LCCC
ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
April 08/2018
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias
Bejjani
The Bulletin's Link on the
lccc Site
http://data.eliasbejjaninews.com/newselias18/english.april08.18.htm
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Bible
Quotations
For he has graciously granted you the privilege not
only of believing in Christ
Letter to the Philippians 01/21-30.: "For to me, living is Christ and dying
is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me;
and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my
desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to
remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this,
I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and
joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ
Jesus when I come to you again. Only, live your life in a manner worthy of
the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and
hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit,
striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in
no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their
destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has
graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of
suffering for him as well since you are having the same struggle that you
saw I had and now hear that I still have. "
Titles For
Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources
published on April 07-08/18
Political Shameful Subservience in Iran Occupied Lebanon/Elias Bejjani/April
07/18
The hidden chapter of Zahle's battle/Dr.Walid Phares/Face Book/April 07/18
Face Book Comments By Dr. PharesDr.Walid Phares/Face Book/April 07/18
Palestinians: Abbas Targets Hamas, Then Condemns Israel for Targeting Hamas/
Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute/April 07/18
France: Soon with No Jews/Guy Millière/Gatestone Institute/April 07/18
Conflicts of the region are led by Iran’s maneuverings/Abdullah bin Bijad
Al-Otaibi/Al Arabiya/April 07/18
Syria: The Russia-Turkey summit was a missed opportunity/Amir Taheri/Al
Arabiya/April 07/18
Erdogan’s threat to ‘come to Sinjar’/Adnan Hussein/Al Arabiya/April 07/18
The Ankara conference: We are strangers here!/Mashari Althaydi/Al Arabiya/April
07/18
Titles For Latest LCCC Lebanese Related News published on April 07-08/18
Political Shameful Subservience in Iran Occupied Lebanon
The hidden chapter of Zahle's battle
Face Book Comments By Dr. Phares
Lebanese Diaspora Energy conference opens in Paris
Lebanon Donor Conference Raises Billions
Hariri Urges Voters to Refrain from Voting in Favor of Parties Limiting
Reforms
Jumbalt Dreads 'Corruption' Would Impede CEDRE Reforms
Hariri Congratulates Aoun, Berri on CEDRE 'Success'
Hariri at the Lebanese Diaspora Conference in Paris: You are our main force,
our secret weapon, and should remain united
Machnouk: Cedre achievement a victory for the mandate and Hariri's long
patience policy
Geagea after visiting Sleiman: We are proposing real change
Davis Cup: Lebanon scores twice over Hong Kong
Bassil partakes in honoring ceremony in Paris: Cedar Conference
Bassil at the Diaspora Energy Conference in Paris: We rise to the Lebanese
level through our meeting together
Khalil, Fenianos boycott Diaspora Energy Conference inaugurated by Hariri in
Paris
Sami Gemayel: We Did Not Surrender When Everyone Else Did
Holy Fire Ceremony in Jerusalem Draws Thousands
Titles For Latest
LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous Reports And News published on April 07-08/18
Reports: 14 Killed in Canadian Hockey Team Bus Crash
Van ploughs into crowd in Germany, at least 3 dead
Gaza-Israel Border: A Week of Deadly Clashes
Palestinian Journalist Dies as Israeli Border Clash Toll Rises to Nine
US Imposes Sanctions on Putin's Oligarch Allies
New Strikes on Syria's Rebel Douma Kill 8 Civilians
Britain Opens Military Base in Bahrain
Talks to Ease Egypt Concerns over Nile Dam Fail, Sudan Minister
French Graft Trial Looms for Uncle of Syria's Assad
Emir of Qatar to Visit White House Next Week
Koreas Discuss Communication Issues ahead of Summit
Top ISIS commander in Afghanistan killed in airstrike
Khamenei Urged to Carry Out Regime Reform
Latest
Lebanese Related News published
on April 07-08/18
Political Shameful
Subservience in Iran Occupied Lebanon
Elias Bejjani/April 07/18
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/63719
It is so frustrating and disappointing that
currently the majority of the Lebanese politicians and parties and with only
few exceptions are practically and each in his own way have shamefully
succumbed and happily enjoy the role of the subservient to the
Iran-Hezbollah occupation.
In reality, they are merchants while their prime priorities are not the
people or the country, but an evil strive to serve only and only their own
selfish power agendas, riches and individual interests.
The worst among all these narcissistic politicians, and the most derailed
are the Maronite politicians as well the so called Christian political
parties.
In this context of deviation and derailment from all that is Lebanese
patriotism, ethical codes, Faith, Hope, respect of historical roots, and
appreciation of martyrdom, emerges the bizarre kind of parliamentary
elections’ competition in Kesrouan – Jbeil …
A Judas like competition that presents the evil mentality and education of
wide gates that leads to hell.
(Matthew 07/13 &14/”Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and
the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are
many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And
those who find it are few.”)
In conclusion all that one can seen at the present time in the
Keseroun-Jbeil is an ugly and dirty election campaign based on money, power
and personal agendas.
Not one...But Gebran Tueni
Walid Phares/Face Book/April 07/18
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/63725
Not one of the members of the Lebanese Parliament -except- Gebran Tueni-
since 2005 accepted to sign a document by international Lebanese NGOs and
addressed to the UN Security Council, or the US Administration, and calling
for the full implementation of UNSCR 1559 under chapter 7. So that the
friends of Lebanon in the US and the West could mobilize the international
community to act against Hezbollah in order to disarm it. Not one member of
a Parliament elected twice "after" the Cedars Revolution, accepted to come
to Washington or New York, to make such demand officially. "Ya khayye shu
badde bi hal shaghle'" they would say. Meeting at the White House? They'd
love it. In Congress? Amazing. Fundraising in some city? The best! But
acting seriously and strategically for the liberation of Lebanon? Not one
time...
Those who were elected have nothing to compare with those who stood on the
battlefields in the 1980s, facing the Syrian army or those who marched in
demonstrations under Syrian occupation.
The hidden chapter of
Zahle's battle
Dr.Walid Phares/Face Book/April 03/18
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/63725
During April 1981 while the battle of Zahle was underway and the Syrians
were trying to push via the "Gurfet el Frensewiye" in Oyoun el Simane,
intense diplomatic efforts were taking place to end the conflict. I was one
of the (very young) persons in charge of the outreach to the UN as a
volunteer in a commission under the Kasleek Group and the Lebanese Front. I
remember when Western diplomats told the commission that Assad had ordered
his forces to take the city (Zahle) as soon as possible because he was
afraid that his army is threatened in Lebanon. Surprised the participants
asked the diplomats: "His forces are pounding the coast from Beirut to
Kesrwan, are advancing in the jurd and suffocating Zahle. What is he afraid
of?" The diplomat answered that Assad assessment is different: "He was
fighting the militias in Ashrafieh in 1978 and now they are fighting him in
the heart of the Bekaa in 1981. If he doesn't stop there, they would surge
in Besharre and Batroun and other communities could follow." We were
surprised and wondered if this was a joke. But Albert Sara a Lebanese
Melkite bourgeois, member of the Christian Leagues, who was born in Syria
whispered in my ear: "That's how Assad think. He has read about Lebanon more
than many Lebanese have. He has read Boutros Daou's book. He fears that a
prolonged fight will draw international support."Indeed the international
intervention materialized after few weeks. All it took was for the local
resistance to stand firmly for as long as it took and the leaders
demonstrating strategic resolve. How far is Lebanon from these times of
clarity...
(From memoirs)
Face Book Comments By Dr. Phares
Dr.Walid Phares/Face Book/April 03/18
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/63725
*Lebanon's politics currently: It is about
the management of local politics as lucrative as possible: electoral
campaigns empty of national security, bureaucratic positions, asphalt, gas,
contracts, electricity, stuff. While the management of Lebanon's national
security, foreign policy and regional destiny is in the hands of the real
regime, Hezbollah's...
*When the next legislative elections in
Lebanon will be over, the Lebanese public will realize that it was an
exercise to grant Hezbollah and its allies four more years of additional
control of the country. For the next majority will be in their hands, and
the next minority will be seeking to join that majority whenever it can.
Lebanon continues to live in the "May 7" era, an extension of the "October
13" era.
Lebanese Diaspora
Energy conference opens in Paris
The Daily Star/April 07, 2018/BEIRUT: Prime Minister Saad Hariri opened the
Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference in Paris Saturday in a televised speech.
"Lebanon can continue as before, with outdated laws and no reforms," Hariri
said, "we need to improve the labor market, implement real reforms to fight
corruption and create jobs." He said that Lebanese should threaten the
candidates for the parliamentary elections with reforms. "If I don't deliver
[reforms] then don't vote for me." He expressed his thanks to the French
government and the outcome of the CEDRE conference. "But the most important
thing for me is reform, reform, and reform." He said that while the Syrian
crisis did affect the Lebanese government, the impact would have been less
burdensome if there were reforms. "We must not wait every time to reach a
problem or an economic collapse and then ask for funds from countries. We
have to reform and then if there is an economic crisis beyond our control,
then we ask for conferences,"he said. "It is your right to vote, and your
duty to vote, so don't lose it by not participating [in the elections],"
Foreign Ministry Gebran Bassil was quoted saying by the state-run National
News Agency. He told expatriates that he doesn't accept their being called
expatriates anymore, saying "you are Lebanese." He said these conferences
and the diaspora are helping the government spread diplomacy. "I agree with
[Bassil], you are the main force and our weapon. There might be political
differences, but you need to stay united alongside Lebanon," Hariri added.
"I have prepared a bill to amend the name of the Foreign Ministry to the
Foreign Affairs, Diaspora and International Cooperation Ministry," he said,
ostensibly as a way to affirm the Lebanese identity of expatriates instead
of alienating it. The LDE conference is a regular convention that aims to
bring Lebanese around the world together and one was already held in Ivory
Coast earlier this year. The next conference will be held on May 10 to May
12 later this year. However, both Finance and Public Works and Transport
ministers Ali Hasan Khalil and Youssef Fenianos respectively boycotted the
conference.
"We are against conferences that try to influence people or political
parties in the [parliament] elections, and we are against exploiting
expatriates in the election campaign," Fenianos was quoted saying by the NNA.
Lebanon Donor Conference Raises Billions
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 07/18/International donors pledged $11
billion in low-interest loans and aid for Lebanon at a conference in Paris
on Friday to try to avert an economic crisis in a country hard hit by the
fallout from the Syrian war. Lebanon's growth has plummeted due to political
instability, with the effect compounded by the Syrian conflict which has
sent a million refugees across the border -- equivalent to a quarter of the
Lebanese population before the conflict. Some 40 countries sent
representatives to the CEDRE conference in Paris along with officials from
the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund where an aid package,
made up 90 percent of low-interest loans, was agreed. Praising the
"exceptional generosity of the Lebanese people" with regard to Syrian
refugees French President Emmanuel Macron said the world needed to show
"full solidarity" with Lebanon. The support was all the more critical given
that the continued fighting in Syria "makes the imminent return of Syrian
refugees impossible," he added. Among the biggest donors was the World Bank
which pledged more than $4 billion over five years, while France opened the
conference with a promise of 550 million euros. Saudi Arabia, which vies
with arch-rival Iran for influence in Lebanon, said it would renew a
$1-billion line of credit to Beirut which had been agreed in the past but
never used, Lebanese officials said. Iran, which backs Lebanon's powerful
Hezbollah Shiite militia, was not invited to the meeting.
