[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 06/23/08: World News From The Middle East

[Summary]

Fighting has continued for the second consecutive day between supporters of the government and the opposition in Northern Lebanon. At least nine people have been killed and 49 injured in the city of Tripoli.

Presenter, Woman # 1
The issue of the Sheba’a farms is still contested, but latest events indicate that they might be liberated and placed under a UN mandate. What is the story behind these farms and will they be the last chapter of the Israeli occupation in Lebanon. Zarien Al Helweh provided us with the following report.

Reporter, Woman # 2
The issue of the Sheba’a farms took central stage both at the local and international levels. Dynamic events pertaining to this issue have been taking place in the past few days. Citizens are wondering which path should be taken to resolve this issue. Will putting the Sheba’a farms under the mandate of the UN, end the big conflict about its identity? Who will benefit and who will lose? And which country will have sovereignty over the Sheba’a farms.

Guest, Man # 1 (Analyst)
The farms will not be under the mandate of the UN unless there is an agreement with the Lebanese government. This will be a temporary stage. Instead of creating problems and a war with the Israelis which may still not help us get the farms back, let us go on with the first stage. Let us get the Israelis out of these farms and I don’t think this will be easy. If they leave, they will have many conditions, most importantly conditions pertaining to water. Israel does not want to touch the water, because if anyone touches the water this means that Israel’s existence is threatened. Each side will look after their own interests, Hezbollah wants to look after its interests, Israel wants to look after its interests; and Syria will do the same. Today, the news headline in Al Sharq Awsat newspaper read, “they will resolve the Israeli problem with Sheba’a, but in exchange for what.” The Syrians want to solve the problem of the Shebaa farms on our backs. They took it from us and now they want to resolve the issue on our back. Even if the Sheba’a farms and all the other farms along the borders are liberated, Hezbollah will still want to resist the Israelis. The final objective of Hezbollah is not to liberate the Sheba’a farms and the Lebanese borders. Hezbollah’s objective is religious in nature, Jihad for God sake, which means the liberation of Jerusalem.

Reporter, Woman # 2
The Sheba’a farms are the biggest problem since the liberation of south Lebanon. It is one of the most important and strategic problems in the region. The map of great Lebanon which was established in 1920, shows that the farms were Lebanese, but it was later added to Syrian Maps.

Guest, Man # 1 (Analyst)
The Syrians want to reach an agreement with Israel using Lebanon. This is the objective. The agreement means that one country is governed by one or two countries. In the past the Israelis and the Syrians controlled Lebanon. Each one from one side.

Reporter, Woman # 2
While waiting for a solution to the Sheba’a farms, the question remains: can one say that liberating the Sheba’a farms will end the Israeli occupation from the perspective of Lebanon?

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
Jerusalem is destined to become the capital of two states: Israel and Palestine. As for settlements, checkpoints, and the Gaza siege, they obstruct peace. This is some of what French President Nicolas Sakozy said during his visit to the occupied Palestinian territories, which started yesterday. Sarkozy was a guest at the Israeli Knneset, where he talked about peace intensively. He did not however, neglect his initiative to establish the “Mediterranean Union Conference” with Israel’s participation. Reporting from occupied Jerusalem Is Shuruq Assad.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is in Israel, on a trip that strengthens the French-Israeli connection after many years of tense relations in the era of former French President, Chirac. Sarkozy visited the Israeli memorial of the so called Jewish Holocaust. The trip was crowned by his speech to the Israeli Knesset.

Guest, MALE, #1 (Sarkozy)
“There can be no peace without stopping settlements. There is a proposal backed by many members of your Knesset for the adoption of a law that would encourage settlers to leave the West Bank in exchange for compensation.”

Guest, MALE, #2 (Olmert)
Israel is honored by your visit. You are a sincere friend and supporter, committed to the protection and safety of Israel. Your visit to Israel on the 60th anniversary of its establishment has great implications. Also, your visit to the Holocaust memorial and its impact, as well as your political positions, particularly against Iran.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
All topics were discussed during Sarkozy’s meetings with Israeli officials: Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and the Palestinians. The most prominent however, was what the French President aims to launch on the 13th of next month, the Mediterranean Union Conference. Sarkozy hopes to gather European countries, Arab countries, and Israel. According to many people here, this is an indirect attempt to normalize relations with Israel.

Guest, MALE, #3
Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine are all Mediterranean countries with occupied territories. Why do the Arabs have to agree to sit with Israel and normalize relations in unions like this one, while Palestinian land is still under occupation? Especially since there is an Arab initiative asking Israel for peace and the return of land in exchange for complete normalization of relations.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
The main aims of Sarkozy’s visit were to promote the Mediterranean Union Conference and for France, under Sarkozy, to become an influential player in the region, those were. This explains why he talked intensively about dialogue and peace, criticizing Israeli settlement activity, the siege, and the checkpoints, according to Palestinian newspapers. Sarkozy’s remarks about settlements and other issues were aimed at pleasing the Palestinians and Arabs, according to most local observers. Especially when these remarks are juxtaposed to the obvious French support of Israel, particularly since Sarkozy became the President of France. Shuruq Assad, Dubai TV, occupied Jerusalem.

