporter concerning the disarmament of Hizbullah, Siniora stressed that the resistance was a Lebanese party represented in Parliament, and that the issue would be discussed as part of the national dialogue. Siniora also highlighted the government's cooperation with the UNRWA to improve the living conditions of Palestinian refuges in Lebanon, but stressed there was no link between raising the refugees' standard of living and resolving the issue of Palestinian disarmament.
Fielding questions regarding former Al-Madina Bank executive Rana Qoleilat, who is presently being detained in Brazil, the premier said he was confident Brazilian authorities will respond positively to a Lebanese extradition request.
"We are relying on the authorities (in Brazil) to keep her safe and in custody until they hand her over to Lebanon," Siniora said.
State Prosecutor Said Mirza received word this week that Brazilian authorities received the extradition request and immediately issued a warrant for Qoleilat's arrest. Authorities in Beirut are waiting for an official response on the matter from Brazil. While Lebanon and Brazil have not signed a treaty concerning the exchange of prisoners, judicial sources said the Brazilians had shown "understanding and flexibility" on the issue. Qoleilat is thought to be wanted for questioning by the UN commission investigating former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's murder regarding her alleged involvement in a scandal revolving around Al-Madina bank. A previous report by the commission submitted to the Security Council said Hariri's assassination could have been financed through the bank.

PSP urges PFLP-GC to fight Israel from Syria
Daily Star staff-Wednesday, March 22, 2006
BEIRUT: The PSP on Tuesday expressed its wish for Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command representative Anwar Raja to transfer his faction's weapons to Damascus "and fight Israel from there." In response to a statement issued by Raja the day before, PSP spokesperson Rami Rayess said Palestinian weapons outside the designated refugee camps in Lebanon "are Syrian weapons ready to be used for purposes other than liberating Palestine."
Rayess said the political speeches made by the PFLP-GC were evidence of this claim.
"The pretexts used by Raja in his daily speeches are contradictory, as sometimes he links the presence of his weapons with the implementation of Resolution 194, and other times he says the weapons depend on granting the refugees their rights," he said.
In his Monday statement, Raja had said Palestinians in Lebanon were suffering from "racial discrimination," adding: "They are also blockaded in the camps and humiliated more than the detainees in Guantanamo."
Raja said the campaign to disarm Hizbullah was the result of the "American culture" in Lebanon, and described the arms of both the resistance and Palestinians as "inseparable.""Walid Jumblatt and Samir Geagea are the most enthusiastic about closing the Palestinian file, and we consider them as Resolution 1559's agents," he added. "We are proud of our relations and alliance with Syria."Raja met Tuesday with Syrian Social Nationalist Party leader Ali Qanso. After the meeting, the faction leader said: "When we feel the government has started to promote the social and living situation of the refugees, then we will discuss the political and security issues, including the presence of arms." - The Daily Star