- 'Model of pluralism' -"In a Middle East shaken by crises, wounded by civil
wars, Lebanon remains a model of pluralism, tolerance and openness which we
need," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. "But Lebanon is not
an island. It's borne the full force of regional tensions and the Syria
crisis," he said, adding that it was also grappling with the threat of
terrorism. An economic adviser to Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who
was at the conference, estimated the total amount pledged in loans and
grants at $2.6 billion by midday.
The figure did not include the World Bank's offer as well as that of the
European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (1.1 billion euros), the
European Investment Bank (800,000 euros) and Kuwait ($700,000).
The EU promised 150 million euros, the Netherlands 300 million euros and
Italy pledged 120 million euros. Economic growth in Lebanon has plunged from
eight percent since the start of the Syrian war to around one percent.
"Lebanon cannot succeed alone," Hariri said, adding: "It's not just a matter
of Lebanon's security, it's about the security of the region and the whole
world."
France, which had mandate power over Lebanon for the first half of the 20th
century, has been leading efforts to try stabilise the country.
When Hariri announced his resignation in November, a shock move in which
many observers saw the hand of Saudi Arabia's de facto leader Crown Prince
Mohammed Bin Salman, President Emmanuel Macron intervened, inviting Hariri
to Paris for talks before his return to Lebanon, where he withdrew his
resignation.
- Cash for reforms -The Paris conference was aimed at giving Lebanon a boost
as it prepares for its first general elections in almost a decade in May.
While the small country has managed to avoid a major spillover of the
fighting in Syria, it has long been wracked by domestic power struggles,
inefficiency and corruption stemming from its own 1975-1990 civil war. With
the government forecasting a deficit of $4.8 billion for 2018 -- more than
double that in 2011, when Syria's war started -- economists say the state
urgently needs to reduce its spending. But public services such as water
supplies, electricity and waste management have suffered rampant
underinvestment, compounding problems that date back decades. "The political
idea behind (the investment plan) is that the Lebanese state could be able
to provide services and infrastructure to the public, rather than others,"
an aide to Le Drian said, referring to the social role also played by the
controversial Hezbollah. Lebanon will for its part sign up to a string of
reforms including tougher measures to fight corruption.
Hariri Urges Voters to Refrain from Voting in Favor of
Parties Limiting Reforms
Naharnet/April 07/18/Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Saturday urged the
Lebanese to refrain from casting votes in favor of parties who abstain from
introducing reforms they once vowed to do. Addressing the Lebanese community
at the opening of the Lebanese Diaspora Energy conference for Europe in
Paris, Hariri said: “You are our secret weapon. You must as well threaten us
into introducing reforms, otherwise you may refrain from voting for us.” The
Premier stressed the need for serious work when the parliamentary elections
are over, saying reforms can only be attained through combating corruption
in order to create new job opportunities.He emphasized that Lebanon can not
continue without reforms, and stressed the necessity to modernize laws. The
LDE conference kicked off in Paris one day after the international donor
conference in the French capital raised billions of dollars in low-interest
loans and aid for Lebanon to try to avert an economic crisis in a country
hard hit by the fallout from the Syrian war. Lebanon will stage its first
general elections in nine years in May based on a complex proportional
representation system. For the first time, Lebanese nationals living
overseas will be able to cast ballots in early voting. The parliament has
postponed elections several times over security reasons. Its term was
supposed to expire in 2013 but lawmakers approved several extensions since
then.
Jumbalt Dreads 'Corruption' Would Impede CEDRE Reforms
Naharnet/April 07/18/Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on
Saturday, hailed the outcome and reforms of an international donor
conference in France on Lebanon, but at the same time said he was concerned
that “corruption would impede application of reforms.”In his common
sarcastic remarks, Jumblat said in a tweet: “Recommendations of the dates,
excuse me the Cedar (CEDRE) conference in Paris came out very well, but what
matters is reforms. Can the political administration of the Lebanese state
carry out the desired reform, or has the monster of corruption infiltrated
everywhere to swallow the promises and foundations of the conference?”He
added referring to Lebanon's long-term electricity crisis saying: “The
experience in electricity sector so far is not promising.”International
donors pledged $11 billion in loans and grants on Friday to help debt-ridden
Lebanon at a conference in Paris that also sought to ensure the money is
well spent in a country hit hard by the Syrian war next door. In total,
donors committed $10.2 billion in loans and $860 million in gifts, France's
ambassador to Lebanon Bruno Foucher said on Twitter.
Hariri Congratulates Aoun, Berri on CEDRE 'Success'
Naharnet/Associated Press/April 07/18/Prime Minister Saad
Hariri contacted President Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri from Paris,
and “congratulated” them on the “success” of the CEDRE conference that
concluded Friday raising billions of dollars aimed at averting an economic
fallout in Lebanon, Hariri's media office said. Hariri stressed that the
success of the donor conference is the result of “political consensus in
Lebanon and a new proof of what consensus can achieve for Lebanese citizens
when there is a will to prioritize Lebanon and its interests,” the Premier's
office quoted him as telling Berri and Aoun. International donors pledged
$11 billion in loans and grants on Friday to help debt-ridden Lebanon at a
conference in Paris that also sought to ensure the money is well spent in a
country hit hard by the Syrian war next door.In total, donors committed
$10.2 billion in loans and $860 million in gifts, France's ambassador to
Lebanon Bruno Foucher said on Twitter.
Hariri at the Lebanese
Diaspora Conference in Paris: You are our main force, our secret weapon, and
should remain united
Sat 07 Apr 2018/NNA - Partaking in the opening session of the Lebanese
Diaspora Energy Conference held this morning at the Westin Hotel in Paris,
Prime Minister Saad Hariri delivered the following inaugural speech: "First
I thank Minister Gebran Bassil and all those working in the Diaspora Energy
project because bringing the Lebanese together is one of the important
things that we are doing as a government and a state. The basic idea about
Lebanese expatriates in the past was to benefit from them financially and
that was all. It was the biggest mistake because communication between them
and their home country is the most important. This communication must be
based on the feeling of belonging to one's country, and that one's country
cares about him wherever he is. I am glad to talk to you after the CEDRE
Conference that we all worked day and night to achieve, with President
Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri. It is a vital conference for Lebanon,
its economy and to change the way we work. Lebanon cannot continue in the
current way of work, without reforms and with trade laws that go back to the
1950s and 1960s.For example, there is no mention in the Lebanese Republic's
legal texts of the computer and we still rely on the typewriter. We must
work seriously after the elections to change the way we work. As the French
Minister of Finance and Economy Bruno Le Maire said regarding France, we
also cannot continue without courageous decisions. We continue to hire
employees in the state, but the state is not the basis of the employment
process, the private sector is. We all know that real reforms and fighting
corruption guarantee employment opportunities. As for the CEDRE Conference,
I thank France and its President Emmanuel Macron for their hard work.
President Macron's commitment to this project was great and we succeeded in
getting the amounts that we got yesterday. Nevertheless, the most important
thing for me in this conference is reform, reform and reform. We cannot
continue to work the way we do and this requires us to take bold decisions.
We must not wait every time to reach a problem or an economic collapse, and
then ask for funds from the countries. We should carry out reforms, and then
in wake of an actual economic crisis beyond our control, we call for
conferences. What is happening in Lebanon today is the best example. It is
true that there are 1.5 million displaced Syrians in Lebanon. This has cost
Lebanon, according to the World Bank, about $18 billion by 2015. However, if
we had carried out these reforms before this happened, the impact on us
would have been much less than it is today.
We, as Lebanese, must carry out the necessary reforms, and you the Lebanese
Diaspora, are indeed the main force and our secret weapon, and should remain
united.
However, our problem in Lebanon is that we distinguish between ourselves and
there is no doubt that the political disagreement in the country will
continue, but you must remain united and stand by Lebanon. Political
differences should have no effect on what you are doing for Lebanon. In this
sense, the Lebanese Diaspora is one million times stronger than any Diaspora
in the world, and this is an act of faith and truth. We must move away from
partisanship, sectarianism and all these things because they do not benefit
us. What protects this country is to keep "Lebanon First". You can force us
to carry out reforms, because we have to improve our performance, and to do
so we must feel that someone is watching us. You must say to us, if you want
our votes, you have to carry out reforms first. If I do not do reforms, do
not vote for me and I am serious about this! I renew my thanks to France,
the Minister of Finance, Mr. Le Maire, and to President Emmanuel Macron, for
holding the CEDRE Conference and for the depth of this friendship that began
a long time ago and was consolidated by my late father, Martyr Prime
Minister Rafic Hariri with former President Jacques Chirac. We saw how this
relationship was in the interest of both Lebanon and France. Today, you can
see that we are continuing this relation with President Macron for the
benefit of both countries.
I am proud of people like Carlos Ghosn who raised Lebanon's name all over
the world. The reason for Carlos Ghosn's success is that he worked and did
reforms. He took charge a company that was suffering from problems, and we
have a country with problems where we cannot continue working without
reforms. The main reason behind our ability to accomplish these achievements
in Lebanon, especially after the election of President Michel Aoun, is the
consensus in the country. Small political differences will continue but we
agree on all the essential issues, and that the interest of the Lebanese
citizen comes before any other matter. This is the most important thing and
we should preserve this consensus because experience proved that whenever we
disagree the country pays the price. We cannot and should not disagree, and
nothing will make us disagree except some personal sensitivities. I salute
President Aoun, Speaker Berri and all the political parties in the country,
particularly after we have been close to losing the country in the past. But
with the cooperation of all the parties in the government, we were able to
drive the country to a safe place where the Lebanese citizen is starting to
have confidence in it, and we will continue to work hard to achieve your
dreams and the dreams of our children."
Machnouk: Cedre achievement a victory for the mandate
and Hariri's long patience policy
Sat 07 Apr 2018/NNA - "The success of the Cedar Conference is a victory for
the long-patience policy of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who has bet on
stability and tranquility to create a favorable investment climate in the
country," said Interior and Municipalities Minister Nuhad al-Machnouk on
Saturday. "This is the only way to expand the economy and create new jobs
that address the unemployment crisis," he added. "The assistance provided by
the international and Arab community to Lebanon is also a success for the
current mandate and a proof of international confidence in the policy of
Prime Minister Hariri. This success is an answer to all those who questioned
the Prime Minister's march," confirmed the Interior Minister. Machnouk's
words came during a meeting with Al-Sabeh Family, in presence of former
Minister Hasan Al-Sabeh at Al-Sayad Restaurant earlier today.
Geagea after visiting Sleiman: We are proposing real
change
Sat 07 Apr 2018/NNA - Lebanese Forces Party Chief Samir Geagea confirmed
Saturday, after meeting with former President Michel Sleiman at his home in
Amshit, that actual change is required at this stage. Geagea called on the
Lebanese to vote for the "Definite Change" electoral list that "reminds us
of the old tripartite alliance and the actual national dignity," adding,
"What we are proposing today is real change and we have made a difference
through our ministers in the government."In turn, Sleiman said, "We have to
strengthen foreign relations, where Lebanese reside. The new authority must
be held accountable not only for waste and corruption, but also for random
and arbitrary formations...and we have to create new projects and restore
the role to the people of Jbeil and Kesrouan who were always the
pioneers."For his part, Jbeil Municipality Head Ziad Hawat said, "We affirm
the sovereign positions that are the basis of the legislative work, and our
list is different because it is consistent with its political and
developmental discourse." "The more hands are united, the more we can
achieve many goals...God willing, May 6 will be a real revolution between
right and wrong," Hawat concluded.