PRESENTER, FEMALE #1
A senior Al Qaeda leader, Abu Yahya Al-Libi, described the UN-sponsored peace accord signed between the Somali government and some opposition leaders as “useless.” Al-Libi called on Islamic armed groups in Somalia to continue the fighting and not to accept anything less than an independent Islamic state; an Islamic state that doesn’t recognize international legitimacy and common laws and that doesn’t evolve in the western or eastern spheres of influence.


GUEST, MALE #1, Al-Libi
These types of agreements, which the media is trying to portray as attractive and as the country’s exit from what have been referred to as crisis and civil wars, are deceiving. They are part of a large conspiracy and a hidden international plot hatched by the enemies of Islam…. a conspiracy that each reasonable Jihadist must be aware of. Through this conspiracy, the enemies of Islam are trying to expand their control over the land and absorb the anger of the oppressed and subjugated nations of the Muslim world. It’s also a way to eradicate Jihad and Mujahedeen in all the hot spot areas, including beloved Somalia.

PRESENTER, MALE #1
Commenting on the latest developments regarding Tehran’s nuclear program and its recent talks with the group of “5 plus one”, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Mohammed Ali Husseini, said that his country is studying thoroughly the international incentives offer and will announce its position at the appropriate time, and added that they shouldn’t miss this opportunity.

GUEST, MALE #3
Iran and the group of”5 plus 1” nations are currently studying the proposals offered by both sides. There is common ground between Iran and the international powers, and this common ground will help with the start of the negotiations; and we shouldn’t lose this opportunity. We are currently studying thoroughly the international incentives offer and we will announce our position at the appropriate time. Among the proposals Solana offered verbally to us one is not to increase the number of centrifuge systems in exchange for not raising the ceiling of sanctions imposed on Iran.

PRESENTER, MALE #2
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources in Brussels have expected that the European Union will move during the next few hours to impose new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program; the sanctions are expected to target Iran’s banking institutions, in particular.

Presenter, FEMALE #1:
Palestinian citizens in Gaza expressed their dissatisfaction due to the lack of basic necessities for their daily lives after the cooling off period between Hamas and Israel. They expressed their hope that the commercial border crossing will open to allow for basic food goods to enter.
Hanan Al Masri, from Gaza.

Reporter, FEMALE #2:
Five days have passed since the start of the cooling off period between Hamas and Israel. Israel expressed its relief if the Palestinian side can commit to it without any violations. However, the morale of public citizens here has been destroyed by Israel’s lack of commitment to its pledge regarding the clause on commercial crossings. They described the amount of goods that came in as small. Moreover, with regards to the kinds of goods that have entered, they said that most had already been available; particularly basic food necessities and some medical supplies. According to sources, about 60 trucks used to enter almost daily before the cooling off period. This number has increased to 80, which is less than what was agreed upon. However, there are some citizens who believe that waiting carries with it hope for relief.

Guest, MALE #1:
It is clear that there is no difference in the amount of food goods that have entered Gaza. I think that Israel will use this as a weapon to pressure the resistance movements in the Gaza Strip.

Guest, FEMALE #3:
The cooling off period has only been for a couple of days. I don’t think we can make any judgments after two days. We need to wait a little.

Reporter, FEMALE #2:
Meanwhile, fuel continues to be contained by the suffocating boycott. Until now, there has been no breakthrough in the amounts of fuel that Israel had pledged to increase.

Guest, MALE #2:
Fuel, until now, is the same. We are suffering from the same problem as before.

Guest, MALE #3:
Currently, on the ground, no solution has emerged.Goods have not been allowed to enter in a normal way. With regards to gasoline and diesel fuel, it is entering a little. The region has not yet gotten enough.

Guest, FEMALE #4:
Just small amounts have entered. We haven’t felt like anything new has happened. God willing, we are expecting a cooling off and that a lot of other things will help the region.

Reporter, FEMALE #2:
Israel is monitoring and it will decide whether to alleviate or make life difficult for the residents here, who can do nothing but wait. According to Palestinians, only five days out of ten have passed; and the Gaza commercial border crossing will return to what it was a year ago. Hanan Al Masri. Al Arabiya. Gaza.

Presenter, FEMALE #1:
For the fourth consecutive day, the Iraqi security forces continued to implement the military combing operation dubbed “Promise of Peace.” According to official pronouncements, the operation aims at making the Amara province, south of Baghdad, weapons free. The Iraqi government is working to impose its control of the province.

