July-War Secrets: Exposed by Nabih Berri and Retold by Ali Hassan Khalil (Episode 8)
TRANSLATED from Lebanese Daily As-Safir- Local Editor
When we negotiate in times of massacres, we become stronger: Conditions change, and the blood of our martyrs changes agreements. As July is about to end, this blood has gained the power to render the agreements of countries and "states" unappealing, for while we consider their standards, the phantom of the second "Qana Massacre" appears. And while we adjust the lines of these agreements, we visualize the bodies of the martyrs of "the Marwahin Massacre" and "the Nabatieh Massacre"... Thus martyrdom shifts the negotiation course.
Rarely has death been able to create life... But this time, this has been so. And let the negotiations be history if they are meant to subject us to the dominance of others.
At the frontline, the power of fire backup forces has accompanied the power of martyrdom. Our enemy's ground forces have messed up, and our men have been evoking the coming of more ground forces to the edge of the Litany River. Condoleezza Rice's delegation is waiting in occupied Palestine. Washington D.C. has begun realizing the loss of military immunity in Tel Aviv.
It hasn't been easy to debase the conditions of the political maneuver; neither to imagine that Rice, who left Ain el Tineh days ago as she wasn't welcomed warmly, has become today an unwanted secretary in the Governmental Palace.
A single moment takes us back in time to "the Qana Massacre" in 1996 as another massacre strikes the same village on Sunday, July 30, 2006. MP Berri becomes certain that history is recurring: "Israel" is going to cease fire this time. So Berri makes use of this moment and heads to the Governmental Palace without an appointment. There he convinces Siniora that they must have a unified stance to confront the recurring massacre.
Between the Governmental Palace and Ain el Tineh, open calls take place. And with "Haj Hassan" being the communication mediator between "the Sayyed" and us, every single detail receives our consideration. For instance, "His Excellency" handles "the ESCWA Rally" by convincing the "youths" not to head towards Awkar in demonstration so as to avoid distracting attention from our cause... Receiving consideration, too, are the UN Security Council and the probability of creating new power balances through the blood of Qana's martyrs and the heroism of the Resistance men.
*****
In spite of all pressures on ground, the initiative has become ours, widening our capacity for political maneuver and introducing us to the stage of formulating solutions on the basis of our prospect of the situation, especially after the American side had begun to lose the bet on "Israel's" military resolution to the situation.
That day witnessed the very first beginnings of the Resistance's missile launching against the regions beyond Haifa, marking our introduction to a new political stage on ground; whereby the most important part was our exclusive ability to control the battle and its circumstances and range, reflecting very accurate organization of the frontline men. Being unforced to empty its missile reserve, the Resistance would not strike randomly; the Resistance rather determined the time, manner, and intensity of the counterattack, signaling a point of power on the military level.
This, in fact, was the subject of our discussion during the meeting with Haj Hassan Khalil on Thursday, July 27, whereby Haj Hussein Khalil reiterated Sayyed Nasrallah's confidence regarding the battle circumstances.
On Friday, July 28, 2006, Premier Siniora started his day by generalizing the decision of the Ministerial Council, in addition to his speech in Rome, to exterior embassies, ignoring the remarks which the ministers had made. This was, in fact, the subject of our discussion; yet, we agreed on ignoring this issue in order to preserve accord, especially when any issue would later require the Ministerial Council's resolution.
In the meantime, MP Berri's talk to "Al-Jazeera Channel" had elicited many reactions, specifically after he had criticized the Arab situation, saying that "something is announced, yet something else is hidden." Berri had also called the Arab rulers to "be attentive to what is going on" before MP Saad Hariri, who was abroad, called, asking for an explanation and pointing out that "MP Berri's talk might aggravate some Arabs helping us out through this crisis. Why has he directly spoken about President Hosni Mubarak?"
