[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 07/25/08: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, FEMALE, # 1
An Al Jazeera correspondent in Beirut said that sporadic gun fire clashes have taken place in the area between Bab el-Tabaneh and Jabal Mohsen. Tripoli’s Mufti, Shiekh Malaik Al Saha’ar announced that a ceasefire agreement was reached there.

Presenter, MALE, # 1
These clashes killed two people and injured more than 10 others.

Reporter, FEMALE, # 1
The Lebanese city of Tripoli in Northern Lebanon had a few days of notable calm only to be followed by tension and clashes which have become a source of concern to its residents. The latest ceasefire agreement which was reached in the middle of last month did not last long. The two contesting sides (Sunnis and Shiites) returned to the language of weapons last night. Clashes erupted between the Sunni dominated Bab el-Tabaneh and Shiite dominated Jabal Mohsen, during which rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire was exchanged. As usual, the clashes injured a number of people including civilians who happen to be in the area. The clashes also left material damages and caused fires at some of the properties. The civilians were forced to leave their homes since their homes were caught in the crossfire during the clashes. The Lebanese army moved on the ground to give additional support to its units that were deployed in the two areas in order to end the clashes. Meanwhile, mediation efforts to establish calm are ongoing. Until today, the events on the ground have shown that all the ceasefire agreements between Bab el-Tabaneh and Jabal Mohsen are weak and can collapse at any time. The recent events that stormed Lebanon triggered these clashes last May in these two areas where the demography of the population and their political orientation are at odds.
Presenter, Woman # 1
Joining us from the Lebanese city in Northern Lebanon, Salam Khader. Salam how are thing going now? Has the ceasefire agreement taken effect on the ground?

Reporter, FEMALE, # 1
We can’t say that the ceasefire agreement is being implemented in a comprehensive manner. We still hear the sound of sporadic machine guns and light weapons. The ceasefire has not come into effect in a complete and final way. This comes despite the fact that Tripoli’s Mufti, Shiekk Malak Al Sha’ar had told us that the ceasefire that was reached between Bab el-Tabaneh and Jabal Mohsen would take effect at 1:00 PM, two hours ago. However the intensity of the clashes has dramatically decreased. We are no longer talking about clashes; we are talking about sporadic gunfire. So far two people were killed and more than 10 others were injured. Some of the victims were injured as they were passing by. Of course the mediations are still ongoing. The Mufti of Tripoli is tying to mediate between the leaders in Bab el-Tabaneh and Jabal Mohsen to prevent the return of clashes and establish calm.

Presenter, FEMALE, # 1
Libya sets a historic precedent by demanding compensation from Italy for damages sustained by the country during the colonial era. This opens the door for other countries in the South to also demand compensation from colonial powers. The Libyan leader’s oldest; Saif Al Islam gave a speech yesterday in Tripoli which was broadcast live on Libyan Television. Saif Al Islam said that an agreement in this regard with Italy will be signed within weeks. He said that compensation which will be in the billions will be spent on several projects including the construction of a highway running through Libya and other educational projects, in addition to projects to clear out the land mines that were planted during the colonial era.

Guest, MALE, # 1 (Saif Al Islam)
Of course we are talking about large amounts of money estimated in the billions. This money will be used for education; hundreds of educational grants will be given out. Also, the money will be used for the construction of a coastal road linking the Tunisian-Libyan border to the Egyptian-Libyan border in addition to clearing land mines. Truly, this is a historical project. Even our brothers in Algeria said: Please hurry up with this project because this will set a new precedent for the countries in the south. These countries must receive an apology and compensation.
Presenter, FEMALE, # 2
Siaf Al Islam Al Qaddafi also demanded the US for compensations. He said that his country will not resolve the outstanding issues with Washington and demanded that the US compensate the Libyan victims of the American air raids that were launched on Tripoli and Bin Ghazi in 1986. At the time, these raids killed 41 civilians including one of Al Qadafi’s daughters and injured 220 others.

