LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
MAY 19/2006

Below news bulletins from the Daily Star for 19/05/06
Issue of Lebanese-Syrian relations needs to be revisited
Siniora recommends part-time celebration of Liberation Day
Fadlallah: Taif does not a nation make
The former troika system has been extended
Geagea admits Lebanese Forces militiamen killed four Iranians
'More militants enter Lebanon from Syria'
Lebanese politicians divided over Resolution 1680
Palestinian refugees to recover original registration
Fatfat flip-flops on arms smuggling
Berri: 'We want a president for all Lebanese'
Lebanon marks second Day Against Homophobia
Political realities and intellectual opportunism
Gas explosion has Achrafieh residents thinking the worst
Boat show taps into Lebanon's marina-mania
Fneish lets prices rise for range of oil products
Phoenicia Village: Beirut's largest development yet
Below news bulletins from miscellaneous sources for 19/05/06
Reinforcements to Radical Palestinian Faction Cross Border From Syria-Naharnet
Saniora Hails Security Council Resolution-Naharnet
UN intervention in Lebanon-Syria relations could deepen enmity-Pravda
Chirac Backs Christians' Presence in Mideast-Zenit News Agency
Lebanon: Missing Iranian diplomats killed-United Press International
UN urges Syria to mend ties with Beirut-People's Daily Online
Iran enlists Syria, Hamas as allies-Ottawa Citizen
Another Syrian activist behind barsUnited Press International
World Economic Forum kicks off Saturday in Egypt-Middle East Online
A call for justice to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict-Al-Jazeerah.info
Iran nuclear crisis pushes up tension on Lebanon-Israel border-WXXA
Arab boycott of Israel peaceful means of struggle - conference-KNA

Reinforcements to Radical Palestinian Faction Cross Border From Syria
Palestinian militants in Syria sent troops and military vehicles into eastern Lebanon overnight to back up members of their group who clashed with the army a day earlier, police said Thursday.
Fifteen military trucks full of arms, ammunition and guerrillas from the Damascus-based Fatah al-Intifada led by radical militant Abu Moussa, crossed the border in the Halwa-Yanta region, a police source told Agence France Presse.
They took up position in the remote mountainous area overlooking the Wadi Aswad valley near the Syrian border where on Wednesday the group's fighters and Lebanese army troops clashed for several hours. One gunman and a soldier were wounded in the battle. Also during the night, the Lebanese army sent in more reinforcements to the area, deploying about 100 commando troops backed by 10 armored vehicles, a military source told AFP.
A number of armed pro-Syrian Palestinian groups maintain bases in Lebanon, where an estimated 400,000 Palestinian refugees live. Syria, which backs several radical factions with bases in Lebanon, withdrew its troops from the country last year after a 29-year military presence and political domination.
Ties between Beirut and Damascus have been strained since the withdrawal, which came in the face of strong international pressure following the murder of ex-premier Rafik Hariri for which Syria was widely blamed.
On Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council approved Resolution 1680, cranking up the pressure on Syria to agree to formal diplomatic ties with Lebanon and to demarcate their common border to allow for Lebanon's full independence.(AFP-Naharnet) Beirut, 18 May 06, 13:52

Saniora Hails Security Council Resolution that Pressed Syria on Lebanon Ties
Premier Fouad Saniora welcomed Thursday a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on former powerbroker Syria to establish formal diplomatic ties with Lebanon and to demarcate their common border.
"I welcome this resolution," Saniora told An-Nahar newspaper after the council adopted the resolution, meant to crank up the pressure on Damascus to allow for its smaller neighbor's full independence. "The resolution is good because it encourages both brotherly countries to cooperate in order to implement two issues that were adopted by the national dialogue," said Saniora.
Those issues are the establishment of formal diplomatic relations and the demarcation of the border.
Saniora also said "Lebanon, as a state, did not have a say in it (resolution). We tried to soften the terms that were used and we succeeded." On Wednesday, the Security Council adopted by 13 in favor, with two abstentions, resolution 1680 that "strongly encourages" Damascus to heed Lebanon's request "to delineate their common border, especially in areas where the border is uncertain and to establish full diplomatic relations and representation."
Syria immediately dismissed the text as "interference," saying it constitutes "unwarranted pressure and a provocation which complicates things rather than resolves them."(AFP) Beirut, 18 May 06, 10:06