Afterwards, the Syrian Vice-President Farouk Al-Sharaa called me. We discussed some of the context of Berri's interview, then he asked to talk to MP Berri, and he told Berri that Syria had offered to help the Lebanese Army and that Syria was not like the other Arab countries. So MP Berri said that his talk was of general political context and that none could forget Syria's role, specifically upon its embracement of the (Lebanese) migrants and its supportive political stance. Also, Berri considered that the battle "is an ambuscade for you (Syria) and Iran."
On the same day, MP Jumblatt asked, "To whom is Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah going to dedicate the victory?" So this question elicited some discussion, making me and Haj Hussein have calls together so as to handle the responses made; Haj Hussein inquired about the limits of the deployment of the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon) along with the Lebanese Army, as well as some details of MP Berri's preparatory proposal the day earlier. MP Berri's response was, "What we're proposing is related to the current situation: The Army and the UNIFIL are here, and no more than reinforcing them is required. Thus, we must be ready to propose our plan before tomorrow (Saturday)."
At 1:30 PM, the delegation of the European Troika (Literally "the Group of Three") arrived in Ain el Tineh to meet with MP Berri. It was clear they were making careful stances conveying that "Israel" had decreased its political requests and had become readier to cease fire. MP Berri explained to them the details of what was actually going on, and he added that if the expectations for that change were correct, then that would be upon the outcomes of the battle on ground rather than the international effort. As for the delegation members, they made sure they delivered a message stating that the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice still controlled the political processing, whereby she had left her Assistant Secretary and her work team in occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem).
The Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa called MP Berri, speaking with a positive tone and informing MP Berri that he wanted to visit Lebanon. Moussa didn't, however, mention MP Berri's denunciation of the Egyptian President Mubarak's stances in the morning interview with "Al-Jazeera Channel".
Besides, The Iraqi Vice-President Aadel Abdul Mahdi called and asked whether he could help; thus, MP Berri asked him to push the U.S. Administration to lessen its perfect adoption of the "Israeli" stance. He added that the Spanish Foreign Minister had declared frankly that he hadn't been able to do anything in regard to cease-fire.
Haj Hussein then reported that "the Saudi Arabian stance we've learned now adopts reinforcing the UNEF (United Nations Emergency Forces), as well as avoiding interference with the future of Hizbullah's arms. Also, a side has reported that Rice was advising foreign delegations not to meet with MP Berri upon her fear of his influence on their beliefs."
MP Berri said to Haj Hassan, "Let's see if she she'll ask for an appointment on Sunday in case she shows up." Berri added that he was only cautious regarding the issue of the multinational force, for it would be the only compensation for "Israel's" definite defeat. He said he wasn't afraid of Rice's role because "she's helpless to do anything without our approval. However, forming a force by grand states will provoke big trouble as soon as any accident happens. Anyway, we will not accept - whether secretly or publicly - any approach to a resolution under the Seventh Chapter. And our friends must work seriously for a veto in the Security Council in case this happens."
"Allȏ, Je Suis Jacque Chirac"
On Saturday morning, July 29, I fixed the proceedings of our discussion the day earlier, and I made a chart of comparison between our draft and Premier Siniora's plan. MP Berri was optimistic upon the development of political and public incidents, which now met our interest - unlike what had been being sought in the first days of the War.
Upon MP Berri's request, I moved to the Governmental Palace, and I met with Premier Siniora, MP Muhammad Khalifeh, and MP Talal Sahli. We discussed the work mechanism and offerings of HRC ("the Lebanese Higher Relief Committee". Siniora made positive promises in regard to most of the things that we asked for, and he said that he, as well as the administration of the Committee, would handle our requests.
By the time I came back to Ain el Tineh, MP Berri had met with MP Ghazi Aridi, who had carried a message form MP Jumblatt concerning "the distribution of arms in West Chouf", whereby Jumblatt requested that Hizbullah be called and questioned on this; also that "this issue be followed up." At 6:00 PM, a discussion took place in the Divan, which was open for journalists and politicians after recent massacres had been perpetrated. The attendees witnessed a long dialogue on the phone between MP Berri and Mr. Ghassan Tueni (the publisher of "An-Nahar Newspaper") as respects the specificities and effects of international resolutions, particularly the ones relevant to the Seventh Chapter. MP Berri actually made sure he listened to Tueni's point of view in regard to this issue.
