LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
September 22/17
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

The Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
http://data.eliasbejjaninews.com/newselias/english.september21.17.htm 

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Bible Quotations For Today
Freely you received, so freely give
Matthew 10/05-15/:"5 Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, “Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,† and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor sandals, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food. Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on. As you enter into the household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you. Whoever doesn’t receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on September 21-22/17
American Islamists Turn to Ankara/Samantha Mandeles and Samuel Westrop/Gatestone Institute/September 21/17
At UN, Trump pours cold water on Iran’s hopes/Hamid Bahrami/Al Arabiya/September 21/17
Failure of the Arab project/Fahad Suleiman Shoqiran/Al Arabiya/September 21/17
Turkey's Erdogan Tries (and Fails) to Censor an American Think Tank/Winfield Myers/Gatestone Institute/September 21/17
EU: Delusions without Borders/Judith Bergman/Gatestone Institute/September 21/17
The Truth behind Military Intervention in Qatar/Salman Al-dossary/Al Arabiya/September 21/17
The Tale of Saudi-Emirati Invasion of Qatar/Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Al Arabiya/September 21/17
Egypt Draws Closer To Assad Regime: Openly Participates In Damascus International Fair, Brokers Ceasefire Agreements In Syria/MEMRI/September 21/17

Titles For Latest LCCC Lebanese Related News published on September 21-22/17
Relatives of Slain Lebanese Servicemen Push for Judicial Council Probe
Aoun at U.N.: Lebanon Won't Allow Naturalization of Any Refugee
Aoun Holds Talks with U.N. Secretary-General
Qabalan: We Condemn the Call for Naturalizing Syrian Refugees
Nasrallah: We're Not Advocates of War but We're Ready to Fight
Bassil Meets Muallem, Jaafari on Sidelines of U.N. Meetings
French Ambassador Says Aoun's Paris Visit 'Highly Important'
Army Sets Up Posts in Hourtaala as Part of Security Plan
Jumblat Deplores Trump-N.Korea Cycle of Jabs
Lebanon Angered by Trump Call for Keeping Refugees Close to Home
Report: Lebanon in 'Safe Zone,' Security Under Control
Israeli Warplanes Drop Missile-Deflecting Flares over al-Mansouri
Aoun sees role for Hezbollah until threats to Lebanon cease

Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on September 21-22/17
Pope Francis Receives MWL Chief
U.S., Russian Generals Meet to Talk Syria Ops
N. Korea Shrugs off Trump Threat as 'Dog's Bark'
Moscow Warns US after Artillery Hits Syrian Regime Forces
Iraq Brings All of Remaining IS Territory under Attack
Russia says will target US-backed fighters in Syria if provoked
US ‘strongly opposes’ planned Iraq Kurdish referendum
Turkey, Iran and Iraq warn of ‘counter-measures’ against Kurd vote
Meet in Geneva highlights ‘enforced disappearances’ in Iran
Egypt’s Parliament Accuses Qatar of Conspiring with HRW
Trump Praises Jordan in Assisting Syrian Refugees
Palestine Rejects Israel’s Decision to Expand Gun Permits Eligibility
Federal Elections in Northern Syria Planned Under US Supervision amid Turkish Massing at Borders
UN Presents Three-Phase Plan for Solution in Libya
Iraq Launches Offensive to Retake ISIS Bastion Hawija
Riyadh Calls on Barzani to Abandon Independence Referendum
Canada marks International Day of Peace
Iran Protesters at United Nations: Yes to Change in Iran, No to Rouhani

Latest Lebanese Related News published on September 21-22/17
Relatives of Slain Lebanese Servicemen Push for Judicial Council Probe
Asharq Al-Awsat/September 21/17/Beirut- The families of Lebanese soldiers killed in clashes and attacks carried out by extremist groups in eastern Lebanon since 2012 have threatened to take escalatory measures. The relatives of the servicemen, who have died mainly in the northeastern border towns of Arsal and Ras Baalbek, warned on Wednesday that they would escalate their measures against the government if it refused to refer their cases to the Judicial Council, Lebanon’s highest judicial authority. Lawyers Youssef Rofayel and Boulos Hanna, representing the families of two servicemen, called on the Judicial Council to open up an investigation into the events between 2012 and 2017 that left scores of soldiers and policemen dead or injured on the Lebanese-Syrian border. However, directing the Council to carry out its own investigation can’t be done without the government’s approval. Also Wednesday, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag visited for the second time in one week the border towns of Arsal and Labweh. Kaag visited army positions in the outskirts of Arsal and met with Brigadier General Sami Hoayek and other representatives of the Lebanese army, her office said in a statement. The Special Coordinator commended the army in its efforts and enduring commitment to safeguard Lebanon’s security and stability. Recalling the Secretary-General’s statement on September 13, the diplomat stressed “Reinforcing Lebanese national institutions and its army is key issues and the best preventive measure we can have in relation to the risk of conflict.”According to the statement, she said the UN would continue encouraging international support to the Lebanese army and security institutions, including through the International Support Group for Lebanon. The Special Coordinator also met with the head of Arsal municipality Bassel Hujeiri to discuss the development needs of Arsal. Kaag praised the generosity of heart and spirit of the citizens of Arsal towards the Syrian refugees, the statement added.

Aoun at U.N.: Lebanon Won't Allow Naturalization of Any Refugee
Naharnet/September 21/17/President Michel Aoun stressed Thursday in his maiden speech before the U.N. General Assembly that Lebanon will not allow the naturalization of any Syrian or Palestinian refugee on its soil “no matter what that might cost.”“The decision in this regard belongs to us and not to anyone else,” Aoun underlined. Noting that the Syrian state is now in control of “85 percent of its territory,” the president emphasized that “there is an urgent need to organize the return of refugees to their country.” “Some call for the refugees' voluntary return and we call for their safe return and differentiate between the two concepts,” Aoun noted. “The claim that they will not be safe should they return to their country is an unacceptable excuse... If the Syrian state is carrying out reconciliations with the armed groups that it is fighting, wouldn't it be able to do so with refugees who had fled war?” the president asked. He added: “The U.N. better help the refugees return home instead of helping them to stay in encampments that lack the least requirements of decent life.”Separately and from the same U.N. podium, Aoun nominated Lebanon to become a “permanent, U.N.-affiliated center for dialogue among the various cultures, religions and races.”“I hope the member states will back Lebanon in this demand, so that we can all work for peace, security and stability,” he added. U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that refugees be resettled closer to home instead of brought to the United States has angered many in Lebanon, a tiny country hosting more than 1.5 million refugees. The country of just 4 million is officially hosting more than 1 million Syrian refugees and some 500,000 Palestinians. The real numbers are likely higher as many don't register with the U.N.

Aoun Holds Talks with U.N. Secretary-General
Naharnet/September 21/17/President Michel Aoun held talks Thursday in New York with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the U.N. General Assembly, shortly after Aoun's speech before the world body. A statement issued by the United Nations Information Center in Beirut said the two men “discussed developments in the region” and that Guterres “thanked Lebanon for its generosity in hosting refugees.”“The Secretary-General and the President discussed efforts to increase international support for the country,” the Center added. In his speech before the General Assembly, Aoun stressed that Lebanon will not allow the naturalization of any Syrian or Palestinian refugee on its soil “no matter what that might cost.”The National News Agency said Guterres lauded Lebanon's cooperation with all U.N. agencies, especially on the issue of refugees. The U.N. chief also tackled the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), explaining the deliberations that accompanied the renewal of its mandate in late August, NNA said. Moreover, Guterres noted that the ongoing coordination between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army is one of the necessary achievements on the path of Lebanon's extension of its sovereignty across its territory, hoping cooperation will be boosted in terms of preserving security and implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, the agency added. Aoun for his part thanked the U.N. chief for “the support that the world body is offering in all fields.” The president stressed that the Lebanese government will boost the army's presence in the South alongside UNIFIL's forces, emphasizing that “Lebanon wants peace and to protect its land, sovereignty and independence.”“It therefore rejects any violation of its territory or Resolution 1701,” Aoun added. The president also explained the army's achievements against the terrorist Islamic State and al-Nusra Front groups on the eastern border and officially asked Guterres for U.N. support for Lebanon's bid to become “a center for the dialogue of religions and cultures with the aim of enhancing the culture of peace.”Guterres said the U.N. would support such a request, NNA added.

Qabalan: We Condemn the Call for Naturalizing Syrian Refugees
Naharnet/September 21/17/Higher Islamic Shiite Council chief Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan on Thursday condemned calls for “naturalizing” Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Lebanon.“We condemn every call and effort to naturalize the Palestinians and we also deplore the call for naturalizing Syrian refugees,” said Qabalan in a statement marking the first of Muharram, in an apparent reference to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump.“Arab and Muslim leaders must exert efforts to secure their return to their homeland in Syria, which has started to regain its peace and stability after the great achievements that have been made by the Syrian army and its allies, who have ousted takfiri gangs from Syria and Lebanon,” the top Shiite cleric added. He also called on Arab and Muslim leaders to “support Palestine and its people, halt the bloodshed in Yemen and do justice to Bahrain's people.”Trump's suggestion that refugees be resettled closer to home instead of brought to the United States has angered many in Lebanon, a tiny country hosting more than 1.5 million refugees. Prime Minister Saad Hariri said "everyone knows Lebanon rejects resettling Palestinians or any other nationalities."The country of just 4 million is officially hosting more than 1 million Syrian refugees and some 500,000 Palestinians. The real numbers are likely higher as many don't register with the U.N. Lawmakers on Wednesday demanded a formal response to Trump. Speaker Nabih Berri said it was no "joking matter," and invoked Lebanon's Constitution, which he said rejects resettlement. Trump told the U.N. Tuesday that for the cost of resettling one refugee in the U.S., Washington could assist 10 closer to home.

Nasrallah: We're Not Advocates of War but We're Ready to Fight
Naharnet/September 21/17/Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah announced Thursday that his group does not want war with Israel but that it stands ready to fight should a confrontation be imposed on it. “A real resistance fighter, a real mujahid is one who performs his religious assignment to the fullest,” said Nasrallah in a televised sermon marking the beginning of Ashura, according to the Hizbullah-affiliated website al-Ahed News. “We are not advocates of war or fighting, but if our religious obligation is to fight, we will fight, even if (ex-U.S. president George W.) Bush, (U.S. President Donald) Trump, Israel, some Arabs and the entire world stand in our face. We are not afraid of anything,” Nasrallah added in brief political remarks during his religious sermon.

Bassil Meets Muallem, Jaafari on Sidelines of U.N. Meetings
Naharnet/September 21/17/Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil held talks Thursday in New York with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Muallem, in the presence of Syria's U.N. envoy Bashar al-Jaafari. The meeting, on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the U.N. General Assembly, was held “at Bassil's request,” LBCI television reported. The conferees “demonstrated the developments in Lebanon and Syria and the two ministers stressed that the ongoing relation between Lebanon and Syria is a state-to-state relation,” LBCI said. The TV network added that the Syrian side agreed that the refugees should return to their country from Lebanon but noted that Syrian authorities need to make some internal arrangements before the displaced can return home.'

French Ambassador Says Aoun's Paris Visit 'Highly Important'
French Ambassador to Lebanon Bruno Foucher on Thursday described President Michel Aoun's upcoming visit to France as “highly important.”Foucher was speaking during a visit to Maronite League in Beirut's Medawar area. The French envoy also underscored “support for Lebanon's sovereignty and independence” and “the need to resolve the pending issues in a manner that would preserve its security, stability and prosperity, topped by the issue of Syrian refugees.”

Army Sets Up Posts in Hourtaala as Part of Security Plan
Naharnet/September 21/17/The army on Thursday set up fixed posts in the northern Bekaa town of Hourtaala, state-run National News Agency reported. The posts were introduced on the road that links Hourtaala to al-Khodr, one of eastern Baalbek's towns, NNA said. The move is “part of a security plan aimed at pursuing fugitives and security violators in the Baalbek-Hermel region,” the agency added.

