July-War Secrets: Exposed by Nabih Berri and Retold by Ali Hassan Khalil (3)

Nasrallah to Berri: People's Conditions Hurt Me, but They Will Understand

Solana and Larson: Setting "Israelis" free, Fire Cease, then Negotiations with Government on Lebanese Captives

Solana: Solution Starts when Hizbullah Retreats to North

Larsen: "Israelis" Ready for War Only

Berri: UN Is Partner in War...

On the 5th day of the Aggression (July 16, 2006), no real mediations or international will to stop the bombardment appeared, whereby the whole thing that happened was the arrival of international delegations that had no solution plans; instead, they had frank warnings that the game rules are to change direction, which were based upon a sense of excess "Israeli" bloodshed; that is, they thought this could change the power balances in a manner that allowed to impose conditions creating a new political actuality.

Reminiscence might err and forget as we burden it with details; yet, it's known as loyal when pain strikes the body... And here is this reminiscence, exposing its own letters, so how about when someone reads it better?

In the reminiscence exist unforgettable letters which support their friend in hard times, whereby these letters fully supported their clear friend and ally in the July War, whose days and hours are carved in mind.

Painful are those days and hours, and the most aching pain is the harshest test ever for His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's relation with His Excellency Nabih Berri; the relation translated by facts and letters exchange; whereby one of the letters reads, "Our decision, brother Nabih, is to go on together." And the response of the smart MP (as his Arabic name indicates) is, "We're together, and nothing will separate us."

Black had commenced masking the southern villages, for their children were rising to Heaven. In the meantime, major politicians and delegates were making "revelations" to us for the sake of tyrants, thieves, or coward parties.

And all of us would denounce the sides of this cruel world that would meet with each other but not convict any massacre perpetrator or get touched by an infant who was martyred as his/her lips held tight to his/her pacifier. Instead, they would only be occupied with the "Israeli" interest and security insurance. But the hardest scene is that of partners who have become the allies of this cruel world against us.

Those moments laid the foundations for the rigidity of the stance, and we began a different kind of battle, the skills of which were mastered by an MP who enjoyed penetrating the maneuvers of ambassadors and political messengers and frustrating their political skills.

The South's tobacco burned, and Beirut Southern Suburb made its first scream upon demolition... Strangers and fellow sides together orchestrated a perfectly coordinated symphony...

Referring to the July Reminiscence, we recall the whole stages of partnership between the allies as MP Nabih Berri won political confidence as regards running the political battle: a confidence won without a parliament or constitutional committee, for more voices shall declare allegiance as the third episode shines.

The delegations reaching Lebanon accorded with the resolutions of the Group of Eight (G8), which was held in Petersburg. Also, the delegations perfectly adopted the "Israeli" stance regarding the refusal of fire cease before freeing both "Israeli" soldiers, disarming Hizbullah, and requesting that the United Nations Security Council send a delegation for surveillance and security to the South. Coinciding was a complete absence of Arabs' role; their forsaking of the Resistance reached the extent of conspiracy.

These stances, in fact, allowed the "Israeli" government to announce the intensification of attacks and the threat of a further escalation. Nevertheless, the Resistance carried out a wide counteraction equaling the escalation, whereby the Resistance's missiles targeted the cities of southern Haifa and were dropped close to An-Nasira (Nazareth).

MP Berri went to office with a bad mood as he was stunned by the details of the Marwahin Massacre and the systematic demolition of Beirut Southern Suburb. There, he met the UN Secretary General's Representative for Lebanon Geir Pederson, who had come to prepare for the visit of the UN Security Council's delegation in the afternoon. MP Berri spoke first, denouncing the UN's role in covering up crimes and pointing out that the UN Emergency Forces (UNEF) refused to receive the citizens that resorted to its Headquarters after "Israel" had warned the Forces from an incident similar to what happened in Qana in 1996, when "Israel" bombarded a van on which were 23 me, women, and children; 22 of whom were martyred. (These people, in fact, had resorted to the UN Emergency Forces Headquarters in Qana, seeking shelter.)

Pedersen was unable to answer; he only said they were against bombarding civilians, changing the discussion into conditioning immediate release of the "Israeli" captives in return for fire cease.

So MP Berri replied, "Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the UN is now a partner (in the July War), and the citizens of the town (Marwahin) are still lost, whereby "Israel" isn't allowing them to reach Sur (Tyr).

Pedersen requested that one of his assistants make some calls, and this confirmed MP Berri's information. Yet, no positive development occurred all through the "Israeli" War on Lebanon.

Boutros Harb: Unity against Crime

MP Berri stayed in contact with the Lebanese political figures, and Ain el Tineh's doors remained open for internal meetings, including the meeting with MP Boutros Harb, who said, "We must stay united against this Aggression. "Israel" has other aims besides retaining both captives." His words were positive and important at that moment.

