[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 01/28/08: World News From The Middle East

Posted soon...

Reporter, FEMALE #1:
Dr. JaJa, you surely heard the rumors about that the young men from the Lebanese Forces party that were armed and were firing shots at other young men. Is this true and what is your opinion about this?

Guest, MALE #1: JAJA
Yesterday, the Lebanese army was heavily deployed in various areas, particularly in Ayn Al Ramana. I think that if it was true that young men from the Lebanese forces party were centralized somewhere and were firing shots, the army would have been the first to see them.
I pose this question to the army, the other security forces, all the journalists that were there, all the residents of Ayn Al Ramana, and all concerned parties so that they may answer this question.
It is regrettable that on similar occasions, some people distorted events that they have not even witnessed.
Reporter, MALE #2:
Dr. JaJa, during the past two days we listened to statements made by some opposition members, saying next time that there will be more intensified and focused street demonstrations, not like before.

Guest, MALE #1:
What happened yesterday was a translation of this. They have been saying this for more than two or three days; rather for the past two or three weeks and months. They are stating the same thing. Regrettably, in the end the ultimate losers are the young men who were martyred, the innocent Lebanese, whose cars were burned, stores were damaged, or who were afraid and left their homes altogether. It is not easy to see these scenes here in the heart of Beirut.

GUEST, FEMALE #2
Dr. Jaaja, how much of an impact did this public mobilization has on the meeting of Arab foreign ministers and the statement they issued? Some said the statement fell short of Lebanese expectations.

GUEST, Male #2, Jaaja
In fact, I was also very disappointed in the statement issued during the meeting of the Arab foreign ministers. The statement failed to discuss the core issue of the Lebanese crisis, and in my opinion, it will not help resolve the problem. I was hoping that the Arab foreign ministers would discuss the issue as it is, and help connect the dots that will lead to a solution. We don’t want to kill anyone; we just want to live in peace. The Arab foreign ministers should have come up with a road map that would lead to a breakthrough in the Lebanese crisis. Unfortunately, they avoided all of this and issued a useless statement.

GUEST, FEMALE #2
Is there a link between the Arab meeting and the recent incidents.

GUEST, MALE #2, Jaaja
I imagine but I can’t confirm. They started the movement at the time the Arab meeting was in session. Both the movement and the meeting took place on Sunday afternoon

Posted Soon

Presenter, FMEALE, #1
In the Khuzestan province in Iran, protestors marched in solidarity with the Palestinian people under siege in Gaza. The protestors condemned the continuous Israeli offensives on Palestinian territories, and criticized international and Arab silence about the humanitarian crimes against Palestinians.

Reporter, MALE, #1
A large protest took place in Ahwaz city in the Khuzestan province, Southwestern Iran, condemning the Israeli siege over Gaza, and expressing solidarity with the Palestinians.

Guest, MALE, #2
The government and all the people of Iran announce that we safeguard the oppressed Palestinians, whom no one is defending. We are disappointed with ALL the Arabs…look to Iran, we publicly defend Palestine without fear of the United States, which will amount to nothing.

Reporter, MALE, #1
Through their chants and slogans, the participants condemned the Israeli offensive on Gaza, calling for Arab and Islamic mobilization to stop the raids; end the siege imposed on the Palestinian people in Gaza; and take criminal action against the occupation.

Guest, MALE, #3
This march sends the important message that Muslims, as a whole, should pay more attention and unite against their enemies, especially Israel. The source of the crimes is the green light given to Israel by the United States and some leaders in the area. The march condemns these crimes.

Reporter, MALE, #1
The march provided the protestors with a golden opportunity to reiterate their positions on their country’s nuclear technology. They chanted slogans affirming their right to acquire nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. They also condemned any new sanctions against Iran, announcing their readiness to face any foreign threat. The people of Ahwaz came out to emphasize the importance of Arab and Islamic nations taking action towards ending the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza strip. They are telling their Palestinian brothers that they are standing by them during these times. Mohammad Hassan Al Shobari, al alam, southwestern Iran, Ahwaz.

Presenter, FEMALE #1:
In the Jordanian capital, Amman, a funeral procession was held for the former secretary general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, George Habbash. The funeral procession began from the Jordan Hospital in central Amman to the Headquarters of the Roman Orthodox Church in the Swayfiya area in southeastern Amman so that prayers could be made over his body before being buried in the Sahhab cemetery. During a 1991 interview with our colleague Saad Asilawi and before leaving his leadership post in the popular front, Habbash warned of an internal Palestinian division, which is currently taking place.

Reporter, MALE #1:
The founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Dr. George Habbash was nicknamed Al Hakeem (The healer) in reference to his profession as a medical doctor. However, according to his admirers, his years of struggle and his vision of the future of the Palestinian plight made him not only wise in the medical profession, but also in politics and before that, in the national struggle. In 1991, I met with George Habbash. At the time, he was the strongest opponent to the Arab-Israeli Peace conference in Madrid.

Guest, MALE #2: Habbash
Who would allow his plight to be settled amidst the worst balance of power? Thus, we consider what is being proposed is not a settlement of the Palestinian plight. Rather, it is an elimination of the Palestinian plight.

Reporter, MALE #1:
The problem of settlement construction, which has continued until today was the main source of Habbash’s opposition to negotiations between the Palestinian leadership and the Israelis.

Guest, MALE #2: Habbash
It saddens and hurts me to say that we began negotiations while settlements continue.

Reporter, MALE #1:
16 years ago, Habbash warned about the Palestinian division, which is present today.
It was a source of fear for George Habbash.

Guest, MALE #2: Habbash
I am afraid of the danger, which threatens our plight. I am afraid of the division that the Palestinian public may have to live through.