Davis Cup: Lebanon scores twice over Hong Kong
Sat 07 Apr 2018/NNA - Lebanon won over Hong Kong (2-0) on the first day of
the semi-finals of the Davis Cup Asian-Oceania Group.
The Davis Cup is organized by the Lebanese Tennis Federation under the
patronage of Youth and Sports Minister Mohamed Fneish, taking place at "Our
Lady of Loueizeh" University tennis court. With its achieved victory,
Lebanon has taken a major step towards qualifying for the second round of
Group B in the Davis Cup.
Bassil partakes in honoring ceremony in Paris: Cedar
Conference
Sat 07 Apr 2018/NNA - Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Gibran Bassil
participated Friday evening in the annual honorary ceremony organized by the
Lebanese-French Women's Gathering at the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris, in
presence of a number of ambassadors, diplomats and friends of the Gathering
from France and Europe and a crowd of Lebanese expatriates. Bassil delivered
a speech on the occasion, in which he praised the Lebanese women and their
contributions. He highlighted their long struggle to regain their rights,
referring herein to his submitted law that gives Lebanese women the right to
pass their citizenship onto their children. Bassil also seized the
opportunity to touch on the success of the "Cedar Conference" held in the
French capital, Paris, considering that it "was good for Leb
Bassil at the Diaspora Energy Conference in Paris: We
rise to the Lebanese level through our meeting together
Sat 07 Apr 2018/NNA - Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Gebran Bassil
confirmed Saturday that through coming together, the Lebanese rise up to the
national level surpassing any partisan, sectarian or regional factors.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Diaspora Energy Conference in the French
capital, Paris, Bassil said, "We meet today in the first Diaspora Energy
Conference for the European Continent and the twelfth in the world,
following our participation in the Cedre Conference in support of Lebanon's
economy, and in order to protect those remaining in Lebanon against
migration." Bassil deemed that the Cedre Conference has "proven that Lebanon
has restored trust in itself and regained the world's confidence as well."
"Lebanon's relationship with Europe is historical, for Lebanon is the
backyard of Europe and its gateway to the East, while Europe is Lebanon's
front garden and its entrance to the West," said Bassil. "We are here today
away from concerns, together in a unanimous celebration of Lebanon, the
formula that the Fathers of the Republic have concocted, which we fought to
preserve, Lebanon the message...It is our role in this ideologically complex
orient to be the message, to be the example of cohabitation, equally
coexisting as a bouquet of flowers ordained wisely by a heavenly God," the
Foreign Minister went on. He urged all Lebanese expatriates to remain
attached to their Lebanese identity, noting that he has drafted a law to
amend the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates to become
the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora and International
Cooperation." "You are Lebanese, Lebanese, Lebanese...Exercise your rights
and abide by your duties and cling to your identity. Lebanon awaits you with
stretched-out arms, so come to it!" concluded Bassil.
Khalil, Fenianos boycott Diaspora Energy Conference
inaugurated by Hariri in Paris
Sat 07 Apr 2018/NNA - Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and Energy Minister
Youssef Fenianos boycotted Saturday the Conference on Diaspora Energy
patronized by Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Paris. "We are here for an event
that concerns all of the country, which is the Cedar Conference. As for our
electoral battle, it will be undergone in Lebanon...and expatriates'
elections will be administered through our capabilities and not the
State's," said Khalil, justifying his absence from the conference inaugural
session. In turn, Fenianos stated that, "We are against conferences that use
the influence of people or political movements in the elections, and we are
against exploiting expatriates in the electoral battle."
Sami Gemayel: We Did Not Surrender When Everyone Else
Did
Kataeb.orgSaturday 07th April 2018/Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel on Saturday
deemed the upcoming parliamentary elections as pivotal and decisive, urging
the Lebanese to vote as their conscience tells them to. "This electoral
battle is decisive as it encloses a significant importance for us as an
opposition force," Gemayel said during an event held by the Kataeb party in
Jbeil. "This electoral battle is challenging because we are confronting a
flawed and erroneous mentality; one that has nothing to do with our history,
values and resistance." "This mentality has made people think that the
successful is the person who lies, deceives and commits corruption acts the
most," he said. "We are facing an evil that is bigger than any military
power." "On May 6, we are counting on the public opinion and the righteous
people. We will win our bet because the resistant Lebanese will not
relinquish their sovereignty and know how to reward those who did right and
sanction those who did wrong." The Kataeb chief said that the elections
serve as a referendum on whether the wrongdoers and the corrupt people
should be allowed to evade accountability, calling on the Lebanese to convey
a strict message to those who consider themselves to be immune and able to
exploit the state institutions as they want. "Should we reward or put to
account each official who accepted to yield to the power of non-state arms?
Should the authority's performance and recklessness towards the people's
right, the state's finances and the environment pass unnoticed and evade
accountability? These are the questions that the Lebanese will be answering
on May 6."
"The electoral campaigns are marred with corruption and a degraded level of
ethics as we have all witnessed how candidates were picked to join lists
based on their financial capabilities and how the state institutions are
being used as electoral platform," he pointed out. "Is this the political
life we want in Lebanon? Is it acceptable to speak against corruption while
allying with corrupt forces at the same time?" he asked. "Unfortunately,
there is now a flagrant dualism as most of the political forces have
contradictory stances and act." "Today, Lebanon is split between being the
country of the honorable and dishonorable people."
Gemayel stressed that the Kataeb party has stood firm to what it believes in
and decided to work hand in hand with all the honorable people, vowing to
carry on with the same anti-corruption fight. "Those who thought that we can
be subdued, cornered or isolated are all mistaken. The Kataeb party has 12
candidates across Lebanon," he stated. "We will work hard, fight and win;
our victory will be that of the martyrs and honorable people who seek a
sovereign, free and independent country." "We work for the sake of Lebanon
away from compromises and dubious calculations." Gemayel hailed the alliance
with former MP Fares Souaid, adding that the latter and the Kataeb party
have both refused to abandon their constants when all the others chose to
compromise theirs. "We did not surrender when everyone else did. It was out
of question for us to abandon everything we struggled for and everything our
martyrs died for." Later, Gemayel met the Kataeb partisans at the party's
center in Sahel Alma, calling on them to work hard so as to get deserving
people into the Parliament and, consequently, protect the country."We are
fighting a big and essential battle that revolves around the future of the
country and its youths," he said. "We will stand against the train that is
drifting the country off into the abyss. We are fighting this battle in
defense of the Lebanese people's dignity. We cannot be either bought or sold
by anyone." Gemayel also visited the Kataeb's center in Al-Hayyata where he
urged the locals to vote for the candidates they are convinced of, despite
the electoral bribery and the pressure they are being subject to. "We will
enduring the consequences of the choice that we, as Lebanese, are going to
make in the upcoming polls."
Holy Fire Ceremony in Jerusalem Draws Thousands
Kataeb.orgSaturday 07th April 2018/Thousands of Christians are gathering in
Jerusalem for an ancient fire ceremony that celebrates the resurrection of
Jesus. In a ritual dating back at least 1,200 years, they crowded Saturday
into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christian tradition holds that
Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. During the annual ceremony, top
Eastern Orthodox clerics enter the Edicule, the small chamber marking the
site of Jesus’ tomb.They then emerge to reveal candles said to be
miraculously lit with “holy fire” as a message to the faithful from heaven.
The details of the flame’s source are a closely guarded secret.
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April 07-08/18
Reports: 14 Killed in
Canadian Hockey Team Bus Crash
Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 7 April, 2018/A crash between a transport truck
and a bus carrying a junior hockey team in Western Canada left 14 people
dead, Canadian media reported citing police. Fourteen more were injured --
including three critically -- in the accident involving the Humboldt Broncos
team bus, which was heading north for a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
playoff game against the Nipawin Hawks, the Saskatoon StarPhoenix reported.
Police said the crash took place about 28 kilometers (18 miles) north of
Tisdale, Saskatchewan as the bus was traveling on highway 35. Royal Canadian
Mounted Police inspector Ted Monroe had said at a news conference late
Friday that there were "fatalities among the passengers on the bus" and "a
number of serious injuries"."It's a horrible accident," said Darren Opp,
president of the Nipawin Hawks hockey team. "It's very, very bad." Canadian
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his sadness at the tragic incident
involving such young athletes. "I cannot imagine what these parents are
going through, and my heart goes out to everyone affected by this terrible
tragedy, in the Humboldt community and beyond," Trudeau wrote on Twitter.
Kevin Henry, a coach who runs a hockey school in Prince Albert, said people
are in shock. "It is sort of every parent's worst nightmare."
Van ploughs into crowd
in Germany, at least 3 dead
Ynetnews/Reuters/April 07/18/German police say some 30
injured, some dead after car hits group of people sitting outside a popular
restaurant in Muenster; driver among dead after taking his own life;
security source says 'an attack cannot be ruled out.'A man drove a van into
a group of people sitting outside a popular restaurant in the old city
centre of Muenster in western Germany on Saturday, killing at least three
before taking his own life, police and the interior ministry said. "There
are several dead," a police spokeswoman said, adding that several of those
injured were in critical condition. A police spokesman said around 30 people
were injured, while some reports indicated the number of wounded is higher,
and stands at some 50. A security source added: "The scenario is such that
an attack cannot be ruled out." The van drove into people sitting at tables
outside the Grosser Kiepenkerl restaurant, which is popular with tourists,
the police spokeswoman said. Mass-selling daily Bild reported in its online
edition that three people had died in the incident. Police said they were
not looking for further suspects after the driver took his own life after
the crash, but on Twitter they urged people to avoid Muenster city centre.
"The danger is over," the police spokeswoman said. According to German
media, large parts of the city were closed off after the car ramming, and
helicopters were seen circling overhead. "I am shocked by the news from
Muenster," said Andrea Nahles, parliamentary leader of the Social Democrats,
junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition. "My thoughts
are with the victims and their relatives," she added. "I hope that our
authorities can quickly clarify the background to this incident and wish the
local forces much strength for their work."The incident evoked memories of a
December 2016 truck attack in Berlin that killed 12 people. Anis Amri, a
failed Tunisian asylum seeker with Islamist links, hijacked a truck on
December 19, 2016, killed the driver and then ploughed it into a crowded
marketplace, killing 11 more people and injuring dozens of others.
Gaza-Israel Border: A Week of Deadly Clashes
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 07/18/The Gaza border with Israel has
been enflamed by violence since Israeli forces opened fire on a protest
march on March 30.It was the deadliest single day in the territory since a
2014 war with Israel, and led to new riots, clashes and deaths. Here is a
rundown of the unrest:
- Bloodiest day in years -On March 30, tens of thousands of Palestinians
including women and children gather at sites throughout the blockaded Gaza
Strip, which is flanked by Israel along its eastern and northern borders.
They are taking part in "The Great March of Return" which calls for the
"right to return" of the descendants of some 700,000 Palestinians who fled
or were expelled from their lands during the war over Israel's creation in
1948. A smaller number stray from the main protest and approach the heavily
fortified border fence, confronting Israeli troops by throwing stones and
firebombs.
Israeli soldiers open fire, killing 19 Palestinians in what is the bloodiest
single day in Gaza since 2014. The next day, Palestinian president Mahmud
Abbas declares a day of national mourning and says he holds Israel fully
responsible for the deaths. Palestinians and Turkey accuse Israel of using
"disproportionate force". The Arab League, Egypt and Jordan all condemn the
Israeli response. Officially organised by civilians, the march is supported
by Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip. - Netanyahu
praises soldiers -Thousands of Gazans gather to bury their dead on March 31
while just a few hundred protesters return to several areas near the border
to continue the demonstration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
praises troops for "guarding the country's borders". "Well done to our
soldiers," he writes in a statement. The United States blocks a draft United
Nations Security Council statement urging restraint and calling for an
investigation of the deadly clashes. On April 1, Israeli Defence Minister
Avigdor Lieberman rejects any independent investigation. "There will be no
such thing here. We shall not cooperate with any commission of inquiry," he
tells public radio.
