LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS
BULLETIN
May 21/17
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
The
Bulletin's Link on the lccc Site
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Bible Quotations For Today
Take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its
mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 17/24-27/:"When they
reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said,
‘Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?’He said, ‘Yes, he does.’ And when he
came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom
do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from
others?’When Peter said, ‘From others’, Jesus said to him, ‘Then the children
are free. However, so that we do not give offence to them, go to the lake and
cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you
will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.’".
All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of
Jesus
Letter to the Philippians 02/19-30./:"I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy
to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. I have no one like him who
will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. All of them are seeking their own
interests, not those of Jesus But Timothy’s worth you know, how like a son with
a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope therefore to
send him as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I
will also come soon. Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my
brother and co-worker and fellow-soldier, your messenger and minister to my
need; for he has been longing for all of you, and has been distressed because
you heard that he was ill. He was indeed so ill that he nearly died. But God had
mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, so that I would not have one
sorrow after another. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, in order that
you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. Welcome him
then in the Lord with all joy, and honour such people, because he came close to
death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for those services
that you could not give me.
Question: "Why did Jesus
speak so strongly against lukewarm faith?"
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=55457
GotQuestions.org/Answer: In Revelation 3:14–21, the Lord is describing the
“lukewarm” heart attitude of those in the Laodicean church, an attitude
manifested by their deeds. The Laodiceans were neither cold nor hot in relation
to God, just lukewarm. Hot water can cleanse and purify; cold water can refresh
and enliven. But lukewarm water carries no similar value. The Laodiceans
understood the Lord’s analogy because their city drinking water came over an
aqueduct from a spring six miles to the south, and it arrived disgustingly
lukewarm. Laodicean water was not hot like the nearby hot springs that people
bathed in, nor was it refreshingly cold for drinking. It was lukewarm, good for
nothing. In fact, it was nauseating, and that was the Lord’s response to the
Laodiceans—they sickened Him, and He said, “I am about to spit you out of my
mouth” (verse 16).
The letter to the church at Laodicea is the harshest of the seven letters to the
churches in Asia Minor. By His indictment of their “deeds” (Revelation 3:15),
Jesus makes it clear that this is a dead church. The members of this church see
themselves as “rich” and self-sufficient, but the Lord sees them as “wretched,
pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (verse 17). Their lukewarm faith was
hypocritical; their church was full of unconverted, pretend Christians.
Jesus frequently equates deeds with a person’s true spiritual state: “By their
fruit you will recognize them,” and “Every good tree bears good fruit” (Matthew
7:16–17). Clearly, the lukewarm deeds of the Laodiceans were not in keeping with
true salvation. The deeds of the true believer will be “hot” or “cold”—that is,
they will benefit the world in some way and reflect the spiritual passion of a
life transformed. Lukewarm deeds, however—those done without joy, without love,
and without the fire of the Spirit—do harm to the watching world. The lukewarm
are those who claim to know God but live as though He doesn’t exist. They may go
to church and practice a form of religion, but their inner state is one of
self-righteous complacency. They claim to be Christians, but their hearts are
unchanged, and their hypocrisy is sickening to God.
The fact that the lukewarm individuals to whom Christ speaks are not saved is
seen in the picture of Jesus standing outside of the church (Revelation 3:20).
He has not yet been welcomed into their midst. In love, the Lord rebukes and
disciplines them, commanding them to repent (verse 19). He sees their lukewarm
attitudes as “shameful nakedness” that needs to be clothed in the white garments
of true righteousness (verse 18). He urges them to be earnest, or zealous, and
commit themselves totally to Him. Our Lord is gracious and long-suffering and
gives the lukewarm time to repent.
The Laodiceans enjoyed material prosperity that, coupled with a semblance of
true religion, led them to a false sense of security and independence (see Mark
10:23). The expression “I am rich; I have acquired wealth” (Revelation 3:17)
stresses that the wealth attained came though self-exertion. Spiritually, they
had great needs. A self-sufficient attitude and lukewarm faith are constant
dangers when people live lives of ease and prosperity.
Titles For Latest LCCC
Bulletin analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on May
20-21/17
Protesters gear up as politicians' clock
winds down in Lebanon/Josephine Deeb/Pascale el-Khoury/Al Monitor/May 20/17
The Gender Obsessed West Sets Itself Up for the Rise of Islam/Giulio Meotti/Gatestone
Institute/May 20/17
Who Will Stand up for Civil Liberties/Alan M. Dershowitz//Gatestone
Institute/May 20/17
Saudi Arabia Found in America the Appropriate Partner/John Sfakianakis/Bloomberg/May
20/17
Trump… a Chance to Put a New Long-term Vision/Michael Doran/The New York
Times/May 20/17
Trump in Riyadh: Obama’s Advice/Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq Al Awsat/May 20/17
Saudi-US Bridge/Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al Awsat/May 20/17
May 20-21/17
Aoun, Hariri to open extraordinary
parliamentary cycle: Machnouk
Protesters gear up as politicians' clock winds down in Lebanon
Lebanese ‘Terrorism’ Inmates Suspend Hunger Strike
Report: Aoun May Sign Decree Launching Preparations for Elections
General Security Arrests Iraqi Spying for Israel
U.S., Saudi Jointly Blacklist Hizbullah Official on Eve of Trump Visit
INTERPOL to Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Efforts and Programs
Bomb Explodes in Ain el-Hilweh Camp
Riachi: LF-FPM Coordinating Efforts, Elections Likely in Sept. under
Proportional System
Bou Assi calls for boosting Lebanon's potential in confronting Syrian crisis
repercussions
Hariri arrives in Saudi Arabia to partake in Riyadh Summit
Tueni: Public funds belong to citizens
Aoun congratulates Rouhani on his reelection
Berri congratulates Rouhani on his election victory
Nasrallah congratulates Rouhani on his reelection
Hariri: Today's environment is better for investment, Lebanon will be a center
of technology
Army Commander inspects Marine Ranger Barracks in Amchit
Majdalani refers to difficulty in reaching new electoral law
Titles For Latest LCCC Bulletin For Miscellaneous
Reports And News published on
May 20-21/17
Iran's Rouhani Wins Re-Election
Leaders Begin Arriving in Riyadh for Arab-Islamic-US Summit
Saudi-US Summit Kicks Off at Riyadh’s Yamama Palace
Saudi Monarch Decorates Trump with King Abdulaziz Medal
Saudi Arabia doesn’t Request Headscarf for Diplomats or Presidents’ Wives
Trump Instructs Pentagon to ‘Annihilate’ ISIS Jihadists
Foreign, Arab Media: Trump’s Visit to Saudi Arabia a New Page
Deputy Crown Prince Meets Top US Defense Security Official
Riyadh Hosts 3rd Workshop on ‘Saudi-US Relations’
US Commerce Secretary Highlights Saudi Administrative Abilities in Implementing
Vision 2030
Death Toll in Southern Libya Attack Rises to 141
Syrian Opposition Documents ‘Iranian Threat’ in ‘Geneva’
Latest Lebanese
Related News published on
May 20-21/17
Aoun, Hariri to open extraordinary parliamentary cycle: Machnouk
The Daily Star/May 20/17/BEIRUT:
President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri will sign a decree to open
an extraordinary parliamentary cycle, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk said on
Friday. Machnouk said during a tour in north Lebanon that the decision aims at
"paving way for more dialogue and stability" in Lebanon regarding the electoral
law debate. He affirmed that the elections will be staged ahead of the new year.
In January Aoun signed a decree to open an extraordinary parliamentary cycle to
discuss urgent draft laws, including the country's budget. The Lebanese
Parliament normally convenes in two ordinary cycles from mid-March till the end
of May and from mid-Oct. through the end of December. Machnouk's remarks were
made as negotiations to forge a new electoral law have been thrown into limbo as
a result of lingering differences among rival factions over what voting
legislation to adopt to govern the upcoming parliamentary elections.Political
adversaries refused to budge on their conflicting positions to facilitate the
endorsement of a new vote law to replace the 1960 majoritarian system used in
the last parliamentary elections in 2009. The lack of any tangible progress in
the latest intensified flurry of activity has brought the months-long deadlock
over a new vote law back to square one. This has heightened fears of either a
new extension of Parliament’s term, which expires on June 20, or a return to the
1960 system to which all the parties have been averse – at least in
public.Lebanese officials are struggling to draft a new electoral law to replace
the controversial 1960 majoritarian system and set the stage for parliamentary
elections, the first since 2009.The Parliament’s term expires on June 20.
Machnouk urged Akkar residents to "stay patient", expecting a turnaround for
their socioeconomic and security woes. He added that development projects in the
region are within the government's priorities. Prior to his arrival, the
minister had requested that banners and posters welcoming him in north Lebanon
be removed. In a post on Twitter displaying a large banner draped over a bridge
welcoming Machnouk, he asked north Lebanon Governor Ramzi Nohra to have them
taken down "prior to his arrival." The interior minister's convoy, alongside a
delegation of north Lebanon MPs, was greeted with cheering crowds upon his
arrival in Beddawi.They threw rice and slaughtered sheep in celebration of his
arrival. The delegation first met with businessman Jamal Othman in his Beddawi
residence. Machnouk continued to Akkar where he visited the town of
Bibnine-Abdeh. Addressing supporters, the interior minister discussed security
problems in Akkar that have persisted for some time. "You know more about the
dangers that Lebanon faces because of your proximity to Syria," he said. "We are
entrusted with the legacy of Rafik Hariri...The development of Akkar will be a
priority for Prime Minister Saad Hariri's Cabinet.""Moderation will save the
region," he said, adding that the Arab coalition in Yemen led by Saudi Arabia is
an example of how it combats "and defeats" extremism. "[Prime Minister] Saad
Hariri is the protector of moderation against extremism in Lebanon.""Tomorrow in
Saudi Arabia, King Salman bin Abdulaziz [will hold] a summit with the American
President [Donald Trump] to maintain the foundations of moderation."The interior
minister urged Akkar's residents to remain patient ahead of their security and
socioeconomic woes. "We believe in the future and we are planning for it,"
Machnouk added. "There will be huge reconstruction projects in Syria that Hariri
has been notified of and which will provide great economic opportunities for
you." He also praised Akkar's residents for their patience in the face of
poverty and security crises. The interior minister also visited Lebanon's second
largest city of Tripoli. Upon his arrival, relatives of prisoners on hunger
strike blocked the road by al-Nour Square, which resulted in heavy traffic.