Presenter, MALE, #1
According to the US State Department, there were no plans to schedule a meeting between a Syrian Academic delegation visiting the United States, and the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, David Welch. The head of the Syrian delegation, Riad Daoudi, pulled out from the visit to Washington at the last minute, due to a scheduled meeting in Damascus with a Turkish representative, according to the official story. One of the delegation members had also announced a scheduled meeting with some members of the US congress. The visit by the Syrian delegation to the United States was hosted by an international governmental organization, based in Washington and Brussels. The reason for the visit was to attend a seminar organized by the Brookings Institute, about including Syria in new international negotiations. Daoudi is the highest level Syrian negotiator in the indirect talks with Israel, under Turkish Mediation.

Presenter, MALE, #1
To comment on this topic, we are joined from Damascus by Dr. Ibrahim al-Darraji, professor of international law. Welcome and thank you for joining us. It was said that the Syrian delegation asked to meet members of AIPAC. We’d like to get more information about this. Could it be true?

Guest, MALE, #2
No, definitely not. This is an unofficial delegation. Yesterday, Dr Samir Tiqi, the head of the delegation, talked very clearly about this. He said that there was no request for such a meeting. And when he was asked about the confusion around this topic, he was very clear. He said that perhaps the organizers of the visit were thinking about such a meeting in the initial planning phase. But the Syrian delegation’s position, since before coming to the US, was clear about its complete rejection of conducting such a meeting. Therefore there was no confusion and there was no date set for such a meeting.

Presenter, MALE, #1
How about the meeting with US officials?

Guest, MALE, #2
Yesterday I was on a US station, and the spokeswoman for the US State Department clearly stated that the State Department was expecting that a meeting might be possible with the Assistant Secretary. But due to conflicts in scheduling, these meetings were cancelled. But this was not based on a request by the Syrian delegation. Also, the visits made by academic delegations are coordinated with the host organization, which schedules meetings and creates a work schedule. Therefore, there was no request made by Syria, and no US rejection or acceptance. The Americans said that there was a conflict of schedules, this is their opinion, whether it is true or not.

Presenter, MALE, #1
Although we know Americans as being more detail oriented.

Guest, MALE, #2
This is what they said!

Presenter, MALE, #1
Many high level international agreements began with academic initiatives. Also, when the relations began improving between countries, it is not usually the officials that are concerned in the beginning. Of course they would be supported politically, but they come as academic initiatives. Does the Syrian topic take that approach this time, with the USA or Israel?

Guest, MALE, #2
First of all, in regards to Israel, we do not need academic meetings, because there are indirect relations taking place visibly and clearly.

Presenter, MALE, #1
But such initiatives had paved the way for these negotiations, right? There were initiatives!

Guest, MALE, #2
There was nothing academic. The media outlets said many things about this, but Syria clearly stated that there was nothing taking place. This is especially the case as Syria called on resuming the peace process in public, so it did not have to do anything in secret. This is in regards to the Israeli side; this topic was greatly discussed in the media outlets, but the Syrian story is clear. In regards to the US side, again, so that we do not exaggerate or underestimate this visit: This visit is within the framework of various academic meetings that have taken place even in past years. Academic delegations had come to Syria, and met with Syrian officials and leaders. This falls within the same framework. It is important to realize that it was the USA which took the decision to cut ties with Syria. So maybe the issue should simply be regarded from its pure academic angle, since there are no official meetings within it.

Presenter, MALE, #1
So this visit and these meetings, let’s talk about them away from the political jargon: In regards to international relations, this visit means that the relations between Damascus and Washington are starting to take the right path, if we can use that term, correct?