- Israel stands firm -The defence minister warns on April 3 that protesters
who approach the fence between Gaza and Israel will put "their life in
danger". There is the first death since the 19 were killed, that of a
Palestinian shot in the chest by Israeli forces. On April 5, another
Palestinian is killed, this time in an Israeli air strike, the health
ministry says. US President Donald Trump's envoy Jason Greenblatt puts the
onus for the violence squarely on the Palestinians. Protesters "should not
approach the border fence in any way or any location", he says. As tensions
mount ahead of new Friday protests, marking a week since the first outbreak
of violence, defence minister Lieberman says there will be no change in the
open-fire rules. "If there are provocations, there will be a reaction of the
harshest kind like last week," Lieberman tells public radio. The UN envoy
for the Middle East peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, calls for peaceful
demonstrations and restraint by Israeli forces. - New Friday clashes -On
April 6, a week since the violence broke out, thousands of Palestinians
gather again near the security barrier. They burn mounds of tyres and throw
stones at Israeli soldiers over the border fence. The security forces
respond with tear gas and live fire, that leaves at least nine people dead,
including journalist Yasser Murtaja. Some 500 people are reported injured by
Israeli gunfire including five other journalists. Kuwait again makes a push
at the UN for a statement demanding an investigation into the killings but
the US says it is opposed. Israel's army insists its troops opened fire "in
accordance with the rules of engagement".
Palestinian Journalist Dies as Israeli Border Clash
Toll Rises to Nine
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 07/18/Two Palestinians, including a
journalist, have died after being shot by Israeli troops during border
clashes, the health ministry in Gaza said Saturday, bringing the total
killed in the latest violence to nine.Thousands of protesters approached the
border fence around the Gaza Strip for a second Friday in a row, burning
tyres and hurling stones at Israeli forces, who responded with tear gas and
live ammunition. In addition to the nine dead, at least 491 were wounded by
Israeli gunfire, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza strip said.
Israel estimated the number of protesters at around 20,000, saying they were
seeking to breach the border. Numbers were down from the previous Friday,
when tens of thousands approached the border in demonstrations that saw
Israeli forces kill 19 Palestinians, making it the bloodiest day in Gaza
since a 2014 war.
No Israelis were injured on either day and the latest deaths have sparked
fresh calls for an investigation. Among those killed at Friday's
protest was Yasser Murtaja, a photographer with the Gaza-based Ain Media
agency, who died from his wounds after being shot, the local health ministry
said Saturday. Murtaja's company confirmed his death, with witnesses saying
he was close to the front of the protests in Southern Gaza when he was hit.
An AFP photograph taken after he was wounded showed Murtaja wearing a press
vest as he received treatment. The Israeli army declined to comment, saying
it was reviewing the incident. The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate said
five other journalists were also shot during the protests, insisting they
were wearing clothes clearly identifying them as members of the press. In a
statement, the syndicate said it held Israel "fully accountable for this
crime."
The Gaza health ministry also announced Saturday the death of another man,
20-year-old Hamza Abdel Aal, saying he was shot east of Al-Bureij in central
Gaza.
The nine men were expected to be buried Saturday.
- 'Fence was not crossed' -Weeks of border protests have been called to
demand the return of Palestinians to land they were forced from or fled
after the founding of Israel 70 years ago. They come with tensions high as
the US gears up to shift its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem after
recognising the disputed city as the capital of the Jewish state.Protesters
on Friday said Gaza's economic woes were also fuelling frustration. The
territory has been under an Israeli blockade for a decade, while Egypt has
mostly sealed its borders in recent years as well, leaving the cramped area
of two million people largely sealed off.
Ahmad al-Naqaa, 40, said he was bringing his seven children to the protest
because "we are living like sardines.""I am ready to die for our land and
our dignity," he told AFP. At the United Nations, Kuwait on Friday called on
the Security Council to investigate the deaths. A Kuwaiti text is expected
to be vetoed by the United States after a similar draft declaration was
blocked last week. Israel has rebuffed international calls for a probe into
last Friday's killings.
UN chief Antonio Guterres urged it to "exercise extreme caution with the use
of force" ahead of the latest clashes. The Israeli army said its troops
opened fire on Friday "in accordance with the rules of engagement". The
military said "attempts were made to infiltrate into Israel under the cover
of a smokescreen" and that firebombs and explosive devices were thrown at
the soldiers. Israel accuses Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza
Strip and with whom it has fought three wars since 2008, of using the
protests as cover to carry out violence.It claimed more than half the dead
from the previous Friday were members of militant groups, including Hamas's
armed wing. Hamas claimed only five of the dead, saying they were
participating "in popular events side-by-side with their people."Those
killed would receive $3,000 to support their families, Hamas announced ahead
of Friday's protests. Late Friday Israeli army spokesman Brigadier General
Ronen Manelis classified the operation along the border as a success. "None
of our troops were wounded, the fence was not crossed," he said, noting that
what happened last week had "deterred Hamas, which prevented the masses from
approaching the fence". But on the other side, Hamas's leader in Gaza Yahya
Sinwar also claimed victory and pledged Palestinians would eventually "break
the border and return to our land and pray in Jerusalem". Israel has also
banned the entry of tyres into the Gaza Strip, the head of a Palestinian
committee for coordinating imports to Gaza said.
The borders were quiet Saturday morning.
US Imposes Sanctions on Putin's Oligarch Allies
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 07/18/The United States struck President
Vladimir Putin's inner circle Friday, imposing sanctions on seven of
Russia's most influential oligarchs and stoking a diplomatic crisis some
have dubbed a new Cold War. Those hit include metals magnate Oleg Deripaska,
described as operating for the Russian government, as well as Alexei Miller,
director of state-owned energy giant Gazprom. Any assets they hold in areas
under US jurisdiction could now be frozen.Also on the list are tycoon
Suleiman Kerimov, under investigation in France over allegations he brought
in millions of euros in suitcases full of cash, and Kirill Shamalov, a
billionaire reported to be Putin's son-in-law. Russia's state arms exporter,
a key tool in Putin's efforts to support the modernization of his own
military by selling advanced hardware around the world, was also added to
the sanctions list. In all, President Donald Trump's administration targeted
seven oligarchs, 12 companies they own or control, 17 senior Russian
officials and the state-owned arms export company Rosoboronexport. "The
United States is taking these actions in response to the totality of the
Russian government's ongoing and increasingly brazen pattern of malign
activity across the world," a senior administration official told reporters.
"This included their occupation of Crimea, instigation of violence in
eastern Ukraine, support for the Assad regime in Syria... and ongoing
malicious cyber-activity," the senior official said. "But most importantly
this is a response to Russia's continued attacks to subvert western
democracies." Nevertheless, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the
new sanctions did not mean that Trump's offer to sit down with Putin in
Washington is off the table. "As the president has said, he wants to have a
good relationship with Russia but that's going to depend on some of the
actions by the Russians," she said. "However, at the same time, the
president is going to continue to be tough until we see that change take
place. And we're going to continue working forward in what we can to have
that meeting and have a meeting with Vladimir Putin at some point." Russia's
foreign ministry promised a "tough response" and said the United States had
joined the "enemies of the market economy and honest and free competition"
as they "use administrative methods to eliminate competitors" such as
Rosoboronexport. "The requisitioning of private property and other people's
money is known as theft," the ministry added. Campaigners against Kremlin
corruption welcomed the US move. Bill Browder, a US-born British financier
whose lawyer Sergei Magnitsky died in a Russian jail while investigating
alleged tax fraud, tweeted that Washington was "finally hitting Putin and
his cronies where it counts."The measures were taken under a US law passed
to punish Russia for its alleged bid to interfere in the 2016 presidential
election, engage in cyber-warfare and intervene in Ukraine and Syria. But
Friday's announcement also came as Washington and its allies face a new
diplomatic crisis with the Kremlin over the attempted poisoning of a former
Russian double agent on British soil. Trump begrudgingly signed the
Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) in August
last year, despite arguing that it undermined his own authority to lead US
foreign policy.
Election interference -
The president had long disputed the idea that Russia's alleged
cyber-espionage and propaganda efforts sped him to victory in the election,
seeking better relations with Putin. But Congress persisted, backed by
evidence from US intelligence agencies, and in March the administration
finally imposed sanctions on 19 Russian entities for "malicious cyber
attacks." In parallel, and to Trump's fury, former FBI chief Robert Mueller
has been empowered as a special prosecutor to investigate possible collusion
between the president's campaign and Russia. So far Mueller has indicted 19
people, including 13 Russians, and reports suggest he may soon ask to
interview Trump himself. US officials confirmed that their action against
the oligarchs was in part related to Russia's alleged interference in the US
vote, but stressed the broader nature of their concerns. "The Russian
government operates for the disproportionate benefit of oligarchs and
government elites," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said."Russian
oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be
insulated from the consequences of their government's destabilizing
activities." - Nerve agent -Ties had already plummeted to a post Cold War
low over last month's attack on a former Russian double agent living in
England. Sergei Skripal is recovering in hospital, but officials in Britain
and its ally the United States say he was poisoned by "Novichok," a nerve
agent they say only Russian intelligence could have deployed. Trump's
administration reacted by expelling 60 Russians they accused of being spies
working under diplomatic cover and Moscow responded in kind.
New Strikes on Syria's Rebel Douma Kill 8 Civilians
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 07/18/Air strikes on Syria's
rebel-controlled Douma killed eight civilians on Saturday, said the Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights, as government forces resumed a military blitz
of the town. The Britain-based monitor said it could not confirm whether the
strikes were carried out by Syrian government warplanes or those of its
ally, Russia. It was the second day of heavy bombardment on Douma, with at
least 40 civilians killed on Friday in a sudden resumption of strikes after
a more than week-long lull. The renewed raids appear to be an attempt to
pressure Jaish al-Islam -- the Islamist group that holds the town -- to
agree to the regime's terms of a withdrawal. Six civilians were also killed
and dozens more wounded as Douma rebels shelled the capital Damascus on
Saturday, Syrian state media said.
State television broadcast live footage from a hospital in Damascus, where
pools of blood stained the floor and wounded could be heard wailing in pain.
Britain Opens Military Base in Bahrain
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 07/18/Britain on Thursday opened a new
naval base in Bahrain, its first permanent military outpost in the Middle
East in nearly half a century, London's defence ministry said. The base,
south of Bahrain's capital Manama, will house around 300 British troops and
support personnel as Britain and Gulf states press their campaign against
jihadist groups in the region. "Our presence in Bahrain will play a vital
role in keeping Britain safe as well as underpinning security in the Gulf,"
defence secretary Gavin Williamson said. Bahrain and Britain are part of the
US-led coalition battling the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria and Iraq,
and the new base means Britain will have the opportunity to add to its four
mine-hunter warships currently based at the Mina Salman port. "What happens
in the Gulf region has a direct impact on the national security of the
United Kingdom, our prosperity and the safety of our citizens," Britain's
defence ministry said. "It is vital that we work with close allies like
Bahrain to tackle regional threats such as that posed by Daesh," it added,
using an Arabic acronym for IS. The tiny island nation of Bahrain currently
houses the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. Britain withdrew from bases in the Gulf in
1971 as part of its plan to pull out from "East of Suez". It ended its troop
presence in southern Iraq in 2009, leaving bases built in Basra after the
2003 invasion.