Protesters gear up as
politicians' clock winds down in Lebanon
Josephine Deeb/Pascale el-Khoury/Al
Monitor/May 20/17
Protesters in Lebanon are planning a two-for-one call to action: rallying
against a possible third extension of parliament's term, and promoting a law
mandating proportional elections rather than the current majoritarian, or
"winner-take-all," approach. Activists in Lebanon have organized to oppose a
third extension of parliament and demand a modern electoral law that would bring
in new political candidates. President Michel Aoun wants to hold off on
parliamentary elections until the contested 1960 Electoral Law can be replaced.
Aoun, along with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, insists on a "total
proportionality" system, while others want either a hybrid law or the
majoritarian system. Aoun has been trying to get legislators to pass the
proportionality proposal before parliament's term expires June 21. If they can't
come to an agreement before then, the politicians are likely to grant themselves
another term without holding elections. Either that, or the country could be
left without a parliament at all. Aoun already fended off one term extension by
postponing the April 13 parliamentary session for a month, until May 15, which
he is allowed to do one time under the constitution. After a May 3 meeting,
parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri said he ruled out extending parliament's term.
He also proposed a proportional voting law in medium-sized districts linked to
forming Lebanon's first Senate.
But when no agreement was reached by May 14, Berri moved the session to May 29.
The protesters are growing restless.
The 1960 law allows Muslim leaders to select Christian parliament members in
some constituencies. Aoun is a Maronite Christian. His Free Patriotic Movement
and the Lebanese Forces bloc are the country's largest Christian parties. The
parties stood ready to derail the meeting scheduled in April, threatening to
block the roads to prevent legislators from even reaching parliament. Aoun kept
the peace when he postponed the session. The tension has been building for
years. In May 2013, the parliament extended its own term — which was set to end
the following month — for 17 more months, citing security concerns and the
inability of the Lebanese state to hold parliamentary elections. In November
2014, that same parliament passed a law extending its term another 31 months, to
this June. The Free Patriotic Movement, the party then headed by Aoun, and civil
activists protested those extensions. In 2014, protesters gathered outside
parliament forming a human shield to stop the vehicles carrying parliament
members from reaching parliament, pelting their cars with tomatoes and eggs.
Today, in 2017 — amid the political rift over the voting law — the scene could
be repeated.
But the civil movement today has grown. It has amplified its activity and formed
coalitions, backing numerous protests and proving the Lebanese people can be
mobilized to thwart state plans that citizens deem inappropriate. Today, these
coalitions are organizing their ranks in preparation for a major move. Several
groups have started their campaigns on the Lebanese street. On May 6, the You
Stink movement formed a human chain around parliament in protest. The We Want
Accountability movement is taking action in northern and southern cities. It
organized protests and sit-ins against the extension and the sectarian Election
Law April 21 in Sidon, the capital of the Lebanese south, as well as April 30 in
the northern Bekaa district of Hermel. Civil activist Alaa Sayegh, representing
the Mount Lebanon Movement, told Al-Monitor her group has begun organizing in
various regions so it won't be limited to a central demonstration. In Mount
Lebanon, Sayegh said, “We will be going door to door to call on people to take
to the streets and participate in the rallies and protests."Activist Nihmat
Bader al-Din, a member of the We Want Accountability movement — which is part of
the large Parliament for the Whole Country coalition — told Al-Monitor, “The
battle of the civil movement is not only against the extension but also against
any new electoral law with sectarian aspects or that has the same effect as the
default 1960 Electoral Law. This is the law approved by the majority of
politicians; however, it does not secure the right representation of the
Lebanese people and eventually [will result in] the same people [being] in
power.”
She said postponing the parliamentary session, or even an agreement in
parliament against the term extension, will not affect the escalation in the
street. “Civil movements held meetings on May 12 and agreed to escalate based on
three main principles. We refuse any term extension. We want a proportional
voting law with the adoption of large electoral districts. [Also,] civil
movements will be running in the upcoming legislative elections.”Bader al-Din
added that the Parliament for the Whole Country coalition will be organizing a
sit-in every Sunday in front of parliament. "These sit-ins will be held until
[June, when] we will be organizing an open-ended sit-in and setting up tents in
front of parliament," she said. The For the Republic movement differs from the
other civil movements in that it is not calling for any specific electoral law
to be passed that would come at the expense of holding parliamentary elections.
Movement member Marwan Maalouf told Al-Monitor, “Even if there was no agreement
on a new electoral law, the elections should be held according to the law in
force, although we are in principle against this current law.”He added, “As per
the constitution, what applies in the case of the dissolution of parliament
[also] applies to the expiry of parliament’s term. This means, upon the expiry
of the parliament term, the office of the Parliament (Bureau) would manage the
day-to-day state affairs until the election of a new parliament within three
months or until holding the parliamentary elections in accordance with the law
in force."
Lebanese ‘Terrorism’
Inmates Suspend Hunger Strike
Youssef Diab/Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/Beirut – Lebanese extremist prisoners
accused of terrorism suspended their hunger strike till after Ramadan month
after a week of “empty stomachs” battle which was launched by 900 prisoners
demanding general amnesty. Health conditions of dozens of inmates suffering from
chronic diseases have deteriorated and they refused to take their
medications.Prisoners across Lebanon have been on hunger strike for six days.
The strike was suspended after Minister of Interior Nohad Machnuok announced he
was tasked by Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif
Derian to form a committee to oversee prisoners’ demands. Security sources
informed Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that the efforts were successful following a
series of meetings held between inmates’ representatives and Machnouk’s adviser.
The sources added that the prisoners received confirmations that their case will
be reviewed after a new electoral law has been set. “The prisoners were
comforted by the interior ministry’s efforts and Interior Minister Nouhad
Machnouk’s remarks at Dar al-Fatwa,” Adviser to the Interior Minister for Prison
Affairs Brig. Gen. Munir Chaaban stated.
There are over 1500 detainees of the “Islamist inmates” in all Lebanese prisons,
several of which have been held without a trial and others remain in detention
for years exceeding their sentences. The committee that the interior minister
was tasked with forming includes members from Dar al-Fatwa and lawyers to follow
up on the prisoners’ cases. Minister Machnouk stated that both PM Hariri and
Mufti Derian asked him to inform families they are trying to reach general
amnesty that achieves justice to all prisoners, which will relieve all families
whether in Saida, Beirut, or Tripoli. He stated that Grand Mufti Derian met with
President Michel Aoun and discussed inmates’ issue, adding that the meeting was
positive. Days before Islamist prisoners began their strike, other prisoners
also demanded general amnesty and began a sort of riot which was suspended later
and none joined the “empty stomachs” campaign. Minister Machnouk confirmed that
a committee will be formed within days, but he explained that general amnesty
demands a certain political atmosphere which is not currently available since
the priority is to agree on an electoral law. A source at the committee of
inmates’ families told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Minister’s statement wasn’t
comforting because he spoke in general. The source expressed his concerns that
forming a legal committee to examine the amnesty demands would take years and
some information stated that certain cases will not be included within the
pardon. Earlier, Mufti Derian and a representative from the ministry of interior
visited Roumieh Prison. A general amnesty request must be put forward by the
interior and justice ministers and would also require approval by President Aoun.
Report: Aoun May Sign Decree Launching Preparations for
Elections
Naharnet/May 20/17/President Michel Aoun may sign a decree at the end of the
parliament's term giving the green light to start preparations for Lebanon's
parliamentary polls, al-Akhbar daily reported on Saturday. Reports circulating
said that Aoun might sign the decree on June 18, one day before the parliament's
term officially ends, signaling the launch of preparations for the May
parliamentary polls, the daily said. Unnamed sources who spoke on condition of
anonymity said the President plans to work in accordance with Article 25 of the
constitution which stipulates that “ a decision to dissolute the parliament must
include a call to stage new elections within a period of three month.” The
elections would then be held under the 1960 law in force.Parliamentary elections
are supposed to be held in May, and political parties are still bickering over
amending the current 1960 majoritarian election law which divides seats among
the different religious sects. Several law formats have been suggested to
replace the law in force and they include a proportional representation system,
the qualification law, the Orthodox law, several forms of hybrid laws and many
other but none garnered approval of all parties. The country has not organized
parliamentary elections since 2009 and the legislature has instead twice
extended its own mandate. The last polls were held under an amended version of
the 1960 electoral law. The parliament's term ends on June 20.
General Security Arrests Iraqi Spying for Israel
Naharnet/May 20/17/The General Directorate of General Security arrested an Iraqi
national over his involvement in spying operations in favor of the Israeli
enemy, the State-run National News Agency reported on Saturday. As part of its
efforts to counter espionage and dismantle linked cells inside Lebanon, the
General Security arrested Iraqi M.Y. for collecting data in favor of Israel, NNA
said. The suspect admitted during interrogations that he was recruited by one of
the Israeli officers, active in foreign operations in the Arab countries,
executing assassinations and training fighters.He was tasked with collecting
security data about the Lebanese army and Lebanese officials. Moreover he was
requested to recruit individuals to form a sabotage ring. The man has also
linked his Israeli operator to his brother in Iraq in order to gather
information about the activities of the Iraqi authorities, it added. The suspect
was referred to related authorities and efforts are ongoing to arrest the rest
of network.