Then the phone rang, and MP Berri got the phone. As soon as the phone operator in Ain el Tineh diverted the call, Berri heard a man say, "I'm Jacque Chirac. I thank you for answering instantly." Berri welcomed Chirac, who said, "I'd like to report to you that I stand by the Lebanese people at the moment, and I consolidate with them all, no matter what their confessions and classes are. I am actually doing all that I can to stop what is happening and to offer humanitarian services to Lebanon. This is why I am sending the French health minister to Beirut." MP Berri thanked him, saying, "I'd like to inform Your Excellency that up to the moment, the "Israeli" air raids are still targeting unarmed civilians, and tens are being wounded or martyred, but the world is not really pressing "Israel"; the world is rather giving "Israel" a chance to continue its Aggression. Today, the free world is facing a test even though we know the outcome: "Israel" isn't going to be convicted. Anyway, I'd like to point out to Your Excellency that we're not against political proposals; we are positively ready for discussion, and we've offered many perspectives. But we can't discuss issues under the pressure of fire, which must be ceased."
Chirac's answer was, "I'm honestly working on a quick cease-fire."
Qana Massacre Recurs
On Sunday morning, July 30, 2006, a missile was dropped on a building in the security outskirts of Ain el Tineh Headquarters, breaking the norm of the War. The missile did not explode, and we concealed this from the media means to evade starting any fuss. Much more horrifying was "the Qana Massacre" perpetrated against children. It made us recall the scenes of "the First Qana Massacre" (1996) when "Israel" bombarded the UN Headquarters in Qana.
And as the first massacre represented a turning point for the course of the Aggression, the second massacre would be the turning point for the July Aggression. Before he went to office, MP Berri called Premier Siniora and said, "After today's massacre, there's no way I can receive Condoleezza Rice, and I see that you should make the same stance. Anyway, where are you now?" And Siniora said he was in the Governmental Palace, adding nothing else.
MP Berri hung up. Dressed up in sportswear, he headed to the Governmental Palace on a single car. MP Berri tells us what happened, "I reached Siniora's office. He was so tense that he appeared to be shivering, so I said, "Your Excellency, in spite of our pain and catastrophe, this is a stage of which we must make use in order to revenge for the martyrs' blood and press "Israel" to make it stop its Aggression.
We must make a national, conventional stance, through which we overcome all discrepancies regarding the political stance. It is a chance that we must not miss, making the United States and all sides that support "Israel" realize that trouble has befallen them and that it's not only us who are under pressure. All in all, we must make a stance on the political process."
"Then, Siniora's stance was positive even though he seemed uneasy after what I had said," continues MP Berri, "so after Siniora declared in a press conference that he rejected any talk but that of immediate, unconditioned cease-fire. He said that any other talk was unacceptable, and he asked for an international investigation into the "Israeli" massacres." It was a chance for MP Berri to make apparent the stance he had wanted since the War began: the unity of all against the American-"Israeli" stance. He also declared he supported this great stance of the government.
Later, MP Berri announced that he had sent news for Rice that there was no room for any talks and that the effort must be made now to press "Israel" and stop it from perpetrating new massacres.
Berri added that he knew that "Israel" has refused to allow the UNEF to escort the survivors of the massacre to safe places. "Hereupon," said Berri, "we no longer approve of any role of the UN forces upon their uselessness - unless they expose the truths to the whole world."
Then MP Berri announced that for the sake of reaching a resolution, he had made a proposal to release both "Israeli" captives and offered it through the Italian side, "And my proposal includes great facilitation that I've undertaken personally, not even coordinating it first with Hizbullah. Now, I say frankly that the exchange conditions have changed, and I declare withdrawing the proposal I've made."