Afterwards, MP Berri held a press conference, denouncing the Arab parliaments dominated by rulers. He explained, too, what had happened in Marwahin and the punishment imposed on Beirut Southern Suburb for embracing the resistant people. MP Berri added that bombarding the Suburb this way was a revenge that had nothing to do with captives. He pointed out that accusing the Resistance of an Iranian or Syrian identity was unfair and unjust, whereby the Resistance belonged to Lebanese people who had already taught people resistance, befriended and supported by Syria and Iran.

Berri spoke out clearly, "Today there is a chance to cease fire immediately and to commence commissioning a state that's been negotiating or another one for the exchange negotiations. If this occurs in 24 hours, then we'll save everyone problems - I believe. But I warn that the whole (Middle East) Region will be in danger if this doesn't occur.

In the evening of that day, (the 16th of July), Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah appeared on "Al-Manar Television", delivering a message that Hizbullah was using its arms to deter "Israel" from its Aggression rather than to revenge; this is why Hizbullah had so far bombarded the military sites only and had intentionally kept the chemical plants in Haifa Region out of the fighters' potential fire, avoiding, thus, directing things into the unknown; "However, this doesn't mean we'll keep doing the same all the time."

Sayyed Nasrallah delivered an effective speech to the Arab peoples, too; whereby he asked them to bear their historic responsibility, and he confirmed that the Arab World would drown in the everlasting humiliation in case "Israel" could defeat the Resistance. Sayyed Hassan then pointed out, "We'll be awaiting the ground attack in case "Israel" decides to perform it, and this will be good news." (Sayyed Nasrallah used the expression "good news" since His Eminence wanted to make it clear that the Resistance was ready and eager to confront and defeat "Israel".)

Hussein Khalil: His Eminence Greets You...

I received a call from Haj Hussein Khalil, and we agreed to meet on a street in Verdun (which is close to Ain el Tineh). When I got there, I found him waiting in the parking lot of a building, and a hat was on his head. We got on a car and had a ride in the streets of Beirut. He said he had a letter from Sayyed Hassan to MP Berri, so we headed to MP Berri's office at 4:00 PM. The Haj pulled a paper out of his pocket and said literally to Berri:

"His Eminence greets you. He's perfectly keeping up with your movement, and he confirms that the ground circumstances of the battle are good. We've perfectly realized what has happened. Both the circumstances of the battle and ours have changed. Now we're having an open confrontation with the "Israeli" air forces, artillery, and probably we'll have a further, open confrontation on ground.

The battle involves the military and political levels. Concerning the military level, I am worriless, for all indicators are good, and the capacities of our artillery are available and very great; so far, there's no fear. Personally, I'm keeping up with the entire movement of all frontlines and operations. And here lies the importance of the telecommunications net, for no missile is launched without a decision and a carefully considered timing. There will come a day when we speak about the details of the battle and the accomplishments of the fighters. We've got a lot of papers."

His Eminence added, "What hurts me is the people's condition, but I'm confident they understand the situation, for we're a people that knows the value of dignity and freedom.

Brother Nabih, as we've vowed before, our decision is to go on together. My senior aide informed you in the beginning that we didn't want the War to expand, but they ("Israel" and its allies) have decided so; hence, our own choice is to confront them till the end.

On the political level, the entire international sides are seeking to decapitate the Resistance and to settle calculations down - as you've observed. On the internal level, Siniora can only see (the importance of) receiving the captives from us and (executing) the rest of Resolution 1559. The whole talks with us, in addition to the talks you're informing us of, are about these requests (Siniora's). Certainly, we agree with you that we must preserve the interior and avoid reflecting any image of division, but in such case, political work has become much harder. We have to be very careful, for instead of merely negotiating with the exterior, we have to negotiate with the interior before we do this; this is s big problem. Anyway, this is our destiny.

Frankly, my circumstances might not allow me to keep up with the political work. The brothers (Hizbullah's command) greatly confide in Your Excellency and your ability to run issues. We've agreed that you are totally in charge of the negotiations and their details. Personally, I have great hope and confidence in you, and I know this is your battle."

Berri to Nasrallah: I've Become Worriless

MP Berri asked Haj Hussein to write down what follows: "Since the first day (of the War), I haven't been working on the basis of division; I know this is a battle that determines the destiny of the whole country rather than merely for us. It's the battle of all of us. Yesterday, I talked clearly to the command and to all of our men; we (the Amal Movement) are at the heart of confrontation and are responsible for this encounter. I say, too, that we're going to be the first to fight in the ground battle (if it is to take place). You know that we've got no missile launchers, but the brothers (the Amal men) are ready; I've instructed them to work in full accordance with Hizbullah.

After the incidents of the recent couple of days, I've become more worriless.