U.N. intervention in Lebanon-Syria relations could deepen enmity
Front page / World -05/18/2006 18:00
Three factors, at least, are at work against Syria heeding the U.N. resolution - uppermost among them: The measure can't be enforced. Beyond that the political atmosphere between the eastern Mediterannean neighbors remains acrimonious, especially as long as an anti-Syrian government remains in charge in Beirut.
And finally, Damascus still is smarting from the hurried and forced withdrawal of its army from Lebanon last year under pressure from the Lebanese themselves and the international community after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, whose murder has been linked to Damascus by a U.N. investigation.
Bishara Charbel, editor-in-chief of the independent Lebanese newspaper Al-Balad, said the resolution in principle stresses an earlier resolution adopted in 2004 "but it seems it will complicate the atmosphere because of tensions in Lebanese-Syrian relations." He said Syria's allies in Lebanon bear responsibility for not using their influence with Damascus to improve ties, the AP reports.Sateh Noureddine, managing editor of the Lebanese newspaper As-Safir, which has taken a pro-Syrian line, said the U.N. resolution's lack of implementation mechanism made it a piece of "propaganda with no political value that could provoke the Syrians and undermine resumption of relations."
Since 1943, when Syria and Lebanon gained independence from France, Damascus has sidestepped formal links with Beirut, preferring to influence the country through proxy allies inside the nation and then by sending in its army for nearly three decades.

Chirac Backs Christians' Presence in Mideast
ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome
PARIS, MAY 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).- French President Jacques Chirac defended the freedom of conscience and religion for Eastern Christians who, he said, "more than ever, have their place in the Middle East."
The French leader voiced this view Monday in the Elysee palace when meeting with six patriarchs of the Eastern Churches. The patriarchs are in the French capital through Sunday to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Oeuvre d'Orient (Work of the East). According to the Oeuvre d'Orient, there are 60,000 Christians in Iran, 600,000 in Iraq, 50,000 in Turkey and over 7 million in Egypt. In Lebanon they account for 40% of the population, in Syria 10%, and in Palestine and Israel 2%. The association, established in 1856 by a group of laymen to help the children of Lebanon, was recognized as an ecclesial work by Pope Pius IX in 1858. With its presence and financial support the association seeks to make it possible for Eastern Christians to stay in their respective countries.
President Chirac said that Eastern Christians "have always been a bridge to Europe and have contributed to the dialogue of cultures, long before there was a major focus on international relations. In this connection, they have more than ever their place in the Middle East." Among the Eastern leaders present at the meeting were Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, patriarch of the Maronites, and Latin-rite Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem.
The French president added: "The regulation of conflicts is the best guarantee of freedom of conscience and of religion, which must be defended and reaffirmed, as the diversity of cultures and their coexistence are the condition for a future of peace and prosperity."

Lebanon: Missing Iranian diplomats killed
BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 18 (UPI) -- A Christian politician and former militia commander said four Iranian diplomats who went missing in 1982 were killed by his militiamen. Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese Forces, one of several Christian and Muslim militias which fought each other during Lebanon's 15-year civil war, was quoted Thursday by Beirut's daily As-Safir as saying "the four diplomats were killed by members of the Lebanese Forces."
Geagea's revelation ended the mystery on the plight of the diplomats, including Mohsen Moussawi, charge d'affaires; Ahmed Matousselian, military attaché; Kazem Akhwan, embassy press correspondent; and driver Taki Rustukar Mokaddam.
Geagea said he discussed the issue of the missing diplomats with Speaker Nabih Berri, who also heads the Shiite Amal movement, on the sidelines of a Lebanese national dialogue session held at parliament two days ago.
Geagea said he relayed to Berri all the information he had.
He said "the diplomats were killed shortly after being kidnapped" at a Lebanese Forces checkpoint at the height of Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Asked is they were killed in Lebanon or in Israel he said, "They were liquidated in Lebanon."
Unconfirmed reports said the Iranian diplomats might have been transferred to Israel, which was in close contact with the Lebanese Forces at the time.

