http://alwatandaily.kuwait.tt/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=94454&dt=Sun Oct 24 02:44:19 UTC+0300 2010

http://alwatandaily.kuwait.tt/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=94454&dt=Sun Oct 24 02:44:19 UTC+0300 2010
Debating the existence of 'Feltman's government' in Lebanon - Part I

Any incursions through the feet of two persons or more in an association or through a written or verbal agreement to commit felonies against persons or property are punishable by imprisonment with hard labor for a period spanning no less than 10 years.
Sunday,24 October 2010
By : Jameel W. Karaki
The United States of America, in its glorious capacity in being considered a shining and role model of democracy and a commendable state of institutions can at best be deemed as 'theoretical.' What is being implied in international circles is this sort of a notion: "All those who didn't have that opportunity or weren't fortunate enough to graduate from American universities have indeed missed a lot. All those who didn't enjoy drifting into the wilderness while holding on to an American made steering wheel should definitely give it a try, while all those who have yet to visit America, should just board the next flight out of their countries.
Ironically speaking, the American mindset over its foreign policies is full of contradictions and double standards - especially when it comes to crucial decisions that determine or shape the future of any given nation. American policy makers usually fashion themselves on the lines of international rulers who supposedly, are the only thinkers on this planet.
Overall, they know what's best for you, me and everyone else. They decide what you should eat, how you breathe or even how, why and what you decide upon. It looks like they consider themselves to be messengers sent by God Almighty to just to reach decisions on behalf of others. Paradoxically, this is precisely what the United States opposes in the absolute Iranian system of Velayat-el faqih.
Going by the strange and unwise policies of those in the corridors of power, people are classified and categorized in accordance to the American interests and the magnitude of their agreements that are in conformity with their own perspectives. People are hence classified under categories such as "terrorists, friends, enemies, anti peace, and plain good-natured people.
These policy makers send some of their most outstanding diplomats to the corners of the globe - carrying messages of unstinted support; guaranteeing the sovereignty, independence and security of the concerned states that they visit. Would anyone even care or dare question the credibility of those politicians? The answer is no - simply because the people seem to be suffering from a wave of insomnia because Lebanon is passing through a critical time.
The reality of the situation is that - more often than not, actions speak louder than words. This stand was purely evident when the former US ambassador to Lebanon and Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman stopped short of denouncing remarks by the Congress over spending 500 million US dollars to distort the image of Hezbollah.
Mr. Feltman told the Foreign Relations Committee of the Eighth Congress in June that Washington "needs to provide assistance and support in finding effective alternatives to curb extremism and drastically reduce Hezbollah's deliberate intentions of attracting the younger generation of Lebanese minds into its fold." I cannot really comprehend, nor do I know for sure what he was actually insinuating? Did he mean that he was in favor of supporting extremism by supporting the activities of radical terrorists? And if that was what he actually intended, then wouldn't that create a hostile environment - especially with the war on terror being un-relentlessly launched by the United States?
Through these words of action, he has unwittingly violated Article 335 of the Lebanese Penal Code; that is amended by Legislative Decree 83/112. The decree does not mince words when it states that: "Any incursions through the feet of two persons or more in an association or through a written or verbal agreement to commit felonies against persons or property are punishable by imprisonment with hard labor for a period spanning no less than 10 years.
In fact, he ventured a step further when he said: "We have contributed (through the US Agency for Development and the Middle East Partnership Initiative) more than US$500 million to materialize those efforts since 2006." It is highly ironic that these programs that are meant to bring people together and create a culture of love and understanding between the US and other nations, are now being relegated to become destructive tools in the hands of those that hold them.
Taking into consideration the fact that all those negative aspects would eventually devastate the fundamental bearings of an already devastated country, lawyer Mai Khansa, filed a case against Mr. Jeffrey accusing him of inciting sedition among the people and stirring up sectarian discord. However, I have yet to bring myself to understand how a country like Lebanon, which has always regarded its sovereignty above everything else agreed to welcome the likes of a man who does not even care to understand the dire consequences of his words or actions.
It seems that our judiciary was caught napping when he set foot on Lebanese soil since his visit followed almost immediately after the visit of the Iranian President Ahmadinejad. That could be the only plausible reason explaining how he managed easy access through the airport and into the country. Or maybe it could be possible because of his political immunity in his capacity as a diplomat!