U.S., Saudi Jointly Blacklist Hizbullah Official on Eve of
Trump Visit
Naharnet/Agence France Presse/May 20/17/As U.S. President Donald Trump prepared
to head to Saudi Arabia on Friday, Washington and Riyadh issued their first
"joint terrorist designation" -- blacklisting a Hizbullah leader. Sayyed Hashem
Safieddine is head of the executive council of Hizbullah, an Iranian-backed
Lebanese armed movement which Washington has branded a "foreign terrorist
organization." "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined the United States in
designating Hashem Safieddine," the U.S. State Department said in a
statement."As a result, any of his assets held in Saudi Arabia are frozen, and
transfers through the Kingdom's financial sector, are prohibited." Separately,
the department's Bureau of Counterterrorism tweeted that this marked the
"first-ever" State Department and foreign nation "joint terrorist designation",
underlining the close cooperation between U.S. and Saudi officials. "The action
against Safieddine is the latest example of the strong partnership between the
United States and Saudi Arabia in combating the financing of terrorism," the
State Department said. The official Saudi news agency SPA confirmed Safieddine's
listing, and alleged he had given his organization advice on carrying out
“terrorist acts” and on supplying support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's
regime. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to combat the terrorist
activities of Hizbullah and those who offer consultation on their implementation
through the available legal tools, and it will also maintain its cooperation
with its partners across the world to effectively curb Hizbullah's extremist
actions, seeing as no state should stand idly by in the face of Hizbullah's
militias and its extremist activities,” a statement carried by SPA said. “As
long as Hizbullah continues to spread chaos and instability, wage terrorist
attacks, and practice criminal and illegal activities across the globe, KSA will
continue to designate and impose sanctions on Hizbullah militants, leaders and
entities,” the statement warned. Trump has chosen the kingdom as the venue of
his first foreign presidential visit, and this weekend he will meet King Salman
and address an audience of up to 50 leaders from across the Muslim world on the
threat of extremism. Safieddine, who is in his 50s, is the head of Hizbullah's
executive council, which runs the group's political affairs and social and
economic programs in Lebanon's Shiite community. He is a cousin of Hizbullah's
overall leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and is spoken of a potential candidate
to succeed him and take charge of perhaps the most powerful non-state movement
in an unstable region. The U.S. designation order did not link him to any recent
Hizbullah attacks, but noted the group's historical involvement in the 1983
bombing of a U.S. Marines barracks in Beirut, a U.S. embassy bombing in 1984 and
a passenger jet hijacking in 1985. In the same statement, the State Department
also added Muhammad al-Isawi -- whom it said had taken over the leadership of
the Islamic State group franchise in Egypt's Sinai peninsula in August 2016 --
to the sanctions list. As "specially designated global terrorists," Safieddine
and al-Isawi will see any assets they hold in areas under U.S. jurisdiction
frozen, and U.S. citizens will be forbidden from any dealings with
them.Separately but simultaneously, the U.S. Treasury added two Yemeni tribal
leaders, Hashim Muhsin Aydarus al-Hamid and Khalid Ali Mabkhut al-Aradah, to its
own sanctions list, branding them leaders of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
INTERPOL to Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Efforts and
Programs
Naharnet/May 20/17/President of the INTERPOL Foundation for a Safer World Elias
Murr, met on Friday with senior INTERPOL officials in Paris, where talks focused
on the organization's future programs and plans to face the dangers of
terrorism, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday. Murr, a former deputy Prime
Minister and ex-Minister, met in Lyon with Secretary-General of the
International Criminal Police Organization, Jürgen Stock. Discussions focused on
the future steps to follow up on security programs and strengthen efforts to
combat terrorism and organized crime, said the daily. Murr also held a series of
meetings with INTERPOL senior staff, unit managers and programs to discuss a
plan to modernize the data base and address terrorist threats using biological,
radiological and chemical weapons, added the daily. The latest security programs
for borders, airports and ports were also discussed. The implementation
mechanism of a UAE contribution to support seven projects to make the world a
safer place for communities around the world, was also discussed.The money
supports projects which are designed to combat global crimes, terrorism, cyber
crime, cultural heritage looting, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and
online child exploitation.
Bomb Explodes in Ain el-Hilweh Camp
Naharnet/May 20/17/Assailants tossed Saturday morning a hand grenade near a
Palestinian National Security Forces checkpoint in the southern Palestinian
refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh, the National News Agency reported. NNA said, an
unidentified suspect threw a bomb near the PNS forces checkpoint in Darb al-Sim
at the southern end of camp. The explosion did not lead to any causalities, it
added. Sheikh Hussam al-Aylani, Imam of al-Ghofran mosque in the city of Sidon,
urged the Palestinian factions to exert “all efforts needed to thwart the
extremist groups' terror attempts, and to prevent al-Nusra Front from
controlling the camp. “Their presence endangers the camp and its surroundings,”
he said.
Riachi: LF-FPM Coordinating Efforts, Elections Likely in
Sept. under Proportional System
Naharnet/May 20/17/Information Minister Melhem Riachi assured that coordination
continues between the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement to find
common ground on a new electoral law, pointing out that elections will probably
be held under a proportional representation system with as many as ten electoral
districts. “Coordination is taking place on a daily basis between MP George
Adwan and (Foreign) Minister Jebran Bassil with regard to an electoral law,” he
said, stressing that discussion are weighing all the details, taking into
consideration the need for “well representation.”
“I believe the elections will be held either in September or October based on a
proportional representation system dividing the country into electoral districts
as many as ten or more. Efforts will continue relentlessly until till the last
breath” remarked Riachi in an interview to Free Lebanon radio.The Minister
stressed: “Christians are united and no one is capable to produce an electoral
law that works against them anymore.”
Bou Assi calls for boosting Lebanon's potential in
confronting Syrian crisis repercussions
Sat 20 May 2017/NNA - Social Affairs Minister, Pierre Bou Assi, called Saturday
for "strengthening Lebanon's capabilities in facing the Syrian crisis
implications.""Lebanon has endured huge burdens as a result of the Syrian crisis
ramifications, and has fulfilled its humanitarian duties towards the Syrian
refugees to its utmost," said Bou Assi. However, he indicated that "this has
reflected negatively on the country's economy and infrastructure," while
expressing fear that such huge challenges might turn into destabilizing factors
threatening Lebanon's stability and social security. Bou Assi's words came
during his participation in the works of the "Committee on the Rights of the
Child at the United Nations" in its 75th session held in Geneva. Bou Assi
stressed that "the issue of child protection is a priority for the State, both
government and people," adding that "it is committed to providing a safe and
well-protected environment that allows for the development of the child's
abilities and talents through ensuring his psychological, social and cultural
needs." "Lebanon has always been dedicated to human values and will never fail
in any of its commitments, exerting more efforts to improve the situation of
children by ensuring what is best for their happiness and future, which is their
natural and well-deserved right," vowed Bou Assi. However, he emphasized that
"this ought to be combined with the ability and potential to achieve the desired
outcome." Bou Assi appealed to the international community "to lend a helping
hand and unite efforts to enhance Lebanon's capabilities in pursuing its role
towards thousands of children."
Hariri arrives in Saudi Arabia to partake in Riyadh Summit
Sat 20 May 2017/NNA - Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri arrived Saturday in the
Saudi capital, Riyadh, heading Lebanon's delegation to the Arab-Islamic Summit
that will take place tomorrow at King Abdul-Aziz International Conference
Center. Hariri and his accompanying delegation were greeted at King Salman's Air
Base Airport by Deputy Governor of Riyadh, Prince Mohammed bin Abdul-Rahman bin
Abdul-Aziz, as well as Lebanon's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Abdul-Sattar Issa,
and Saudi Charge d'Affaires in Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari. The Lebanese official
delegation to the Riyadh Summit includes: Foreign Affairs and Expatriates
Minister Gebran Bassil; Interior and Municipalities Minister Nuhad al-Mashnouq;
Information Minister Melhem Riachi; former Minister Bassem al-Sabaa and Prime
Minister Hariri's Bureau Director Nader Hariri.
Tueni: Public funds belong to citizens
Sat 20 May 2017/NNA - State Minister for Combating Corruption, Nicola Tueni,
said in a tweet Saturday that "public funds belong to citizens, and they have
the right to know how they are being allocated."He added: "I, as an
anti-corruption minister, am biased to them and to the duty of referring
violators to the concerned judiciary." "Access to information is the right of
every Lebanese," stressed Tueni, pointing out that this right is enshrined under
Law No. 28 of the Parliament Council. "Under this law, all public
administrations and municipal councils, as well as contractors with ministries,
are obliged to disclose information and contracts to citizens," explained Tueni.
Aoun congratulates Rouhani on his reelection
Sat 20 May 2017/NNA - President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun,
congratulated on Saturday Iranian President, Sheikh Hassan Rouhani, on his
re-election. In his congratulatory cable, Aoun wished Rouhani success in his
renewed presidential mandate, stressing that the world looks forward to
continuing Rouhani's called-for approach of openness and dialogue, in order to
fortify the region from the dangers that beset it.
Berri congratulates Rouhani on his election victory
Sat 20 May 2017.NNA - House Speaker Nabih Berri cabled on Saturday Iranian
President Hassan Rouhani, congratulating him on his re-election for a second
presidential mandate. Berri described Rouhani's election victory as a "great
celebration of democracy," hoping that it "will achieve stability and prevent
discord in the region." He also wished Rouhani success in rebuilding Iran's
trust with the Arab and Islamic world, as well as reactivating its higher
diplomacy which has enabled it to reach an agreement with the "five plus one"
states, guaranteeing the interests and security of our people and nations.