Talks to Ease Egypt Concerns over Nile Dam Fail, Sudan
Minister
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/April 07/18/A new round of
talks held in Khartoum to ease Egypt's concerns over a controversial dam
that Ethiopia is building along the Nile have failed, a Sudanese minister
said Friday. The foreign ministers and intelligence chiefs of Egypt,
Ethiopia and Sudan met in Khartoum on Thursday, and after nearly 17 hours of
discussions they failed to reach an agreement on issues concerning Addis
Ababa's ongoing construction of the controversial Grand Renaissance Dam on
the Nile. "We didn't reach an agreement," Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim
Ghandour told reporters after the officials of three countries wrapped up
their talks held at a luxury hotel in Khartoum. "We spent the whole day
talking as ordered by the leaders of the three countries, but we didn't
reach an agreement." "I can't specify what the disagreements were, but they
were technical issues," Ghandour said as his Ethiopian and Egyptian
counterparts refused to speak to journalists. Ghandour also said that no new
date had been fixed for the next round of talks. The latest round of
discussion had been held after leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan met in
Addis Ababa last month and agreed to break the months long impasse over the
dam. Ethiopia began building the $4 billion dam in 2012, but the mega
project has triggered tensions primarily with Egypt as Cairo fears that once
commissioned the dam will reduce water supplies from the Nile to Egypt.
Egypt relies almost totally on the Nile for irrigation and drinking water,
and says it has "historic rights" to the river, guaranteed by treaties from
1929 and 1959. Cairo argues that the treaties grant it 87 percent of the
Nile's flow, as well as the power to veto upstream projects. It fears that
any reduction of water supplies to the biggest Arab country will affect its
agriculture.
Cairo is primarily concerned at the speed at which the dam's reservoir would
be filled. The Blue and the White Nile tributaries converge in Sudan's
capital Khartoum and from there run north through Egypt to the
Mediterranean. Initially Sudan too had concerns over the project, but in
recent months has supported it, with experts saying that the dam will help
regulate floods along Sudan's share of the Nile. The Grand Renaissance Dam
aims to produce 6,000 megawatts of hydro-electric power -- the equivalent of
six nuclear-powered plants. The dam was initially expected to be
commissioned in 2017, but Ethiopian media reports say only about 60 percent
has so far been built.
French Graft Trial Looms for Uncle of Syria's Assad
The uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad alone accounts for 80 percent
of the assets seized by French customs authorities last year as a four-year
probe into his eye-popping assets in Europe winds up. Dubbed the "Butcher of
Hama", Rifaat al-Assad, now 80, may soon face trial over his allegedly
ill-gotten gains valued at tens of millions of euros, according to sources
close to the case. He headed an elite force that put down a Sunni
insurrection in the central city in February 1982, a crackdown that claimed
between 10,000 and 40,000 lives, according to varying estimates. Two years
later, he fled the country after mounting a failed coup bid against his
brother Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, who led Syria from 1971 to 2000.
After he arrived in Europe, Rifaat al-Assad's lavish lifestyle with four
wives and a dozen children soon raised eyebrows. The breadth of Assad's
alleged fortune, amassed mainly during the 1980s, is dizzying: more than 500
properties in Spain; two mansions in Paris including one covering 3,000
square metres (30,000 square feet); a stud farm and chateau near the French
capital; 7,300 square metres of office space in Lyon. Most of these were
acquired through offshore companies in Panama, Curacao, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg and Gibraltar. In France alone, his fortune has been valued at 90
million euros ($110 million). Most of the assets have been sequestered. Last
year, of the 862 million euros confiscated by French customs authorities,
691 million euros' worth belonged to Assad, they said in March. The family
is also thought to have been the owners of Witanhurst, the largest residence
in London after Buckingham Palace, through a shell company in Panama, before
selling it in 2007. - 'It was raining cash' -A source close to the case said
a former manager in France described how "it was raining cash" from 1996 to
2010, recalling that he withdrew around 100,000 euros a month to pay the
Assads' many employees. French authorities opened an investigation in April
2014 after two anti-graft groups, Sherpa and Transparency International,
raised red flags.
Two years later, they charged Assad with tax fraud and embezzlement of
public funds. Appearing before a French magistrate for the first time in
January 2015, Assad was evasive, saying he did not manage his fortune
personally. "I'm concerned only with politics," he insisted. However,
wiretapping records and witnesses suggested otherwise, painting a picture of
a man who did not delegate and closely watched his holdings.
- Saudi benefactor? -He also claimed he owed his fortune to the largesse of
Saudi king Abdullah, who died in January 2015.
His lawyers Pierre Haik, Pierre Cornut-Gentille and Benjamin Grundler
produced a cheque for $10 million from Abdullah dating from when he was
still crown prince in 1984. They said in a statement to AFP: "We provided
proof of three other very large transfers in 2008, 2009 and 2010 --
admittedly after the acquisitions (of French property) -- but which
illustrate continuous and massive aid from the king since the early
1980s."The defence team also recently handed over a letter from Abdullah
referring to donations to Assad. They argued that its was practically
impossible to dig up bank records from more than 30 years ago. Allegations
of corruption and embezzlement have come from a variety of sources. The
former head of Romania's secret service, Ion Mihai Pacepa, wrote in a book
that the late dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu referred to Rifaat al-Assad as his
agent in Syria, performing services in exchange for large sums of money.
Investigators also cite statements by Syrian former foreign minister Abdel
Halim Khaddam, who said Hafez al-Assad had some $300 million paid to his
brother in 1984 as a way to get rid of him following the abortive coup.
Two-thirds allegedly came from the president's budget and the rest from a
Libyan loan. Investigators noted that the budget spiked in 1984. Former
defence minister Mustafa Tlas alleged that Assad's "men" helped themselves
to pallets laden with banknotes from the Syrian central bank as well as
cultural property. Another witness testified to archaeological looting,
telling investigators that the president's uncle had stolen "a treasure of
great value" from land owned by his grandfather in Syria. Assad has
dismissed the allegations as attempts by rivals to smear him. He may also
face charges in Switzerland, where he has been under investigation since
2013 for war crimes allegedly committed in the 1980s.
Emir of Qatar to Visit White House Next Week
Associated Press/Naharnet/April 07/18/The emir of Qatar will be meeting with
President Donald Trump at the White House next week. White House spokeswoman
Sarah Huckabee Sanders says Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will be meeting
with Trump on April 10. She says Trump looks forward to discussing ways to
strengthen ties between the two countries and "advance our common security
and economic priorities." Qatar has been under siege since early June, when
the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and its other neighbors severed ties over claims the
small, gas-rich monarchy was funding terrorism, disrupting Gulf unity and
fomenting opposition across the region. Qatar has denied the charges. A top
fundraiser for Trump also filed a lawsuit last month against Qatar and
lobbyists working for the state, alleging they hacked his and his wife's
emails as part of the ongoing dispute.
Koreas Discuss Communication Issues ahead of Summit
Associated Press/Naharnet/April 07/18/North and South Korea on Saturday held
talks over establishing a telephone hotline between their leaders and other
communication issues ahead of a rare summit between the rivals later this
month. The closed-door talks between working-level officials at a border
village were part of preparatory discussions to set up the April 27 summit
between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon
Jae-in. The meeting, only the third summit between the Koreas since the end
of the 1950-53 Korean War, could prove to be significant in the global
diplomatic push to resolve the standoff over North Korea's nuclear program.
A summit between Kim and President Donald Trump is anticipated in May.
Before Saturday's meeting, South Korea didn't specify what would be
discussed other than the hotline between the leaders. The Koreas have agreed
not to disclose the contents of their preparatory talks until they reach an
agreement, Moon's office said. The Koreas agreed on the date of the summit
in a high-level meeting last week. South Korea, which has shuttled between
Pyongyang and Washington to set up the talks, said Kim had expressed
willingness to talk about giving up nuclear weapons during his upcoming
meetings with Moon and Trump. The North has yet to officially confirm such
intent or Kim's interest in meeting Trump.
Kim last month made a surprise visit to Beijing and met with Chinese leader
Xi Jinping, a move widely seen as strengthening the North's position ahead
of his talks with Moon and Trump. China, North Korea's only major ally and
main economic lifeline, has been calling for a "dual suspension" of North
Korean nuclear and missile activities in return for the United States and
South Korea suspending their large-scale military exercises. The Koreas
earlier this week held separate working-level discussions on the protocol,
security and media coverage issues of the inter-Korean summit. The countries
will hold at least one more meeting on these issues to discuss the summit's
agenda. Working-level officials need to determine how Kim would arrive at
the southern side of the border village for the summit. South Korean media
have speculated whether Kim, who has a flair for the dramatic, would cross
the Military Demarcation Line that bisects the countries in a symbolic
gesture of peace. The Koreas have to also decide how many times Kim and Moon
would meet on April 27 and whether parts of the summit would be broadcast on
live television.
The rivals agreed to set up a hotline between the offices of Kim and Moon in
March when Moon's envoys visited Kim in Pyongyang. In a subsequent trip to
Washington, Moon's envoys brokered a meeting between Kim and Trump, who said
he would meet the North Korean leader by May. South Korea says a functional
hotline between Kim and Moon would help facilitate dialogue and reduce
misunderstanding during times of tension. Moon and Kim plan to hold their
first telephone conversation sometime before their face-to-face meeting,
according to Moon's office. North Korea's abrupt diplomatic outreach since
the start of the year has brought a temporary lull to tensions sparked by
its flurry of nuclear weapons and missile tests last year that resulted in
Kim and Trump exchanging crude insults and threats of war.
The North last year tested a purported thermonuclear warhead and three
intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to strike the continental
United States. It also flew two midrange missiles over Japan while
threatening to fire similar weapons toward Guam, the Pacific U.S. military
hub.
The United States responded by frequently sending its strategic assets such
as long-range bombers and aircraft carriers to the region in a show of force
and floating talks of military options against North Korea.
Top ISIS commander in Afghanistan killed in airstrike
AFP, Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan/ Saturday, 7 April 2018/A
high-ranking ISIS commander in Afghanistan has been killed in an airstrike,
officials said Saturday, as Afghan and US forces dial up attacks on the
militant group. Qari Hekmat was the top commander of ISIS’s Afghan franchise
in the northern province of Jowzjan, where the group established a
stronghold after coming under intense pressure in the eastern province of
Nangarhar. Hekmat was killed on Friday in an Afghan airstrike in Darzab
district, the defense ministry said in a statement, describing him as “one
of the key figures” for ISIS in northern Afghanistan. He was involved in or
responsible for “deadly terrorist attacks” and has been replaced by Mawlawi
Habib-ul-Rahman, the ministry added. Provincial governor Lutfullah Azizi
confirmed Hekmat had been killed but said US Forces carried out the
airstrike. US Forces did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for
comment. “Our intelligence sources have identified his body. His death will
affect the recruitment of ISIS and disperse ISIS fighters in Afghanistan’s
north,” Azizi said. Ramped up airstrikes, ground offensives . Afghan and US
forces have ramped up airstrikes and ground offensives against ISIS fighters
in Jowzjan in recent months as the group seeks to expand its foothold in the
country. Afghan security forces last month detained a French woman fighting
for ISIS in the same district of Jowzjan. AFP has reported that French and
Algerian fighters, some arriving from Syria, have joined ISIS in the restive
province. In January, Afghan forces caught the group’s “head facilitator of
foreign forces”. Two months later, his two successors were killed in a US
airstrike, NATO’s Resolute Support mission said previously. Jowzjan
provincial police chief Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani said Hekmat’s death was “a
big blow” to ISIS in the north. “He was the founder of ISIS in northern
Afghanistan and had recruited fighters,” Jawzjani said. He said Hekmat was
killed on Thursday in a joint operation between Afghan and foreign forces.