Jumblat Deplores Trump-N.Korea Cycle of Jabs
Naharnet/September 21/17/Democratic Gathering bloc leader MP Walid Jumblat criticized on Thursday the fiery positions traded between the United States and North Korea saying “what a future awaits us.”“Starting with” US President Donald Trump calling the North Korean president Kim Jong Un “Rocket man, to the threats of total destruction of North Korea, to the boring frivolous of the Israeli ruler, what a future awaits us!” commented Jumblat in a tweet. Jumblat said the situation in Korea is “quite crazy” but Trump's reply was “no better, not to mention flattering his fellow Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister).”
North Korea's foreign minister has brushed aside US President Donald Trump's fiery threat to destroy his nation, comparing it to a "dog's bark" and suggesting Pyongyang would not be deterred by the rhetoric. Trump used his stormy maiden address at the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday to warn the North that Washington would "totally destroy" it if the US or its allies was attacked. The bellicose speech came after months of escalating tensions over advances in the rogue weapons program operated by Pyongyang, which has defied tough sanctions to launch its sixth and largest nuclear test and to fire a series of missiles over Japan. Pyongyang's stated aim is to be able to target the US mainland and the nation has flaunted the advances in its weapons programe in recent weeks, with the September test of what it said was a miniaturized H-bomb capable of being loaded onto a rocket. The country also tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles in July that appeared to bring much of the US mainland into range. The increasingly brazen provocations have frayed the patience of the US and its allies. Trump dubbed the North's leader Kim Jong-Un "Rocket man" and said he was on a "suicide mission".

Lebanon Angered by Trump Call for Keeping Refugees Close to Home
Associated Press/Naharnet/September 21/17/President Donald Trump's suggestion that refugees be resettled closer to home instead of brought to the United States has angered many in Lebanon, a tiny country hosting more than 1.5 million refugees.
Prime Minister Saad Hariri said "everyone knows Lebanon rejects resettling Palestinians or any other nationalities."The country of just 4 million is officially hosting more than 1 million Syrian refugees and some 500,000 Palestinians. The real numbers are likely higher as many don't register with the U.N. Lawmakers on Wednesday demanded a formal response to Trump. Speaker Nabih Berri said it was no "joking matter," and invoked Lebanon's constitution, which he said rejects resettlement. Trump told the U.N. Tuesday that for the cost of resettling one refugee in the U.S., Washington could assist 10 closer to home.

Report: Lebanon in 'Safe Zone,' Security Under Control
Naharnet/September 21/17/Pre-emptive security measures taken by Lebanon's military and security apparatuses have an important impact in “preserving the country's safety and sparing Lebanon from great risks,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.
“Lebanon's safety is a red line. The series of pre-emptive operations carried out by the army, the successive arrests of terrorists and uncovering their sleeper cells had a profound effect on maintaining internal security and sparing Lebanon a lot of risk,” an unnamed military source told the daily. The source's remarks came following security warnings issued last week by many western embassies, including the U.S., British, Canadian and French. The warnings have sparked panic among Lebanese citizens especially after the French embassy warned Friday of a “heightened security risk in the next 48 hours.”
The source added saying “rest assured that military forces are vigilant and the Lebanese army will not allow any harm. Lebanon is one of the safest countries, mainly after handling the terrorist tank that was in the outskirts. It has become clear that the border is controlled and safe.” Army commander Joseph Aoun has “drawn a road map for any confrontation,” against aggressors and terrorists “focusing on the preemptive operations against terrorist groups and cells wherever they may be,” concluded the source. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Saad Hariri reassured the Lebanese and all residents and expatriates that "the army and all the security services are fully prepared and alert.”

Israeli Warplanes Drop Missile-Deflecting Flares over al-Mansouri
Naharnet/September 21/17/ A number of Israeli warplanes violated Lebanese airspace over the South on Wednesday evening and released several missile-deflecting flares, the National News Agency reported. NNA said the warplanes overflew the border region and dropped a number of missile-deflecting flares over the outskirts of the Tyre District town of al-Mansouri. The development comes after an Israeli airstrike Tuesday on the Lebanese-Syrian border east of the southern town of Shebaa. The strike followed Israel's downing of what it described as a Hizbullah-operated, Iranian-made drone near Syria's occupied Golan Heights. On September 10, Israeli warplanes flying at low altitude broke the sound barrier over the city of Sidon and the neighboring areas, causing minor material damage and sparking panic among residents. The development came days after Israeli warplanes bombed a military site in Syria from Lebanon’s airspace. The Foreign Ministry has filed an urgent complaint against Israel with the U.N. Security Council over the violations.

Aoun sees role for Hezbollah until threats to Lebanon cease/عون: لحزب الله دور طالما لبنان مهدد
Al-Monitor Staff September 21, 2017
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=58913
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/09/lebanon-president-aoun-unga-hezbollah-threat-syria-israel.html
NEW YORK — Lebanese President Michel Aoun, speaking to Al-Monitor Wednesday evening prior to his address before the UN General Assembly today, said that any solution to “the problem of Hezbollah” would have to come as part of a wider solution to the crises plaguing the region.
Aoun, who as head of the Free Patriotic Movement met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in 2006 to agree on defining relations between the two groups and disarming Hezbollah, said that Lebanon cannot ask the latter to disband as long as the country still faces threats. “You cannot say to Hezbollah, ‘We have to dismantle your organization,’ since Israel is provoking Lebanon and it is attacking,” he explained.
The president also spoke about the refugee crisis facing his country, which now hosts upward of 1.5 million displaced Syrians. Aoun said the Lebanese government isn’t getting enough support on this issue, stressing that Lebanon “is paying more than the international community to help the refugees” at a time when it is facing economic and security crises.
Yet Aoun said international parties should focus on helping Syrians get back to their homes, rather than merely providing support to those displaced. While thousands of such repatriations occurred last month, these transfers have been criticized by international aid groups as failing to ensure returnees’ welfare.
He also rejected recent calls for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to take a more active role in curbing Hezbollah’s activities on the southern border, saying it is “not a military force” and that Lebanon “cannot give them … a mission to inspect the homes of the people to see if they have weapons or not.”
A transcript of the interview, conducted by Al-Monitor’s managing editor, slightly edited for clarity, follows:
Al-Monitor: As the Syrian conflict continues, Lebanon is now hosting over 1 million refugees. The Lebanese government has called for more aid from international parties, including the EU and Washington. During meetings — during President Trump's meetings with Prime Minister Saad Hariri earlier this month — President Donald Trump stressed the military angle, responding to a question about refugee support, by saying, "We are helping. And one of the things that we have made tremendous strides at is getting rid of [the Islamic State]." What additional forms of support would you like to see?
Aoun: Well, America is still helping. And we are doing a good job, because we are getting rid of [IS], and I think it's going very well. But the international community doesn't help the Lebanese government. And we are paying more than the international community to help the refugees or displaced people in Lebanon because we have to provide them with water, electricity and everything else to make their life in Lebanon easier. The others, they are giving them food — but we are educating children, Syrian children. The schools are open twice a day, one session in the morning and one in the afternoon. And the hospitals are full.
All of these services are provided by the Lebanese government, and we are living under three crises. First, the global economic crisis certainly influenced our economy. Second, the war all around us has limited [our access to] Arab countries, because the only [land] access we have to the Arab countries is Syria. Otherwise, we have to go by plane, and this is not suitable for commerce. It is not the economic way, you know, to [conduct trade]. And the third crisis is the displaced people. And it is the most expensive.
Al-Monitor: What other priorities will you address in your meetings here this week?
Aoun: Well, to help us. But the refugees will go back to Syria because the biggest areas of Syria are stabilized and secured right now, about 82% or 85%. The Syrians now are gaining stability and security. And then, if the international community wants to help them, they may help them in Syria. It will be more economic. The cost will be lower than in Lebanon. That's what we are asking now from the international community: not to help us, but to help the people go back to their homes. That's what I am asking from [the international community] — and I will say it [on Thursday].
Al-Monitor: Recent operations against Islamic State fighters on the Lebanese-Syrian border have revived debate about cooperation between the Lebanese army and Hezbollah. You have previously said that as long as the Lebanese army isn't strong enough to defend against threats, there is a need for Hezbollah to have weapons. Do you foresee further cooperation in the future, and are you concerned that this could negatively impact the army's international support?
Aoun: Hezbollah, you know, is a Lebanese organization that was founded to liberate our territory from the Israeli occupation. It was created for that in 1985, and then later, in 2000, Israel withdrew from Lebanon and we believed that the action of Hezbollah was finished.
And I met with them [in early 2006 as head of the Free Patriotic Movement] and signed a memorandum of understanding about how to [disarm] Hezbollah and to maintain a dialogue for that, but in [the summer of] 2006, Israel attacked once more. And it's complicated, this situation. You cannot say to Hezbollah, "We have to dismantle your organization," since Israel is provoking Lebanon and it is attacking. Last week, they attacked twice. The first attack, it was not on Lebanon, but it was from the airspace of Lebanon to Syria. And after that, they simulated an air attack on Sidon, and they broke windows of houses. They broke the sound barrier and [the sonic boom caused damage]. This was at a low altitude, just over the buildings.
Actually Hezbollah has become a component of the regional crisis. If we have to solve the problem of Hezbollah, it would be within a general solution to the Middle East crisis, especially in Syria.
Al-Monitor: Last month, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of UNIFIL, yet UN Ambassador Nikki Haley argued that UNIFIL must step up its patrols and inspections to disrupt Hezbollah's illicit activities. Given Hezbollah's strong presence in the area under the UNIFIL mandate, do you foresee this being an issue in future debates concerning the force?
Aoun: UNIFIL is not a military force to be used; they are observers. We cannot give them a combat mission or a mission to inspect the homes of the people to see if they have weapons or not. They are there to observe the borders of Lebanon and Israel and to count how many times the Israeli aircraft goes through Lebanese borders.
Al-Monitor: I have one last question. Prime Minister Hariri recently traveled to Moscow to discuss boosting economic and military ties with Russia in his first visit to the country as premier. How can boosting Russian ties support the Lebanese economy, and are you planning military cooperation with Russia to counter extremist militants?
Aoun: Right now, we don't have any accord with Russia about that kind of trading, mutual trading from Russia and to Russia. But they are showing goodwill for that. I think if I visit the Russians, at that moment [we will] decide what we'll do. But we have some Russian weapons. I think we need some ammunitions for these weapons — they can help from the military side.

Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on September 21-22/17
Pope Francis Receives MWL Chief
Asharq Al-Awsat/September 21/17/London- Pope Francis on Wednesday met with the Muslim World League’s Chief Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the Vatican said in a statement, without elaborating on the content of the meeting. The Muslim world appreciates Pope Francis’ stance on false claims linking Islam to extremism and violence, Al-Issa told the pope. The two men exchanged views on a number of topics of mutual concern, notably cooperation between the Vatican and the Islamic world on issues concerning peace and coexistence. Pope Francis had formerly said that violence is not directly related to Islam, and that no religion is free from having extremist followers. After their meeting, the pope and Al-Issa exchanged gifts. The MWL chief gave the pope a religious symbol representing Islamic civilization and its communication with other civilizations. Pope Francis gave Al-Issa a memorial pen marking the 500th anniversary of St. Peter’s Basilica in 2006, and a medal commemorating his fifth year as head of the Roman Catholic Church. During his visit, the MWL chief will meet senior figures from the Vatican administration and leading Italian officials, and will attend a number of religious and cultural functions in Rome.The Saudi Arabian government-supported NGO, MWL, was founded in 1962 to propagate Islam and to improve worldwide understanding of the religion.Headquartered in the Saudi city of Mecca, the MWL in its mission statement says it rejects violence and fosters “dialogue with people of other cultures.”

U.S., Russian Generals Meet to Talk Syria Ops
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 21/17/U.S. and Russian generals have met to discuss Syria operations, an American officer said Thursday, amid back-and-forth allegations that each side had struck the other's allied ground forces. Colonel Ryan Dillon, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition battling the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq and Syria, said the officers this week met face-to-face "in the region" to exchange information about Deir Ezzor province, where U.S.-backed local forces are operating ever closer to Russian-backed Syrian regime troops. "The discussions emphasized the need to share operational graphics and locations to ensure... prevention of accidental targeting or other possible frictions that would distract from the defeat of ISIS," Dillon said, using an alternate acronym for IS. Russia on Thursday warned the United States of reprisals after artillery fire from an area controlled by the U.S.-backed fighters -- known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- in eastern Syria allegedly targeted government troops. That incident came just days after the coalition and the SDF accused Russian warplanes of bombing SDF fighters east of the Euphrates river, an allegation that Moscow denied.
The high-level military meeting reflects the ever-tightening pressure on IS in the oil-rich Deir Ezzor region and near the city of Deir Ezzor itself, where regime forces are fighting IS. Russian and coalition officials have for nearly two years been exchanging limited information over a so-called "deconfliction" hotline to avoid mishaps in Syria's crowded skies and warn of strikes that might be near each other's ground forces, but this was the first in-person meeting of commanders. A longtime ally of Syria, Russia stepped into the multi-front conflict in September 2015 and shifted the balance of power in favor of President Bashar al-Assad with extensive air support and other aid.