Nasrallah congratulates Rouhani on his reelection
Sat 20 May 2017/NNA - Hezbollah Secretary General, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah,
congratulated Saturday Iranian President, Sheikh Hassan Rouhani, on his
re-election. In his congratulatory message, Nasrallah wished Rouhani success in
his renewed term, and in achieving the great hopes of the Iranian people and the
world's weak, oppressed and liberal honorable people. "The impressive popular
participation in the elections proved, once again, to the whole world the
greatness of these people and this Islamic system, and the extent to which they
enjoy freedom, awareness and sovereignty within an environment of dictatorships
and confiscation of people's liberties," stated Nasrallah.
Hariri: Today's environment is better for investment,
Lebanon will be a center of technology
Sat 20 May 2017/NNA - Prime Minister Saad Hariri deemed, on Saturday, that the
environment today is better for investments, considering that we need to build
more confidence in order to attract investors to Lebanon, while anticipating
that it would be a center of technology in the future.
In an open dialogue at the Grand Serail with a group of young entrepreneurs and
innovators, in the presence of Culture Minister Ghattas Khoury and a number of
advisors, Hariri stressed on the government's interest in encouraging and
assisting young innovators in the development of their technology projects and
start-up companies, which cater to various areas of citizens' daily life. "The
government wants to help the youth solve the problems facing them and facilitate
the marketing of their projects which would improve the country's economy and
investments," said Hariri. He added: "The government is trying to reduce
internet prices and increase its speed. I think that Lebanon will be in the
future a hub for all kinds of technology, although politics interfere in
everything. But I want you to submit practical suggestions and I am ready to
study and approve them in cabinet."Hariri referred to the importance of
establishing an e-government to fight corruption, adding that efforts are
underway for ensuring full computerization of the Premiership and Interior
Ministry. "Most investors want stability and infrastructure. Six months ago, we
had a problem in this respect, but today the environment is better for
investments. We need to build more confidence to attract investors to Lebanon. I
will do my best to encourage businessmen to come to our country in order to
benefit from the projects presented today," Hariri concluded.
Army Commander inspects Marine Ranger Barracks in Amchit
Sat 20 May 2017/NNA - Lebanese Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, inspected on
Saturday the Marine Commandos Regiment barracks in Amchit, where he was briefed
on their activities and missions. General Aoun praised the army's efforts in
developing special training within the regiment, thus raising its level of
readiness. Aoun noted that ongoing cooperation with friendly armies is underway
to equip and supply the Marine Rangers with modern weapons. He also pointed to
continuous efforts in launching preemptive operations against terrorist
organizations, in order to paralyze their capabilities and dismantle their
structure. Aoun considered that the expansion of army deployment along the
eastern borders requires more readiness for field control, in parallel with
intensifying efforts to boost internal security and stability.
Majdalani refers to difficulty in reaching new electoral
law
Sat 20 May 2017/NNA - "There is a difficulty in reaching a new electoral law,"
MP Atef Majdalani said on Saturday, considering that the current events seem to
reveal the need for external tutelage to end this crisis. MP Majdalani noted
that the Future Movement is supportive of reaching concensus over any vote law
proposal the soonest possible. He added that most of the political forces have
agreed on holding the elections based on proportionality; however, the problem
remained in the number of constituencies. Majdalani considered that underway
preparations for said elections based on proportionality might entail an
extension that could last till next Spring. He also warned against political
vacuum in case of failing to reach an agreement over a new electoral law before
the current parliament's mandate expires. The Deputy reiterated PM Saad Hariri's
position in rejecting the 60's law, saying that "PM Hariri is not looking for
his interest but rather the interest of the country."
Latest LCCC Bulletin For
Miscellaneous Reports And News published on
May 20-21/17
Iran's Rouhani
Wins Re-Election
Associated Press/Agence France
Presse/Naharnet/May 20/17/Iranian President Hassan Rouhani won a resounding
re-election victory on Saturday as voters backed his efforts to rebuild foreign
ties and kickstart the struggling economy. Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani
Fazli confirmed the result on state television, saying Rouhani had won 23.5
million votes -- 57 percent -- compared to 15.8 million -- 38.3 percent -- for
hardline challenger Ebrahim Raisi. It followed a huge 73 percent turnout on
Friday which forced authorities to extend polling by several hours. "I
congratulate the great victory of the Iranian nation in creating a huge and
memorable epic in the continuation of the path of 'wisdom and hope'," tweeted
Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, referring to the government's slogan. Rouhani, a
68-year-old moderate cleric who spearheaded a 2015 nuclear deal with world
powers, framed the election as a choice between greater civil liberties and
"extremism". Hardline cleric Raisi, 56, had positioned himself as a defender of
the poor and called for a much tougher line with the West. But his revolutionary
rhetoric and efforts to win over working class voters with promises of increased
handouts gained limited traction.
"Rouhani's vote, particularly in rural areas, shows that Iranian people no
longer believe in economic populism and radical change," said Ali Vaez, Iran
analyst for the International Crisis Group, a think tank. "They have the
maturity to understand that the solution to their country's predicaments are in
competent management of the economy and moderation in international relations,"
Vaez told AFP. Rouhani's central first-term achievement was a deal with six
powers led by the United States that eased crippling economic sanctions in
exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear programme. He gained a reprieve this week
when Washington agreed to continue waiving nuclear-related sanctions, keeping
the deal on track for now. But the election comes at a tense moment in relations
with the United States, with President Donald Trump still threatening to abandon
the accord and visiting Iran's bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia this weekend.
- 'Voting to keep that' -Although Rouhani has been deeply entrenched in Iran's
security establishment since the early days of the revolution, he has emerged as
the standard-bearer for reformists after their movement was decimated in the
wake of mass protests in 2009. "We've entered this election to tell those
practising violence and extremism that your era is over," he said during the
campaign. At recent rallies, his supporters chanted the names of reformist
leaders under house arrest since 2011 for their part in the protests.
International affairs researcher Foad Izadi, of Tehran University, said Rouhani
may now have the leverage to push for more freedoms, despite opposition from the
conservative-dominated judiciary and security services. "A number of years have
passed (since the 2009 protests) and the country is demonstrating a high level
of stability -- this gives the system confidence, which means more room for
change," Izadi said. But the economy remains the number one challenge. Although
Rouhani brought inflation down from around 40 percent when he took office in
2013, prices are still rising at nine percent a year. Oil sales have rebounded
since the nuclear deal took effect in January last year, but growth in the rest
of the economy has been limited, leaving unemployment at 12.5 percent overall,
and at almost 30 percent among young people. "We are still not pleased with the
situation, but in the four years of Rouhani there has been a relative
improvement and I'm voting to keep that," said Alireza Nikpour, a 40-year-old
photographer in Tehran, as he queued to cast his ballot on Friday. Last month,
the Guardian Council excluded all but six candidates for the election but still
left a stark choice between moderate-reformists and hardliners. Two dropped out
to back Raisi and Rouhani, respectively, while the remaining candidates --
reformist Mostafa Hashemitaba and conservative Mostafa Mirsalim -- won only a
marginal percentage of the votes.
Leaders Begin Arriving in Riyadh for Arab-Islamic-US
Summit
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/The leaders and heads of delegations of Arab and
Islamic countries began arriving in Riyadh on Saturday to attend the
Arab-Islamic-US summit that will be held in the Saudi capital the next day
during US President Donald Trump’s visit. Trump and the Arab and Muslim leaders
will meet on Sunday to address ways of building more robust and effective
security partnerships to counter and prevent the growing threat of terrorism and
violent extremism around the globe through promoting tolerance and moderation.
Among those who arrived were Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, President
Adama Barrow of Gambia, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore of Burkina Faso,
the head of the Libyan National Accord, Fayez al-Sarraj, President Alpha Conde
of Guinea, President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, President Alassane
Ouattara of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Prime Minister Najib Razak of
Malaysia, Omani Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmud Al Said, President David
Arthur Granger of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, President Patrice Talon of
the Republic of Benin, President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal,
Suriname’s Foreign Minister Yildiz Pollack, and President Emomali Rahmon of
Tajikistan.Trump and First Lady Melania arrived in Riyadh earlier Saturday. The
Custodian of the two Holy Mosques welcomed the US president at the King Khalid
International Airport.
Saudi-US Summit Kicks Off at Riyadh’s Yamama Palace
Asharq Al-Awsat /Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/The Saudi-US summit between Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and US President Donald Trump
got underway on Saturday at al-Yamama Palace in the Saudi capital Riyadh. The
summit is expected to witness the signing of a number of agreements between
Riyadh and Washington on a number of issues.The White House announced earlier
that military agreements worth $110 billion will be signed. They are aimed at
bolstering Saudi Arabia’s defense capabilities. A White House official added
that the agreements, which demonstrate American commitment towards the Gulf,
will also help support the region’s security against terrorism and Iranian
threats. The Yamama summit was preceded by a luncheon banquet thrown by King
Salman in honor of Trump and the accompanying delegation. The dignitaries then
toured the Saudi Contemporary Art Exhibition, which displays samples of the
works of Saudi artists taking part of the Bridges Program. These artists also
participated in exhibitions in the US in order to promote coexistence among
different cultures and highlight Saudi artistic skills. The Bridges Program is
an initiative from the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture. The banquet was
attended by Prince Muqren bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin
Abdulaziz, governor of Riyadh region, Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed,
advisor to the King, Prince Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, president of King
Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and a number of princes, ministers
and senior officials.