Concerning the political level, thank the Sayyed and tell him to be worriless. Not only haven't we (MP Berri and Sayyed Nasrallah) worked on the basis of division, but also we're one. I've considered we've been so since the beginning, and I'm mentioning this upon necessity.

Haj, this is a historic moment; the battle is defining the shape of our country and probably the (Middle East) Region, too. Together we're in the battle, and nothing will separate us. I've reached all positions a Shiite can reach in this country, and I've done a lot of work in politics, resistance, and the Amal Movement. All I want today is to preserve ourselves and our history and country.

I agree with you. The battle is of two frontlines, and "both are hard"; there are no intermediary solutions. We must win the battle, and I have the intuition that we're going to do so. We must sustain working on uniting our interior front of negotiations even though I know this is hard; I'll just do it.

In brief, we're together, and so we shall stay. God willing, we'll meet with each other after the War and congratulate ourselves. Tell the Sayyed not to worry about the political front.

In fact, I've got the impression that the military situation and the escalation of counteraction have shocked the "Israelis".

I believe that if we keep going on this way, then the "Israelis" will retreat; we must translate the positive outcomes. So far, I've got more than a meeting, and we must attack positively so as to avoid leaving the initiative for others including Premier Siniora. Today, I'm going to suggest an immediate fire cease and the commencement of negotiations through the intermediation of a Western state; (e.g.: You've had an experience with Germany.) I'm going to offer this officially in our name even if they refuse it and consider it as an old proposal from Hizbullah. Well, they might behave in a different way with me."

Haj Hussein left Ain el Tineh after we had talked about the difficult circumstances of accommodation and transport. And we agreed on a mechanism for a semi-daily meeting which would continue till the last days of War; this actually made our relation ultimately tight.

Solana: Solution Starts when Hizbullah Retreats to North

At 7:30 PM, the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the EU, Mr. Javier Solana, in addition to the ambassadors of Germany and the EU, arrived in Ain el Tineh. He sounded like an inquirer and had no official proposals except for his clear stance, which was personal and reflected the European atmospheres - he insisted without referring this stance to "Israel". His stance said that the issue had surpassed the Captivation Operation to the execution limits of Resolution 1559.

MP Berri welcomed him and encouraged the European role, offering the suggestion he had made earlier without determining how the negotiations could be carried out. Berri added, "Although I doubt that Hizbullah will agree to negotiate upon the "Israeli" perpetration of massacres and demolition of Beirut Southern Suburb. "As for (the execution of) Resolution 1559, this is our responsibility as we have our internal dialogue. We've discussed most of the issues, and we'll keep up with their developments. In the very sessions of the Dialogue, we - as Lebanese people - agreed we had the right to resist "Israel" so as to free our captives and the occupied part of our land."

Solana ignored the whole proposal, saying, "I propose that Hizbullah retreat to the north as a beginning of the solution."

Berri: "Why doesn't "Israel" retreat to the South? Then the War will be over. I repeat my proposal because I don't see any alternative. And don't waste time; casualties are increasing."

Solana: "I care much about Lebanon. I'm speaking as a friend, but "the borders" of "Israel" have been penetrated, and "its lands" have been entered."

Berri: "Well, this is an opinion; yet, hasn't "Israel" reached the Lebanese depth and been bombarding all civil establishments and transportation routes?

Unfortunately, when it comes to "Israel", you, the Europeans, close an eye; as for the United States, it closes both eyes. Like you're saying, my friend, it is required that someone do like what happened to Zein Eddine Zeidan in the World Cup; (The incident actually occurred after Zeidan hit a player who had cursed Zeidan's mother.) Someone must rise to raise a red card for "Israel" and say, "Enough... Stop and leave...""

We know from Solana that the delegation encouraged Premier Siniora for his stances, which proposed that the government, in particular he, handle the Dialogue to resolve the crisis and set off upon setting both captives free without any conditions.

Likewise, the delegation revealed that Premier Siniora asked Solana to convince MP Berri with this proposal, which Solana eventually briefed as setting the "Israeli" captives free in concurrence with fire cease; also with direct negotiations between "Israel" and the UN afterwards to set the Lebanese captives free and to study the possibility of setting Palestinian captives free.

MP Berri replied, "We truly want the fire cease in accordance with what I've told you. Again I say I am having discussions with Hizbullah, but if this does not happen, things will deteriorate, and thus, everybody's casualties will increase - I see."

Solana left Ain el Tineh as MP Berri felt unconvinced the EU Representative could do anything, for it was clear the latter was making a round of public affairs, which only served the "Israeli" stance and strengthened the sense of the (Lebanese) interior, which was seeking to exploit the incidents for the sake of internal calculations. Now Walid Jumblatt arrived. (Refer to "Movements in Choueifat".)

Berri Proposes Formula for Larson... But...

