Power situation will improve in Ramadan: Minister Al-Shuraian

Friday,23 July 2010
By : Jameel W. Karaki



KUWAIT: Minister of Electricity and Water Dr. Bader Al-Shuraian highlighted the deep Egyptian-Kuwaiti bilateral relationship at the celebration of Egypt's National Day on Wednesday. He noted that this relationship has historical roots based on mutual respect, brotherhood and common interests between the two governments and people.
Al-Shuraian hoped for more progress and prosperity for the Egyptians under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak.
In response to a question from journalists on if citizens could be assured that the power crisis has ended, the minister said, "Two power generation units will be in service over the next two weeks, with a capacity of about 600 megabytes."
He confirmed that the situation in Ramadan will improve.
For his part, Taher Farhat, the Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait, told reporters that the Kuwaiti-Egyptian bilateral relationship is "strong, distinctive and unique".
He stressed the depth of relationship between the two countries and the unified vision regarding all issues and at different levels.
He said there were many positive initiatives takes by the two countries for the benefit of the Arab citizen which included the recent economic summit in Kuwait and the second summit that will be held next year in Egypt.
Farhat praised the generosity of the State of Kuwait to members of the Egyptian in Kuwait. He praised the role of Egyptians in contributing to the development of the country and he called on every Egyptian citizen to obey the law since every citizen functions as an ambassador of Egypt.












http://www.alwatandaily.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=84512&dt=Fri+Jul+23+02%3A32%3A13+UTC+0300+2010

The ignorant media trumpeters

Jameel Karaki
Recently certain politicians, writers and journalists have turned themselves into “ignorant media trumpeters.” They have taken it upon themselves to - not only criticize, but blatantly attack any individual who demonstrates any patriotic or nationalistic ideas. Unfortunately it is extremely common for people that fall into this category to oppose any resistance or liberation group, especially in a country with as much a concentration of political diversity as Lebanon. Most recently a speech delivered by General Secretary Hassan Nasrallah was scrutinized, put under a microscope and absolutely misinterpreted by these individuals. Some analysts that fall into this category claimed that this speech was a direct attempt at instigating a war with Israel, as if historically or otherwise. Israel ever needed a speech or a reason to declare war on Lebanon.

What these analysts and instigators refuse to acknowledge and continue to underestimate is the conspicuous presence of Lebanese secret agents from the telecommunications sector. Their presence has been recently exposed, and they have reportedly admitted to continuously providing Israel with enough classified information and data to the extent of almost destroying Lebanon during the 2006 war.

Hiding behind a threadbare veil of being Lebanese citizens, journalists, writers or politicians these analysts have, time and again, continued to shun the Lebanese people by ignoring the Lebanese people’s need for safety and security. They have blatantly ignored the fact that a crucial part of Israel’s attack has been to control the sensitive communications sector; a sector that is meant to be controlled by the Lebanese government and protected by the Lebanese people. Gaining control of a country’s communications sector by another should not only be criticized, but condemned downright by the United States and the United Nations.

The double standard that has come into play is not only disappointing but out rightly disturbing. The May 7, 2008 events were condemned and through the issuance of a ministerial decree, the Lebanese government confiscated the communications network of the Signal Corps of the Lebanese resistance despite the fact that various officials from the resistance explained that those communications were necessary in order to protect Lebanon from the onslaught of Israeli spies.

The recent arrest of these spies provides irrefutable evidence that when this decree was set in action, it wasn’t done so in a positive manner, or for the betterment of Lebanon. Rather, recent events have proved that these individuals had their own agendas in place in spreading total chaos and disorder in the nation. I honestly believe that those spies should be questioned and executed and every single official who voted in favor of this decree should be interrogated and subject to incriminating investigations.

Recently these same individuals have been trying to connect the incidents that transpired between the UNIFIL peacekeeping troops and some residents of South Lebanon villages in connection with the Iranian nuclear case accusing the Hezbollah of the mobilization of “some” villagers.

As educated, open minded individuals we must ask ourselves: Why weren’t the UNIFIL’s forces condemned when they attempted to search Lebanese homes without seeking official permission of the Lebanese army? And why has no one linked or questioned these spies over the various assassinations that have transpired on Lebanese soil within the last couple of years?

These people have proved themselves as being totally ignorant - by laying the blame for these assassinations on anyone who nurses anti-Israel sentiments, as well as on anyone who has shown even the slightest hint of patriotism by causing internal problems and thus avoiding the bigger issue of receiving protection from Israel.

It is not surprising then, that we have not heard anything from the American government or the United Nations condemning Israel’s subversive actions or even admitting the continued threats that the Lebanese sovereignty, unity and security are faced with - through Israel’s blatant violations.

These media trumpeters also continue to ignore the testimonies of the US Assistant Secretary of State and former US Ambassador to Lebanon Mr.Jeffrey Feltman concerning the 500 million US dollars bribe that was paid by the US administration to coerce people into criticizing the Hezbollah. Ignorant individuals tend to share the same common values of consistently being in denial and taking actions that prove that “you’re hypocritical.”

My message to these ignorant individuals is that one of the strongest armies in the world couldn’t physically disarm the Lebanese resistance group. They couldn’t break down the unity of a majority of the Lebanese supporters and they couldn’t snap the rigid alliance that was formed with General Michel Oun. Let it be known to them that their ignorant and misinformed ‘war of rhetoric’ will never infect the people’s minds. It is never going to achieve what the physical war was not capable of achieving.

Finally, I would like to forward a suggestion to Mr. Feltman - Stop wasting the financial resources of the American citizens and taxpayers by squandering money on phony Lebanese partners who pretend to forge your friendship. Instead, as a friend of the United States, I would recommend that the State Department feel the need to create an open dialogue with resistance officials and groups in the region, by taking serious action such as holding discreet communications and talks to better understand the situation.

I recommend this because until today - we have witnessed absolutely no visible or tangible changes to that effect.