Reporter, MALE #1:
This is Al Hakeem (The Healer), who passed away without knowing the taste of victory throughout the 60 years of his struggle against the Israeli occupation. However, he was realistic and he criticized some leaders for transforming defeats into victories.

Guest, MALE #2: Habbash
Some leaders celebrate their defeats. I understand that people say that this situation is difficult and tough. We are forced to do this and that, etc. etc. But to celebrate our defeats?

Reporter, MALE #1:
Life for George Habbash was difficult towards the end for two reasons. First, he witnessed the collapse of the Palestinians, bloodshed and fighting, which were not caused by the enemy, which expelled them for a long time; rather these were caused by their Palestinian brothers in blood and struggle in Palestine. Second, his illness, which forced him to retire and withdraw from politics since 2000. Saad Asilawi. Al Arabiya. Amman.

Posted soon

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
Unlike most countries in the world, the political life in Yemen is contained within the fabric of Tribal norms, and not the reverse. So, when Parliament speaker Abdullah Bin Hussein al Ahmar, known as ‘the man of moderation,’ died 4 weeks ago, it caused a big shock. However, it was not difficult to replace him, as he belonged to the largest tribe in Yemen, the Hashid tribe, and also left a will identifying his successor. His son, al sheikh Sadeq, was to take his father’s role as Parliament speaker, even though he was not a Parliament member. Abdul Rahman Shumeili reports from Sanaa.

Reporter, MALE, #1
The deceased Parliament speaker, Al sheikh Abdullah Bin Hussein al Ahmar, was considered o e the man of moderation in Yemen. His oldest son and heir as Hashid tribe leader, will take his father’s role supported by his tribe’s large influence are the country.

Guest, MALE, #2
The election and appointment of al Sheikh Sadeq al Ahmer to replace his father serves to help the government, there’s no doubt about it. This is because the Hashid tribe is the base (camp) of the United Republic of Yemen, and a leader in dedicating its life t the unity of the country.

Reporter, MALE, #1
This enormous rally celebrating the appointment of sheikh Sadeq, is a direct response to the questions raised about the ability of the Hashid Tribe to maintain its influential role in Yemen, after the passing of sheikh Abdullah. The sheikh’s exceptional personality, in addition to the events witnessed by the country, have provided the ideal conditions for Hashid tribe to play an influential role.

Guest, MALE, #3
The conditions during the time of sheikh Abdullah, as well as his personal abilities, make it impossible to discuss the tribe’s ability of maintaining the same large influence it had, both in relation to the society and the ruling authority.

Reporter, MALE, #1
Although Yemen became a republic 45 years ago, tribes continue to play a major role in defining the political and social face of the country. Abdul Rahman Al SHameeri, Dubai TV, Sanaa.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
In Cairo, the cultural exhibit, representing the United Arab Emirates at the 40th annual Cairo International Book Fair, has noticeably attracted a large number of visitors and patrons. This news comes after the Cairo International Book Fair designated the UAE as its guest of honor.

REPORTER, MALE #2
The events underway at the Cairo International Book Fair took place amidst exceptional circumstances. This comes after the Cairo Book Fair designated the United Arab Emirates as its guest of honor. This is the third time the Cairo book fair nominates a country as a guest of honor.
In two previous gatherings, the Cairo Book Fair designated Germany and Italy as the guests of honor. Today, the UAE has put-on an exceptional show, making it seem as it were the first time a country was honored in the Cairo Book Fair.

GUEST, MALE #3
The UAE is the first Arab country to be designated as the guest of honor at the Cairo Book Fair. Today, the UAE made history.

REPORTER, MALE #2
This was indeed a cultural performance extending deep to the root of a historical relationship between Egypt and the UAE. The distinguished participation by the UAE at the Cairo Book Fair comes in the context of this historical relationship. The UAE delegation came to Cairo in an attempt to add a special cultural flavor to this book event, which today marks its 40th anniversary. The UAE also came to present to the world its cultural achievements and progress.

GUEST, MALE #4
Culture is not limited to the scope of a book, a portrait, or a lecture. It’s actually a way of life, and it’s part of history. While some think that the UAE’s cultural experience was coincidental, I think it goes back in history. The antiquity found in the UAE indicates the historical depth of the emirates’ civilization.

REPORTER, MALE #2
The UAE wanted to display its cultural experience at its best. The UAE delegation included a large number of intellectuals, scholars, and thinkers, who presented literature on their country’s history, including its past, present and future, as well as the role it played in shaping the world.

GUEST, MALE #5
The participation of the Abu Dhabi Police Department, Central Command, as part of the UAE delegation, which was designated as the guest of honor at the Cairo Book Fair, comes in the context of our responsibility toward attending these types of distinguished cultural events. With this book fair, we are trying to share the experience and the progress made by the Abu Dhabi Police Department, during the past 50 years.With this, we want to exchange our experience and knowledge with prominent police departments taking part in this book fair. We also want to share the many advanced methods used by the Abu Dhabi Police Department in dealing with the various social and security issues.

GUEST, MALE #6
With this book fair, we are trying to focus by and large on an initiative we call “write.” This initiative, which addresses the Arab youth, aims at embracing those Arab writers, thinkers, who are ambitious enough to excel in the field of literature and publication.

REPORTER, MALE #2
The heavy representation of the UAE at the Cairo International Book Fair is in itself a message being conveyed by the people of the Emirates. Through this message, the UAE is trying to explain the nature and scope of their cultural developments in a way that is compatible with the old saying:” keep an eye opened for the future while keeping an eye and an ambitious hand on the present.” Hani Imaara, Abu Dhabi Channel, Cairo.