N. Korea Shrugs off Trump Threat as 'Dog's Bark'
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 21/17/North Korea's foreign minister has brushed aside US President Donald Trump's fiery threat to destroy his nation, comparing it to a "dog's bark" and suggesting Pyongyang would not be deterred by the rhetoric. Trump used his stormy maiden address at the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday to warn the North that Washington would "totally destroy" it if the US or its allies was attacked. The bellicose speech came after months of escalating tensions over advances in the rogue weapons programme operated by Pyongyang, which has defied tough sanctions to launch its sixth and largest nuclear test and to fire a series of missiles over Japan. Arriving in New York for the UN meetings, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho was mobbed with questions from reporters about the Trump speech and replied with a proverb. "There is a saying that marching goes on even when dogs bark," he said as he entered his hotel on Wednesday. "If they are trying to shock us with the sound of a dog's bark they are clearly having a dog dream." Isolated and impoverished, the North says it needs a sturdy nuclear deterrence to protect it from an aggressive US and the autocratic regime has made militarism a central part of its national ideology. Pyongyang's stated aim is to be able to target the US mainland and the nation has flaunted the advances in its weapons programme in recent weeks, with the September test of what it said was a miniaturised H-bomb capable of being loaded onto a rocket. The country also tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles in July that appeared to bring much of the US mainland into range. The increasingly brazen provocations have frayed the patience of the US and its allies. Trump dubbed the North's leader Kim Jong-Un "Rocket man" and said he was on a "suicide mission". A day later Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the UN that dialogue with the North would not work. The comments are likely to dismay China -- the North's only major ally and trading partner -- which has consistently called for a resumption of talks. Observers say that despite the tough rhetoric, any military response to the crisis would risk a devastating conflict that would imperil millions. The North has fortified its southern frontier with a hefty arsenal of artillery that has the South's capital Seoul, just 55 kilometers (35 miles) away, in its sights. Japan is also within range of missile strikes, while the North itself has a population of millions ensnared by the Pyongyang regime.

Moscow Warns US after Artillery Hits Syrian Regime Forces
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 21/17/Russia warned the United States of reprisals Thursday after artillery fire from an area controlled by US-backed fighters in eastern Syria targeted government troops. A military spokesman in Moscow blamed Syrian Democratic Forces and said future attacks would be repelled. "Syrian regime forces were twice targeted with massive fire from mortar launchers and rocket artillery from areas east of the Euphrates river where SDF forces and US special forces are," Igor Konashenkov said in a statement. "A representative of US command in Al Udeid, Qatar, was notified in severe form that attempts to attack from districts where SDF fighters are located will be repelled," he said. "Fire positions in these areas will be immediately suppressed with all available weapons," he said. Russia is supporting the current offensive by Syrian government forces against Islamic State jihadists near the city of Deir Ezzor with air cover, while Russian special forces are also active in the area. Konashenkov said regime forces control 85 percent of Deir Ezzor. "The city will be liberated in the coming week," he said. On Monday, Syrian government troops crossed the Euphrates river, sealing off the city on three sides. Meanwhile, SDF, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, is pushing the IS group from the northeastern part of the province, as the US-led coalition provides air cover. To prevent the two operations from clashing, the coalition, the SDF, Syria's government and Russia agreed on a "de-confliction line" that runs from the neighbouring province of Raqa southeast along the Euphrates to Deir Ezzor. But on Saturday the US-led coalition and the SDF accused Russian warplanes of bombing SDF fighters east of the river, an allegation that Moscow denied. Konashenkov said Syrian regime forces have continued the offensive on the eastern side of the Euphrates over the past day, "freeing 16 square kilometres and two villages from terrorists."A longtime ally of Syria, Russia stepped into the multi-front conflict in September 2015 and shifted the balance of power in favour of President Bashar al-Assad with extensive air support and other aid.

Iraq Brings All of Remaining IS Territory under Attack
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 21/17/Iraq brought all of its territory still held by the Islamic State group under attack Thursday, announcing an assault on the second of two remaining jihadist enclaves. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the attack on the besieged IS pocket around the mainly Sunni Arab northern town of Hawija, began at dawn and predicted it would bring a new victory against the crumbling jihadists. The enclave, which was bypassed by government forces in their drive north to second city Mosul last year, has been a bastion of insurgency ever since the first year of the US-led occupation in 2003. After the defeat of IS in Mosul in July and the recapture of adjacent areas, Hawija and neighbouring towns form the last enclave still held by IS apart from a section of the Euphrates Valley downstream from the Iraqi border. "At the dawn of a new day, we announce the launch of the first stage of the liberation of Hawija, in accordance with our commitment to our people to liberate all Iraqi territory and eradicate Daesh's terrorist groups," Abadi said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. "Greetings to all of our forces, who are waging several battles of liberation at the same time and who are winning victory after victory and this will be another, with the help of God," he said. An AFP correspondent heard heavy shelling around the IS-held town of Sharqat where Iraqi forces have been massing in recent days. - 'Kandahar of Iraq' -Hawija earned the nickname of "Kandahar in Iraq" from US-led coalition troops from the early months after the invasion of 2003 for the ferocious resistance it put up similar to that in the Taliban militia's bastion in Afghanistan. Located west of the ethnically divided Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk, Hawija also lies on a fault line of Arab-Kurdish tensions. Despite forming part of Kirkuk province, the area is overwhelmingly Sunni Arab and bitterly opposed to Kurdish ambitions to incorporate Kirkuk in their autonomous region in the north. Preparations for the offensive in Hawija have been overshadowed by an independence referendum that Kurdish leaders plan to hold on Monday in areas including Kirkuk against the wishes of the federal government in Baghdad. It is the latest in a string of setbacks for IS in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. After seizing swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, IS has seen the territory under its control fast diminish in recent months. On Tuesday, Iraqi forces launched an attack up the Euphrates Valley against the other one of IS's two remaining enclaves in Iraq. And in Syria's eastern province of Deir Ezzor, IS faces twin assaults -- one by Russian-backed government troops and the other by US-backed fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Further up the Euphrates, the SDF now controls 90 percent of the city of Raqa, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Wednesday. The jihadists seized Raqa in early 2014, making it their de facto Syria capital and a byword for the group's most gruesome atrocities, including public beheadings. IS is also thought to have used the city to plan attacks abroad.

Russia says will target US-backed fighters in Syria if provoked
Reuters, MoscowThursday, 21 September 2017/Russia warned the United States it would target areas in Syria where US special forces and US-backed militia were operating if its own forces came under fire from them, which it said on Thursday had already happened twice. Russia was referring to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias fighting with the US-led coalition, which Moscow said had diverted from the battle for control of Raqqa to Deir al-Zor, where Russian special forces are helping the Syrian army push out Islamic State militants. The Russian Defence Ministry said the SDF had taken up positions on the eastern banks of the Euphrates with US special forces, and had twice opened fire with mortars and artillery on Syrian troops who were working alongside Russian special forces. “A representative of the US military command in Al Udeid (the US operations centre in Qatar) was told in no uncertain terms that any attempts to open fire from areas where SDF fighters are located would be quickly shut down,” Major-General Igor Konashenkov said in a statement. “Fire points in those areas will be immediately suppressed with all military means.”
The Russian warning underscores growing tensions over Syria between Moscow and Washington. While both oppose ISIS they are engaged, via proxies, in a race for strategic influence and potential resources in the form of oilfields. In eastern Syria’s Deir al-Zor province, ISIS is battling two separate offensives with the SDF on one side and the Syrian army and its allies on the other.

US ‘strongly opposes’ planned Iraq Kurdish referendum
Staff writer, Al Arabiya EnglishThursday, 21 September 2017/The United States says it "strongly opposes" the planned referendum for independence by Iraqi Kurds, a statement from the State Department said. According to the Iraqi constitution, the Kurds have a right to hold the referendum, Iraq's Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said on Wednesday. He also stressed that the region refuses to withdraw to the “green line” Baghdad demands. Meanwhile, an official source in Saudi Arabia commented on the referendum, saying that with current conditions experienced by the region and the risks it faces, it would be best to avoid new crises that may result in negative repercussions, political and security.

Turkey, Iran and Iraq warn of ‘counter-measures’ against Kurd vote
AFP, IstanbulThursday, 21 September 2017/Turkey, Iran and Iraq on Thursday urged Iraq’s Kurdistan region to abandon a planned referendum on independence, threatening unspecified “counter-measures” if it goes ahead with the vote. The foreign ministers of Turkey, Iran and Iraq held a rare trilateral meeting Wednesday in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, days ahead of the non-binding September 25 referendum. Ankara and Tehran fear independence for the Kurds of northern Iraq would embolden their own Kurdish minorities, and Baghdad has bitterly opposed the plebiscite.
The three states reaffirmed their commitment to Iraq’s territorial integrity and emphasized their “unequivocal opposition to the referendum,” in a joint statement released by the Turkish foreign ministry. They also “agreed in this regard to consider taking counter-measures in coordination,” according to the statement, which did not provide any details. The ministers called the planned vote “unconstitutional”, saying it ran the risk of provoking new conflicts in the region, and would “not be beneficial” for the Kurds of Iraq. They also said the referendum would put Iraq’s hard-earned gains against ISIS militants “under great risk”.
A better deal
The United States also opposes the referendum, warning that it may not be able to help Iraq’s Kurds negotiate a better deal with Baghdad if they go ahead with the vote. Turkey has its own long-running conflict with separatists among its sizable Kurdish minority, and has vowed to quash any Kurdish state from emerging in war-torn Syria. In New York, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday demanded that Iraqi Kurds call off the referendum, while hinting at consequences if they go ahead. “Steps such as demands for independence that can cause new crises and conflicts in the region must be avoided,” Erdogan told the UN General Assembly. With conspicuous timing, Turkey on Monday launched a military drill involving 100 vehicles including tanks on the Iraqi border, which was continuing for a fourth day according to Turkish media reports.

Meet in Geneva highlights ‘enforced disappearances’ in Iran
Staff writer, Al Arabiya EnglishThursday, 21 September 2017/A meet organized in Geneva on Wednesday, September 20, has highlighted the cases of enforced disappearances in Iran. It brought together representatives of ethnic minorities to discuss Iran’s violations of its citizens’ fundamental rights and enforced disappearance in particular, as a crime against humanity. A statement released later said that the event – “Enforced Disappearances in Iran and the Assault on Fundamental Rights” – was organized by the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty (NPRTT) in cooperation with the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). The event took place on the sidelines of the 36th regular session of United Nation Human Rights Council (HRC). Fernando Burges, program manager of UNPO discussed the challenges his organization faces while advocating the right of ethnic minorities with EU politicians who work with Iran. “Whenever we are to discuss Iran we highlight the fact that Iran is a multi-ethnic country and not a Persian state. Currently 4 ethnic monitors from Iran are members of UNPO, the Ahwazi Arabs, Kurds, Azerbaijani Turks and Baluchies,” he said. People protest against executions and human rights violations in Iran on a square near the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague March 25, 2014. (Reuters)
Mona Silavi from Democratic Solidarity Party of Al-Ahwaz discussed the role of parallel security forces and institutions such as IRGC in escalation of enforced disappearances. Silavi added that since 2004 Iranian government has been delaying the country visit of the UN Working Group on Involuntary and Enforced Disappearance (WGEID) and Iranian government refuses to declare the fate of 520 reported victims. In the statement, Silavi said that the actual number is estimated to be higher. However, they are not reported due to restrictions imposed on the families by the Iranian government. One of these victims is her own father Yousef Silavi disappeared in November 2009. Baban Eliassi from Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) and member of the committee for support of Kurdish political prisoners in Iranian Kurdistan highlighted the deterioration of human rights and the crackdown on the recent demonstrations in Kurdistan which were held as a sign of protest for the shooting of Kurdish “koolbars” (border carriers) by the Iranian border police.
Peshko Khosravi representative of Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan focused particularly on the case of Ramin Hossein Panahi, one of the members of Komala party who was shot by Islamic Revolutionary Guard corps and later disappeared. Khosravi added that 20 members of Panahi’s family were arrested following his disappearance.

