Archive for April 21, 2006
In Lebanon, Hariri Inc, Hizbullah, `Awn, UN, and Jumblat want to forgive all those who collaborated with Israeli occupation, and killed and tortured on its behalf. This is France after its liberation from Nazi occupation: “These women suffered brutal punishment during l’Ãpuration—the savage purges after the liberation, described by Mr Vinen in a chapter entitled [...]
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
“Indeed, the book frequently seems more about BHL in America than about America itself. The self-obsession can be comedic, as when Lévy cannot fathom why John Kerry—pilloried during the 2004 campaign for his European air—keeps putting off a meeting. Do Kerry’s handlers not realize who he is?”
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
If you are wondering where Arab oil profits are going: “The Ras al-Khaimah Government and the PDSI Development Group have launched a $5.44 billion real-estate project that will include a mountain resort, wildlife sanctuary and marina. The two parties have already signed an agreement for a fifty-fifty joint venture on a freehold basis that is [...]
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
“The economic rift that opened between the Middle East and the United States after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has widened into a chasm. While the United States was once the first stop for goods and services, Middle Easterners are turning to what many see as more Arab-friendly environments in Europe and Asia.”
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Sanyurah’s Reception at the Four Seasons in DC. A source in DC sent me this post:“He talked about they came to meet Bush and present to him the Lebanese cause and also the Arab cause. They want to liberate Shebaa Farms and extend Lebanese government control over all of Lebanon. I’m sure you’ve heard all [...]
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
“Hungry and shell-shocked”
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Olmert accuses Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Hizbullah, Peru, China, the new Italian government, and Iran of involvement in Tel Aviv suicide bombing (US Congress agrees).
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Cheney denied that he was sleeping when this picture was taken. As for the loud snoring: he said that he keeps a noisy frog in his pocket.
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Sometimes, the right-wing, sectarian Christian newspaper, An-Nahar (the unofficial mouthpiece of Lebanese Forces), carries translations from different sources. Often, they print translations and they cite the source as “the internet.” Here, an article was translated from “the internet.” Walid Jumblat, as you may remember, found documents and maps on Shib`a Farms “on the internet.” He [...]
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Hilmi Musa of As-Safir reported about the last meeting between Isma`il Haniyyah and Abu Mazen. There were three points of disagreement. The first one was about the checkpoints. Haniyyah wanted the new elected government to take control of the checkpoints of Gaza. Abu Mazen informed him that the “international observers” will withdraw if the government [...]
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Suddenly–and finally, I notice that Talal Salman and As-Safir have become critical of Fu’ad Sanyurah. I am pleased.
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Fu’ad Sanyurah’s excellent adventure in US: he was told to go to New York. He went. He was told to meet with Annan, he did. He was then told (somewhat unprecedentedly) to go to UN Security Council and make a speech to embarrass the Syrian delegate; he obediently followed orders. He did what he was [...]
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Don’t you like ironies? Isma`il Hanniyyah is now protesting against Abu Mazen’s autocratic style, the way Abu Mazen protested against `Arafat’s autocratic style. The difference is that `Arafat relied on Palestinian popular support, while Abu Mazen relies on US, Israel, and Muhammad Dahlan. If you say that Dahlan is corrupt, he will now sue you. [...]
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
I have been criticizing Hamas since the last election. I don’t hide my true opinion of the movement. I have never admired its ideology or practices. But I have become convinced that the movement is now being subjected to a deliberate, deceptive propaganda campaign that is intended to throw off its leaders, and to make [...]
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Al-Mustaqbal TV’s correspondent in Washington, DC, Maysa Zaydan, sounds like a Fox News correspondent. The other day she was attacking Democratic criticisms of Bush with such vehemence and agitation.
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
“Foes of Syrian leaders no friends of the U.S.: Activists regard both governments as enemies of freedom”
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
The 7-minutes Meeting between Bush and Sanyurah. Sanyurah’s meeting with Bush. Lebanonese media (and Saudi Arab media) have been talking about a 2-hour meeting between Bush and Sanyurah, but that includes lunch. And Laura Bush met with Mrs. Sanyurah when her husband was with Bush in the Oval Office, and that meeting between the “ladies” [...]
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Guston, Philip, Sleeping, 1977.
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
Having saved the Middle East, Thomas Friedman now wants to save the environment.
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad
“Doha: Five Asian workers died of asphyxiation by toxic gases in a manhole here on Wednesday evening after descending into the sewage network without safety equipment, a diplomat said here yesterday.” (thanks Laleh)
Posted on April 21, 2006 by As'ad