Saudi Monarch Decorates Trump with King Abdulaziz Medal
Asharq Al-Awsat /Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/Riyadh- The Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Saturday received United States President
Donald Trump upon his arrival at Al Yamama Palace in Riyadh. The Saudi royal
court witnessed the official reception of Trump. At the reception, King Salman
decorated Trump with King Abdulaziz Medal. In honor of Trump’s arrival, a
ceremony was held at which both national anthems were played. The US President
was also received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy
Premier and Minister of Interior and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin
Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense. The US President shook
hands with Prince Saud bin Abdul-Mohsen bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the King;
Prince Dr. Turki bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Kabeer, Advisor to the King; Prince
Khalid bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the King; a number of princes,
ministers, and officials. On his part, the King shook hands with the official
delegation accompanying the US President. Earlier, King Salman said Trump’s
visit would strengthen cooperation between the two countries and help enhance
global security. “Mr. President, your visit will strengthen our strategic
cooperation, lead to global security and stability,” King Salman tweeted on his
official Twitter account in both Arabic and English. For his part, Trump tweeted
that it was “Great to be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Looking forward to the
afternoon and evening ahead.”The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is welcoming Trump and
a number of leaders from across the Arab and Islamic world for a historic
meeting on May 20-21. United under a single vision – Together We Prevail – this
highly anticipated event, the first of its kind in history, will renew mutual
commitment to global security and further strengthen already deep business,
cultural and political ties. The summits held on May 20-21 are the first of a
kind in history, and will renew mutual commitment to global security and further
strengthen already deep business, cultural and political ties.
Saudi Arabia doesn’t Request Headscarf for Diplomats or
Presidents’ Wives
Asharq Al-Awsat /Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/Riyadh – Since the formation of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, female politicians and presidents’ wives have never
been requested to cover their head. Foreign visitors are not forced to follow
the regulations and are entitled to wear any appropriate outfit.
Like other recent female Western visitors, US First Lady Melania Trump did not
cover her hair upon arrival in the kingdom. Yet, since British Prime Minister
Theresa May’s visit two months ago, Western media had been controversial about
the head scarf. They debated whether she will wear the veil or not. Back then,
observers saw this as an attempt to shift focus from the actual purpose of the
visit. A brief review of history shows that prominent female politicians who
previously visited Saudi Arabia didn’t have to cover their head. Late Princess
of Wales Diana Spencer visited the Kingdom in 1986 with her husband Prince
Charles and didn’t wear the veil. A series of diplomats and politicians visited
Saudi Arabia after that, like former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright,
Former First Lady Laura Bush, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
Obama’s Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
all opted not to do so. Observers believe this is Western Media’s effort to
diminish the importance of the visit to the region. Western media would rather
discuss such a small subject rather than seriously talking about the major
political event. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir was
quoted as telling media Thursday that America’s First Lady won’t be required to
dress conservatively or tone down her usual high-fashion look, which often
includes bold colors, stiletto heels and the occasional low neckline.
Trump Instructs Pentagon to ‘Annihilate’ ISIS Jihadists
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis revealed on Friday
that President Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to “annihilate” ISIS in
Syria in a bid to prevent escaped foreign jihaditss from returning to their home
countries. The president has “directed a tactical shift from shoving ISIS out of
safe locations in an attrition fight to surrounding the enemy in their
strongholds so we can annihilate ISIS,” Mattis said. “The intent is to prevent
the return home of escaped foreign fighters.”The move to encircle then kill as
many jihadists in place as possible — rather than letting them exit a city and
targeting them as they flee — reflects an increased urgency to stop
battle-hardened jihadists bringing their military expertise and ideology back to
European capitals and other areas. Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to quickly
defeat ISIS, signed an executive order soon after taking office giving his
generals 30 days to come up with a revised plan to wipe the jihadists out. The
review resulted in the new “annihilation campaign” and saw commanders gain
greater autonomy to make battlefield decisions. Critics of Barack Obama’s
administration frequently complained of White House micromanagement and a
lengthy approval process causing delays on the ground. Mattis called foreign
militants a “strategic threat” should they return home and said the annihilation
effort would prevent the problem from being transplanted from one location to
another. “By taking the time up front to surround these locations, instead of
simply shoving them from one to another and actually reinforcing them as they
fall back … we now take the time to surround them,” Mattis said. “And why do we
do it? Because the foreign fighters are the strategic threat should they return
home to Tunis, to Kuala Lumpur, to Paris, to Detroit, wherever. Those foreign
fighters are a threat. So by taking the time to de-conflict, to surround and
then attack, we carry out the annihilation campaign so we don’t simply
transplant this problem from one location to another.”
Foreign, Arab Media: Trump’s Visit to Saudi Arabia a New Page
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/Beirut – Arab and international newspapers and media
Saturday shed light on US president Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, in his
first foreign visit since taking over his post.The Guardian pointed out the
symbolism of Trump’s dedicating his first foreign visit to Riyadh while BBC
stated that foreign media focused on Saudi-US ties during Obama’s term that
witnessed the signing of the well-known nuclear agreement with Iran, especially
that Trump is a tough critic of the deal and the policy of easing sanctions on
Iran. The Independent newspaper said that this visit comes years after Obama’s
term, although Obama was too soft on Iran and this led to cold relations between
Washington and Riyadh.
Sunday’s Speech
Washington Post expected that Trump’s speech on Sunday will be the most
prominent stance by him in Riyadh, in the presence of 50 Muslim states. “Trump
campaigned against Muslims, but will preach tolerance in Saudi speech,” reported
the newspaper.
Success of Deputy Crown Prince. Trump’s decision to stop in Saudi Arabia is a
“huge success for Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” reported CNBC. “The
deputy crown prince orchestrated, arranged and agreed to all of this during his
latest visit to the White House in March,” Bernard Haykel, a professor at
Princeton University, said to CNBC.
Arab Newspapers
Arab newspapers focused on the “historic” event and agreed on the importance and
symbolism of this visit. Ahram – Egyptian newspaper – saw that the visit gains
its importance from being Trump’s first visit since taking over his post and it
aims to reinforce strategic relations on the regional and international arenas.
Dr. Walid Ayoubi told Lebanese newspaper Al Joumhouria that the “visit expresses
the new approach of the US foreign policy.”
Deputy Crown Prince Meets Top US Defense Security Official
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz,
Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, has received Vice Admiral Joseph
Rixey, Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Saudi Press Agency
reported. During the meeting on Friday, they discussed bilateral relations and
means to promote them, especially, in the security and defense fields, in
addition to other issues of mutual interest, SPA said. The meeting was attended
by the Saudi Ambassador to the United States Prince Khalid bin Salman bin
Abdulaziz and other senior civil and military officials, SPA added.
Riyadh Hosts 3rd Workshop on ‘Saudi-US Relations’
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/The third workshop on “Saudi-US Relations”, organized
by Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies’ Center for American
Studies, was held in Riyadh on Saturday, in the presence of a number of
officials, researchers and academics, reported the Saudi News Agency.The
workshop was opened by the Institute’s Director General Dr. Abdul-Karim Hamoud
Al-Dakhil, who welcomed the workshop’s American guests and participants from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shura Council, a number of government agencies and
the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Saudi
Universities. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Middle East Policy
Council in Washington, Ambassador Richard Schmierer, delivered a speech in which
he described the workshop as a sign of friendly and deep-rooted relations
between the Kingdom and the US.
The workshop included four sessions that addressed Saudi-US ties, economic and
trade ties and Vision 2030 and Saudi-US partnership, geostrategic changes in the
Middle East focusing on the Syrian crisis and Palestinian cause, and regional
developments and the security of the Arab Gulf.
US Commerce Secretary Highlights Saudi Administrative
Abilities in Implementing Vision 2030
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/United States Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross discussed
on Saturday US President Donald Trump’s first foreign trip since taking office
with reporters upon leaving the Saudi-US CEO Forum in Riyadh. Ross told
Bloomberg that no ulterior factors will be affecting Trump’s historic trip to
the Kingdom, saying it is the US best business day so far. I can’t imagine
another business day that’s been as good for the United States or for the
kingdom,” Ross said. Furthermore, Ross said that Saudi strong administrative
capacities are elemental to achieving the Kingdom’s vision for transformation
2030. In his speech during Saudi-US CEO Forum held in Riyadh, the US Secretary
of Commerce stressed that the preparations made by the Kingdom in a short time
in presence of many companies and figures reflect the Kingdom’s administrative
capabilities. The slogan “Together We Prevail” embodies this great event in the
Kingdom, he said. Secretary Ross stressed identical views between the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia and the United States of America in various fields at governmental
and private sectors in order to constitute long-standing relations between the
two sides. Ross is accompanying Trump along with a well-established group of
advisers, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, National Security Adviser
H.R. McMaster, chief of staff Reince Priebus, chief strategist Steve Bannon,
senior advisers Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Press Secretary Sean Spicer, and
Trump’s former bodyguard, Keith Schiller. Trump held talks with King Salman in
Riyadh on Saturday, the first stop on his inaugural foreign trip. Trump’s visit
resulted in billions of dollars in agreements between the two countries.
Death Toll in Southern Libya Attack Rises to 141
Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/Around 141 people have been killed in
an attack on a southern air base in Libya, a spokesman for the east Libyan armed
forces announced on Friday. The head of Libya’s United Nations-backed government
suspended his defense minister pending an investigation into the incident. The
attack at Brak Al-Shati air base shattered a truce in the area, which in recent
months had become a flashpoint between military alliances based in eastern and
western Libya. It risks a major escalation in a stop-start conflict between
eastern-based factions and rivals loosely aligned with current and former
governments in the capital, Tripoli.Ahmed al-Mismari, a spokesman for the
eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), said 103 of those killed in the attack
at the air base were LNA troops, most of them from the 12th Brigade stationed
there. They were attacked by a brigade from the western city of Misrata known as
the Third Force, which previously controlled the base and is nominally aligned
with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. Earlier on
Friday, the mayor of Brak Al-Shati and a medical source in the town put the
death toll at 89, though the medical official said some bodies had not been
brought to the hospital. Mismari said some of the bodies were only collected on
Friday. It was not possible to independently verify the number of casualties.