Guest, MALE, #2
We want this, since warming the US-Syrian relations would serve the principles and interests of Syria. There was no phase in which Syria wanted to have hostility with the USA, on the condition that the USA understands the principles, the rights, and interests of Syrian policy. Some people might think that this visit is within that framework, maybe it is an indirect US message to Syria, to show that it is somehow opening to Syrian policy. But from an official Syrian standpoint, and I say: officially, Syria is not giving this visit more weight than it’s due. Syria says: if there is a desire by the USA to reopen relations, then the path is clear, which is through direct and official calls between the Embassies. There is a Syrian Embassy in Washington, and the Americans know its address and its Ambassador directly. I do not personally think that the Americans want to transmit this message, which is proved by this tension in regards to setting a meeting date and then cancelling it. Syria was not the one who asked for these meetings, and the Americans withdrew this prospect, so we cannot give this issue more than its content. This does not mean that Syria is drawing an example from this visit, but this is the truth of the situation.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
The predominant Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Nimr Baqer al-Nimr, warned of clashes erupting between the Shiite Muslims and the authorities in the country if the shiite’s demands are unheeded. He said it was their right to benefit from the help of any external power, including Iran. This call by the Shiite Saudi Cleric was not heard in the royal palaces, because the palace owners were busy opening up to the world’s religions in Spain. However, their priority should have been to create religious tolerance inside the country, and include the religions in the country itself. This includes giving the Saudi Shiites their rights, because Iran is the second option they are being pushed towards. The Shiites in the Kingdom are not few; their numbers equal the total population of Lebanon. But, they are deprived of their rights, and cannot hold prominent positions. In the North of the capital, they are closer to the Saudi Kings and Princesses than those in Madrid. Libya stopped supplying Switzerland with oil, and prohibited the issuing of entry visas to Swiss nationals. This was in protest against detaining the son of al-Qathafi.

Reporter, MALE, #1
Last week, Hani Ba’l, the son of the Libyan President Muammar Al-Qathafi, was detained in Switzerland for two days. Hani and his wife were charged with mistreating their two servants. Hundreds of Libyan demonstrators gathered outside the Swiss Embassy calling on Geneva to apologize for detaining al-Qathafi.

Guest, MALE, #2
Harming him or one of his sons is a red line whose crossing is death. We warn and we threaten: Make a formal apology, or you will be subjected to severe procedures against you, your interests, and relations with the Great Republic.

Reporter, MALE, #1
The Swiss Foreign Ministry sent an envoy to Libya to stop a crisis from occurring between the two countries. This came after threats were made about cutting relations with Switzerland on all levels. This led the Swiss Ambassador to explain.

Guest, MALE, #2
There was absolutely no intention in this sensitive matter to hurt the feelings of the Libyan people or the Leader’s family. I want to emphasize this. I have been following this case in my Embassy since it began, to the extent that none of the people working there could sleep, they followed the case nonstop to stop the situation from getting worse.

Reporter, MALE, #1
Libya had suspended the granting of entry visa to Swiss citizens to Tripoli since the incident occurred on July 15th of this year.

The former U.S. National Security Council Advisor has told Al Jazeera that the Bush administration looked the other way while Afghan drug lords went about their business in the early days of the post-Taliban government. There have been many claims that Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai is blocking efforts to tackle the country’s drug problem. Afghanistan’s unresolved dilemma, poppy seed cultivation, is a business worth billions of dollars, and one that supplies 90% of the world’s illegal opium. The Karzai government is allegedly implicating the opium trade at its highest level. U.S. administration decided to ignore this overarching reality, which many argue has cost Afghanistan a battle with drug addiction and poverty.

Presenter, Woman # 1
The Moroccan capital of Rebat has many historic sights that date back to different historic eras. These historic sights have the thumbprint of the Moors or the ancient people of Morocco, the Roman Empire and the Islamic era. Rebat was the political capital for many Muslim kings from Morocco.

Reporter, Man # 1
The historic sight of Shila is the first nucleus of Rebat. Diggings have uncovered the remains of Sad which was inhabited by the Moors or the ancient people of Morocco between the 2nd century BC to the first century AD. Also the sight has remains from Sala which was built by the Romans who settled there until 4TH century AD.

Guest, Man # 2
The Roman city of Sala was built on the rubble of the Moorish city of Sad. The diggings uncovered a public neighborhood which has many buildings including, Al Azalaa, a palace, and an official Temple.