Egypt’s Parliament Accuses Qatar of Conspiring with HRW
Asharq Al-Awsat/September 21/17/Cairo- Egyptian parliamentarians accused Qatar of inciting Human Rights Watch against Cairo, describing a report issued by the organization earlier this month as “politicized and fabricated.”The deputies based their accusations on a meeting between the Qatari Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, at the Prince’s residence in New York on Monday during his participation in the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to an official statement issued by the Egyptian Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, it was agreed with Egyptian civil and human rights organizations to put forward plans for external actions, in order to respond to the “international reports that distort the reality of human rights in Egypt.”In its 63-page report, HRW said: “Torture has become a systemic practice in Egypt.”Sharif al-Wardani, the parliamentary committee’s secretary, described the HRW report as politicized, and linked it to the meeting of the Qatari Emir with the director of the organization. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Wardani stressed that there was a role for Doha in the report “which cannot be treated seriously, or considered as professional or neutral”. He also noted that the members of the Committee would be meeting soon with the Egyptian foreign ministry to agree on a mechanism to collect evidence that would uncover the involvement of officials or Qatari institutions in the incitement against Egypt, with the aim of bringing them before international courts, especially with regard to financing the murder of Egyptian soldiers.

Trump Praises Jordan in Assisting Syrian Refugees
Asharq Al-Awsat/September 21/17/US President Donald Trump meets with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. Petra Jordan News Agency photo
New York- US President Donald Trump has lauded the role of Jordan under the leadership of King Abdullah II in hosting Syrian refugees, and praised the strong ties between the two countries.“I just want to thank you for everything you’ve done, in terms of the refugees and taking care of people that — who knows what would have happened without you?” Trump told the king during bilateral talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York on Wednesday. In his turn, King Abdullah II praised US support for his country “in these difficult times and the special bond between our two nations.”The two sides discussed how to accelerate the defeat of ISIS and other terrorist groups. “Terrorism is a scourge around the world, but I think Jordan will always stand beside you and your country. And we will overcome,” the King said. In his first address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump stressed that it would be better to assist refugees in their hosting communities rather than resettling them. According to the United Nations, Jordan hosts some 738,000 refugees, the majority of whom are Syrians.

Palestine Rejects Israel’s Decision to Expand Gun Permits Eligibility
Asharq Al-Awsat/September 21/17/Ramallah– Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan decided to expand gun permit eligibility in the occupied territories, creating additional concern among Palestinian officials amid fears of rising executions of Palestinians. Erdan has claimed the decision is necessary for the security forces to be able to respond immediately to terrorist operations. The new gun license eligibility extends to include all former Israeli soldiers entitling them to carry a firearm. Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the decision to expand gun permits, saying such a step represents a serious escalation by Israeli occupation forces regarding field executions policy which enables Israeli elements to shoot Palestinian people based on weak allegations. The statement added that the decision reflects extremism, racism and hatred of Israeli society and its political and security leadership. It is the result of the wide incitement campaign carried out by the extremist right wing ruling party. Israel Hayom newspaper said Erdan intends to confront attacks carried out by Palestinians since October 2015, when al-Quds Intifada was first launched. The newspaper explained that the minister also wanted security forces to quickly respond in the event of a terror attack.“I decided to switch to a balancing policy. It’s a matter of public interest: When a trained and armed individual is at the scene of a terror attack, we can see the difference. This saves human lives,” Erdan declared. Over the past two years, a rising number of Israelis have rushed to official institutions to issue gun permits. The Palestinian ministry held the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully responsible for the decision and its disastrous consequences. It called on human rights organizations to consider such a dangerous decision and to take serious action to uncover and denounce this policy which leads to deadly acts against the Palestinian people. The statement condemned the silence of the international community and UN organizations regarding the occupation’s crimes, adding it represents a cover for more Israeli escalatory acts, enabling the occupation authorities to violate international human rights laws.

Federal Elections in Northern Syria Planned Under US Supervision amid Turkish Massing at Borders
Asharq Al-Awsat/September 21/17/London- The first concrete steps to establish the northern Syrian federation will begin with minor elections starting Friday, followed by the establishment of a parliament and an executive body (government) early next year to manage three districts and six provinces. The elections are being held in areas with concentrated American and Russian military. US forces are based east of the Euphrates River to support the Syrian Democratic Forces and fight ISIS, while a Russian military center is nestled west of the river to support the Kurdish-led People Protection Units and separate them from Turkish-backed Syrian factions north of Aleppo. Expected elections coincide with the Turkish crowds massing on southern borders and ongoing threats of resorting to force to prevent the establishment of a Kurdish region in northern Syria. Other crowds packed up against borders with Iraq in hopes of pressuring the Kurdistan region to postpone independence referendum scheduled for next Monday. The Turkish National Security Council will convene on Friday under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss concrete measures, including support for a military operation in Idlib to prevent the establishment of a Kurdish passage from Aleppo’s countryside to Latakia and stretching towards the Mediterranean.In the “Northern Federal System” the elections are set for Sep 22. According to estimates put forth by the Executive Committee of the North Syrian Federation chief Fawza al-Yousef, about three million Syrians live in the three provinces—some 1.5 million are Kurds. Thousands of men and women have gone to the polls in the last few days to vote in the first elections in areas controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. In a telephone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Yousef said whether the polls being held for a town, village or neighborhood posts will be held by both males and females.The city of Raqqa, which the SDF liberated some 90 percent of from ISIS hold, will not be part of the Northern Federation. As for elections held for local administrations in Raqqa liberated areas, they are scheduled to take place on November 3. Then, on January 19, a final phase will elect legislative councils as well as a single joint legislative assembly.

UN Presents Three-Phase Plan for Solution in Libya
Asharq Al-Awsat/September 21/17/Cairo, New York – Ghassan Salame, the UN envoy for Libya, outlined an action plan of three phases to resolve the crisis in the country, during a high-level meeting on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.
He said the initiative would be led by Libyans to find a way out of the crisis that has split the nation among rival militias and governments. “Six years ago, the Libyans were promised a transition phase. Today they are tired and want to get out of doubt,” Salame said at the beginning of the meeting.
In earlier remarks, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: “The Libyans have long suffered; they deserve peace and to live in democracy and prosperity.”Ten of the leaders of the countries directly or indirectly involved in the Libya file participated in the meeting, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj. Salame explained that the Skhirat agreement signed at the end of 2015 under the auspices of the United Nations, “remains the only possible framework”, before adding: “But there is broad consensus to amend it”. “The action plan was not designed by me, but by the Libyans. They want an inclusive process, a way forward which clearly defines stages and objectives,” he stated. Salame noted that the drafting of the plan would begin next week before the convening of a national conference for all key Libyan actors to join the political process. Speaking about the first phase of the roadmap, Salame announced that a meeting would be held next week for the committee charged with amending the Skhirat agreement, in accordance with Article 12 of the political deal that established the internationally recognized national accord government in Tripoli. The second phase of Salame’s plan is a national conference held under the auspices of the United Nations and which will bring together the “marginalized actors” of the Libyan scene in order to launch dialogue with armed groups with the aim of integrating their members into the political process. The third phase, according to the roadmap, is to hold a referendum to adopt a new constitution within a year, which will pave the way to general presidential and parliamentary elections. “I am also convinced that today there is an opportunity to end a protracted crisis that has caused immense suffering and contributed to the instability beyond Libya’s borders. We must all seize this moment,” Guterres said in an address to key stakeholders.

Iraq Launches Offensive to Retake ISIS Bastion Hawija
Asharq Al-Awsat/September 21/17/Iraq has launched an offensive to retake the town of Hawija, one of two remaining bastions of ISIS in the country, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced Thursday. “At the dawn of a new day, we announce the launch of the first stage of the liberation of Hawija, in accordance with our commitment to our people to liberate all Iraqi territory and eradicate ISIS’ terrorist groups,” he said in a statement. “Greetings to all of our forces, who are waging several battles of liberation at the same time and who are winning victory after victory and this will be another, with the help of God,” he said. Iraqi forces have now forced ISIS out of all its Iraqi territories except Hawija, 300 kilometers north of Baghdad, and several pockets of territory near the border with Syria. The town was one of the first areas to fall under the control of the terrorist group, which overran about a third of Iraq in 2014. Artillery fire was heard Thursday morning, with the army heading towards Sharqat, southwest of Hawija, an AFP reporter said. The US-led international coalition is providing air support to the Iraqi forces’ offensive on Hawija, Iraqi state TV said. Iraqi and coalition planes have stepped up a campaign of airstrikes on Hawija earlier this month, targeting ISIS bases and weapons facilities. Iraqi forces declared victory over the extremists in Mosul in July and in the western town of Tal Afar the following month. The United Nations last week said up to 85,000 people could be displaced from the Hawija region.

Riyadh Calls on Barzani to Abandon Independence Referendum
Asharq Al-Awsat/September 21/17/Jeddah, Baghdad- Saudi Arabia has called on Kurdistan to refrain from organizing the referendum on independence scheduled on September 25, warning of “risks” that might result from such step. The Kingdom also urged all parties to engage in a serious dialogue to achieve the interests of all the components of the Iraqi people “in order to ensure the establishment of security and peace in brotherly Iraq and preserve its unity and sovereignty.” Riyadh said it was relying on the wisdom of Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani to abandon the referendum and “spare Iraq and the region further threats that may ensue”. An official Saudi source said: “Saudi Arabia’s call for the postponement of the referendum comes in the wake of the current circumstances and dangers in the region, and in order to avoid new crises that may lead to negative political, security and humanitarian repercussions.”
The source said that Saudi Arabia expressed its appreciation to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi for his efforts in serving Iraq and the Iraqi people, with all its components, and its appreciation to the leaders and components of the people in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and the achievements and progress they have made in all areas. It also urged the concerned leaders not to rush to take any unilateral positions that would further complicate the regional situation, and work according to the interests of the parties and achieve the aspirations of the Iraqi people. In Iraq, Abadi said that relinquishing the idea of the referendum would be without a price, stressing that Iraqis would be the ones to demand guarantees. His view comes in line with the Arab stance in general, which sees that “there is no point in providing guarantees to the party causing the crisis.”Abadi was speaking during a meeting with a group of journalists on Tuesday evening. He renewed his rejection of the Kurdistan referendum “whether it is held now or in the future, within the borders of the region or outside it,” describing such move as contrary to the constitution.

Canada marks International Day of Peace
September 21, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, and the Honourable Ahmed D. Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today issued the following statement:
“As we mark International Day of Peace, we recognize that displacement and the ill-treatment of migrants and refugees are clear barriers to peace.
“With conflict and persecution causing millions of people to flee their homes in search of safety and protection, displacement levels are higher than they have been since World War II. Today, over 65 million people around the world are forcibly displaced, and more than 22 million of them are refugees.
“We are all capable of showing empathy toward those seeking refuge. The overwhelming generosity with which Canadians have recently welcomed more than 40,000 Syrian refugees is an example of how, in the face of rising xenophobia and hardening borders, Canada always chooses peace, compassion, protection of human rights and inclusion. As part of our Middle East engagement strategy, we are also helping Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon meet the needs of Syrian refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries.
“We remain ever mindful that women and girls are often most at risk of human rights violations and attacks on their security. We must uphold human dignity at a time when internal conflicts are proliferating and humanitarian principles, international laws and human rights are increasingly violated. Canada’s new Feminist International Assistance Policy addresses the gender dimensions of forced displacement so women and girls are able to be agents of change and participate in peacebuilding and conflict-prevention processes.
“Today, on International Day of Peace, we stand up for the rights of all those forced to flee as a result of conflict and join the United Nations and our international partners to demand respect, safety and dignity for all.”