It was a long workday without a break, and MP Berri ended it with meeting with the UN delegation that arrived in Beirut and included the UN Secretary General Representative to Lebanon, Mr. Vijay K. Nambiar; the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Álvaro de Soto; the UN Special Representative for the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559, Terje Roed-Larson; and the UN Representative Geir Pedersen.

MP Berri first exposed the massacres "Israel" had perpetrated and said that the bombardment hadn't affected the Resistance's structure, deriding the effect of what "Israel" was doing, whereby "Israel" had used up its bank of targets even before achieving any single outcome it had been expecting.

It was obvious that the negotiator in the name of the delegation was Larson, who quickly answered, ""Israel" is not going to negotiate the captives' issue with Hizbullah - even not indirectly, for "Israel's" stance stated the impossibility of negotiating with Hizbullah; instead, "Israel" is ready to negotiate with the government. Personally, I'm going to go to "Israel" and propose that both captives are handed over to the Lebanese government; that fire be ceased afterwards; and that "Israel" and the Lebanese government negotiate the issue of the Lebanese captives finally."

Berri: "What novelty does your proposal bear?"

Larson: "Who says the "Israelis" are ready for any novelty, anyway? They're continuing the War."

Berri: "Frankly, I disagree with you since this does not constitute a solution base; "Israel" has ruined half of Lebanon, and we've got nothing more to lose. I'm saying this before I suggest you're your proposal for Hizbullah. But let's suppose I'm discussing your proposal, then who guarantees that "Israel" will set the captives free? And if it does not, will the Lebanese government give the "Israeli" captives back to Hizbullah?"

None of the delegation members had an answer for such talk.

Berri: "Anyway, I'd like to suggest something - as if thinking out loudly, and I haven't discussed it with anyone. Why don't you cease fire for a month before getting the UN to negotiate the issue of the captives' issue? If we reach no result, then let's let every side act the way it wants.

(MP Berri was actually trying to propose more than a formula to confuse the delegation and distract it from concentration on a single point: the one proposed by Premier Siniora since the beginning...)

Larson: ""Israel" hasn't negotiated with "Hamas" (the Palestinian, Islamic-Resistance Movement); neither is it going to negotiate with Hizbullah.

Berri: "I'm going to discuss things with Hizbullah, but let's formulate what you propose."

So Larson repeated the proposal he had made earlier.

Berri: "And have you agreed that the government must vow to give both captives back to Hizbullah if the exchange does not occur?"

Larson: "Nope."

Berri: "I, in return, ask you to report a brief proposal: fire cease in concurrence with negotiations intermediated by Germany or another country in no more than a month, whereby the exchange of captives takes place; otherwise, we return to war."

The international delegation left. Then MP Berri asked me to report the atmospheres of the meeting to Haj Hussein Khalil so that he informs Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, allowing their discussion and keeping the Sayyed up with the latest developments.

"Movements in Choueifat"

Directly after the EU Representative Javier Solana left, he met MP Walid Jumblatt in the entrance, and they shook hands warmly. Accompanying him were MPs Marwan Hamedeh and Ghazi Aridi. I attended their meeting.

Jumblatt was shaking a leg and holding the knee of the other. Shortly and quickly as usual, he said, "I've come to discuss what we should do with you. This is the most dangerous stage since 1982, and things are expanding. What I care about now is the stability of the internal situation. Abu Mustapha (MP Berri), you play a major role in this issue; I see you're the only one who can run issues in this turmoil."

Berri: "I don't want to thank you, for we're familiar with you, Mr. Walid. We've been through the harder stage, but I'm afraid that some (political) sides might waste the direction of the battle and bet wrongly on hiring this War for internal calculations. So far, Hizbullah has only lost three martyrs although many are betting they can destroy Hizbullah. Usually (on days of war), "Israel" perpetrates an open massacre; still, in accordance with my information, the situation of the frontline is good, and the ("Israeli") bombardment hasn't stopped a single missile launcher. (MP Berri told me later that he reflected such atmosphere intentionally because Walid could read it well.)

Marwan Hamedeh, "But where are we going? It's apparent that the "Israelis" don't want any negotiations.

Berri; "All of this depends on the actual outcomes. It's normal that they think this way, but I don't think they'll reach anywhere. The passing days will make them reconsider the situation."

MP Berri then informed the attendees of Solana's atmospheres, adding that the latter had no real plan.

Jumblatt: "Choueifat and some close regions are, in fact, witnessing some military movements. Personally, I don't mind at all, but it's good to keep the widest region possible in comfortable situations so as to receive dislodged people."

MP Berri grabbed the message, saying, "I'm discussing the political proposals with Hizbullah, and I'll report your words."

Indeed, this happened, whereby I informed Haj Hussein Khalil of Jumblatt's "fears" of what was said concerning trucks transporting missiles in Choueifat Region.