Upon MP Berri's request, I made several political calls. And Mr. Farouk Al-Sharaa called, so I informed him of the details of what happened with Premier Siniora. Sharaa thus said he supported our stance, offered to help Siniora, and suggested that Lebanon ask the UN to hold an urgent session to discuss the massacre. So MP Berri discussed this issue, and before calling Premier Siniora, he changed his mind upon his fear that the holding of a session of the Security Council might expand the decision in a manner that didn't meet our interest.
Berri Asks for Sistani's Stance
I called Haj Hamed Al-Khafaf, the Representative of His Eminence, Marja Sayyed Ali Al-Sistani to Lebanon. I reported to Haj Hamed that MP Berri wished that His Eminence would issue the indispensable stance in order to press the U.S., making "Israel" cease fire and stop perpetrating massacres. We knew such stance would affect the American stance. So Haj Hamed answered, "His Eminence has previously made a stance on this."
Yet, MP Berri insisted on the necessity of issuing a stance after "the second Qana Massacre" that day. Indeed, before midnight, a statement regarding this issue was made, and the Iraqi vice-president informed MP Berri he had been assigned to call the U.S. President George W. Bush and to inform him of a strict message from Sayyed Sistani.
Then MP Saad Hariri called MP Berri, asking for an explanation on Berri's stance concerning the exchange conditions. Hariri iterated that this would complicate things, so MP Berri told him it was a serious stance and "we can no longer be positive. Since the beginning, we've acted upon a good intention, but now it's different, and we must be strict after these massacres." Still, Hariri was dissatisfied, and he tried to calm the situation down.
MP Hassan Fadlallah, MP Amine Sherri, and a number of political figures arrived in Ain el Tineh, and an open discussion regarding the developments took place. MP Berri saw that things were developing positively and that we were going to celebrate victory soon; whereby the national atmosphere was perfect, and the way Siniora acted in the morning was very important. Here lay the importance of the way we acted in the Ministerial Council after the Rome Conference, as we didn't evoke an outbreak during the session. Now, even the interior sides having contradictory stances cannot express them.
Haj Hussein arrived in Ain el Tineh, we discussed the incidents of that day, and he reported the following statement of His Eminence:
"After failure has befallen "Israel" in the legendary "Bint Jbeil", it is now directing its forces towards "Taybeh", where by the "Israeli" ground forces and vehicles have entered it. Hereupon, there are several possibilities: "Israel" will either focus on occupying "Mashrou' Taybeh" or on entering the nearest (possible) point by the Litany River in order to exploit it politically. We are quite ready, and the situation of the Resistance men is quite excellent. Now the Resistance men are drawing the enemy forces to the Litany Region, where they can strike them. If the "Israeli" forces get there, they'll be massacred, and the surprise will be the quality of anti-arms.
Today we've talked to Sayyed Ali Larijani (the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament) and reported to him what Your Excellency said yesterday in regard to opening a channel for Russian mediation in the Security Council, and this is actually happening. Also, Iranian-French communication exists."
MP Berri said, "I'm very comfortable. I told the ministers to denounce the attack against the ESCWA if this issue is discussed in the Ministerial Council, and I asked the American Embassy in Awkar, for we don't want to distract attention from our cause."
Berri added, "I've heard that Sayyed Hassan might receive ambassadors and other figures. This is very dangerous, and it mustn't happen. Sayyed Hassan has to be quite attentive and forget about negotiating."
When Haj Hussein left, he talked to Colonel Wissam Al-Hassan, who - in the name of Hariri - inquired about the atmospheres, so Haj Hussein reported to him the context we had agreed on, specifically that regarding the conditions for negotiation and exchange.
At 11:00 PM, the U.S. Ambassador Feltman introduced the U.S. Secretary Rice's call to MP Berri. Before moving into political talk, she consoled MP Berri for the martyrs of Qana.
MP Berri replied, "I've warned you from this, and I see that the Aggression is further targeting more civilians. In brief now, I tell you it's disgraceful for the U.S. not to issue an immediate cease-fire resolution after "the Qana Massacre"."