Local officials have said some of those killed were civilians who appeared to
have been summarily executed. Mohamed Gliwan, a spokesman for the Third Force,
told local TV that LNA troops who were killed inside the base were armed. Human
Rights Watch cited a medical official, an eyewitness, and photo and video
footage to say that attacking forces had killed “scores of LNA fighters, some
with bullets to the head, in apparent acts of summary execution.” UN Libya envoy
Martin Kobler called the attack unprovoked and vicious, saying it “must not push
(Libya) into further, serious conflict.”GNA Prime Minister Fayez Seraj announced
that he was suspending both Defense Minister Mahdi Al-Barghathi and Third Force
commander Jamal Traiki, “until it is determined who was responsible for
violating the ceasefire”. He condemned the escalation at Brak Al-Shati “in the
strongest terms” and called for an immediate ceasefire. He denied issuing any
instructions to the ministry of defense. Barghathi is a former LNA commander
turned opponent of LNA chief Khalifa Haftar. He is widely reported to have
played a role in plotting past military operations against the LNA, though his
ministry denied ordering Thursday’s attack. The LNA has said extremist militants
and the Benghazi Defense Brigades (BDB), whose members previously fought the LNA
in Benghazi, also took part in the attack. Mismari said the LNA had carried out
air strikes in the Sabha and Jufra regions in response to the attack. Also on
Friday, a car bomb south of Benghazi killed a prominent tribal leader linked to
the LNA along with five other people. The blast in Suluq, 31 miles (50 km) south
of Benghazi, also wounded 26 people, a medical source said. The LNA has been
fighting a three-year campaign against extremist militants and other opponents
in Benghazi and other parts of eastern Libya.
Syrian Opposition Documents ‘Iranian Threat’ in ‘Geneva’
Caroline Akoum/Asharq Al-Awsat/May 20/17/Beirut- As expected, the sixth round of
the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva ended on Friday without any breakthrough, while
the opposition uncovered it has warned UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura from
the “Iranian danger.”Opposition leader Colonel Fateh Hassoun told Asharq Al-Awsat
on Friday that his group presented to de Mistura several memos on the Syrian
regime’s possession of chemical weapons, on the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and
the sectarian militias, in addition to the operations on the demographic changes
carried out by the regime in Syria, the forced deportation of people and the
file of refugees.Also, in Geneva, the fourth day of the talks registered the
return of the delegation of the armed factions to the ranks of the High
Negotiations Committee (HNC) after they had announced freezing their
participation due to “the committee’s unclear vision.”The two sides would later
hold meetings in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to solve their disputes, sources
from the HNC told Asharq Al-Awsat. Meanwhile, the current round of talks was
expected to cover four separate topics: the constitution, governance, elections,
and combatting “terrorism.” But, de Mistura was more focused on issues
pertaining to the constitution. A western diplomat in Geneva told AFP the UN’s
initiative on constitutional meetings was an effort to “get people into
substance.”“This is about the special envoy keeping the Geneva process warm and
relevant. There’s been a lot of talk about Astana lately, but this is actually
the main show for solving the Syrian conflict,” the diplomat said. Meanwhile,
with the exit of the last batch of refugees form al-Waer neighborhood in Homs on
Saturday, the city would fall under the regime’s full control. The Russian
military police already began on Friday to deploy in several parts of the
neighborhood. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the exit of
refugees will be organized in two rounds, the first expected to head towards
Idlib while the other will leave towards Jarablous, in the northern countryside
of Aleppo.
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The Gender Obsessed West Sets Itself Up for the Rise of
Islam
Giulio Meotti/Gatestone Institute/May 20/17
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10347/gender-culture-decline
French authorities imposed on students ridiculous books such as Daddy Wears a
Dress. It would have been comical if the following years would not have been so
tragic. What, in fact, wrecked these French illusions was Islamic terrorism.
The only enemy these French élites knew were patriarchal privileges, since for
them "domination" comes only from the white male Europeans.
Obsession with gender is a convenient distraction to avoid facing matters that
are more difficult and less pleasant. If the West will not commit itself to
preserving Western societies and values, it will fall. And its extraordinary
progress will be blanketed over by darkness, along with all those gender rights.
Welcome to the progressive "next frontier of 'liberation'", where the most
urgent question in Western democracies is "genderism".
North Carolina was subjected to a year of being boycotted, until it withdrew its
transgender bathroom law. Last month, the National Union of Teachers in Great
Britain asked the government to teach children as young as two new transgender
theories. New York recently presented the first "trans-doll". American
universities are wracked with hysteria over the correct use of neutral pronouns.
Even National Geographic, instead of writing about lions and elephants, started
covering the "Gender Revolution". One of the first announcements of Emmanuel
Macron, as the French President-elect, was that he would appoint officials from
a "gender equal" list.
What does it mean that this gender mania is permeating every corner of Western
societies and culture? According to Camille Paglia, the contrarian feminist, it
is a sign of the decline of Western civilization. In her new book, Free Women,
Free Men, she writes:
"Civilizations have gone through recurrent cycles. Extravaganzas of gender
experimentation sometimes precede cultural collapse, as they certainly did in
Weimar Germany. Now as then, there are forces aligning outside the borders,
scattered fanatical hordes where the cult of heroic masculinity still has
tremendous force".
She then asks:
"How has it happened that so many of today's most daring and radical young
people now define themselves by sexual identity alone? There has been a collapse
of perspective here that will surely have mixed consequences for our art and
culture and that may perhaps undermine the ability of Western societies to
understand or react to the vehemently contrary beliefs of others who do not wish
us well. Transgender phenomena multiply and spread in 'late' phases of culture,
as religious, political, and family traditions weaken and civilizations begin to
decline".
It is not a coincidence that this obsession with gender grew out of Western
culture during the 1990s, the decade of peace and prosperity before 9/11. The
decade was free of any existential angst, consumed by the Monica Lewinski
scandal and dominated by Francis Fukuyama's "End of History". According to Rusty
Reno, editor of First Things, gender ideology is a symbol of our epoch of
"weakening", pointing to a globalized future "governed by the hearth gods of
health, wealth, and pleasure". The high priests of this ideology, however, did
not take into account the rise of radical Islam.
Before the French cities of Paris, Nice and Rouen came under the assault of
jihadist groups, the French Socialist government had just one cultural priority:
the "ABC of gender equality". The name came from a controversial program that
France's women's rights minister, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, had launched in 500
schools.
After approving same-sex marriage, the French government apparently thought it
also had to promote a cultural revolution. According to Education Minister
Benoît Hamon, who failed miserably in the recent presidential elections, schools
are "a battlefield". Half the pupils boycotted "gender theory" lessons. Then
French authorities imposed on students ridiculous books such as Daddy Wears a
Dress. It would have been comical if the following years would not have been so
tragic. What, in fact, wrecked these French illusions was Islamic terrorism.
The effect on Western culture of this gender ideology is the rejection of the
critical spirit combined with a kitsch appeal to sentiment against reason. The
same gender-obsessed culture refuses to see the burkini as an Islamist tool, and
instead turns it into a symbol of human rights. The consequence is that the
jihadist threat is perceived merely as an unacceptable disruption of Western
lifestyles. Europe risks to losing all its historic gifts: human dignity,
freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, freedom of expression and its
colossal culture.
The erotocratic French élites were not prepared for what turned out to be the
most severe terror assault since 9/11. France, obsessed with the "ABC of
equality", was caught off-guard and ready to be disarmed when terrorists
attacked it during the day that celebrates equality. In France, there was simply
no public resistance to sharia law and jihadist ideology. Intoxicated with the
obsolescence of identity, the only enemy these French élites knew were
patriarchal privileges, since for them "domination" comes only from the white
male Europeans.
The presidency of Emmanuel Macron has already been hailed by gender activists.
"Macron is like a breath of fresh air in this country," said Natacha Henry, a
writer on gender issues, at the New York Times. "I think he won because he
didn't do any kind of macho performance, and that's what we need."
Anesthetization by an obsession with gender rights further seems to have become
a fixture of countries after terror attacks. Soon after jihadists targeted Spain
in 2004 and forced it to withdraw troops from Iraq, the Socialist government of
Jorge Louis Zapatero embraced the titillation of gender ideology, including
gay-friendly "diversity" training at elementary schools. The "Zapatero Project"
was based on the "scorn of nature, reinvention of what is human, exaltation of
desire". Former U.S. President Barack Obama's years were also marked by an
"obsession" with transgender rights. Obsession with gender is a convenient
distraction to avoid facing matters that are more difficult and less pleasant.
There is a saying that civilizations can be destroyed from within, rather than
by armies from without. If the West will not commit itself to preserving Western
societies and values, it will fall. And its extraordinary progress will be
blanketed over by darkness, along with all those gender rights.
According to Camille Paglia, "a purely secular culture risks hollowness and,
paradoxically, sets itself up for the rise of fundamentalist movements that
ominously promise to purify and discipline". Such as -- name it -- radical
Islam.
**Giulio Meotti, Cultural Editor for Il Foglio, is an Italian journalist and
author.
© 2017 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
Who Will Stand up for Civil Liberties?
Alan M. Dershowitz//Gatestone Institute/May 20/17
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10386/who-will-stand-up-for-civil-liberties
At a moment in history when the ACLU is quickly becoming a partisan left wing
advocacy group that cares more about getting President Trump than protecting due
process (see my recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal,) who is standing up for
civil liberties?