ISIS first emerged in Afghanistan in 2014 as NATO combat troops withdrew
from the country and handed over responsibility to Afghan security forces.
Despite being vastly outnumbered by the Taliban, ISIS has claimed
responsibility for devastating attacks in Kabul and elsewhere in the
country.Some Western and Afghan officials believe it has received help from
the Haqqani network, a brutal wing of the Taliban.
Khamenei Urged to
Carry Out Regime Reform
London - Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 7 April, 2018/Hours after 300 Basij
activists and other conservative groups sent an open letter to Iran's
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, slamming the regime’s performance, Iranian
websites published two separate statements by the Freedom Movement of Iran (FMI)
and activist Abolfazl Qadiani, addressing Khamenei.The statement by the
liberal Freedom Movement expressed fear over “widespread violence” in case
of renewed protests similar to demonstrations witnessed by more than 80
Iranian cities in December and January. The statement criticized the lack of
political reforms and media transparency as well as the absence of civil
national institutions, in addition to the accumulation of capital under the
pretext of privatizing state agencies and institutions. FMI was founded in
1961 by Mehdi Bazargan, the first prime minister in Iran after the
revolution, Ebrahim Yazdi who once served as foreign minister, deputy prime
minister Yadollah Sahabi, as well as cleric Mahmud Taleqani and Sadegh
Ghotbzadeh, the first foreign minister in Iran. Qadiani, a senior member of
the Mojahedeen Organization (IRMO), harshly criticized Khamenei in open
letters, likening him to Joseph Goebbels, a German Nazi politician and Reich
Minister of Propaganda of Nazi Germany, and accusing him of telling big
lies. “Khamenei's claims about freedom and democracy, and the right to
choose, is reminiscent of Goebbels, Hitler's Minster of propaganda, who
believed that the bigger the lie, the more truthful it will appear," he
added. Qadiani further called on Khamenei to put his legitimacy to test by
allowing for free elections where various political parties exist in the
Assembly of Experts.
He also called on Khamenei to start the battle against corruption from
institutions affiliated to him, including his office and the Guard Corps.
Latest LCCC Bulletin analysis & editorials
from miscellaneous sources published
on April 07-08/18
Palestinians: Abbas Targets Hamas, Then Condemns Israel for Targeting Hamas
Bassam Tawil/Gatestone Institute/April 07/18
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/12122/abbas-hamas-israel
Here is the situation: Abbas is arresting and torturing Palestinians on
suspicion of being affiliated with Hamas at the same time that he is
criticizing Israel for killing or arresting members of Hamas.
Mahmoud Abbas and his government actually owe Israel a massive debt of
thanks for targeting their enemies -- the same enemies they just accused of
trying to assassinate Abbas' prime minister in the Gaza Strip last month.
Abbas, of course, knows the truth: that Hamas is sending Palestinians to be
killed and disabled near the border with Israel just to be able to hold up
dead Palestinian babies with which to blame Israel in front of the press.
Abbas, however, is not only hypocrite, he is a coward. He knows it is safer
for him to turn the heat falsely against Israel -- the same Israel that is
propping up his regime in the West Bank and ensuring that Hamas does not
drag him to the center of Ramallah and hang him for as a traitor.
The Palestinian Authority (PA), now calling for an international inquiry
into the March 30 events along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel,
says that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have the right to demonstrate and
protest against Israel.
Ironically, however, when it comes to areas under the control of the PA in
the West Bank, Palestinians are banned from staging protests in front of
President Mahmoud Abbas's "presidential" Mukata headquarters in Ramallah. In
general, the PA leadership does not tolerate any form of criticism -- which
happens to be the reason that protests against Abbas and his government are
virtually unheard of.
Palestinians are banned from staging protests in front of Palestinian
Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's "presidential" Mukata headquarters
(pictured) in Ramallah. (Image source: PalestinianLiberator/Wikimedia
Commons)
The only protests the PA accepts and welcomes are those directed against
Israel. Yes, in PA-controlled territories in the West Bank, Palestinians can
stage daily protests against Israel anywhere and at any time they wish! They
can throw stones at IDF soldiers and Jewish settlers, and the Palestinian
policemen will do nothing to stop them. Does any Palestinian, however, dare
to throw a stone at a Palestinian policeman? You guessed it. Definitely not.
In a similar vein, the PA security forces feel free to arrest any
Palestinian they want, even for the most trivial infraction. They are
allowed to hold Palestinians in detention without trial and deny them visits
by their family and lawyer. They are allowed to arrest any Palestinian
journalists they wish for posting supposedly critical remarks on Facebook.
Rami Samara, for instance, was arrested by PA security forces on April 3.
for criticizing "arbitrary measures" taken by the PA against Palestinian
journalists. Unwilling to face the strong protests by human rights
organizations and Palestinian journalists, Abbas ordered the release of
Samara hours after the journalist was taken into custody.
Again ironically, hardly a day passes without the PA and its institutions
condemning Israel for arresting Palestinians in the West Bank for
security-related offenses. The PA often denounces the Israeli arrests as
"abductions" and "violations of human rights" of Palestinians. Yet, this is
the same PA that takes liberties in arresting and harassing Palestinians on
a daily basis, mostly for being affiliated with rival groups, and for
voicing criticism of the PA leadership and its policies – not to mention
corruption.
When Israel arrests Hamas and Islamic Jihad supporters, the PA expresses
outrage and demands the immediate release of the suspects. When the PA
stages a campaign of arrests against its political opponents, however,
suddenly, everything changes. Then, Palestinians are required to remain
silent and even support their leaders and security forces for supposedly
defending the national interests of the Palestinian public or "preserving
law and order."
Consider, for example the following: just in March, Abbas's security forces
in the West Bank arrested 210 Palestinians for allegedly being affiliated
with Hamas and other Palestinian opposition groups. Another 121 Palestinians
were summoned for interrogation by the PA security forces. The PA security
forces also raided the homes of 49 Palestinians for various reasons,
including critical comments on social media. At least eight detainees are
said to be on hunger strikes in PA prisons in different parts of the West
Bank. Among the detainees in Palestinian prisons are 25 university students,
two school pupils, three journalists, one human rights activist, three
school teachers, an engineer, two physicians and two university lecturers.
On April 4, the families of some of the Palestinians held by the PA security
forces tried to hold a peaceful sit-in strike in front of Abbas's office in
Ramallah to demand the release of their sons. The families, however, were
told that it was forbidden to stage any form of protest in front of Abbas's
headquarters for "security reasons." The families were told that they could
instead go to one of the streets in the center of Ramallah and protest
there. The only demonstrations that are permitted in and around Abbas's
headquarters are those where Palestinians pledge allegiance to their
83-year-old president or to protest against Israel.
At the April 4 protest, the wives and mothers of the detainees complained
that their sons were being held without trial and without family and lawyer
visitations. The wife of Ziad Kilani, arrested last month by the PA security
forces, said that she and her family do not know anything about their son
and do not know where or why he is being held. Kilani's mother said that
when she asked the PA security officers the reason for her son's detention,
she was told that he was being held on the order of a top Palestinian
official. She said that when she asked the official himself, he denied any
knowledge of the matter.
The Palestinians say that the vast majority of the detainees arrested by
Abbas's security forces are detained solely for their political
affiliations. They say these "politically motivated" arrests are part of the
PA's continued security crackdown on its political rivals in the West Bank,
including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Huda Na'im, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council -- the Palestinian
parliament that has been paralyzed for the past decade because of the power
struggle between Hamas and Abbas's ruling Fatah faction -- called for the
immediate release of all the Palestinian detainees held in PA prisons. "The
ongoing politically motivated arrests in the West Bank [by the PA security
forces] constitute a crime against the Palestinian people, and only serve
the interests of Israel," she said. Nai'm called on the PA to backtrack on
its "treacherous practices. She also called for bringing the commanders of
the PA security forces responsible for the arrests to trial for politically
motivated arrests and torture.
Some may argue that the PA security forces are doing a good job by targeting
Palestinians affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. One is left, however,
with the nagging question: Why does the PA castigate Israel when it does the
same thing against Hamas and Islamic Jihad?
During the March 30 events along the border between the Gaza Strip and
Israel, several Palestinians belonging to Hamas and other armed groups in
the Gaza Strip were killed by the Israeli army. The victims were not
supporters of Abbas and Fatah. In fact, they were Abbas's enemies. Didn't
Abbas recently hold Hamas responsible for the March 13 assassination attempt
against his prime minister, Rami Hamdallah, during a visit to the northern
Gaza Strip? Didn't Abbas threaten to take "legal, financial and national
measures against Hamas? Didn't he threaten that "shoes will be pouring on
the heads of the most junior and senior official in Hamas?"
Here is the situation: Abbas is arresting and torturing Palestinians on
suspicion of being affiliated with Hamas at the same time that he is
criticizing Israel for killing or arresting members of Hamas.
Abbas and his government want the international community to launch an
investigation against Israel for killing a number of their Hamas enemies in
the Gaza Strip. Abbas and his government say Palestinians are entitled to
demonstrate near the border with Israel and endanger the lives of soldiers
and Israeli citizens but are not allowed to stage a small protest outside
his Ramallah office for "security reasons."
Abbas and his government actually owe Israel a massive debt of thanks for
targeting their enemies -- the same enemies they just accused of trying to
assassinate Abbas' prime minister in the Gaza Strip last month.
Instead, Abbas is busy inciting against Israel and accusing it of committing
"massacres" against "unarmed" civilians in the Gaza Strip. Who is Abbas
fooling? Doesn't Abbas see that even Hamas has boasted that several of those
killed by the Israeli army were members of Hamas's military wing, Izaddin al
Qassam?
Again, we are showered by Abbas and the PA leadership with deceit and
dissimulation. Were it not for Israel, these Hamas men would have crossed
the border from the Gaza Strip and killed not only Israelis, but the
Palestinian president and many of his Ramallah-based cronies.
As the leader of the Palestinians, Abbas should be criticizing Hamas and
other terror groups for sending children, the elderly, women and "unarmed
civilians" to the border with Israel, where they are endangering their
lives. Abbas, however, is terrified of Hamas. He is also afraid of his own
people, whom he has taught to hate – more than they love life.
Abbas, of course, knows the truth: that Hamas is sending Palestinians to be
killed and injured near the border with Israel just to be able to hold up
dead Palestinian babies with which to blame Israel in front of the press.
Abbas, however, is not only hypocrite, he is a coward. He knows it is safer
for him to turn the heat falsely against Israel -- the same Israel that is
propping up his regime in the West Bank -- and ensuring that Hamas does not
drag him to the center of Ramallah and hang him as a traitor.
**Bassam Tawil is a Muslim based in the Middle East.
© 2018 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.
France: Soon with No Jews?
Guy Millière/Gatestone Institute/April 07/18
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/12121/france-no-jews
Today, France is the only country in the Western world where Jews are
murdered simply for being Jews.
Jews may be the main victims, but they are not the only ones. In just five
years, 250 people in France have been murdered by Islamic terrorists.
The main problem is the spread of hatred against Jews, France and the
Western world. Many Muslim extremists incite murder; and more and more
often, murders occur.