So Rice said, ""Israel" has made a decision not to fly in the southern airspace." MP Berri replied then, "Well, this is merely an attempt to absorb the rage against it, but the truth beyond this is that "Israel" wants to empty the South of its people to burn it."
Ninth Episode:
- Qana Truce Continues Emptying South; An Airdrop in Baalbeck
- Douste-Blazy and Mottaki in Beirut; Spiritual Summit in Bkirki
- Al-Assad Calls for Steadiness; Mubarak Adjusts Tone
Source: As-Safir newspaper, Translated and edited by moqawama.org
When we negotiate in times of massacres, we become stronger: Conditions change, and the blood of our martyrs changes agreements. As July is about to end, this blood has gained the power to render the agreements of countries and "states" unappealing, for while we consider their standards, the phantom of the second "Qana Massacre" appears. And while we adjust the lines of these agreements, we visualize the bodies of the martyrs of "the Marwahin Massacre" and "the Nabatieh Massacre"... Thus martyrdom shifts the negotiation course.
Rarely has death been able to create life... But this time, this has been so. And let the negotiations be history if they are meant to subject us to the dominance of others.
At the frontline, the power of fire backup forces has accompanied the power of martyrdom. Our enemy's ground forces have messed up, and our men have been evoking the coming of more ground forces to the edge of the Litany River. Condoleezza Rice's delegation is waiting in occupied Palestine. Washington D.C. has begun realizing the loss of military immunity in Tel Aviv.
It hasn't been easy to debase the conditions of the political maneuver; neither to imagine that Rice, who left Ain el Tineh days ago as she wasn't welcomed warmly, has become today an unwanted secretary in the Governmental Palace.
A single moment takes us back in time to "the Qana Massacre" in 1996 as another massacre strikes the same village on Sunday, July 30, 2006. MP Berri becomes certain that history is recurring: "Israel" is going to cease fire this time. So Berri makes use of this moment and heads to the Governmental Palace without an appointment. There he convinces Siniora that they must have a unified stance to confront the recurring massacre.
Between the Governmental Palace and Ain el Tineh, open calls take place. And with "Haj Hassan" being the communication mediator between "the Sayyed" and us, every single detail receives our consideration. For instance, "His Excellency" handles "the ESCWA Rally" by convincing the "youths" not to head towards Awkar in demonstration so as to avoid distracting attention from our cause... Receiving consideration, too, are the UN Security Council and the probability of creating new power balances through the blood of Qana's martyrs and the heroism of the Resistance men.
*****
In spite of all pressures on ground, the initiative has become ours, widening our capacity for political maneuver and introducing us to the stage of formulating solutions on the basis of our prospect of the situation, especially after the American side had begun to lose the bet on "Israel's" military resolution to the situation.
That day witnessed the very first beginnings of the Resistance's missile launching against the regions beyond Haifa, marking our introduction to a new political stage on ground; whereby the most important part was our exclusive ability to control the battle and its circumstances and range, reflecting very accurate organization of the frontline men. Being unforced to empty its missile reserve, the Resistance would not strike randomly; the Resistance rather determined the time, manner, and intensity of the counterattack, signaling a point of power on the military level.
This, in fact, was the subject of our discussion during the meeting with Haj Hassan Khalil on Thursday, July 27, whereby Haj Hussein Khalil reiterated Sayyed Nasrallah's confidence regarding the battle circumstances.
On Friday, July 28, 2006, Premier Siniora started his day by generalizing the decision of the Ministerial Council, in addition to his speech in Rome, to exterior embassies, ignoring the remarks which the ministers had made. This was, in fact, the subject of our discussion; yet, we agreed on ignoring this issue in order to preserve accord, especially when any issue would later require the Ministerial Council's resolution.
In the meantime, MP Berri's talk to "Al-Jazeera Channel" had elicited many reactions, specifically after he had criticized the Arab situation, saying that "something is announced, yet something else is hidden." Berri had also called the Arab rulers to "be attentive to what is going on" before MP Saad Hariri, who was abroad, called, asking for an explanation and pointing out that "MP Berri's talk might aggravate some Arabs helping us out through this crisis. Why has he directly spoken about President Hosni Mubarak?"