UN urges Syria to mend ties with Beirut
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution yesterday pressing Syria to establish diplomatic relations and set its border with Lebanon, which it said would be "a significant step" to asserting Lebanon's sovereignty and political independence.
The resolution, co-sponsored by the United States, France and Britain, was approved by a vote of 13-0 with Russia and China abstaining. They have argued that the resolution is not needed and would constitute UN interference in bilateral Lebanese-Syrian relations. Syria said the resolution was provocative and biased. "The insistence of the sponsors of this resolution to pass it ... constitutes uncalled for pressure and provocation that complicates the situation," a statement by the Syrian foreign ministry said.
Syria withdrew its forces from Lebanon last year, ending a 29-year occupation after mass demonstrations that blamed Damascus for the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Syria has denied involvement.
The Lebanese Government and all political parties in the country have called on Syria to establish diplomatic ties with Beirut and mark their border, which includes the disputed Chebaa Farms region.
The Security Council, in yesterday's resolution, "strongly encourages the government of Syria to respond positively to the request made by the government of Lebanon, in line with the agreements of the Lebanese national dialogue, to delineate their common border ... and to establish full diplomatic relations and representation."
Source: China Daily

Iran enlists Syria, Hamas as allies
Font: * * * * Tarek Al-Issawi, Associated Press
Published: Wednesday, May 17, 2006
TEHRAN -- Iran is enlisting Syria and the militant Palestinian Hamas group - both also deeply at odds with the United States, Israel and some in western Europe - as allies in the battle over its disputed nuclear program.
The move has prompted Israel’s UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman to declare that "a dark cloud is looming above our region, and it is metastasizing as a result of the statements and actions by leaders of Iran, Syria and the newly elected government of the Palestinian Authority."Syria and Iran have historically close ties dating back to 1980, when Damascus sided with Iran against Saddam Hussein in the Iran-Iraq war. But ties have become far cozier since hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected last summer. Syria was the new leader’s first destination after he took office, and President Bashar Assad returned the compliment, becoming the first head of state to travel to Iran after Ahmadinejad assumed power.
Iranian and Syrian officials spoke of forming a "united front" to counter external pressure. It was Assad’s fourth trip to Iran since he took office in 2000, succeeding his father, Hafez Assad.
Iran also has a long history of close ties to Hamas. Despite Iranian denials, Tehran was believed to have funded the group for years. After Hamas won Palestinian legislative elections and the United States and Western Europe cut funding because of the militant organization’s vow to destroy Israel, Iran announced it was sending the beleaguered Hamas-led government $50 million US. It remains unclear whether the money reached the Palestinians because Arab bankers fear U.S. retribution if they forward the funds.
While Iran, Syria and Hamas share an ideology that rejects Israel, opposes the Middle East peace process and is hostile to the United States, analysts say the alliance is nothing more than a tactic to boost morale and would be of little use to Tehran should the Americans attack. "Tactically, the other part of the equation (Syria and Hamas) is too weak at the moment. Iran will certainly try to use all the options it has, but the Syria-Hamas factor is not beneficial to Iran," said Tehran-based political analyst Mashallah Shamsolvaezin.
"Syria and Hamas have their own problems. Damascus is trying to deal with international pressure over the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, and Hamas is almost broke and does not have the ability to take any initiatives to help Iran," Shamsolvaezin said. Diaa Rashwan, a Cairo-based political analyst, concurred, saying Syria has "moved down the list of countries on the U.S. radar." Iranian political commentator Ahmad Bakhshayesh said both Syria and Hamas would want to avoid any unnecessary attention now. "They are busy with their own domestic and international issues and would want to avoid new problems," he said. But other, more powerful Arab countries could take up the slack.
"If something on the ground happens, there will be solidarity with Iran across the Arab world, except perhaps the neighbouring Arab Gulf states," he said. Iran has taken comfort in the nuclear dispute from Moscow and Beijing, both veto-holding members of the UN Security Council, who oppose sanctions to punish Tehran. The United States, Britain and France - the other veto-wielding members - favour tougher measures. Washington wants a UN resolution demanding that Iran stop uranium enrichment or face sanctions and perhaps military enforcement.
Movement toward a vote on a resolution was put on hold earlier this month to give the European Union more time for diplomacy. But its initial offers of economic and political incentives to Iran, including providing it with a light-water reactor, have been rejected out of hand by Ahmadinejad.
"Do you think you are dealing with a four-year-old child to whom you can give some walnuts and chocolates and get gold from him?" the Iranian president said Wednesday. Despite the harsh rhetoric, senior Iranian officials have been jetting across the Middle East, visiting Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Syria in an apparent bid to reassure its neighbours of Tehran’s peaceful intentions and win support. And Iran has shown extraordinary dexterity with the United States and its European allies, as it tries to buy time. Both Bakhshayesh and Shamsolvaezin said Iran was expert in dragging out conflicts.
"Iran is like a marathon champion when it comes to international conflicts. It lures the enemy in and then systematically and gradually takes control. It has proved that in the past," Shamsolvaezin said. Rashwan, the Cairo-based analyst, predicted Iran would continue playing a deft hand. "The Iranians are veterans at playing a high-stakes game and then cooling off the situation. They have immense negotiating powers and the will to protect their interests at any cost," he said.
© Associated Press 2006