It's time for real answers, not flattery
By Adnan El-Ghoul -Daily Star staff
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Analysis
Lebanon's opposing political parties should have named their national dialogue after UN Security Council Resolution 1559 as they have failed to tackle important issues unrelated to the international decree, such as the country's socio-economic crisis, while postponing the last two explosive issues on the agenda. Observers believe the presidency and Hizbullah's weapons are the most difficult issues facing the dialogue's participants, and expect protracted negotiations before conclusions are reached, should this ever occur. In a climate of prolonged discussion, the other problems, which all parties believe are now behind them, will rise again and threaten to halt the negotiation process indefinitely.
The mood of Hizbullah officials seems to reflect this bleak forecast as the party's leaders are doubtful the talks will go as smoothly as they would like. The resistance refuses to admit that a presidential election is necessary or that replacing President Emile Lahoud is a pressing issue. Accordingly, and contrary to the other parties at the table, Hizbullah has for the most part refrained from the nomination game and may never offer a specific name as a candidate for the country's top post.
Political analysts believe Hizbullah interprets what those taking part in the dialogue have called a "governing crisis" as a problem between the Cabinet and Lahoud; a problem that must be solved by accepting to live under the same roof or reconciling their differences until negotiations come up with a viable exit strategy.
In addition to preferring to discuss the future of their military wing first, Hizbullah would prefer to postpone discussions on the presidency for as long as possible, or until Lahoud's term ends in November 2007.
In an interview broadcast on Al-Jazeera television on Saturday, Lahoud was noticeably more confident and launched his own offensive, insisting he would not bow to his opponents' demands and refusing to vacate Baabda Palace until the last day of his term. Meanwhile, Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun is unwilling to accept anyone else for the post other than himself. Therefore, Aoun's best bet would be Hizbullah remaining firm on the issue.
However, analysts believe Hizbullah's position may change due to new regional or local considerations. Even Aoun may accept a neutral candidate on the condition that person finishes Lahoud's term while the government prepares for early legislative elections to allow a new Parliament to elect a new president. On the other hand, the March 14 Forces and the existing parliamentary majority interpret the present crisis to revolve around the president, and are preparing to continue their political efforts to oust Lahoud as soon as possible should the dialogue fail to reach the desired outcome.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea continues to remind the Lebanese people that the "Battle for Baabda" will continue, believing the national dialogue will not succeed on that front. In addition, although he has played a decisive role in attempts to resolve the presidential dilemma, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir will refrain from entering the nomination game. Observers believe that by nominating a candidate, Sfeir may fail to please the majority of Christian leaders no matter whom he chooses. Presently, the names being circulated are those of three men: Batroun MP Butros Harb, former MP Nassib Lahoud and Aoun. Although united against nominating Aoun, the remaining Christian politicians are divided over Harb and Lahoud.
Analysts believe that if Sfeir supports Aoun, he would be dissatisfying half the Christians; yet if he supports either Harb or Lahoud, he would be angering two thirds of the Christians. The patriarch already has regrets over nominating presidential candidates; he will not to do so again. Observers say Future Movement leader Saad Hariri and Saudi Arabia are fully behind Nassib Lahoud, while Geagea and his Christian allies support Harb. However, the problem
is that Hizbullah rejects both options, preferring to keep the status quo for the time being.
The gap, therefore, between the two main political camps remains very wide. Wednesday's session will prove the gap cannot be bridged easily, if ever. If the participating national leaders want to maintain the hopeful climate in the country, they had better tackle the economic issues, as Hizbullah leader and the Economic Minister had suggested, and seriously prepare for the proposed Beirut economic conference instead of wasting time on issues that need regional and international rapprochement more than internal bickering, or at best superfluous flattery.

Mortar shells found near Hariri's Qoreitem home
By Therese Sfeir - Daily Star staff
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
BEIRUT: Three mortar shells were found near MP Saad Hariri's Qoreitem residence on the eve of the resumption of Lebanon's national dialogue. The Progressive Socialist Party headed by Walid Jumblatt immediately accused Syria of "these vicious attempts" to intimidate Lebanese leaders. Sources said the rockets were found 300 meters from Hariri's home and were stamped with Hebrew inscriptions. The 55 millimeter, 60 millimeter and 81 millimeter caliber rockets, which were not primed for firing, were found in a plastic bag near a dumpster on Labban Street, security reports said.
An unidentified citizen was immediately reported to have alerted the Internal Security Forces of his discovery of the ordinance. An investigation has been opened into the incident. Hariri had still not returned from a visit to Saudi Arabia when the explosives were discovered. In a statement, the PSP said: "Once again, the evil forces that refused to acknowledge the independence of Lebanon addressed a security message to the
March 14 Forces in an attempt to intimidate the Lebanese."It added: "The PSP accuses the Syrian regime and its agents in Lebanon of these vicious attempts, which will never make the Lebanese, abandon their national stands."In a telephone conversation with Hariri after news of the discovery was aired, Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani said "the hands aiming at hampering national dialogue are uncovered; despite the threats and intimidation, dialogue will succeed."
He continued: "Lebanon cannot be saved but through honest dialogue, which achieves the interests of the Lebanese and their future." In a separate statement, Future bloc MP Mohammad Qabbani said: "The security message that has been sent to MP Hariri is a failed attempt to hamper the march toward national unity, in which the head of our bloc is playing a major role." - With Naharnet