A year ago, in Paris, on April 4, 2017, Sarah Halimi, an elderly Jew, was
horribly tortured and murdered in her home in Paris, then thrown from her
window by a man shouting "Allahu Akbar" ("Allah is the greatest") . She had
reported to the police several times that she was the victim of anti-Semitic
threats -- in vain.
Less than a year later in Paris, another elderly -- and disabled -- Jew,
Mireille Knoll, was raped, tortured and murdered in her apartment by another
Muslim extremist. Mrs. Knoll, a Holocaust survivor, had also contacted the
police to say that she had been threatened. Again, the police did nothing.
For months, the French justice system tried to cover-up the anti-Semitic
nature of Sarah Halimi's murder; the judge in charge of Mireille Knoll's
case at least recognized the anti-Semitic nature of her murder at once.
Mireille Knoll, an elderly and disabled Jewish Holocaust survivor, was
recently raped, tortured and murdered in her apartment by a Muslim
extremist. (Image source: Knoll family)
Both women were victims of an anti-Semitic hatred that is rising quickly in
France.
French Jews live in constant insecurity. The men who murder them evidently
do not hesitate to break into homes and attack elderly women; they seem to
know they can threaten their future victims without fear of arrest. More
often than not, the police do not even record the complaints of Jews who go
to the police station, but simply note in the daybook that a Jew claiming
threats came and went.
The French authorities say they are fighting anti-Semitism, but they never
speak of the only anti-Semitism that today in France kills Jews: Islamic
anti-Semitism. If the murderer is a Muslim, he is usually described as
suddenly "radicalized".
The word "radicalized" is now used to describe Muslim killers. It allows
those who use it to avoid the words "Muslim" or "Islam".
The French mainstream media also use the same language as the French
authorities. When a killer's neighbors are interviewed, they usually say he
was "a nice guy".
There was almost no news coverage of the murder of Sarah Halimi when it took
place. There was more on the murder of Mireille Knoll, but almost none
referred to the cause of her murder.
The fear that neutralizes French politicians and journalists is: Being
accused of "Islamophobia".
In all the uncountable number of books on the danger and the consequences of
anti-Semitism published in France since World War II, only one deals
specifically with the hatred of Jews in the Muslim world. The author,
Philippe Simonnot, a former journalist for the daily Le Monde, actually
justifies this hatred. He alleges (incorrectly) that Jews who lived in
Muslim countries were well treated, but then betrayed Islam by not fighting
alongside Muslims at the time of Western colonization; that the creation of
Israel has been a crime against the poor "Palestinians", and that Muslims
have the right to collectively punish Christians and Jews. These ideas are
not marginal. In France, they are widespread.
Each time, an anti-Semitic crime is committed by a Muslim on French
territory, French politicians and journalists try to hide who the criminal
is or what his motivations were. Often, they explain that the criminal is
also a "victim."
When a criminal leaves a message stating that he acted to avenge the
suffering of "Palestinians", French politicians and journalists almost
unanimously repeat that what happens in the Middle East must stay in the
Middle East, and then that a "just solution" must be found to "Palestinian
suffering". They ignore that, despite all of Israel's efforts to treat Arabs
humanely, every French report on Israel starts with denouncing Israeli
soldiers as ruthless killers, supposedly happy to humiliate Arabs.
Today, France is the only country in the Western world where Jews are
murdered simply for being Jews. Since 2006, eleven French Jews have been
killed -- men, women, children. At the Ozar Hatorah school in Toulouse, in
March 2012, children aged three, six and eight were shot to death at point
blank range.
Giulio Meotti wrote:
"If they had been Muslims, their stories would have become a universal
warning against intolerance, racism, ethnic and religious hatred ...
Politicians would have given their name to streets and schools."
But they were Jews, so in France, the anti-Semitism is not named.
A few weeks ago, at the annual dinner organized by the Jewish organization
CRIF in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron said that France is at war with
anti-Semitism. In the aftermath of the murder of Mireille Knoll, he said the
same thing.
For decades, all French Presidents have used virtually the same sentences.
Macron repeated many times that "without Jews, France would no longer be
France". What appears to be taking place, however, is precisely that: a
France with no Jews.
In two decades, more than 20% of French Jews have left the country.
According to a survey, 40% of the Jews still living in France want to leave.
Although Jews now represent a little less than 0.8% of the French
population, half of the military and police deployed in the streets in
France stand guard in front of Jewish schools and places of worship.
French Jews see that what remains of the Jewish presence in France is being
erased. They know that they have to hide their Jewishness and that even if
they are street-wise and carefully lock their door, risks are everywhere.
They also know that what happens to them does not interest the rest of the
French population. The French National Assembly has 577 members. Only one of
them tirelessly and courageously draws attention to what is happening: Meyer
Habib. He represents the French living in the Middle East and was elected
thanks to the support of the French Jews who now live in Israel but still
have their citizenship. Without them, he would have no chance of being
elected.
After the murder of Sarah Halimi, a tribute to her was organized in the
street where she lived. Only Jews attended. They were welcomed with insults,
and bottles thrown from the windows of buildings.
When Jewish institutions called for a silent march in memory of Mireille
Knoll, more people came. Again, most were Jews. Gilles-William Goldnadel,
president of Lawyers Without Borders, and the Knoll family's lawyer, said
that Mireille Knoll's late husband had been a survivor of Auschwitz and
their children had lived with the memory of the Holocaust constantly in
their minds, and how "terrible" it must be for them to see their mother
murdered and her body burned. One of Mireille Knoll's sons, Daniel, said
that "Muslims must react".
French Muslim organizations condemned the murder, but not the Jew-hate.
A study conducted for Fondapol (Foundation for Political Innovation) in 2014
showed that 25% of the French population have anti-Semitic sentiments, and
that among practicing Muslims, the proportion is 42%. According to the
study, 28% of French Muslims are strictly hostile to the teaching of the
Holocaust in schools. Many say that the Holocaust is a Jewish invention.
Jews may be the main victims, but they are not the only ones. In just five
years, 250 people in France have been murdered by Islamic terrorists -- the
most recent victims were shot just a few hours before Mireille Knoll's body
was discovered in the ashes of her apartment.
On March 23, a French Islamic terrorist killed four people in Trèbes, a
small town in Southwestern France. One of the victims was a senior officer
of the French national gendarmerie who took the place of a hostage and was
slaughtered with a butcher knife. The terrorist was shot dead.
Mainstream French media hid that the officer was stabbed to death; they said
he had been "hit on the neck". The terrorist, who shouted "Allahu Akbar" was
not described as an Islamist, but, of course, as a man who was
"radicalized". The French Department of the Interior added that he was
considered extremely dangerous and had been "closely monitored" by the
police. Thousands of people who are "radicalized" and are considered
extremely dangerous are being "closely monitored" by the police.
When a police squad went to the neighborhood where the terrorist had lived,
they were greeted by rioters.
Many Frenchmen consider the slaughtered senior officer, Arnaud Beltrame, a
hero; in Paris, a solemn homage was paid to him. At the same moment,
thousands of young Muslims were in the streets celebrating the terrorist and
shouting his name, Radouane Lakdim. "For many young Muslims, the terrorist
is the hero", Thibault de Montbrial, the president of the Center of
Reflection on Homeland Security, said.
The day after the Islamic attack in Trèbes, France's government spokesman
said that France had the moral duty to welcome and "reintegrate" 258 French
former members of the defeated Islamic State presently imprisoned in Syria.
This is apparently the French government's entire view of its moral duty.
A few days ago, a "call of 100 intellectuals against Islamist separatism"
was published in Le Figaro. The text accuses Islamists of trying to
"separate the Muslim population from the rest of the French."
A large part of France's Muslim population already lives separately from the
rest of the French population. It self-segregates. The main problem,
however, is not self-segregation. The main problem is the spread of hatred
against Jews, France and the Western world. Muslim extremists incite murder;
and more and more often, murders occur. They do not want to live separately:
they want to destroy, ravage and conquer. One only has to look at the
histories of Turkey, all of North Africa, all of the Middle East, Eastern
Europe, Greece, Portugal, northern Cyprus and southern Spain.
Last year, the historian Georges Bensoussan, born and raised in North
Africa, published a book called A Submissive France. The title seemed only
too accurate.
Will the French finally revolt? A poll published on March 29 shows that 83%
of the French are in favor of the expulsion of all foreigners who have an "S
file" with the intelligence services, whose holders are considered to be a
threat to national security. The poll also showed that 87% of the French are
in favor of sending French citizens with a "S file" to jail. The French
government, however, has shown no interest in any of it.
**Dr. Guy Millière, a professor at the University of Paris, is the author of
27 books on France and Europe.
© 2018 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.
Conflicts of the region are led by Iran’s maneuverings
Abdullah bin Bijad Al-Otaibi/Al Arabiya/April 07/18
The Cold War dynamic in the Middle East, which is now also playing out in other
theatres internationally, is finally being accepted by many analysts in the
region after being rejected for years. History has again become a living reality
for the entire world. Historically, Iran has sought to achieve its hegemony over
the region by exporting its revolution, and has succeeded in four Arab capitals.
Many observers during the so-called ‘Arab Spring’ had believed that Iran and its
axis in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Qatar and within the Brotherhood in
Egypt and its branches in the Arab Gulf and the world, Hamas in the Gaza Strip
and extremist groups in Libya and in the triangle of south of Algeria, northern
Mali and eastern Mauritania, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan and others can dominate
the region and the Arab world.
Reversing the ‘Arab Spring’
All the previous observations, which deceived and confused some of the most
renowned researchers and institutions, changed during the portentous ‘spring.’ A
huge conflict between different opinions, ideas and analysis erupted as a
result. Hence came several questions such as: How did Egypt strongly vote in
support of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for a second term? How has Saif
al-Islam Gaddafi been able to present himself as a real candidate for leadership
of the new Libya? How has it become possible to conceive a new future for
national states in Iran's areas of influence — namely in Iraq, Lebanon and
Yemen?
The evil axis in the region is now exposed and is drawing condemnation of the
people who can see the great evil and harm it is capable of. This harm does not
only affect the stability of countries but also targets people and aims to force
them to yield to demographic changes by using the power of arms, terrorism and
the savagery of extremism. Some tactics are tantamount to war crimes, such as
using chemical weapons, committing genocide, carrying out forced displacement
and other internationally condemned practices.
Events have today proven that the emergence of an Arab axis between Saudi Arabia
and the United Arab Emirates is politically imperative. It is a historic event
backed by the rationale of history, the commonality of interests and the power
of alliances. The establishment of this Arab axis involved regional and
international institutions, especially over the past three years. It’s enough to
cite the successful visit of Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the United States,
and the magnitude of the UAE's presence in favor of all Saudi positions and
policies in all regional and international platforms.
Countering Iran’s designs
While Iran and its axis drown in current crises in the Arab world, such as in
Yemen and other countries, the UAE deliberates on the experience of Singapore
and South Korea among others, and Saudi Arabia talks about a new ‘Europe’ in the
Middle East after resolving these crises. There is a huge difference between
countries seeking to expand and extend their influence under the slogan of
‘Waliyat-al-Faqih’ or the ‘Awaited Imam’, and others who direct their efforts
for the future and stability, and build their cases in harmony with
international conventions and institutions.