Another Syrian activist behind bars
DAMASCUS, Syria, May 18 (UPI) -- Syrian authorities stepped up an arrest campaign against political activists Thursday, taking in a new signatory of the Beirut-Damascus declaration.
Lawyer Khalil Maatouk, spokesman for the Center of Freedoms, said the authorities arrested Mohammed Mahfouz, bringing up to eight the number of activists detained since Sunday for signing a declaration with 250 Lebanese and Syrian intellectuals that calls for rectifying relations between the two neighbors. The declaration said the crisis was triggered by the extension of Lebanese President Emile Lahoud's mandate for three years at Syria's behest despite Lebanese opposition.
Relations went very sour following the February 14, 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri which sparked nationwide demonstrations that led to Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon after almost 30 years of military presence.
The Syrian authorities arrested prominent human rights and political activists, including Michel Kilo, a renowned journalist.
The London-based Syrian Democratic Movement warned Thursday that opposition forces at home will take to the street to protest against the regime's policy aimed at terrorizing the activists.
A statement by the opposition group released in London denounced the arrest campaign, cautioning that "political frustrations in Syria reached a peak in support of freedom fighters and not in the ranks of the defenders of oppression."
It called for the immediate release of all political activists and for starting dialogue with them over their political views "because that is what Syria needs and any delay or expansion of the oppressive campaign will have adverse consequences."

World Economic Forum starts Saturday in Egypt
Mideast business leaders gather in Egypt’s resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to discuss reforms, youth employment.
By Mona Salem - CAIRO
Arab and Israeli political and business leaders are to meet for three days in Egypt's resort of Sharm el-Sheikh from Saturday, only a month after the Sinai was hit by a fresh spate of suicide bombings. Some 1,200 leaders from the Middle East and beyond are expected to converge on the Red Sea resort for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) Middle East. This regional "Davos" will be inaugurated by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and focus on reforms and the issue of youth employment, under the theme, "The promise of a new generation".
Yet much of the attention will focus on the interaction between Palestinian and Israeli officials, as the international community maintains huge pressure on the Hamas-led government. Moderate Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas is expected to hold talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni as well as Mubarak.
The Islamist movement Hamas, which is not expected to send any of its ministers to the WEF, has been seeking Arab and Muslim financial support after Washington and the European Union froze their aid to the Palestinians.
Western countries, which have propped up the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority for years, want the radical Hamas to recognise Israel's right to exist. The meeting, which was last held in Jordan in 2005, will take place amid a tight security deployment. "We have organised an exceptional security set-up to ensure safety at the forum, using the latest technology and specialised squads," Interior Minister Habib al-Adly told reporters.
On April 24, three suicide bombings ripped through the Sinai resort of Dahab, further up the Red Sea coast, killing 20 people, including foreign tourists, and wounding around 90. Sharm el-Sheikh itself was hit by multiple bombings in July 2005 that killed some 70 people. Egyptian Trade Minister Rashid Mohammed Rashid said that its hosting of the summit "paid tribute to the trust the world has in the stability and security of Egypt."
Among the highest-profile participants of the forum will be US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, who has been involved in intensive consultations in the region and was instrumental in securing a partial peace deal for Sudan's Darfur region earlier this month. Other prominent guests include Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, as well as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a string of ministers from the region.
Organisers have emphasised the need to secure more job opportunities for the region's booming youth population.
"The current oil windfall should be used with long-term projects in mind and for the creation of new opportunities for future generations," said Sherif al-Diwany, the Middle East and North Africa director for the WEF.
The World Bank warned during the last edition of the forum that the Middle East would need a six-seven percent growth rate over the next 20 years if it was to prevent unemployment rates from reaching 25 percent.
Protests by leftist organisations opposed to liberal economic policies promoted by the World Economic Forum are expected on Saturday and Sunday in the Egyptian capital.