Reporter, Man # 1
The Islamic Expansions reached Rebat in the 7TH century AD. The city was subjected to constant attacks by the Amazigh tribes from the south. This pushed Sultan Ben Tashafien to build the first military castle on the coastal area near the Atlantic Ocean in the 12TH century AD. On the rubble of this castle, Sultan Abdel Mumen Muwahdi built the city of Mahdiyah, or what is known as Qasabat Al Widaya which was a strong defense against external attacks.

Guest, Man # 3
After the Burghwata was defeated in the era of Abul Mumen, and the tribes of Burghwata were eliminated, the city of Al Mahdiya or Qasabat Al Widaya became a place where the Mujahedeen gathered to fight the Christian expansion from Spain which at the time was viewed as an external threat.

Reporter, Man # 1
Starting from Qasabat Al Widaya, a two kilometer wall was built to fortify the city. The wall has five huge gates including La’lua, Al Had, and Al Ruwah Gates. By the end of the 12th century AD, the Mosque of Hassan was built. Nothing is left from that Mosque but its minaret which is similar to the minaret of the Kherelda Mosque in Ashbiliya. Its size is an indication of how large this Islamic building was. In the 14th century, the Moors built a mosque and a school in Shilah. Also the kings and important figures from Bani Marine were buried there. The people of Rebate are Arabs and Moors who came from Spain. Most of them live in the old city which still has historic buildings. The main source of income for these residents is traditional art and crafts. Nur Al Dean Bu jara, Al Alam , Al Rebat.

There are similarities between Senator Barack Obama's visits to Jordan and Germany: Mr. Obama has chosen historic backgrounds for his outdoor appearances.

In Germany, Mr. Obama spoke to an adoring crowd just a few feet away from where the Berlin Wall once stood. In Jordan, the Senator held his first public event near the Temple of Hercules, part of the Citadel complex on a hill overlooking Amman, the capital. The audience however, consisted of an army of reporters, most of whom had travelled with the Senator from the U.S. with few local ones amongst them. A small gathering of onlookers was kept at bay by the Jordanian security forces. Obama-mania was not present!

According to a recent survey from the Pew Research Center, only 22 percent of Jordanians who are following the U.S. presidential election have confidence in the Senator from Illinois. Many Arabs believe that U.S. foreign policy will not change for the better with a new president, according to the same report. The reason, in my opinion, is because most Arabs do not see the U.S. as an honest broker in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

During the early months of the presidential primaries, there was an immense amount of enthusiasm for Obama's candidacy in the Arab world and press, but during my recent travels to the Middle East, I found that although Obama fares much better than his rival John McCain, this early enthusiasm has been replaced by skepticism.

The skepticism began by the Senator's statements on the status of Jerusalem in front of a Jewish American audience at AIPAC's annual conference. His recent visit to Israel and the West Bank only exacerbated this, and was viewed by many as one sided. Senator Obama spent most of his time during this stop reaffirming his commitment to Israel and performing rituals expected by all dignitaries when visiting the country. In his brief visit to the West Bank city of Ramallah, Obama expressed strong support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state, something Palestinians have heard endlessly for the past several years. If elected, he said he will work from the first day in the White House to find a solution to the Palestinian issue...OK, that's new!
The stark imbalance was seen in Obama's indifference to the Palestinian suffering under Israeli occupation. For example, there is nothing wrong with Obama's visit to the town of Sderot where its residents are subjected to Hamas' Qassam rocket barrages, but Obama could have made a stop at the Palestinian town of Qalqilya, and witnessed firsthand an entire population living in fear like caged animals behind Israel's separation wall...but he didn't.

Last night, I watched Obama making his speech in Berlin where the infamous wall once stood, "the walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes, natives and immigrants, Christians and Muslims and Jews cannot stand," he said. I imagined him delivering the same speech with the separation wall Israel has created in the Jerusalem suburb of Abu Dis, in the background...but it was only a fleeting fantasy.