Those who follow the developments and study strategy must admit that the future
is better and brighter, that careful planning can achieve the impossible and
alter balances, and that firm and stable politics builds its cases patiently and
enduringly thus gaining enough time to mature and become influential. From here,
Saudi Arabia adopted two approaches in confronting the Yemeni issue; the first
by way of supporting the national army and popular resistance through training,
organization and armament and it is moving in an upward direction towards Sa'ada,
Taiz and Sana'a. The second is to build an internationally strong court case
against Iran which is smuggling ballistic missiles to Yemen. Saudi Arabia has
proven that, as stated by the spokesperson of the Arab coalition, it reserves
the right to retaliate against Iran in the right time and place. It is a new
chapter in the conflicts of the region.
Syria: The Russia-Turkey summit was a missed opportunity
Amir Taheri/Al Arabiya/April 07/18
Earlier this week Russian President Vladimir Putin, still beaming from his
re-election victory, tried to heighten his global profile with a much-advertised
“summit” with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
(A brief tripartite sitting with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani was later added
as a footnote to “exchange views” on Syria.)
At tactical level Putin and Erdogan need each other.Erdogan gives Putin, who is
asserting himself as the arbiter of Syria’s future, as an “Islamic” cover to
counter claims that Russia, having bombed large parts of Syria into rubble and
killing tens of thousands of civilians, is now at war with Islam. It is no
accident that Kremlin’s recent “advice” to Muslim preachers in mosques across
the Russian federation includes the claims that Putin’s moves in Syria are
backed by Erdogan. For his part Erdogan, too, needs Putin a tactical level. It
was Putin who told his protégé Bashar al-Assad not to press acclaim for control
of Syrian Kurdish areas annexed by Turkey in recent operations. Russian forces
in Syria looked the other way as Turkish forces carved out the Syrian cordon
sanitaire that Erdogan wanted. It was also thanks to a nod and a wink from Putin
that the mullahs of Tehran suddenly ceased their initially violent denunciation
of Turkey for annexing chunks of Syrian territory. Furthermore, Erdogan, as any
middleweight player in a power game knows, needed a big power protector against
another big power, in this case the United States. More importantly, perhaps,
both Putin and Erdogan needed each other complete Iran’s exclusion from the top
table on Syria, a process that started in 2015 when Putin rode in to claim the
title of protector for what is left of Assad’s ramshackle regime. A group of
Iranian parliamentarians who visited Damascus recently were surprised to find
posters celebrating the “victory” of Putin and Assad with no mention of Iran’s
“Supreme Guide” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, let alone Gen. Assam Soleimani the
self-promoting the poster-boy of “Imamist Jihad”. Another poster distributed in
Deir az-Zour puts giant images of Putin and Assad in the front section with
small images of Khamenei and the Lebanese "Hezbollah" chief Hasan Nasrallah in
the background. To hammer in the point that we are witnessing a two-man show,
Putin and Erdogan did all they could to be seen together, announced grandiose
plans for a nuclear industry in Turkey, re-hashed old projects for oil and gas
pipelines and even evoked the sale of Russian military hardware to Turkey. The
Putin-Erdogan tandem’s aim is to marginalize Iran’s role in Syria, to encourage
US President Donald Trump’s penchant for withdrawal from the Syrian quagmire and
to allow no space for any Arab initiative on Syria. With the remnants of the
Assad regime reduced to irrelevance, Putin and Erdogan hope to seize sole
control of Syria’s destiny.
But how realistic is such an ambition? The short answer is: not very!
Excluding Iran from the Syria scene? Not easy
There is no doubt that Iran’s role in Syria has been dramatically reduced while
Putin has denied Iran its own share of Syrian territory in which to set up a
permanent base through which to maintain control over Lebanon. Iran’s
fundamental weakness in Syria is that it has no indigenous constituency. Tukey
can count on the sympathy of the Muslim Arab majority in Syria while Russia is
cast as protector of the Alawite and Christian minorities there. Iran, however,
cannot count on any such popular support base. But Iran remains the biggest
paymaster for the Assad regime. In fact, before travelling to Turkey for a
mini-meeting with Putin and Erdogan, Rouhani had hinted that he would demand
that Russia and Turkey make a serious contribution to the cost of keeping Syria
“safe from terrorists”. Iran’s other asset in Syria is the estimated 40,000
mercenaries he has recruited from Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and
Pakistan. That makes ran the second largest military force on the ground after
the remnants of Assad’s army and ancillaries’. Putin and Erdogan would be
mistaken if they think they could easily exclude Iran from the Syrian scene.
Putin and Erdogan would be equally wrong if they take a Trumpian tweet as a US
decision to withdraw from Syria. It may be hard to guess Trump’s next move on
Syria or, indeed, on any other issues. But, right now, political, diplomatic,
economic and military facts on the ground point to an American comeback to the
Middle East as a major player. With victory over the so-called Islamic Caliphate
now almost complete the US would be ill-advised to throw away its laurels and
hand the trophy to rivals and adversaries in the region.
Putin and Erdogan may also be underestimating the ability of Arab states to seek
a leading role in shaping Syria’s future. The prospect of a Turko-Russian tandem
to dominate the region, with Iran playing second violin, is unlikely to leave
most Arab states indifferent.
Machiavellians may suggest that it is not so bad to let Putin and Erdogan, with
the mullahs of Tehran hanging to their tailcoats, to remain bogged down in a
Syria reduced to the status of an ungoverned territory consisting of mile after
mile of rubble. With their economies in meltdown mode Russia, Turkey and Iran
are in no position to rebuild Syria into anything resembling a functioning
state.
That immense task requires genuine international participation which means an
active role by the United States, the European Union, the Arb state; China and
Japan among others.
Putin and Erdogan have not been able to forge a realistic policy on Syria.
Such policy could only be based on one inclusion and one exclusion.
The inclusion part would aim at acknowledging the interests and concerns of all
foreign powers as well as all domestic forces involved in the seven-year old
imbroglio that country. Such inclusion need not take the model of the Berlin
Conference on the division of colonies among major European powers. But it would
have to accept cold realities on the ground at a time priority must be given to
restoration of a measure of stability. The exclusion part would have to apply to
the Assad regime which is already no more than walking caricature of the “undead”,
and to the remnants of its evil twin "ISIS".
Syria can be saved, but only if it is saved for all, starting with its
martyrized people. This week we heard nothing from Putin and Erdogan to show
that they understand that simple fact.
Erdogan’s threat to ‘come to Sinjar’
Adnan Hussein/Al Arabiya/April 07/18
With audacity, the Islamist President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not
hesitate to publicly threaten that he will violate Iraq’s sovereignty and
independence. What encourages such threats is the silence of his fellow Islamic
leaders in Iraq.
Turkey threatens Iraq
Two days ago, Erdogan said in Istanbul while addressing the Iraqi government:
“If you are able to handle them (referring to the elements of the PKK, who are
present in Sinjar since its liberation from ISIS in late 2015), do so or else we
will come to Sinjar and deal with them ... We do not ask the permission of
anyone.” He added: “We have said before that we may come by surprise, and here
we are.”In the sphere of international relations, offensive remarks (such as
Erdogan’s aforementioned direct threat to Iraq) are generally delivered by
government spokespersons or low ranking security or military personnel.
As a matter of fact, the threat issued by the Turkish president is not even
relevant, as Turkey has its forces deployed in the Kurdistan region of Iraq
since Saddam’s times. In recent years, Turkey has moved additional troops and
established new bases there. Two days ago, the Turkish newspaper Ahval revealed
that Turkish troops violated Iraqi territory in the Kurdistan region, where it
is establishing roads and advanced permanent bases.
Iraq’s weak response
Erdogan is dealing with the sovereignty of the Iraqi state as if someone in
Baghdad had given him a carte blanche. The Iraqi government is merely responding
with statements that it does not accept the violation of Iraqi sovereignty and
that it has been talking with the Turkish government regarding this matter, but
it has not applied any pressure. The Iraqi government has the aptitude to employ
political and economic pressure to coerce Erdogan into disciplining himself.
Strangely, some Islamist forces in Iraq have occupied themselves and their
supporters with an unfounded case over the alleged visit of Saudi Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman to Iraq. These forces have concocted false stories about the
visit and organized paid demonstrations only to be exposed that their case had
no basis at all. There were no Iraqi invitations sent to the Saudi prince and
Baghdad didn’t receive an invitation from the Kingdom either, as announced by
Prime Minister Haidar Abadi after the last meeting of the Council of Ministers
last Sunday. It is understandable that Erdogan gets a free rein in pushing his
boundaries in this matter since he can see the Iraqi government’s silence
towards his impudence and how powerful forces in Baghdad keep creating
fictitious Iraqi foes while letting real enemies do what they want with Iraqi
national sovereignty such as violate it or derogate it.
The Ankara conference: We are strangers here!
Mashari Althaydi/Al Arabiya/April 07/18
The photo that brought together Russia, Iran and Turkey’s leaders who were
meeting in Ankara to discuss the Syrian affair sums up the current gloomy Arab
scene. With a big smile, the three countries reached an agreement despite the
different political beliefs that drive them and the conflicting biases in Syria.
Russia and Iran are the reason why Bashar al-Assad’s regime stayed. Meanwhile,
Turkey, under Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has beaten the drums of the “verbal” war
against the Assad regime from the beginning.
Erdogan drew plenty of red lines for Assad in Syria, like not allowing another
Hama-like scenario in Aleppo, and later on, “Sufficient was Allah for the
believers in battle.”It’s all clear. What happened in Ankara is a “regional”
version similar to the Yalta Conference which was held after World War II to
divide the spoils of war and global influence
A joint statement
A joint statement following the summit between the three leaders, Erdogan,
Rowhani and Putin, in Ankara, said the three countries are working “to bring
peace and stability in Syria”. Yes! Russia from its air base in Khmeimim and
through its air force in Ghouta and Northern Syria, Iran through the gangs of
Qassem Soleimani and Nasrallah and Khazali’s militias, and Turkey through the
Muslim Brotherhood brigades and the shelters in Gaziantep that house the
fighters of Syrian fundamentalist groups are all “working to bring peace in
Syria.”
It’s all clear. What happened in Ankara is a “regional” version similar to the
Yalta Conference which was held after World War II to divide the spoils of war
and global influence.
In a joint press conference, Rowhani said: “Today, we officially announce the
end of the Syrian war.” While Putin said: “We agreed to cooperate in settling
the Syrian crisis.” As for Erdogan, he said: “Those who do not comprehend that
ISIS and the Kurdish fighters serve the same aim cannot contribute to
(achieving) permanent peace in Syria.”
Perhaps the only thing that may disrupt the division of the spoils of war in
Ankara is US President Trump’s retreat from his “strange” decision to exit Syria
as seen following his meeting with his national security team. The hawk Mike
Pompeo was firm as he noted that a hasty withdrawal may harm US interests in
terms of stabilizing ISIS’s defeat and curbing Iran. US Secretary of Defense
Mattis agreed with Pompeo, according to Ash-Sharq al-Awsat.
Arab countries missing
Alright, so these are all non-Arab countries. Some are neighboring countries,
like Iran and Turkey, and some are far like Russia and the US. Where are the
Arab countries? Or rather, where are the original protagonists of the Syrian
story, Bashar and his rivals? The photo of Putin, Rowhani and Erdogan smiling
and holding hands in Ankara while discussing Syria’s future is the photo of the
year. While returning from a meeting with the Roman emperor, poet Imru' al-Qais,
who was known as the Lost King, fell ill at a mountain near today’s Ankara –
some say it was in Ankara itself. As he was dying, he saw a woman by his side
and said: O neighbor mine, the time of visiting draws near, And I will remain
forever with you here O neighbor, We are both strangers here, And every stranger
is in fact a relative to another stranger.