Afterwards, the Syrian Vice-President Farouk Al-Sharaa called me. We discussed some of the context of Berri's interview, then he asked to talk to MP Berri, and he told Berri that Syria had offered to help the Lebanese Army and that Syria was not like the other Arab countries. So MP Berri said that his talk was of general political context and that none could forget Syria's role, specifically upon its embracement of the (Lebanese) migrants and its supportive political stance. Also, Berri considered that the battle "is an ambuscade for you (Syria) and Iran."
On the same day, MP Jumblatt asked, "To whom is Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah going to dedicate the victory?" So this question elicited some discussion, making me and Haj Hussein have calls together so as to handle the responses made; Haj Hussein inquired about the limits of the deployment of the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon) along with the Lebanese Army, as well as some details of MP Berri's preparatory proposal the day earlier. MP Berri's response was, "What we're proposing is related to the current situation: The Army and the UNIFIL are here, and no more than reinforcing them is required. Thus, we must be ready to propose our plan before tomorrow (Saturday)."
At 1:30 PM, the delegation of the European Troika (Literally "the Group of Three") arrived in Ain el Tineh to meet with MP Berri. It was clear they were making careful stances conveying that "Israel" had decreased its political requests and had become readier to cease fire. MP Berri explained to them the details of what was actually going on, and he added that if the expectations for that change were correct, then that would be upon the outcomes of the battle on ground rather than the international effort. As for the delegation members, they made sure they delivered a message stating that the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice still controlled the political processing, whereby she had left her Assistant Secretary and her work team in occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem).
The Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa called MP Berri, speaking with a positive tone and informing MP Berri that he wanted to visit Lebanon. Moussa didn't, however, mention MP Berri's denunciation of the Egyptian President Mubarak's stances in the morning interview with "Al-Jazeera Channel".
Besides, The Iraqi Vice-President Aadel Abdul Mahdi called and asked whether he could help; thus, MP Berri asked him to push the U.S. Administration to lessen its perfect adoption of the "Israeli" stance. He added that the Spanish Foreign Minister had declared frankly that he hadn't been able to do anything in regard to cease-fire.
Haj Hussein then reported that "the Saudi Arabian stance we've learned now adopts reinforcing the UNEF (United Nations Emergency Forces), as well as avoiding interference with the future of Hizbullah's arms. Also, a side has reported that Rice was advising foreign delegations not to meet with MP Berri upon her fear of his influence on their beliefs."
MP Berri said to Haj Hassan, "Let's see if she she'll ask for an appointment on Sunday in case she shows up." Berri added that he was only cautious regarding the issue of the multinational force, for it would be the only compensation for "Israel's" definite defeat. He said he wasn't afraid of Rice's role because "she's helpless to do anything without our approval. However, forming a force by grand states will provoke big trouble as soon as any accident happens. Anyway, we will not accept - whether secretly or publicly - any approach to a resolution under the Seventh Chapter. And our friends must work seriously for a veto in the Security Council in case this happens."
"Allȏ, Je Suis Jacque Chirac"
On Saturday morning, July 29, I fixed the proceedings of our discussion the day earlier, and I made a chart of comparison between our draft and Premier Siniora's plan. MP Berri was optimistic upon the development of political and public incidents, which now met our interest - unlike what had been being sought in the first days of the War.
Upon MP Berri's request, I moved to the Governmental Palace, and I met with Premier Siniora, MP Muhammad Khalifeh, and MP Talal Sahli. We discussed the work mechanism and offerings of HRC ("the Lebanese Higher Relief Committee". Siniora made positive promises in regard to most of the things that we asked for, and he said that he, as well as the administration of the Committee, would handle our requests.