Iran Protesters at United Nations: Yes to Change in Iran, No to Rouhani
September 21/17/Agencies/Today, thousands of Iranians gathered across the UN to present a truly different image of Iran: democratic, peaceful, and humane. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic emissary Hassan Rouhani once again used the UN pedestal to shower praise on Tehran’s ruling clerics. Many observers believe that Rouhani’s stale slogans smacked of desperation and pretence. Isolated and generally regarded as a pariah, the Islamic Republic’s familiar figures try to stick to the same plot and project an image of a powerful and rational player.Brush aside the forced rhetoric and the unappealing truth reveals itself: according to Amnesty International, this is a political establishment that has hanged over 3,000 people under Rouhani alone, securing the world record for the highest number of executions per capita. Dozens of juveniles are among the victims, securing another record: the world’s last remaining executioner of children. If Iran’s electoral system examined closely, it becomes clear that Rouhani does not appear to represent the Iranian people. In addition, his cabinet is comprised of veteran intelligence and security forces with dark pasts. For example, this includes his justice minister, Alireza Avayi, who was the Revolutionary Public prosecutor at the time when the massacre of thousands of opponents in 1988 occurred. Rouhani’s former justice minister, Mostafa Pourmohammadi was on the “death committee” for these executions and recently pointed out that he was proud to have carried out “God’s commandment” in 1988 against activists of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), the leading opposition. 30,000 political prisoners were killed in the massacre. Tehran’s regional policy is no better, with military and missile budgets skyrocketing under Rouhani, leading to belligerent agenda in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and other hotspots in the region. No wonder that overwhelming majority of the Iranian people want a new Iran, free from a political establishment that diverts their wealth and scarce resources towards suppression, missiles and terrorism.
As President Trump said in his address to the General Assembly this week, the Islamic Republic’s main victims are the Iranian people.“The entire world understands that the good people of Iran want change,” he said.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/iran-protesters-yes-to-change-in-iran-no-to-rouhani_us_59c42b13e4b08d6615504134?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004

Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on September 21-22/17
American Islamists Turn to Ankara
Samantha Mandeles and Samuel Westrop/Gatestone Institute/September 21/17
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/11041/american-islamists-turn-to-ankara
In general, lawful Islamist movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood work to insert themselves into Western society, exploiting liberal, democratic bodies to promote their own illiberal and anti-democratic ideology.
Whether co-opting Western democracies to silence its critics, or funding American Islamist organizations with long histories of extremism and ties to terror, the Turkish regime is now a crucial component of the global Islamist threat.
For the past few years, the international Muslim Brotherhood has found a welcoming home in Ankara in the face of opposition from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Consequently, U.S. Islamist organizations have also turned to the Turkish regime for collaboration and support.
On September 18th, a Washington, D.C.- based organization, the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC), hosted an event in New York City with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "US-based Muslim Brotherhood supporters have a busy week coming up," the Middle East analyst Eric Trager noted. "They're hanging with Erdogan on Monday, protesting Sisi on Wednesday."
Organizers of the TASC event included Ahmed Shehata, a lobbyist for the Muslim Brotherhood who has also worked for Islamic Relief and the Muslim American Society -- two prominent Islamist groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United Arab Emirates in 2014.
Last year, following Turkish claims of an attempted coup against the regime, a TASC rally in support of Erdogan outside the White House included Shehata and a number of prominent American Islamist leaders, such as Nihad Awad, the Executive Director of the terror-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). As the Investigative Project on Terrorism notes, Erdogan's Justice and Development Party subsequently sent a delegation to the United States to hold meetings with senior CAIR officials. Since then, Awad has continued to meet with representatives of the Turkish regime.
Such partnerships are not new. Since a coalition of U.S. Islamist organizations travelled to Turkey in 2014, prominent American Islamic groups linked to the Muslim Brotherhood have become some of Erdogan's staunchest advocates in America.
U.S. Islamist organizations have turned to the Turkish regime for collaboration and support. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
In 2014, the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) featured three regime-linked speakers, including Erdogan's senior advisor, Ibrahim Kalin. ISNA, a Muslim Brotherhood front , was named by federal prosecutors as an unindicted co-conspirator during the 2008 Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing trial.
Also in 2014, Turkish regime official Mehmet Görmez recorded a video message for America's largest Islamic conference, organized jointly by two prominent Islamist organizations: the Muslim American Society and the Islamic Circle of North America (MAS-ICNA). In his message, Görmez announced the completion of a Turkish-funded mosque in Maryland, the Diyanet Center of America.
The MAS-ICNA conference that year was funded by the "Turkish-backed" American Zakat Foundation. In return, MAS-ICNA announced that the "Turkish presidency, agencies, several NGOs, state-media TRT World and Daily Sabah will organize events during the summit in Chicago, while President Erdoğan's daughter ... will attend the summit as guest of honor."
The Turkish regime and U.S. Islamist organizations have looked out for one another. Erdogan has denounced American attempts to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. And in 2015, U.S. Islamist groups, including CAIR, released a statement opposing recognizing the slaughter of Armenians organized by Turkey in 1915 as a genocide.
Turkey's intolerance for its critics is whitewashed by American Islamist groups. At the 2016 MAS-ICNA conference, Erdoğan's daughter defended the regime's purges – managing both to justify and deny mass-arrests of journalists. Prominent American Islamist operatives and clerics praised her speech.
In general, lawful Islamist movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood work to insert themselves into Western society, exploiting liberal, democratic bodies to promote their own illiberal and anti-democratic ideology.
Proving itself to be a natural ally of the Muslim Brotherhood, Turkey makes use of this same deception: on September 18, Erdogan's office demanded that NATO prevent a critic of the Turkish regime from speaking at a NATO Parliamentary Assembly conference organized by the Middle East Forum. When the dissident appeared anyway, the Turkish delegation interrupted proceedings and then stormed out.
Whether co-opting Western democracies to silence its critics, or funding American Islamist organizations with long histories of extremism and ties to terror, the Turkish regime is now a crucial component of the global Islamist threat. The West must recognize this, and work to counteract both.
*Sam Westrop and Samantha Mandeles are based at Islamist Watch, a project of the Middle East Forum.
© 2017 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

At UN, Trump pours cold water on Iran’s hopes
Hamid Bahrami/Al Arabiya/September 21/17
“We cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for eventual construction of a nuclear program”.These words were enough to prompt a grimace from the Iranian regime’s representative as he listened to President Trump’s first speech at the UN General Assembly, where world political leaders gather every year.All journalists were focused on President Trump’s remarks as he is famous around the world for being an unpredictable political leader, which brings media attention. His speech totted a full package of fiery and logic words about most important subjects such as the US national interests, the threats from North Korea, Iran’s malign activities in the Middle East and the refugee crisis. Highlighting the various threats posed by the regime in Tehran, the US president mentioned Iran 11 times during his speech indicating that Tehran’s destabilizing actions in the region will be one of the most crucial issues for the US foreign policy.The US president also launched a vitriolic attack on the catastrophic nuclear agreement, the Join Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and described it as “an embarrassment to the United States” and “the worst and most one-sided transactions the United State has ever entered into”.
Although everyone expected that Trump to point finger at the Iranian regime, the amount of time spent on concerns related to Iran sent a strong message
Appeasers and proponents
Iran’s president had hoped that his participation at the General Assembly would help appeasers and proponents of the agreement to defend the nuclear deal but these words show that the US foreign policy team will not condone Iran’s infractions. Indeed, President Trump allocated more than four minutes of his 42 minutes speech to Iran as he harshly criticized the regime’s destructive behavior in the four corners of the Middle East. “Iran’s government must stop supporting terrorists and respect the sovereign rights of its neighbors”, the US president said in his remarks.Although everyone expected that Trump to point finger at the Iranian regime, the amount of time spent on concerns related to Iran sent a strong message to the Iranian authorities and leaders to be careful.
Democratic aspirations
For Iranian people, a vital part of president Trump’s speech was about change in the country. He started by calling the regime a corrupt dictatorship and carried on to say words, which would have been punishable by death if uttered in Iran. He pointed out that “The longest suffering victims of Iran’s leaders are, in fact, its own people”, and went on to criticize the Iranian government for using the country’s resources and oil revenues to support terrorism in the Middle East instead of improving people’s live. It is worth noting that anyone in Iran who uttered these words would be sent to the gallows immediately. In a direct acknowledgement of the Iranian people’s democratic aspirations, president Trump said: “The entire world understands that the good people of Iran want change, and, other than the vast military power of the United States, that Iran’s people are what their leaders fear the most.”“Oppressive regimes cannot endure forever, and the day will come when the people will face a choice. Will they continue down the path of poverty, bloodshed and terror, or will the Iranian people return to the nation’s proud roots as a centre of civilization, culture and wealth, where their people can be happy and prosperous once again?” he asked.
As he was addressing the Iranian people, the Iranian regime’s representative was moped.

Failure of the Arab project
Fahad Suleiman Shoqiran/Al Arabiya/September 21/17
The big fuss about establishing an independent Kurdish state in Iraq reflects the threats against the concept of the state in the region. Many countries are under the threat of divisions, including Iraq and Syria. The Kurds have been paving way for this step and historical dream ever since the 1960’s. They have actually separated after Kuwait’s liberation in 1991 and they have a government and a system and well-known borders. There is also a dispute regarding the city of Kirkuk. Arabs are not in agreement here as this step harms “the dreams of unity” of people who are influenced by national slogans. This category thinks divisions reflect the collapse of the Arab state, particularly of a big country like Iraq, which has sentimental significance considering it’s the backbone of Muslims’ history. It’s the Kurds’ right to establish their independent state. The rise of religious voices and clerics’ interferences in the Iraqi authority strengthens the idea of independence. The establishment of a Kurdish state, however, may pave way to more divisions in Syria and other countries. Arabism did not succeed in strengthening the idea of the state in its modern concept but it tried to melt non-Arab entities within its project
Mitigating pressure
This state, if established, will pose a challenge to Iran and Turkey and mitigate pressure off Gulf countries which worry about these two countries’ ambitions to expand. It may also contribute to deterring political Islam if it manages to create a secular ruling system with a modern educational system and moderate policies that support stability and dialogue to resolve political matters in the region, including the Palestinian cause.
There are two different visions pertaining to the Kurdish state debate. I will address them by discussing the opinions of experts Rasheed al-Khayoun and Abdulrahman al-Rashed. In one of his recent op-eds, Khayoun wrote: “Choosing this particular time to hold the referendum is a stab to those who shed blood in valleys and mountains for the sake of the Kurds. It is a stab to the homeland, Iraq, which was never an occupier whom you’re now asking to give you the right to choose your fate”. “This request is understood as liberation from occupation and domination. We congratulate our Kurdish brothers for this most hated halal, if it makes them happy. However, what we fear is gloating. We fear a divorce that may pave way to wars and make them lose their gains and hopes which we wish will not disappoint us all.”Meanwhile, Rashed wrote in an op-ed: “Personally speaking, I mostly tend to agree with the Iraqi Kurds’ right to establish their own state. On the political and rational level, however, I think this desire must meet certain conditions before it’s achieved”.“Rehabilitating the Kurdish region is not enough to establish a state as the Iraqi state itself must be rehabilitated to live without its Kurdish region and not be subject to collapse or wars. Kurdistan’s exit from the state system will most likely threaten the sectarian demographic balance in Iraq immediately and it may cause new domestic conflicts.”
Different views
The two opinions express the different political views toward this division in the state that is suffering from fragility or wars and disturbances. Establishing a Kurdish state may be the division model to follow in other countries, and Syria is one of those threatened. Kurds have been a part of the Arab’s literary, social and political history, same as the Amazigh. The domination of the unitary discourse, however, destroyed diversity which Islamic history celebrated. Amazigh thinker Mohammed Arkoun talked about burying linguistic heritage and the magnificent diversity and said: “In order to establish the Arab Maghreb Union, they forcibly and randomly decided to delete all the old Amazigh history. It no longer exists. They simply told us: You are Arabs and there’s no such thing as Berber or Amazigh. This is what President Ahmed Ben Bella said in his first speech after the independence. He simply said: We are Arabs. He did not say: We speak Arabic.”Arabism did not succeed in strengthening the idea of the state in its modern concept but it tried to melt non-Arab entities within its project. The Kurds suffered a lot from this ugly nationalist orientation which forced them to establish a strategy to survive, especially with the rise of hate speech against them and that resonate with the racist rhetoric against the Amazigh. Therefore, the Kurdish state may be an existential necessity. And as much as it reflects the success of the Kurdish project, it expresses the failure of the destructive nationalist rhetoric and unitary projects.