The short answer is no one. Not the Democrats, who see an opportunity to reap
partisan benefit from the appointment of a special counsel to investigate any
ties between the Trump campaign/ administration and Russia. Not Republican
elected officials who view the appointment as giving them cover. Certainly not
the media who are revelling in 24/7 "bombshells." Not even the White House,
which is too busy denying everything to focus on "legal technicalities" that may
sound like "guilty man arguments." Legal technicalities are of course the
difference between the rule of law and the iron fist of tyranny. Civil liberties
protect us all. As H.L. Mencken used to say: "The trouble about fighting for
human freedom is that you have to spend much of your life defending sons of
bitches: for oppressive laws are always aimed at them originally, and oppression
must be stopped in the beginning if it is to be stopped at all." History
demonstrates that the first casualty of hyper-partisan politics is often civil
liberties.
Consider the appointment of the special counsel to investigate "any links and/or
coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the
campaign of President Donald Trump." Even if there were such direct links that
would not constitute a crime under current federal law. Maybe it should, but
prosecutors have no right to investigate matters that should be criminal but are
not.
This investigation will be conducted in secret behind closed doors; witnesses
will be denied the right to have counsel present during grand jury questioning;
they will have no right to offer exculpatory testimony or evidence to the grand
jury; inculpatory hearsay evidence will be presented and considered by the grand
jury; there will be no presumption of innocence; no requirement of proof beyond
a reasonable doubt, only proof sufficient to establish the minimal standard of
probable cause. The prosecutor alone will tell the jury what the law is and why
they should indict; and the grand jury will do his bidding. As lawyers quip:
they will indict a ham sandwich if the prosecutor tells them to. This sounds
more like Star Chamber injustice than American justice.
And there is nothing in the constitution that mandates such a kangaroo
proceeding. All the Fifth Amendment says is: "no person shall be held to answer
for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or
indictment of a Grand Jury." The denials of due process come from
prosecutorially advocated legislative actions. The founding fathers would be
turning over in their graves if they saw what they intended as a shield to
protect defendants, turned into a rusty sword designed to place the heavy thumb
of the law on the prosecution side of the scale.
Advocates of the current grand jury system correctly point out that a grand jury
indictment is not a conviction. The defendant has the right to a fair jury
trial, with
all the safeguards provided in the constitution. But this ignores the real
impact of an indictment on the defendant. Based on a one-sided indictment alone,
the "ham sandwich" can be fired from his or her job or suspended from
university. Consider what happened to the Arthur Andersen company and its
thousands of employees when it was indicted for obstructing an official
proceeding by destroying records relating to one of its clients. Although
Andersen was ultimately vindicated, the indictment itself forced it into
bankruptcy causing a loss of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in
shareholder values. Many individual have been indicted on the basis of one sided
grand jury prosecutions and subsequently acquitted after a fair trial. Many of
these individuals also suffered grievously as the result of being unfairly
indicted.
Consider the consequences of an indictment by the special counsel's grand jury
in this matter. Not a conviction – just an indictment handed down by a grand
jury that heard only one side in secret. It depends, of course on who the
indictment named. In the Nixon case, for example, the president was named as an
unindicted co- conspirator by the Watergate grand jury. This meant that he could
not even defend himself at a trial. I was on the national board of the ACLU at
the time. And although I despised Nixon and campaigned for his opponent, I
wanted the ACLU to object to the unfairness of a one sided grand jury naming him
as an unindicted co conspirator.
So I will be standing up for civil liberties during the duration of this
investigation. As a civil libertarian, I care more about due process and the
rule of law than I do about politics. But many people conflate my advocacy for
civil liberties with support for President Trump. I have been bombarded with
tweets such as: "Alan loves Donald. He's throwing him lifelines;" "Has he been
hired by Trump? Time to come clean;" "@AlanDersh I thought you were a smart guy.
After hearing you support Trumpie, guess not;" "Has Trump already hired @AlanDersh
to defend him? Clearly sounds that way;" and "No matter the subject, he inserts
himself in the conversation with a full-throated and nonsensical defense of
Trump."
Let me be clear: I voted for Hillary Clinton and oppose many of President
Trump's policies. I would be taking the same position if the shoe were on the
other foot – if Hillary Clinton had been elected and she were being subjected to
an unfair process. Indeed I did do precisely that when she was threatened with
prosecution. Remember the chants of "lock her up" during the campaign?
I will continue to monitor the current investigations into President Trump and
his associated for any violation of civil liberties. I will call them as I see
them, without regard to which side benefits.
© 2017 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
Saudi Arabia Found in America the Appropriate Partner
John Sfakianakis/Bloomberg/May 20/17
Saudi-US ties have never been better. Saudi Arabia will be President Donald
Trump’s first stop in his first overseas tour. The Saudis have laid out a
massive red carpet for Trump and his business delegation with multiple events.
It’s emblematic of the importance the Saudis have bestowed on Trump and the
rebirth of its relationship with the US. It’s not unusual for a US president to
visit Saudi Arabia — President Barack Obama, who was viewed cautiously by
Riyadh, came more times than any of his predecessors. It is, however, a first
for a US president to be visiting the kingdom on his maiden trip. Business comes
first.
Bilateral trade between the two nations is strong, amounting to almost $40
billion in 2016, according to the US Census Bureau. In fact, last year was the
first time in 21 years the US sustained a trade surplus with Saudi Arabia,
mainly due to lower oil prices.
For Trump, Saudi Arabia is a long-term business partner offering enormous
potential for US companies as the Middle East nation prepares for its post-oil
future. Attracting US investment is vital for its foreign-direct investment
programs and successful implementation of Saudi Vision 2030. Taking a leading
position in Saudi Arabia’s business opportunities is on the table with officials
planning to privatize four sectors this year, including Saline Water Conversion
Corp., a power generation company under Saudi Electricity Co., grain silos and
sports clubs.
During Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s March visit to the US, Trump
supported the development of a new US-Saudi program in energy, industry,
infrastructure and technology valued at more than $200 billion in direct and
indirect investment over the next four years. Trump, in turn, has said he
intends to push for $1 trillion in US infrastructure investments over the next
decade, with $200 billion coming from taxpayers and the rest from the private
sector. Saudi Arabia, through its Public Investment Fund invested $3.5 billion
in the US ride-share company Uber Technologies Inc. in 2016. Assisting Saudi
Arabia in the successful transitioning of its economy beyond oil is a boon for
all.
Saudi Arabia’s economic direction is clear: rid itself of oil dependency, while
becoming a logistics hub, develop upstream and downstream mining capacity,
deepen the tourism sector, build up the indigenous entertainment sector and
increase local military manufacturing capacity. Officials and ministries are far
more accountable via several new institutional mechanisms than at any time in
the past. There is a sense of hope among young people that the country is
changing and is addressing issues such as labor and female participation.
The Saudi Aramco initial public offering is another opportunity. It showcases
the importance of US financial services in what would be the largest IPO thus
far, expected to reach $100 billion. There is much to like, as a possible dual
listing in Riyadh and on the New York Stock Exchange will only help to deepen
the solid business relations of the two countries. The NYSE is the world’s
largest stock market and includes oil majors such as Chevron and Exxon Mobil
among its listings. Saudi Arabia has provided ample business to US investment
banks and financial advisers working on the Saudi Aramco IPO. Two of the three
leading underwriters are US firms — JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley — the
third is HSBC. A New York listing will bolster Trump’s business first motto.
For the Saudis, there is much to like in Trump. In Riyadh, the Obama
administration was seen as being too pro-Iranian, confusing, and raised doubts
about the wider role of the US in the Middle East. Trump represents the
opposite.
The strategic-military relationship is central to the Saudi-US partnership. For
decades the US has been a crucial supplier of land and aerial equipment. Saudi
Arabia wants more sophisticated equipment and Trump has promised to stimulate
the US economy by generating more manufacturing jobs.
Saudi Arabia is looking for partners as it constructs its post-oil economy and
it’s almost certain that it found it in America’s Trump.
Trump… a Chance to Put a New Long-term Vision
Michael Doran/The New York Times/May 20/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=55459
During his campaign, Donald Trump’s Middle East policy seemed to begin and end
with his vow to “bomb the hell” out of ISIS — a pledge that played well with his
base but unsettled establishment foreign policy experts, who worried that the
collateral damage would include everything else America has been trying to build
in the region. The establishment was giving itself too much credit: Our policies
in the Middle East have been blowing themselves up for a good while. As Mr.
Trump embarked on his first foreign trip, the first stop being Saudi Arabia, he
has a chance to put in place a new long-term vision. In fact, the outlines of
one are already in place. Despite the controversies at home, Mr. Trump may come
away with a legacy-cementing achievement: a Trump Doctrine for the Middle East.
The Middle East is complex, but Mr. Trump’s predecessors stumbled for a singular
reason: the rise of Iran. As a senior official in the George W. Bush
administration, I saw firsthand how President Bush’s democracy project in Iraq
diverted attention from countering Iran and its proxies. Mr. Bush seems to have
believed that a robust democracy in Iraq would serve simultaneously as a bulwark
against extremism and Iranian power. In the end, Iran slipped into Iraq under
Mr. Bush’s nose, subverted the project, and recruited proxy militias to promote
its interests.
Mr. Bush let Iran in by miscalculation. President Barack Obama, by contrast,
embraced Iranian ascendancy with open arms — and not just in Iraq, but in Syria
as well. Mr. Obama dropped efforts to contain Iran and sought a nuclear accord
that would allow the West to normalize relations because he was convinced that
recognition of an Iranian sphere of influence would persuade Tehran to function
as a partner in stabilizing Iraq and Syria. This was another miscalculation, and
it led directly to the Russian-Iranian military alliance in Syria. Mr. Obama,
like Mr. Bush before him, put a lot of effort into resolving the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict — a worthy but useless undertaking that diverted
them further from addressing Iran’s regional ascent and, later, Russia’s. We
still don’t know the full details of Mr. Trump’s approach to the Middle East,
but his hard-nosed ethos and willingness to question foreign policy dogmas offer
an opportunity, in principle, to dispel several fallacies that led to these
strategic blunders.
