The below statements can be attributed to the Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy:

-- We condemn such acts as disrespectful,
intolerant, divisive, and un-representative of
American values. While we respect the right of
Americans to exercise their freedom of speech, we
are deeply concerned about all deliberate attempts
to offend members of any religious or ethnic group.

-- Public condemnation of this event has come from
a variety of organizations, including the National
Association of Evangelicals, the Southern Baptist
Convention, and the Anti-Defamation League. The
Islamic Society of North America held an interfaith
summit on September 7th to unify faith communities
to promote tolerance and counter anti-Muslim
rhetoric. Representatives included prominent
Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders.

-- As Secretary Clinton said at the September 7th
State Department Iftar, "We sit down together for
this meal on a day when the news is carrying reports
that a pastor down in Gainesville, Florida plans to
burn the Holy Koran on September 11th. I am
heartened by the clear, unequivocal condemnation of
this disrespectful, disgraceful act that has come
from American religious leaders of all faiths, from
evangelical Christians to Jewish rabbis, as well as
secular U.S. leaders and opinion-makers. Our
commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the
very beginning of our nation. Many of you know that
in 1790, George Washington wrote to a synagogue in
Newport, Rhode Island, that this country will give
'to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no
assistance.'"

-- We believe firmly in freedom of religion and
freedom of expression; they are universal rights,
enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We reaffirm
our position that the deliberate destruction of any
holy book is an abhorrent act.

-- We also believe the best answer to offensive
speech is dialogue and debate. As President Obama
said in Cairo: "Suppressing ideas never succeeds in
making them go away." In answering offensive
speech, we encourage people to follow the examples
of citizens and religious, political, and community
leaders around the world who engage tirelessly in
constructive and respectful dialogue, and who
respond to such speech by refuting it through
principled arguments, bridging communities and
faiths and treating each other with dignity and
mutual respect.

-- Religious freedom and religious tolerance are
fundamental pillars of U.S. society, and as
important bedrocks of our values today they were at
the time of the country's founding. A copy of the
Quran is part of the White House library, and a
member of Congress took his oath of office on a
Koran once owned by Thomas Jefferson - one of
America's founding fathers.

-- Citizens and officials in Gainesville, and
across Florida, have mobilized against this pastor
and his small congregation who are sponsoring the
event. Craig Lowe, Mayor of Gainesville has
condemned the plan and signed an interfaith
solidarity day in Gainesville on 9/11.

http://www.alwatandaily.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=89229&dt=Tue Sep 7 02:29:14 UTC+0300 2010

http://www.alwatandaily.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=89229&dt=Tue Sep 7 02:29:14 UTC+0300 2010

http://www.sawtbeirut.com/press-articles/beirut-now/9557-2010-08-29-23-53-53.html

http://www.sawtbeirut.com/press-articles/beirut-now/9557-2010-08-29-23-53-53.html
اللبنانيون: هل هم شعب الله المختار؟
لست بناقم على ميلادي كلبناني ولا بحاقدا على ساسة أتقنوا فن قيادة خرفان من الشعب اللبناني ولكني في سماء أفكاري أبحث عن لبناني الوطن قبل كل شيئ قبل الإيمان والإلحاد وقبل عروبته وفينيقيته وقبل مساحته التي تخططت كل الحدود الجغرافية والكونية فأصبح كالمنارة على شاطئ العالم ينير دروب الغير متناسيا ظلمات أزقته الداخلية وتفتت أحجار قلاعه وأثاره المنسية على صفحات كتب التاريخ المصفرة إلى أن أصبحنا قضية عالمية تتلاقفها أيدي المجتمع الدولي والعربي والفضائي والبكتيري والطفيلي لأننا ندعي القدرة على فهم ما حاولنا من متغيرات لأننا شعب الله المختار وأذكى الكائنات وأننا الدولة الأهم في العالم ولولا إشتراكنا في اللعبة الدولية لأنهار الكرة الأرضية في كأس ماء.

فنحن الأفضل والأمثل والأقوم والأصلح,يحق لنا إطلاق النكات على غيرنا من الشعوب, ويحق لنا أن نرمي بعضنا البعض برصاصات طائفية تكاد تفتك في قلب لبنان أكثر من قنبلة نووية. نفتخر بمذاهبنا وطوائفنا وبلكناتنا ولكن نسينا الله والوطن فنسينا أنفسنا فأصبحنا كالعبيد الساجدين الراكعين لساسة وللأجنبي والعياذ بالله ولكننا نرى كلمة الله الحقة في عمامات وقلنوسات رجال ديننا ولست متهكما ولكن " كما قال جبران العظيم كثرت مذاهبنا وطوافئنا وخلينا من الدين"؟