By the time I came back to Ain el Tineh, MP Berri had met with MP Ghazi Aridi, who had carried a message form MP Jumblatt concerning "the distribution of arms in West Chouf", whereby Jumblatt requested that Hizbullah be called and questioned on this; also that "this issue be followed up." At 6:00 PM, a discussion took place in the Divan, which was open for journalists and politicians after recent massacres had been perpetrated. The attendees witnessed a long dialogue on the phone between MP Berri and Mr. Ghassan Tueni (the publisher of "An-Nahar Newspaper") as respects the specificities and effects of international resolutions, particularly the ones relevant to the Seventh Chapter. MP Berri actually made sure he listened to Tueni's point of view in regard to this issue.
Then the phone rang, and MP Berri got the phone. As soon as the phone operator in Ain el Tineh diverted the call, Berri heard a man say, "I'm Jacque Chirac. I thank you for answering instantly." Berri welcomed Chirac, who said, "I'd like to report to you that I stand by the Lebanese people at the moment, and I consolidate with them all, no matter what their confessions and classes are. I am actually doing all that I can to stop what is happening and to offer humanitarian services to Lebanon. This is why I am sending the French health minister to Beirut." MP Berri thanked him, saying, "I'd like to inform Your Excellency that up to the moment, the "Israeli" air raids are still targeting unarmed civilians, and tens are being wounded or martyred, but the world is not really pressing "Israel"; the world is rather giving "Israel" a chance to continue its Aggression. Today, the free world is facing a test even though we know the outcome: "Israel" isn't going to be convicted. Anyway, I'd like to point out to Your Excellency that we're not against political proposals; we are positively ready for discussion, and we've offered many perspectives. But we can't discuss issues under the pressure of fire, which must be ceased."
Chirac's answer was, "I'm honestly working on a quick cease-fire."
Qana Massacre Recurs
On Sunday morning, July 30, 2006, a missile was dropped on a building in the security outskirts of Ain el Tineh Headquarters, breaking the norm of the War. The missile did not explode, and we concealed this from the media means to evade starting any fuss. Much more horrifying was "the Qana Massacre" perpetrated against children. It made us recall the scenes of "the First Qana Massacre" (1996) when "Israel" bombarded the UN Headquarters in Qana.
And as the first massacre represented a turning point for the course of the Aggression, the second massacre would be the turning point for the July Aggression. Before he went to office, MP Berri called Premier Siniora and said, "After today's massacre, there's no way I can receive Condoleezza Rice, and I see that you should make the same stance. Anyway, where are you now?" And Siniora said he was in the Governmental Palace, adding nothing else.
MP Berri hung up. Dressed up in sportswear, he headed to the Governmental Palace on a single car. MP Berri tells us what happened, "I reached Siniora's office. He was so tense that he appeared to be shivering, so I said, "Your Excellency, in spite of our pain and catastrophe, this is a stage of which we must make use in order to revenge for the martyrs' blood and press "Israel" to make it stop its Aggression.
We must make a national, conventional stance, through which we overcome all discrepancies regarding the political stance. It is a chance that we must not miss, making the United States and all sides that support "Israel" realize that trouble has befallen them and that it's not only us who are under pressure. All in all, we must make a stance on the political process."
"Then, Siniora's stance was positive even though he seemed uneasy after what I had said," continues MP Berri, "so after Siniora declared in a press conference that he rejected any talk but that of immediate, unconditioned cease-fire. He said that any other talk was unacceptable, and he asked for an international investigation into the "Israeli" massacres." It was a chance for MP Berri to make apparent the stance he had wanted since the War began: the unity of all against the American-"Israeli" stance. He also declared he supported this great stance of the government.
Later, MP Berri announced that he had sent news for Rice that there was no room for any talks and that the effort must be made now to press "Israel" and stop it from perpetrating new massacres.
Berri added that he knew that "Israel" has refused to allow the UNEF to escort the survivors of the massacre to safe places. "Hereupon," said Berri, "we no longer approve of any role of the UN forces upon their uselessness - unless they expose the truths to the whole world."
Then MP Berri announced that for the sake of reaching a resolution, he had made a proposal to release both "Israeli" captives and offered it through the Italian side, "And my proposal includes great facilitation that I've undertaken personally, not even coordinating it first with Hizbullah. Now, I say frankly that the exchange conditions have changed, and I declare withdrawing the proposal I've made."