First, it is false that American “soft power” is the key to stabilizing the
region. Our ideals, such as promoting democracy, will work to our advantage only
if we first restore order — a project that rests on American hard power. What’s
more, the use of force is not inherently counterproductive. Look at Russia’s
campaign in Syria, which shows that in the hands of a good tactician like
President Vladimir Putin, military superiority produces results.
Next, It’s a fallacy to imagine that we can create a Middle East without
enemies. And it’s just as wrong to assume we can cleverly pull Russia away from
Iran in Syria. The tensions between them are insignificant compared with their
shared interest in propping up the Bashar al-Assad regime and eroding American
influence.
Finally, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is not the center of gravity in the
Middle East, nor is it ripe for solution. It is not clear that Mr. Trump
recognizes all of these fallacies. If he does, he will be far ahead of the game.
But recognizing mistakes is just the first step. Step 2 requires rejecting the
temptation, to which Mr. Obama succumbed, of defining the defeat of ISIS as the
pre-eminent strategic goal. If Mr. Trump destroys the group, but fails at the
same time to build a stabilizing regional coalition, his victory will be very
short-lived. The next ISIS will rise from the rubble, and Russia and Iran will
exploit the ensuing chaos. The third step is to build that coalition. Jordan,
Egypt and the United Arab Emirates can help, but only American allies, mainly
Saudi Arabia, can project power.
By embarking for the region Mr. Trump is clearly signaling an appreciation of
this elemental fact. He must now build on that fact to develop a Trump Doctrine,
based on shoring up traditional allies against Iran. Such a plan, built on
painstaking coalition building and maintenance, isn’t glamorous or inspiring.
But good statesmanship requires recognizing the limits of what is possible. The
choices in the Middle East are between very bad and much worse. Mr. Trump
promised us steely-eyed realism. Here’s hoping he delivers on that pledge.
Trump in Riyadh: Obama’s Advice
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed/Asharq Al Awsat/May 20/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=55462
US President Donald Trump’s visit to Riyadh today, which marks the beginning of
his foreign international activity, has caused great concern for Iran and all
those associated with it.In this regard, nine senior officials from former US
President Barack Obama’s administration wrote an article that was published on
Politico’s website and addressed to Trump before his Riyadh visit.
The nine officials warned that his visit to Saudi Arabia and its consequences
would harm the nuclear deal (JCPOA) or the US involvement in Yemen, to satisfy
the Saudis and Emiratis.
We are all aware that this visit is important and it sends political messages to
a number of parties in the region and beyond.
President Trump has also taken many steps that confirmed his seriousness and the
political course he has set for the United States, which differs a lot from
Obama’s.
His latest action was the aerial bombing of Syrian forces and Iranian militias
in the area near Jordan, limiting the movement on the borders and explicitly
threatening the Syrian regime and Iran not to interfere in Jordan’s affairs.
Before that, he has bombed al-Shayrat air base in an important message against
the Syrian regime’s transgressions in using chemical weapons.
The US side also corrected its policy in Yemen and started supporting Saudi
Arabia and the coalition fighting the militias there.
It carried out maritime inspections and resumed sending ammunitions. It also
reorganized military intelligence cooperation in Yemen, which is very important
to the coalition.
However, this does not mean that the Gulf countries wanted to open a war against
Iran or wanted the Western nuclear deal with it to be canceled, for one reason,
which is that it is not in their interests, and they have already officially
announced their stance.
The problem that the nine officials know is that Iran took the United States
hostage during Obama’s second presidential term, when Washington was keen on not
angering the regime in Tehran so that it signs the nuclear deal.
The result was that Iran spread militarily in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.
The Obama administration lavished Iran with gifts for the sake of this agreement
and at the expense of the security of the countries in the region. It has caused
serious chaos and horrible tragedy, the worst in the region’s history.
The writers warned Trump from angering Iran, especially that his visit to Riyadh
coincides with the presidential elections there that could lead to the defeat of
the “moderate” President Hassan Rouhani and the victory of his extremist rival
Ebrahim Raisi.
Although these former US officials contradicted themselves in the article by
acknowledging that the elections may be rigged in favor of the extremist
candidate, they are, at the same time, worried about Iran’s reaction from
Trump’s visit to Riyadh.
Iran is ruled by the Supreme Leader and the Revolutionary Guard and, therefore,
it does not matter who wins the presidency.
Remember that all the Iranian military deployment you witness and the
unprecedented Iranian wars in the region have occurred in the era of the
“moderate” Rouhani and under the supervision of the former US administration.
Therefore, where is the presidential moderation in Tehran and what is the value
of the many compromises Washington has done at the time?
I believe that the current US administration can let Iran face the new reality.
It can let it stop spreading chaos and violence in the region and the world. It
should inform Iran that this will not only be positively met by the United
States and the West, but also by the countries of the region and Iran’s
neighbors.
Without sending a clear message, Tehran will keep on spreading turmoil in the
world, creating crises, supporting terrorist groups and attacking US allies.
Iran has taken the region hostage and has blackmailed Washington for many years.
It was rewarded in the end, but it did not stop its activities even after the
hundred billion dollars, Boeing aircraft and the lifting of economic sanctions.
Saudi-US Bridge
Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al Awsat/May 20/17
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/?p=55465
Something else could have happened on Saturday and Sunday. US President Donald
Trump could have followed the example of previous presidents through making his
first foreign visit to a close country in the American continent or to an
Atlantic country.
The impression left by the first days of Trump in the White House could have
become a permanent misunderstanding with Arabs and Muslims. If things went in
this direction, we would have paid double the price of past years. The Middle
East is sick with terrorism, extremism, shaking-stability policies, violation of
international borders and dissolving armies for the interest of militias. It is
sick with fear, unemployment, poverty and narrow dimensions. We have seen its
sons grab the boats of death to escape the hell of their countries. Luckily, the
chance was not missed. Saudi Arabia chose two years ago to abandon the
wait-and-see policy. The current Saudi leadership apprehended that change is one
of the conditions to protect stability and build prosperity.
The way of tackling topics discussed internally has changed – the Saudi
diplomatic language abroad also changed. Initiative has become the foundation,
based on ambitious perceptions that stand on mutual interest, partnerships and
division of responsibilities. In March, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,
the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, carried the Saudi
perception to the White House – a perception that ensures a high possibility to
build strategic partnerships that serve the interest of both countries in
economy, politics and security and open the window of hope in the Middle East –
that was about to be announced a devastated region.
Digits have a power that traditional slogans and general statements lack. In
Saudi Vision 2030, there is a huge change in Saudi Arabia, mammoth investment
opportunities and mutual interests that can build a bridge for future relations.
In parallel with digits, there was a Saudi decision to lead a comprehensive
confrontation against terrorism and extremism as well as another decision to
play a major role in restoring security and stability in the devastated region.
Consequences of this role will be endured in partnership with allies. Trump’s
administration became aware of the importance of restoring good relations with
Riyadh and the importance of Saudi portal in crossing to the Arab and Islamic
worlds since Saudi Arabia has legality, ability, relations and the credit.
Crossing this portal grants the US an opportunity to restore the leading role in
the region after years of hesitation and withdrawal policies – a crossing that
provides the kingdom with a chance to grant Arabs again their role in protecting
their stability and countries, years after the Arab world changing into a scene
for other components’ greed in the region.
Saudi-US ties witnessed a series of summits throughout the seven decades and
overcame several difficulties and tests. However, getting informed of Trump’s
visit to the kingdom program makes us assume that we are before a first of its
kind event in the history of both countries relations. This appears clearly from
the preparations, agreements and messages.
What Riyadh will witness on Saturday and Sunday is a brave attempt to build a
Saudi-US bridge from which relations between the two countries and nations would
pass – ties that include fields of defense, politics, economy and benefiting
from the US academic and technological progress.
Through this bridge, a partnership will pass to confront not only terrorism but
also extremism that refuses to acknowledge the other, coexistence and
cooperation. Saudi Arabia has transformed extremism confrontation into a program
adopted by institutes aware of the danger of clashing with the world.
In Riyadh’s date there is an opportunity to correct two images. Saudi image
infront of part of western and US public opinion and the US image infront of
part of the Arab Islamic public opinion. The Saudi youth nowadays aspires to
live in a stable and prosperous country, to get a developed education, to enroll
in a modern university and to acquire a job opportunity in a dynamic economy
that copes with consecutive technology revolutions, and to have country that
defends its interest and holds responsibility in peace and stability affairs.
The kingdom has succeeded in trimming ideas that call for facing the other
because he is different. When the Saudi youth has these ambitions then he can
easily meet on the bridge with the western and US youth. It is clear that the
Saudi change in this field has left its impact on the Arab and Islamic worlds
whose heads will meet Trump in Riyadh. Saudi-US Summit represents a decisive and
big response to the dangerous challenges in the region – it is a response to
Sept. 11 attacks that targeted troubling US-Saudi relations and a response to
the policy of exporting Iranian revolution, especially after what Iranian
violations caused in pushing some Sunnites towards extremism. The summit is also
a response to the phase of US withdrawal from the region and the diminution of
the Arab world role in it. Riyadh dates are an opportunity for all parties – a
US and Saudi opportunity that will transform on Sunday to an Arab and Islamic
opportunity. If implementation was as serious in the coming period as the
determining of dates, then the game rules will be changed in the region. The
Saudi-US bridge success paves the way to a fixed US bridge with the Arab and
Islamic worlds and this would restructure the international scene.