نحن فصحاء إجلاء نبغاء على بعضنا البعض ولكن أمام الأجنبي توابع عمي صم بكم, نمضي نحو جنات الغرب والشرق متناسين أن جحيم لبنان هو الجنة. في لبنان ندعي أننا دولة ولكن هل نعترف ببعضنا الأخر فبلدنا مقسم إلى غربية وشرقية ومنطقتنا ومنطقتهم وطائفتنا وطائفتهم كأننا أصبحنا مدمنين على الطائفية والتبعية؟

سقط العديد من الشباب والذين هم شهداء نتيجة لكلمة سياسي أو زعيم أو راعي غنم وفقا لقاموسي وبعد ما إختلطت دماؤهم بتراب لبنان, أطل علينا زعماؤنا يسألوننا العفو والسماح والعدل والرشاد متناسين أن أيدهم ملطخة بالدماء فكم من زعيم دفع بأولاده وفلذات كبده إلى حظيرة الطوائف اللبنانية مقاتلا؟

لدينا عدد من الأحزاب والأفكار والأيدولوجيات والتصورات ما يفوق عدد سكان لبنان المقيمين والمغتربيين ولكن ما الجدوى؟ نفتخر بإتقاننا العربية والإنجيليزية والفرنسية ولكننا نتناسى أنا لبنانيين. كم من مظاهرة جالت الشوراع لتخفيض الدين العام؟ أو لتحسين الأوضاع المعيشية للخروف اللبناني؟ هل يجب على الخروف الإستمتاع بأكل علف لم يراه؟

لبنان مزرعة,يترأسها العديد من القواويد لا القادة شغلهم الشاغل توريث مناصبهم وزعماتهم إلى أبد الأبدين من أبناء صلبهم ولن ألوم ساسة أتقنوا فن رعي الإغنام وتوطينهم في لبنان وزيادة ثرواتهم الإلهية والتي تعد ضرب من ضروب الخيال.

فعلى كل شاب لبناني أن يأكل الكتب بأسنانه وبيده ويعمل وظيفتين ويقوم بإستدرار عطف مسؤول سياسي لكي يتعلم أو يحصل على وظيفة لا تكفيه لمعيشته اليومية وإلا " ما قلك إلا الفيزا". فمنذ الأيام الأولى للجامعة تستشرس الأحزاب اللبنانية في العمل الحزبي الجامعي وتدفع الطالب الجاهل إلى ركوب عربة الحزب والتي تمشي على وقود "مستقبل الشعب اللبناني"ولكن لم نجد حزبا قاد طلبه لإنتاج بحث علمي أو إجتماعي أو إقتصادي أو سياسي أو مالي ولكن قادهم إلى الإصطدام والتنفيرمن الأخر.

وبعد نزول الراكب من العربة عليه التوجه إلى أقرب سفارة ليسافر ويترك لبنان برجعة أو من غيرها. إي كان الحزب التي تنتمي له فأنت مهاجر غريب في المهجر وإن كنت من غير إنتماء حزبي فأنت غريب في الوطن ومن لم يقنع فليستمتع بأكل العلف, ومن أراد الولاء فليكن للبنان الواحد.

والحل الوحيد هو قيام مجلس شيوخ لبناني وتغير المناهج الدراسية وتبادل الطلاب بين المدارس والجامعات اللبنانية كافة وتركيز العمل الحزبي الجامعي على العمل العلمي المنطقي لا على النباح الطائفي والشعارات الرنانة والتي لا تسمن أو تغني عن جوع

عشتم وعاش لبنان , ومن أجل تصحيح الوضع نلقاكم.


جميل كركي

http://www.alwatandaily.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=88226&dt=Sun Aug 29 03:19:29 UTC+0300 2010

http://www.alwatandaily.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=88226&dt=Sun Aug 29 03:19:29 UTC+0300 2010