Turkey's Erdogan Tries (and Fails) to Censor an American Think Tank
Winfield Myers/Gatestone Institute/September 21/17
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/11039/turkey-erdogan-tries-and-fails-to-censor
Turkey's descent into Islamist despotism distorts the NATO alliance: how can Turkey combat a external threat from without, Daniel Pipes asked, when a member state poses the same threat from within?
No one tells us what we can say. We are a free people, and we will act in complete freedom. – Daniel Pipes, President, Middle East Forum (MEF)
The purging of 120,000 government employees following last year's failed coup means that "more police counter-terrorism experts are in prison than ISIS members." A democratic Turkey is a must for NATO, both for the alliance's success and for Turkey itself. – Emre Celik, Turkish dissident, at Middle East Forum-NATO conference in Philadelphia, September 2017
When Celik he began to speak, the Turks -- and the NATO bureaucrats who support them -- marched out in lockstep, thereby allowing a distant despot to control their actions in the birthplace of liberty. NATO's willingness to ignore the principles it was founded to defend reveals the moral corruption at its heart....
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan often seems to fancy himself a world-striding figure capable of bullying anyone, anywhere he likes. As the world saw this past May, when his security forces launched what police called a "brutal attack" against peaceful demonstrators outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C., opponents of his dictatorial regime have good reason to fear for their safety, even in America.
Tuesday afternoon, however, Erdogan saw that his self-regard was no match for liberty buttressed by resolve: the Middle East Forum (MEF), a Philadelphia think tank, rejected his demand to disinvite a Turkish dissident, Emre Celik, from addressing a conference of thirty members of the Political Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO, that MEF sponsored — at NATO's suggestion, on September 19, 2017.
Celik is president of the Rumi Forum for Interfaith Dialogue and Intercultural Understanding, founded by followers of the aging Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, Erdogan's ally-turned-enemy, now living in exile in rural Pennsylvania. Erdogan has lodged unfounded charges that Gulen and his followers were behind the failed coup attempt against his regime in July 2016. Erdogan jailed thousands of Gulen's supporters, and demanded his extradition.
How can Turkey combat a threat from without , Daniel Pipes asked, when a member state such as Turkey poses the same threat from within? (Photo of President Erdogan: Wikimedia Commons).
Celik's presence on the program went unopposed throughout the summer. A line-up of speakers was formally accepted by all parties. Then, one week before the event, NATO staff told MEF that Turkey had written letters to NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Parliamentary Assembly President Paolo Alli, protesting Celik's inclusion and demanding his withdrawal.
This meant that NATO, an institution founded to defend Western civilization against dictatorial regimes, was willing to serve as a pawn of Turkey's dictator. Membership in NATO confers responsibility for mutual defense in the face of external aggression; it does not obligate the organization itself to obey rogue regimes that retain formal membership in the alliance despite their oppressive actions at home and abroad.
MEF president Daniel Pipes, in his keynote speech at the conference's conclusion, argued that NATO's primary task today is the defense of its members against the threat of Islamism, just as its founding mission had been a defense against communism. But Turkey's descent into Islamist despotism seriously distorts the NATO alliance: how can Turkey combat a threat from without Daniel Pipes asked, when a member state poses the same threat from within?
Pipes told his largely European audience that when they leave the building in which they were meeting, they will see Independence Hall, the seat of American liberty where our founding documents were debated and adopted. Just down the street sits the Liberty Bell, the symbol of American freedom. MEF, said Pipes, is grateful that Americans are a free people. "No one tells us what we can say," he emphasized; we are a free people, and we will act in complete freedom.
When MEF invited Celik, Pipes said, Ankara, 8,500 kilometers away, said no -- and NATO dutifully fell into line by insisting that MEF cancel the conference rather than allow Celik to speak. MEF at the time felt it had no choice but to obey.
But then, Pipes continued, "we recalled Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell," plus NATO's mission, and accordingly "Mr. Celik is here and will address us." "He will become an American citizen within days, for which we congratulate him." And with that, Pipes asked the audience to welcome Celik to the podium.
As Celik approached it, the Turkish delegation leapt to its feet and rushed the stage, while shouting that Celik's appearance was "unacceptable" and that "he cannot be on the stage" (video of this episode is here). While voices grew heated, Celik took a seat on stage alongside Pipes, while Michael Joping of the British House of Lords, and co-chair of the NATO PA delegation, took the microphone to object to Celik's appearance. He convinced the Turks to remain through his own brief, impromptu talk about NATO's future, at the end of which he attempted again to exclude Celik by ending the conference.
Pipes, however, was having none of this. He immediately joined Joping at the microphone and, unable to get the British gentleman to yield, pounded the podium and demanded that Celik be allowed to speak. Seeing himself outgunned (and outmanned), Joping exited the stage. "Thank you for having us," he said. "Thank you for coming," said Pipes as the two exchanged a curt handshake.
Free to speak, Celik warned that the under Erdogan's "new regime of repression," the "social mechanisms holding the nation together are falling apart." The purging of 120,000 government employees following last year's failed coup means that "more police counter-terrorism experts are in prison than ISIS members." A democratic Turkey is a must for NATO, Celik said, both for the alliance's success and for Turkey itself. At the end of his brief talk, he received a standing ovation.
Those who most needed to hear — and heed — Celik's words regrettably missed their opportunity. When Celik he began to speak, the Turks -- and the NATO bureaucrats who support them -- marched out in lockstep, thereby allowing a distant despot to control their actions in the birthplace of liberty. NATO's willingness to ignore the principles it was founded to defend reveals the moral corruption at its heart; but on this day, those principles proved resilient in the face of tyranny.
**Winfield Myers is Director of Academic Affairs at the Middle East Forum.
© 2017 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

EU: Delusions without Borders
Judith Bergman/Gatestone Institute/September 21/17
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/11034/eu-borders-delusions
Many migrants simply refused to leave, disappeared, or their home countries refused to receive them.
The European Commission published a "report card" on the EU member states' "progress" in taking the allocated quotas of migrants. Even Sweden, on the brink of societal collapse from the influx of migrants, was told that it was only "close" to reaching its quota.
ISIS apparently has at its disposal some 11,000 stolen blank Syrian passports that it could put to use in order to smuggle its terrorists into Europe under fake identities; at the same time, more European ISIS fighters are expected to return to Europe. Why does the EU want to make it easy for them?
On September 13, the President of the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, Jean Claude Juncker gave his State of the Union Address to the European Parliament, saying:
"Last year... Europe was battered and bruised by a year that shook our very foundation. We only had two choices. Either come together around a positive European agenda or each retreat into our own corners... I argued for unity. I proposed a positive agenda to help create ... a Europe that protects, empowers and defends... Over the past twelve months, the European Parliament has helped bring this agenda to life. We continue to make progress with each passing day... In the last year, we saw all 27 leaders... renew their vows... to our Union. All of this leads me to believe: the wind is back in Europe's sails."
Most EU citizens probably wondered what EU Juncker was talking about. The EU Juncker inhabits does not appear to be the same one most Europeans live in.
Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, gives his State of the Union Address to the European Parliament on September 13. (Image source: European Parliament)
This past year in Europe, a terrorist attack was attempted every seven days, on average. Juncker delivered his speech just two days before yet another terrorist attack, this time on the London underground, perpetrated by an 18-year old migrant. The European Commission, however, does not appear particularly concerned with such matters. Juncker mentioned terrorism only very briefly toward the very end of his long speech, almost as if it were an afterthought:
"The European Union must also be stronger in fighting terrorism. In the past three years, we have made real progress. But we still lack the means to act quickly in case of cross-border terrorist threats. This is why I call for a European intelligence unit that ensures data concerning terrorists and foreign fighters are automatically shared among intelligence services and with the police".
"Real progress"? The last three years saw an enormous surge in large-scale terrorist attacks in European cities: The ISIS attacks in Paris in November 2015, the Brussels attacks in March 2016, the Nice attack in July 2016, the Berlin Christmas Market attack in December 2016, and the Manchester attack in May 2017 -- and those are just the most spectacular ones. The hundreds of people killed and thousands more maimed would probably not subscribe to Juncker's definition of "progress".
Moreover, 16 years after 9/11 -- and the large-scale attacks that followed in Europe just a few years later -- it seems a bit embarrassing that the president of the European Commission is calling for enabling automatic data-sharing among intelligence services and police. Should that not have been in place more than a decade ago?
Juncker spoke of the five main priorities of the EU Commission for the coming year. Strengthening trade and industry were first and second on the list of priorities; climate change, third, and protecting Europe from cyber-attacks fourth. The issue of migration came last. Migration, Juncker said, choosing casual words, "will stay on our radar". He tried to claim that the EU is "protecting Europe's external borders more effectively" by adding the ridiculously small number of 1,700 officers from the new European Border and Coast Guard to aid member-states patrol places such as Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and Spain. He also claimed, "We have managed to stem irregular flows of migrants, which were a cause of great anxiety for many" -- making it sound as if the problem were European "anxiety", rather than the invasion of the continent by millions of mainly young Muslim men, several of whom have turned out to be Islamic terrorists.
Juncker made it clear that whatever Europeans may think -- polls repeatedly show that the majority of Europeans do not want any more migrants -- the EU does not intend to put a stop to migration. With ill-concealed reference to the Central and Eastern European member states' refusal to bow to EU demands, Juncker said:
"Even if it saddens me to see that solidarity is not yet equally shared across all our Member States, Europe as a whole has continued to show solidarity. Last year alone, our Member States resettled or granted asylum to over 720,000 refugees -- three times as much as the United States, Canada and Australia combined. Europe, contrary to what some say, is not a fortress and must never become one. Europe is and must remain the continent of solidarity where those fleeing persecution can find refuge".
Juncker also spoke about the issue of repatriation, a matter most European politicians gave up on years ago, even if they continue to say what they know their electorates want to hear:
"When it comes to returns: people who have no right to stay in Europe must be returned to their countries of origin. When only 36% of irregular migrants are returned, it is clear we need to significantly step up our work. This is the only way Europe will be able to show solidarity with refugees in real need of protection".
Hardly any migrants are returned to their countries of origin, nor are they ever likely to be. As Juncker well knows, it is too complicated and too expensive. Sweden serves as an example: In 2015, Sweden received a record 163,000 migrants. In January 2016, the Swedish government stated that 80,000 of them were not eligible for asylum and would have to be repatriated. In 2016, however, only a fraction of the migrants were sent back: roughly 4,000 out of the original 80,000 -- and at an extremely high price. 784 of the migrants were flown back home at a cost to Swedish taxpayers of 45.6 million Swedish kroner ($5.6 million).
Many migrants simply refused to leave, disappeared, or their home countries refused to receive them. The Swedish authorities paid one Moroccan migrant, Kader Bencheref -- a dangerous convicted rapist -- 40,000 Swedish Kroner ($5,000) before he finally agreed to be flown out of Sweden. A Sudanese migrant cost taxpayers 1 million Swedish kroner ($125,000) in botched attempts at repatriation: after being sent away by Sudan, the plane had to return to Sweden. Sometimes migrants are flown in expensive chartered private planes.
The European Commission, however, has little patience for such details. In a press release published September 6, the Commission published a sort of "report card" on the EU member states' "progress" in taking the allocated quotas of migrants. Even Sweden, on the brink of societal collapse from the influx of migrants, was told that it was only "close" to reaching its quota.
Finally, Juncker spoke of the need to extend the borderless area to those EU countries that are not parties to the Schengen agreement -- establishing that the EU should have no internal borders. Juncker said he hopes that by March 30, 2019, the Schengen area will have "become the norm for all EU Member States". As terrorists posing as migrants travel unhindered through Europe, the Schengen agreement has been proven an enormous mistake. But why bother with facts?
ISIS apparently has at its disposal some 11,000 stolen blank Syrian passports that it could put to use in order to smuggle its terrorists into Europe under fake identities; at the same time, more European ISIS fighters are expected to return to Europe. Why does the EU want to make it easy for them?
Juncker spoke about the "unity" of the EU, but the EU has never been less unified. On September 6, the European Court of Justice ruled that the European Commission has the right to order EU member states to take in asylum seekers, and that EU member states have no legal right to resist those orders. As the EU continued to impose its will upon states that refuse to bow to its demands, Hungary's and Slovakia's complaints were thrown out. This show of force by the EU can be called many things -- "unity" is not one of them.
**Judith Bergman is a columnist, lawyer and political analyst.
© 2017 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