Reporter, FEMALE #2:
The “Promise of Peace” operation began without firing one shot. According to a strategic plan, the operation aims to combat the militias in the Amara province in southern Iraq and make it a disarmed city. This plan involves arresting people, who are suspected of belonging to armed groups, including citizens and government officials.

Guest, MALE #1:
There are many local officials, whether in the local government or the security agency, who have outstanding warrants for their arrest. However, we are waiting for the courts to renew these charges and decide whether they still apply or not.

Reporter, FEMALE #2:
During the operation, which no one knows when it will end, dozens of suspects were arrested and light, middle weight and heavy weapons were confiscated as well as missiles ready for detonation. The cooperation by the residents played a large part in helping to arrest them.

Guest, MALE, #2
All elements of the operations, preparations, and results are proceeding very well. This is due to the cooperation between the military sectors, and their collective cooperation with the people of Mayssan. All this positively influenced the excellent results. There is a general sense of relief amongst the citizens of Maysaan as well as the security groups, and the government sectors. There have been no breaches.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
The success of the operations in Amara, which is 360 Kilometers away from Baghdad, paves the way for new military campaigns. This is part of a plan aimed at combing one area after the next; which officials see as essential steps in the success of the upcoming elections. It seems that Iraq is going through various operations, one is military, and the other is political. And between the two, observers hope that operations aimed at reform will continue. These operations are expected to be birthed with complete ease, especially if things remain as they are, without any sudden abortions. For Akl Madar TV, Thuha Al Haddad, Abu Dhabi TV, from the Amar province, Southern Iraq.

[Summary]

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appeared on live television to discuss national economic developments.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
The 4th Petra Conference for Nobel Prize Laureates has ended. The participants stressed the importance of supporting scientific research projects and young peoples’ involvement in facing regional challenges. The conference was crowned with the launch of “The Middle East Fund for Scientific Research.” The fund aims at encouraging scientific efforts around renewable energy, water resources and irrigation, environmental issues, and technology. More in the following report.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
Petra was one of the Arab States during the Roman Empire, it was a center for thought and a meeting point between the East and the West. Hundreds of years later, Petra has once again emerged to complete its international message, by embracing the world leaders and Nobel Prize laureates. Petra’s message was clear: the world cannot build a safe future on a splintered foundation.

Guest, MALE, #1 (King Hussein)

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
The participants agreed that the shock waves resulting from the absence of peace and security spread out across vast distances. The aftershock of disasters, economic crises, hunger, and violence, are always on the rise, warning of uncontrollable human catastrophes. Working towards developing a fast and effective global approach to deal with this danger is needed. This was the spirit of the Petra Conference.

Guest, FEMALE, #3
I really wish that we can begin to learn from international figures and Nobel Prize Laureates; and establish organizations in our own nation. We should not always strive towards development by going to their countries. I wish that we could establish centers here, where they could participate with us as we solve our problems, and develop our young people, in our nation, based on our own unique needs.

Guest, MALE, #2
These problems are too serious and one solution is not enough. So, we stressed the importance of education, scientific cooperation, and information exchange as a way to deal with these issues.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
The youth, who are the fastest growing population in the world, left a clear mark on the conference agenda. They are, like his Royal Highness King Abdullah the second said, the future and the source of innovation.

Guest, FEMALE, #4
As a Palestinian, this conference made it possible for me to express my voice, which is not heard by the international community. This was a great platform for me to communicate the Palestinian reality and tell the world about the reality of young people of Palestine, and to correct the misconceptions about the Palestinian people.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
The launch of ‘The Middle East Fund for Scientific Research’, exceeded expectations, promising to be an umbrella for scientific research.

Guest, MALE, #3
I think that this conference was characterized by the culture of all its participants. I was very encouraged by the young girls who were commenting and asking questions. I hope that their generation will be better than ours.

Guest, MALE, #4
This time, I do feel that things have gotten better. I think that if we want to have peace, it is important for people to understand each others’ cultures and traditions. Respecting these different cultures and heritages is the foundation for peace.

Reporter, FEMALE, #2
The heroes of the Petra conference discussed several important issues, including bridging the divide between the economies of developing and developed countries, the food and energy crises, progress in medicine and technology, culture and the arts, economic development, and the media as a force of change…They departed, leaving behind many questions. Has the world become less dangerous? Have these elite thinkers succeeded in offering tangible solutions to threats to humanity? Even if the answer is no, one thing is for certain, the Petra conference came to blow the horn of danger to the world, and to remind decision makers that the time is passing by quickly, and they have to acknowledge the danger of the situation before it is too late.
Iman al ‘Oukour, Jordan TV, Petra.