Oil prices affected by several factors, says report

Sunday,29 August 2010
By : Jameel W. Karaki

KUWAIT: The Fed's announcement weeks ago that it will reinvest the principal from maturing agency bonds into treasuries has come as a reminder of the uncertain economic outlook ahead according to a report published by Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Research, titled, 'Bank of America ML Commodities - Global Energy Weekly: Oil and the Fed' dated Aug.12, 2010, authored by the Global Commodity Research Team at Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Research.
The report reaffirms the perception that there has been a change in company and consumer preferences in their demand for credit. Despite the best efforts by central banks in developed market economies, easy monetary policy has not translated into increased lending in the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation Development Countries). However, continued capital outflows to European Monetary System (EMS) suggest that investors see opportunity there.
The report highlights the fact that real interest rates are more relevant to oil prices than gross domestic product (GDP) with an assumption that oil demand is directly linked to changes in GDP, oil price levels are not determined solely by physical supply and demand. The report suggests that real interest rates are more important than GDP to oil demand. It estimates that a one percent reduction in real interest rates will result, other things being equal, in a 3.8 percent increase in long-term equilibrium oil prices. In contrast, a one percent increase in the GDP of advanced or emerging economies will impact long-term equilibrium oil prices by two percent and one percent respectively. Thus, while economic activity is no longer expanding at a rapid pace, oil prices may depend more on monetary policy than GDP changes.
If the analysis in the report is correct according to the writer, oil prices could hold up better than demand over the next 12 months. Just like gold, oil is also a hard asset and ultra loose monetary policy which involves lower interest rates and more money entering circulation, will ultimately come in to support nominal US dollar prices. In economics, nominal values are the face value of currency over long periods of time (years), whereas real values have been corrected for inflation.
According to the view of writer, Even if cyclical conditions deteriorate further and oil drops to reflect it, super-easy monetary policy will push oil price levels straight back up in the medium term. Sometimes oil leads gold, and sometimes gold leads oil. But if the value of the key reserve currency is eroded through monetary easing, commodities will reflect this trend. So, even if a down cycle temporarily sends oil below $65 barrels, the upward trend in the US dollar size of key emerging economies should support prices next year.
It is worthy to mention that other factors may affect oil prices such as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Also, oil prices are driven by global changes in supply and demand along with a number of other geopolitical factors. Worldwide oil production is controlled by OPEC and the organization aims to maintain a stable price-per-barrel for crude oil.
In addition, political instability in the Middle East especially in Iraq and Iran has caused great concern about access to oil given that this region accounts for a large amount of the world's oil supply. One of the main reasons that oil prices rose so precipitously during some periods was due to the fact that suppliers were unable to convince buyers that they would be able to maintain and properly deliver o

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.

The impact of Islamic Revolution of Iran on Lebanon

ANALYSIS
The impact of Islamic Revolution of Iran on Lebanon
Compiled by Al Watan Daily

LEBANON: Over the past decade, Hezbollah has undergone a major transformation. From its origins as a radical sectarian militia in the 1980s, it has moved into the core of the Lebanese political life. Hezbollah could acquire the institutional trappings of a state and the capabilities of an army.
This organization wasn''t formed in one day by one man or because of a magic stick, many external and internal factors played major roles in its formation. Local and international events in addition to ideological reasons helped this organization to emerge. When we hear the name of Hezbollah many words and expressions come to our mind such as Shia, Iran, Lebanon the hate against Israel, and Sayed Hassan Nasrallah. Why do we have these preconceptions? Why these words, ideas, and thoughts come to our mind?
This group has a strong connection with the IranianـSyrian regional axis politically and economically. This condition has polarized Lebanon, deepening the divide between the Hezbollahـled opposition and the proـU.S. March 14 forces the 2006 summer war between Hezbollah and Israel, which Hezbollah celebrated as a "divine" victory, completed the realignment and remobilizing of forces in the Middle East. The Middle East policies of Iran and Syria are linking strategically to Hezbollah''s political dominance in Lebanon.
The ideological foundations of Hezbollah were laid in the 1960s and 1970s in Lebanon by three religious scholars: Ayatollahs Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, Muhammad Mahdi Shamseddine and Imam Musa AlـSadr. The party''s Islamist ideology, was affected by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini''s revolutionary doctrine of Velayatـe faqih (Guardianship of the Jurisconsult), which dominated the regime in Iran in 1979. These religious scholars sought to empower and unify Lebanon''s Shi''a community.1
Under the leadership of Imam Khomeini, Iran''s Islamic revolution of February 11,1979 created an earthquake across the region, affecting the map of alliances and the extent of hegemony as well as the very interests of external powers. Iran''s stature shifted from the policeman of the Gulf region and an ally to American and Israel to one of an Islamic regime rejecting American hegemony, supporting the rights of Palestinian, supporting and creating resistance groups in the region.
In Lebanon, religious scholars and Islamic groups detected a source of hope and support in the New Iran. upon the foundation of Hezbollah, it saw a possibility for achieving its goals and aspirations through the backing of Iran.
The relationship between Iran and Hezbollah was developed in a successful way, Many reasons lay behind this success. Both Iran and Hezbollah believe in the jurisdiction of the Jurist Theologian and that Imam Khomeni was himself that leaderـ the embodiment of this Jurisdiction in this time. Therefore Iran and the party met within an international framework of international leadership legitimacy.
On the other hand, Iran''s choice of an Islamic republican system of government meets with the Islamic principles held by Hezbollah. Also, political concord is existed on the many issues such as the Iranian absolute rejection of superpower hegemony and the support of all liberation movements.