The Truth behind Military Intervention in Qatar
Salman Al-dossary/Al Arabiya/September 21/17
Only 48 hours into Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt putting their boycott with Qatar into effect, Doha straightaway announced resorting to Turkish army troops.
The move shocked all Gulf States and even other foreign forces. Neither was the rift with Qatar a newly found dilemma, nor was the list of demands put forth by the quartet unexpected. Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had already signed onto them, but without fully falling through with implementation.
Political disputes and crises– among Arab Gulf countries in particular– have long been known to be settled through diplomacy and never military interventions. In a nutshell, the four countries practiced rights dictated by sovereignty and have shut down all vents that could allow for evil or terror to come through the Qatari peninsula. On the other hand, Qatar’s response was to open up all ports and airspace to military troops—although it paradoxically made claims of being put under a brutal siege. The move presented a disastrous escalation for the region.
Doha, without previous warning, decided on militarizing a diplomatic crisis, unaware of the grave tensions it brought along by inviting foreign troops into the region. Even though boycotting countries made it clear on many occasions that the row with Qatar goes beyond independent perceptions and is based on views shared by many other Arab and Islamic countries, Qatar’s reactions were shocking, nonsensical and quite rebellious–anyone could see that. Many times, Doha’s policy-making decisions went against the interests of the Qatari people. Its confused stance and promotion of delusional claims on military threats, counteractively verifies the truth behind the quartet’s position and reasons for distancing itself up until this very moment. Qatar’s escalatory stances sent a dangerous message it fails to see the aftermath entailed, given they compromise regional security and stability. Despite the Saudi-led bloc of four not going after a military option itself, the boycotting countries –like any other country in the world- are obliged to uphold their national security.
It is only natural that they do not allow for Doha to bring about impending threats to the security and stability of their people, which inviting foreign troops into the Gulf region exactly does. All the more, Qatar’s move was based on invalid justifications.
Absurdly, a state coming from a politically, socially and military weak position would still take on the risk of provoking mightier neighboring states which itself accuses of attempting to impose a regime change within its territory.
The matter of the fact is that regime change in Qatar was never an option, and that the goal was clearly defined by forcing the peninsula to reconsider its aggressive behavior.
It is worth noting that by Qatar turning to loud rhetoric, political cries, and foreign military intervention to escape its diplomatic crisis evidently proves that Doha policies weren’t strong enough to preserve the stability of its ruling regime in the first place. A thought-provoking scene of political adolescence?!
US President Donald Trump summarized the whole feeble Qatari cry on it being under the threat of military intervention by telling the Emir of Qatar himself “no,” when he asked Trump on whether he had warned the Saudis against taking up military action against Qatar.
Qatar’s position was embarrassing as the president of a world super power snubs its narrative which was the product of a grievances-based policy. The same cry it used to justify allowing foreign forces to set foot in the region. Qatar wrongly employed a strategy to incite the four countries, but it only backfired as it proved Doha’s regime fragile and a volatile threat to both Gulf state and regional security.
Doha’s credibility before the world has been compromised by its own lies. The Qatari regime has emerged with no cover to confront the boycott’s effects. Promoting military intervention only shows how fear-struck the peninsula regime is.
Day by day, the crisis deepens as Doha turns a blind eye. What Qatar truly fears is not ‘military intervention’, but its revolutionary policies proving a costly failure which the regime cannot easily dodge.

The Tale of Saudi-Emirati Invasion of Qatar
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Al Arabiya/September 21/17
A news agency has quoted the White House as saying that US President Donald Trump succeeded in preventing a Saudi-Emirati military attack on Qatar. Barely an hour later, the US President issued a statement denying the news. Then, another report surfaced saying Trump reprimanded Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim when he met him in New York. Trump revealed secret information to Tamim confirming Qatar’s continued involvement in funding terrorism despite signing an undertaking with the US few weeks ago to end that. Many stories have made the rounds for political purposes, but reason denies them all, so does the nature of the crisis and Qatar’s resort to the protection of US bases and international military alliances. Qatar resorted to publicity since June to gain sympathy in Kuwait for instance, and portray the other countries as the evil enemy.
The truth is different. Qatar has been working for years to weaken and target and consequently topple regimes like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt. Targeting Bahrain is no secret to anyone. Doha supported the opposition that announced its intention to overturn the regime. Since the nineties, Qatar has financed religious extremists of the Saudi opposition in London that wants to topple the Saudi regime and is involved in the assassination attempt of late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. As for Egypt, watching Qatari media for one night is enough to hear the direct calls to oust President Sisi’s government by force, aside from Qatar’s constant involvement in financing the opposition. Despite that, none of the countries harmed by Qatar’s activity took any armed action or resorted to incitement. Even former president Hosni Mobarak, who was mostly targeted by Qatar, refused to respond to Doha and ignored it.
The four countries – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain – announced their intention and program against Qatar. Over ten Arab governments, which have remained silent, support them against Qatar. The agenda against Qatar is based on the strategy of isolating and weakening it in hopes of forcing it to change its policy or at least weaken it to an extent it won’t be able to interfere in others’ affairs. No one announced or even hinted towards toppling Al Thani regime or its head. Many believe – and maybe they are right – that the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim, is helpless and the person ruling and creating the problems is in fact his father who only formally abdicated the throne four years ago. Since the beginning of the crisis, Doha turned to Turkey, US, and even Iran for help, claiming Saudi Arabia and the UAE are plotting against it and besieging the country in an unprecedented way.
This Qatari nonsense, a clone of Gaza’s claims, is unbelievable in a country full of caviar and Ferrari cars. Shortly, the problem is that spoiled Qatari rulers won’t stop playing the role of major regional countries and at the same time refuse to bare the consequences of their actions.

