Friday,08 October 2010
By : Jameel W. Karaki
I still reminisce those glorious days when I was a sprightly young lad with a flowing mane of blonde hair (all tied up in a neat ponytail) and used to hear and read in the media about ongoing peace talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel under the auspicious blessings of the American authorities. It's unfortunate that we still hear and read about these so-called peace talks - don't we?
This universal farce called the peace negotiations that have been played time and again by the so many actors and actresses under the direction of the US through the international media still seem to be ongoing! The key player in this imbroglio is the chief Palestinian negotiator and diplomat.
Here we have a negotiator in our midst - who enjoys brandishing his internationally branded designer wardrobe bought through his various visits to the US State department and Arab countries in addition to obtaining countless financial advantages to the extent that if you ever gain access to his economic and financial statuses, you'd be under the impression that he is an influential Scandinavian citizen.
Shaking hands with the enemy seems to be a rightful recognition of his very existence, and this is truly evident in the fact whenever President Mahmud Abbas is pictured - not only shaking hands with the Israeli enemy, but in also fighting against the Hamas who has been elected and chosen by the Palestinian people under the capable patronage of the former American president Jimmy Carter who was monitoring the elections there.
Sometimes, I really wonder what this total submission to the commands set by Israel is all about despite bearing in mind the fact that the establishment of a Palestinian state should not, in any way, be an intended target that is preceded by the liberation of this land. Moreover, why should it be turned into a bargaining chip in exchange for land that rightfully belongs to the people or compromise on the fundamental rights and principles of those people?
The initiatives of the peace talks first overlooked the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people and then subsequently refuted the rights of reinstating the refugees in their own homes, lands, towns and villages, from which they were brutally expelled through the gory massacres in 1948. And then, through initiating so-called "alternative solutions" they called for finding "a just solution to the refugee issue." It is highly debatable and reproachable that those in power repeatedly use the slogan "in reaching a just solution" while the slogan should actually be "right to return," which seems more appropriate given the said circumstances.
The second key player in the negotiations is Israel, which is a deliberately planted racist terrorist state that does not seem to pay any attention to international laws. It flagrantly continues to rebuild one settlement after another under the encouraging blessings of the US. Their atrocious activities in killing innocent children, women and elderly Palestinians continue unabated despite international condemnations.
Using sophisticated American weapons, it swats the lives of innocent people like flies and as a reward for their inhumane massacres; the American government blatantly upholds its support for Israel. We have yet to ascertain whether US President Barack Obama actually intends to stop supporting these atrocities. The president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, can barely manage to garner enough support to have a health bill passed in favor of his own people so one can well imagine what kind of power he actually wields in guaranteeing any substantial progress concerning the peace process.
The US recently slammed a UN probe into Israel's storming of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, urging the Human Rights Council to prevent the report from being used to torpedo the ongoing peace talks. What if other nations had followed the same path in supporting the cause of Palestine or even Iran? Wouldn't that move be slammed as supporting terrorism and going against the tenets of American foreign polices?
Those Palestinians who believe in such empty negotiations as a being a "true path' in the establishment of their state, are living in a disillusioned reality and their fragile hopes translate into mere stupidity itself. Just take a single glance at the map of Palestine printed before 1948 and an existing one. You will surely notice that the Palestinian landmass (whatever little is left of it) is shrinking by the second and a day will surely dawn on us when these elegant Palestinian negotiators are relegated to crawling down on their knees - begging the Americans to permit them to move freely inside their own cluttered bed rooms; simply because at that given point of time, their homes will be located in a land called just Israeli.
Mahmoud Abbas seems to rush to Washington DC at the drop of a hat - behaving as if he is the legitimate president of the Palestinian people, without consulting the other Palestinian parties or even his own people. He has also, time and again, blatantly overlooked the fact that he could have used Hamas and its operations in Israel as proxy to gain their unified demands. However with the existence of an absolute and unwavering American support to Israel, the American government no longer seems to be a neutral party to either side.
The only solution to end this never-ending dilemma is to resort to an armed struggle and creating an effective lobby in the US to reduce the magnitude of American aid to Israel. What is not required at this point of time are useless summits that are organized for the sake of issuing ineffective press statements and splashing photographs across local and international newspapers.
Furthermore, it is impossible to achieve a two-state solution bearing in mind that Israel is a racist Zionist country down to its roots. I sincerely hope the American and Arab leaders realize this underlying fact, and work accordingly towards realizing the secularization of Israel.
Finally, if the Palestinians insist on engaging in unfeasible negotiations without realizing the immunization of the "right to return" and demanding due compensations from Israel, I advise them to stop their wasted efforts and engage themselves in holding fruitful talks with the Israeli government in becoming an integral part of the State of Israel itself.
In that way, they can finally bid farewell to their quest of regaining their own homeland. What is paradoxical about the entire issue is: "Doesn't the current Palestinian authority go to extremes to ensure the overall safety and security of the Israeli people more than its own people?
Now although my flowing blonde locks have thinned considerably and I am almost going bald, I am nonetheless older and wiser. But even now, I can safely state that negotiations under the current situations and conditions can bring about peace in the region. The recent visits of George John Mitchell, Special Envoy for the Middle East peace process and discouraging the continued construction of settlements by the Zionists can truly realize a lasting peace process for both sides, if taken seriously
http://alwatandaily.kuwait.tt/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=92838&dt=Fri+Oct+8+03%3A53%3A24+UTC+0300+2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 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
Saturday, August 28, 2010
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
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
Thursday, July 22, 2010
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
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.
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