Egypt Draws Closer To Assad Regime: Openly Participates In Damascus International Fair, Brokers Ceasefire Agreements In Syria
MEMRI/September 21/17
https://www.memri.org/reports/egypt-draws-closer-assad-regime-openly-participates-damascus-international-fair-brokers
In the recent weeks, there have been clear signs of further rapprochement between Egypt and the Syrian regime, headed by Bashar Al-Assad, although Egyptian officials repeatedly stress that Egypt is not taking sides in the Syrian crisis. Since Egyptian President 'Abd Al-Fattah Al-Sisi came to power in 2014, Egypt has adopted a policy supportive of the Syrian regime, as reflected in statements by Al-Sisi himself, in visits by senior Syrian defense officials to Egypt, and in articles in the government press. There have also been unconfirmed reports that Egypt is extending military aid to the Syrian army.[1]
Today, Egypt is acting openly to tighten political, economic and cultural ties with the Syrian regime, as reflected in its sending a large delegation to the Damascus International Fair that took place on August 17-26, 2017. Egypt is also cooperating with Assad's ally Russia in efforts to establish de-escalation zones in Syria, and in efforts to expand the Syrian opposition delegation to the UN-sponsored talks in Geneva, so that it will include, in addition to figures close to Saudi Arabia, also oppositionists close to Cairo and Moscow. The latter espouse more "moderate" views on the solution to the Syrian crisis and on Assad's future role, compared to the oppositionists supported by Saudi Arabia.
The rapprochement between the Egyptian and Syrian regimes has been welcomed by Egyptian politicians who have called for normalization of the relations between the two countries and for restoring Egypt's membership in the Arab League. It was also supported in many articles in the Egyptian government press, which claimed that Egypt is ideal to serve as mediator in the Syrian crisis, since it is acceptable to all the regional and international parties involved. Some articles expressed direct and explicit support for the Syrian army and for Bashar Al-Assad himself.
This warming of the relations between the Egyptian and Syrian regimes has not taken place in a vacuum. In recent months a significant change has occurred in the West's position on the Assad regime, manifested mainly in receptiveness to the possibility of his remaining in power and in a focus on fighting the Islamic State (ISIS). Egypt's support lends an Arab seal of approval to the Syrian regime, which this regime crucially needs and which can pave the way to its return to the Arab fold, from which it was excluded in 2011.
In a joint press conference in Jeddah with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, Saudi Foreign Minister 'Adel Al-Jubeir said that his country welcomed the establishment of de-escalation zones in Syria.[2] This statement lends credibility to the reports in the Arab press according to which the Egyptian brokering of the de-escalation agreements in the southern Ghouta and in Homs was carried out with the approval of and in coordination with Saudi Arabia, which heads the anti-Assad camp.[3] Al-Jubeir's statement, and these reports, reflect a change in Saudi Arabia's position regarding the resolution of the Syria crisis and a shift towards the Egyptian and Russian position in this matter, following a long period of tension between Saudi Arabia and Egypt due to their disagreements on Syria. [4]
This report reviews recent measures by the Egyptian regime to draw closer to the Assad regime, as well as articles supporting this in the Egyptian press.
Egyptian Steps To Move Closer To Syria
Extensive Official Egyptian Participation In The Damascus International Fair; Acting Egyptian Ambassador To Syria: "We Hope To Take Part In Rebuilding Syria"
Egypt, which downgraded relations with Syria after the outbreak of the crisis there, and has since avoided drawing attention to official relations with the Syrian regime, sent a large delegation to the Damascus International Fair held on August 17-26, 2017. The delegation was headed by Ahmad Al-Wakil, head of the Egyptian Chamber of Commerce, and comprised representatives of ten companies from various branches including industrial engineering, the service sector, transportation, and solar energy, as well as artists and journalists.[5]
Egyptian Charge d'Affaires in Damascus Muhammad Tharwat and the delegation members stressed their support for the Syrian people and for the Syrian regime, and their desire for closer economic relations and Egyptian participation in the rehabilitation of Syria, the cost of which is estimated at $180 billion. In an interview with the Syrian government Al-Watan daily, Tharwat said, "Egypt's participation in this year's Damascus International Fair is natural given the character of the commercial relations between the two countries. We hope that this participation will play a part in restoring the economic relations between the two countries, and that we will play a part in the re-building [of Syria]." Tharwat stated that, throughout the Syria crisis, Egypt maintained its neutrality and "the Egyptian Embassy continued to operate and did not close following the decision of the Arab League, at the start of the crisis, to recall the ambassadors [from Syria]... [True,] we decided to downgrade relations to the level of charge d'affaires, [but] we are not the only country that did that."[6]
Delegation head Ahmad Al-Wakil said, "We have come to convey a message that we support the Syrian people and support the rebuilding and the return of peace to Syria... With Allah's help, our participation will be a new beginning of developing economic relations."[7]
The director of the Egyptian section at the fair, Khalid Ismail, said that the holding of the fair in the present circumstances is "a victory and achievement for Syria and its people."[8]
Egyptian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Mu'allem meets with the Egyptian delegation to the Damascus International Fair (image: sana.sy, August 17, 2017)
Egyptian Mediation Towards A Ceasefire In Syria
In addition to its activity in the economic sphere, Egypt, with Russia's blessing and close cooperation, is working to position itself as a significant player in the efforts to find a solution to the Syrian crisis, and thereby to improve its standing in the Arab world.
In recent weeks, Egypt has successfully mediated talks in Cairo between representatives of the armed Syrian opposition and Russia with respect to de-escalation agreements in the Eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, and in the rural area north of Homs.[9] According to several reports, the Syrian opposition was represented at the talks by Ahmad Jarba, head of Syria's Tomorrow Movement, who is considered to be close to Egypt and the UAE. Addressing the Egyptian mediation, Jarba said, "The choice of Egypt as the sponsor [of the talks]... was a natural and necessary result, since Egypt is not at odds with any faction that operates in the areas affected by the agreements and does not support any military side, which would be a sensitive point for other sides, and also thanks to its close and strong relationship with Russia." He added that, "Egypt... and its President 'Abd Al-Fattah Al-Sisi have [consistently] regarded Syria with nothing but unshakeable faith... because Syria is an integral part of the history of Egypt... and of its national security... the [Tomorrow] Movement's only reservation about the negotiations in Astana [this year] was the total absence of an Arab role in them,[10] hence the importance of Egypt's presence as a supporter of the present negotiations..."[11]
Egypt is also seeking to change the composition of the opposition delegation to the talks with the Syrian regime in Geneva, so that it will include members of the opposition who are close to Egypt and Russia, and thus minimize the influence of the opposition that is supported by Saudi Arabia – which to date has adhered to its demand to remove Al-Assad from power – and to solve the crisis in such a way as to enable Al-Assad to remain.
At an August 21, 2017, joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukri, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov referred to Russia's and Egypt's joint efforts to solve the Syrian crisis. Lavrov said that Russia and Egypt are working together to assemble a Syrian opposition delegation for the negotiations with the Syrian regime, and stressed the significant role played by Egypt in this context. For his part, Shukri emphasized that "[Egypt's] role with respect to the de-escalation zones is limited to the political framework and to preparing the appropriate groundwork for it from a political perspective, and it is illogical that it should expand to general participation in the field via supervision of these areas."[12]
At the same press conference Shukri called for all the international partners to work to cement the de-escalation agreements and to expand them to all areas of Syria, while emphasizing the need to renew negotiations under the auspices of the UN in Geneva so as to achieve a solution that will protect the future of Syria, its stability, and the integrity of its territory.[13]
Egypt's involvement in negotiating the de-escalation agreements, as well as its official participation in the Damascus International Fair, was welcomed by the Egyptian public and media, and calls were made to strengthen the ties between the two countries.
Political elements in Egypt, mostly Nasserist left wing elements, issued an announcement on August 9, 2017 in which they demanded the full reinstatement of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Syria and the restoring of Syria to the Arab League.[14] In addition, 104 public figures in Egypt, among them former government ministers, published a statement expressing solidarity with Syria and demanding the restoration of diplomatic relations with it. They also called for signing a joint defense agreement between the countries and the announcement of a joint Egyptian-Syrian fight against terror.[15]
Magdi Basyouni, editor of the Egyptian weekly Al-Arabi, which is identified with the Nasserists, called on the Egyptian public to support the speedy reinstatement of relations between Egypt and Syria.[16] Similar statements were made to the Syrian SANA news agency by Souha Al-Baghdadi, board deputy chair of the Egyptian magazine Sawt Al-Arab. [17]
Egyptian Journalists Express Support For Syrian Regime And Strengthening Of Egypt-Syria Relations
As mentioned, there were numerous articles in the government press supporting Egypt's moving closer to the Syrian regime and Egyptian involvement in a solution to the Syrian conflict. The writers clarified that Egypt could assume the role of mediator since its hands are clean of Syrian blood, and it is therefore acceptable to both the opposition and to the Syrian regime, as well as to Russia and the U.S.
Several articles expressed support for the Syrian army, for Bashar Al-Assad, and for Syria's return to the Arab League. One of the articles claimed that Egypt does not accept the Western position that Bashar Al-Assad is solely responsible for the use of chemical weapons.
Egyptian Analyst: Egyptian Mediation In Syria Is Accepted By All Regional Players, Except Iran
Writing in the government daily Al-Ahram, Ahmad Abu Douh, an Egyptian political analyst who lives in Lebanon, explained that Egypt is the optimal mediator for several reasons: it has no hidden agenda, it is acceptable to the superpowers as well as to the Syrian opposition, and it can lend Arab legitimacy to any agreement that will be reached.
"If you look at the map of the forces that hold the reins [in this crisis], you will find no-one who objects to Egypt playing the role of mediator, including Russia and the U.S. [Syria's oppositionist] Tomorrow Movement, headed by Ahmad Al-Jarba, is the link to the opposition factions, which today want to de-escalate [the crisis] more than Bashar Al-Assad wants this. [Apart from Egypt] there is no other regional force that the Syrian army can accept [as mediator]. Even Hizbullah has no problem with Egypt or with the option of its acting as mediator in certain areas where Iran has no strategic interests...
"Iran is the only element that is displeased with an Egyptian presence in Syria. The Iranians know that whenever Egypt gains ground in the conflict Iran loses ground...
"Egypt has no political or military stake in Syria. The Egyptian activity that can be seen above ground in Syria has no [hidden] underground roots... The international consensus regarding Egypt [as mediator] stems, in essence, from the lack of agreement regarding Iran and Turkey [as mediators]. The Russians want to curb Iran's expansion in order to keep Assad [in power], and the Americans want to curb Turkey's influence, to ensure the success of the strategy of fighting ISIS.
"All Egypt needs to do is wisely take advantage of the [opportunity] that has opened up... First of all, Egyptian officials should gain a toehold [in Syria] and take their time to consolidate it. Then they should act very slowly and quietly to realize their interest, whatever it is, without entering into confrontations with anyone."[18]
President Of Egypt's Journalists' Union Assesses: In Interim Stage Syria Will Have National Unity Government
Makram Muhammad Ahmad, president of Egypt's journalists' union and a columnist for the Egyptian government daily Al-Ahram, praised the performance of the Syrian army and stressed that Egypt is working to change Saudi Arabia's position on the Syria crisis. He assessed that during the interim stage Syria will be ruled by a national unity government incorporating opposition elements, an option that is acceptable to the Russians and to the Assad regime. He added that it is not yet clear what will happen to Assad following the interim stage, whether he will run for president or will "prefer to safely step down" from the political stage.
Ahmad wrote: "The Damascus International Fair... proves that life is returning to normal in the capital of Damascus, which is regaining its vitality and energy from day to day, while most areas in Syria are [likewise] regaining their security and stability. Most opposition forces are demonstrating their commitment to the ceasefire, and their leaders are convening in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to prepare for the interim stage that will be led by a national unity government incorporating the opposition. The interim stage will culminate in parliamentary and presidential elections during a long-term ceasefire that all sides will respect..."
"After the fighting abates in Al-Raqqa, Deir Al-Zor and Tel 'Afar, [the sites of] the last three battles against terror, and after all the opposition forces unite in Riyadh, the stage will be set for a new round of negotiations in Geneva, which everyone hopes will be the last and will yield an understanding between the Syrian regime and the opposition regarding the nature of the political solution to the crisis and the character of the interim stage. [This stage] will culminate in the drafting of a new constitution for the country and in parliamentary and presidential elections. We do not yet know if Bashar Al-Assad will be a candidate in these presidential elections or will prefer to safely step down before the elections..."
Ahmad stressed that "Egypt has not ceased its efforts to help the Syrian people in its present state of distress, whether by treating the Syrian refugees just like Egyptian citizens, without discrimination; by taking an active role in achieving the recent ceasefire agreement and de-escalating [the crisis], or through its in-depth dialogue with Riyadh aimed at [gaining] Saudi sympathy for the Syrian people..."
Ahmad also praised the Syrian army, "without whose steadfastness on the ground, a complete collapse would have occurred," and noted that "the Russian assistance by itself could not have yielded such significant progress..."[19]
Senior Egyptian Journalist: Egypt Opposed "Discriminatory" Security Council Resolutions Against Assad
In an article in the government daily Al-Yawm Al-Sabi', senior journalist Karam Gabr, who is close to regime circles and currently heads the National Press Authority, expressed opposition to what he called "discriminatory" UN resolutions that accused only Assad of using chemical weapons in Syria. He wrote that Egypt has always been against allowing Assad to meet the same fate as Iraq's former leader Saddam Hussein, who, he said, was ousted on false charges of possessing chemical weapons. He stated further that Egypt has not taken part in the bloodshed in Syria and that peace there will not be achieved by toppling Assad.
He wrote: "Egypt's approach on the Syrian crisis has been vindicated. Egypt has neither supported Bashar [Al-Assad] nor opposed him, but has [only] supported the Syrian people and its steadfast army, without which Syria would have disappeared from the map. Some condemned Egypt for opposing the Security Council resolutions [against Syria], but today they understand that it refrained from supporting [these resolutions] in order to [avoid] aggravating the suffering of the Syrian people and sabotaging the negotiations for a peace settlement in Geneva. Peace will not be achieved in Syria by weakening Bashar [Al-Assad], and Syrians will not be able to enjoy life until the cannons fall silent. The Security Council resolutions seem full of compassion [for the Syrian people] but in practice they hurt [them] and bring the crisis back to square one.
"Egypt did not want Assad's fate to be similar to that of Saddam Hussein and [be determined by] discriminatory UN resolutions based on conclusions reached by UN investigative committees and by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons [OPCW], [resolutions] which blamed Assad for chemical attacks on civilians while ignoring testimonies about ISIS and [other] Islamic organizations using chemical weapons... Egypt refrained from being party to discriminatory UN resolutions that realized the interests of foreign countries which are involved in the Syrian quagmire. [These countries aim to] repeat the scenario of Iraq's destruction by means of resolutions that accused Saddam of possessing nuclear and chemical weapons and which used this as an excuse for waging war on Iraq, murdering its people and destroying its infrastructure. Later it turned out that the information was false and that Western intelligence services had obtained it from Iraqi traitors who were working for them...
"Egypt's hands are clean of the Syrian people's blood and it has never changed its position that called for a political solution and for recognizing the right of the Syrian people to determine its own fate and choose its leaders...
"Egypt refused to be party to a religious war that the West ignited in order to burn the East, and rejected the unjust calls for jihad in Syria that the ousted [Egyptian] president [Muhammad Morsi] had made from the Cairo stadium... For it was inconceivable that Egyptians, who live with others in brotherhood, harmony and peace, should agree to a civil war that would cause them to fight one another, [to fight] their fellow Muslims and compatriots..."[20]
Egyptian Journalist Welcomes Calls In Egypt To Return Syria To The Arab League
Muhammad Mustafa Abu Shama, the former head of the Egypt offices of the London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, also addressed the close relations between the Egyptians and Syrians in an article in Al-Yawm Al-Sabi'. He wrote: "I was gladdened by the call [made by] Egyptian public [figures] to renew the formal relations with Syria and restore it to the Arab League, [a call] which came alongside reports about the diplomatic role Egypt played in mediating and enabling the last two ceasefires [in Syria], in the Eastern Ghouta and in the rural area around Homs. Syria is a unique case: love for it has been living in the Egyptians' hearts throughout the ages, and has never been affected by the [passing] years or by crises but has [only] grown."[21]
[1] On the Al-Sisi regime's support of the Assad regime, see MEMRI Inquiry & Analysis No.1284, Growing Egypt-Syria Rapprochement Includes Al-Sisi Statement In Support Of Syrian Army, Reports On Egyptian Military Aid To Syria, November 30, 2016.
[2] Al-Watan (Saudi Arabia), September 11, 2017.
[3] For reports that Saudi Arabia welcomes the de-escalation zones and is drawing closer to the Egyptian position, see Al-Akhbar (Lebanon), August 4, 2017, Al-Sharq (Qatar), August 21, 2017.
[4] Since Al-Sisi's election as president, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been divided on the best solution to the Syrian crisis: while Saudi Arabia favored a military solution and the removal of Bashar Al-Assad, Egypt adhered to a position that favored a political solution and Assad's remaining in power. The resulting tension between the countries was expressed in many ways, including even the suspension of Aramco oil deliveries to Egypt for several months. For more information, see MEMRI reports: Inquiry & Analysis No. 1202, Egypt-Saudi Arabia Relations: Substantial Rifts Despite Shared Basic Interests, November 11, 2015; Inquiry & Analysis No.1274, The Egypt-Saudi Dispute Over A Resolution To The Syria Crisis Goes Public, October 18, 2016. On Egypt's non-participation in the fighting against ISIS in Syria, see October 22, 2014 Inquiry & Analysis No.1125, Egypt's Position On International Anti-ISIS Coalition: Reserved Support Alongside Refusal To Commit To Military Participation, October 22, 2014.
[5] Sana.sy, August 18, 2017; al-Arabiya.net, August 20, 2017.
[6] Al-Watan (Syria), August 16, 2017; About the freezing of Syria's membership in the Arab League and the demands of member states to return it to the organization, see MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 6841, In Advance Of Arab League Summit In Jordan, Calls In Arab Countries To Reinstate Syria's League Membership; Syrian Writers Reject Calls For Reinstatement, Saying Syria Will Return Only If Arab League Apologizes To It, March 23, 2017.
[7] Al-Watan (Syria), August 17, 2017.
[8] Sana.sy, August 18, 2017.
[9] Al-Masri Al-Yawm (Egypt), August 3, 2017. For information about the Syrian army announcement about the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire in Ghouta, see alwatan.sy, July 23, 2017. For a draft of the ceasefire agreement in the Homs area, see orient-news.net, August 2, 2017.
[10] It should be noted that Jordan was an Observer at the negotiations in Astana. For more information, see Al-Ghad (Jordan), February 7, 2017.
[11] Al-Hayat (London), August 6, 2017.
[12] Al-Watan (Syria), August 22, 2017.
[13] Al-Yawm Al-Sabi' (Egypt), August 21, 2017.
[14] Raialyoum.com August 9, 2017. It should be noted that Syrian Foreign Minister Shukri likewise supported Syria's return to the Arab League in an interview published last March. For more information, see Al-Watan (Egypt), March 10, 2017.
[15] Al-Watan (Syria), August 22, 2017.
[16] Sana.sy, August 22, 2017.
[17] Sana.sy, August 27, 2017.
[18] Al-Ahram (Egypt), August 9, 2017.
[19] Al-Ahram (Egypt), August 26, 2017.
[20] Al-Yawm Al-Sabi' (Egypt), August 13, 2017.
[21] Al-Yawm Al-Sabi' (Egypt), August 14, 2017.