Upon MP Berri's request, I made several political calls. And Mr. Farouk Al-Sharaa called, so I informed him of the details of what happened with Premier Siniora. Sharaa thus said he supported our stance, offered to help Siniora, and suggested that Lebanon ask the UN to hold an urgent session to discuss the massacre. So MP Berri discussed this issue, and before calling Premier Siniora, he changed his mind upon his fear that the holding of a session of the Security Council might expand the decision in a manner that didn't meet our interest.
Berri Asks for Sistani's Stance
I called Haj Hamed Al-Khafaf, the Representative of His Eminence, Marja Sayyed Ali Al-Sistani to Lebanon. I reported to Haj Hamed that MP Berri wished that His Eminence would issue the indispensable stance in order to press the U.S., making "Israel" cease fire and stop perpetrating massacres. We knew such stance would affect the American stance. So Haj Hamed answered, "His Eminence has previously made a stance on this."
Yet, MP Berri insisted on the necessity of issuing a stance after "the second Qana Massacre" that day. Indeed, before midnight, a statement regarding this issue was made, and the Iraqi vice-president informed MP Berri he had been assigned to call the U.S. President George W. Bush and to inform him of a strict message from Sayyed Sistani.
Then MP Saad Hariri called MP Berri, asking for an explanation on Berri's stance concerning the exchange conditions. Hariri iterated that this would complicate things, so MP Berri told him it was a serious stance and "we can no longer be positive. Since the beginning, we've acted upon a good intention, but now it's different, and we must be strict after these massacres." Still, Hariri was dissatisfied, and he tried to calm the situation down.
MP Hassan Fadlallah, MP Amine Sherri, and a number of political figures arrived in Ain el Tineh, and an open discussion regarding the developments took place. MP Berri saw that things were developing positively and that we were going to celebrate victory soon; whereby the national atmosphere was perfect, and the way Siniora acted in the morning was very important. Here lay the importance of the way we acted in the Ministerial Council after the Rome Conference, as we didn't evoke an outbreak during the session. Now, even the interior sides having contradictory stances cannot express them.
Haj Hussein arrived in Ain el Tineh, we discussed the incidents of that day, and he reported the following statement of His Eminence:
"After failure has befallen "Israel" in the legendary "Bint Jbeil", it is now directing its forces towards "Taybeh", where by the "Israeli" ground forces and vehicles have entered it. Hereupon, there are several possibilities: "Israel" will either focus on occupying "Mashrou' Taybeh" or on entering the nearest (possible) point by the Litany River in order to exploit it politically. We are quite ready, and the situation of the Resistance men is quite excellent. Now the Resistance men are drawing the enemy forces to the Litany Region, where they can strike them. If the "Israeli" forces get there, they'll be massacred, and the surprise will be the quality of anti-arms.
Today we've talked to Sayyed Ali Larijani (the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament) and reported to him what Your Excellency said yesterday in regard to opening a channel for Russian mediation in the Security Council, and this is actually happening. Also, Iranian-French communication exists."
MP Berri said, "I'm very comfortable. I told the ministers to denounce the attack against the ESCWA if this issue is discussed in the Ministerial Council, and I asked the American Embassy in Awkar, for we don't want to distract attention from our cause."
Berri added, "I've heard that Sayyed Hassan might receive ambassadors and other figures. This is very dangerous, and it mustn't happen. Sayyed Hassan has to be quite attentive and forget about negotiating."
When Haj Hussein left, he talked to Colonel Wissam Al-Hassan, who - in the name of Hariri - inquired about the atmospheres, so Haj Hussein reported to him the context we had agreed on, specifically that regarding the conditions for negotiation and exchange.
At 11:00 PM, the U.S. Ambassador Feltman introduced the U.S. Secretary Rice's call to MP Berri. Before moving into political talk, she consoled MP Berri for the martyrs of Qana.
MP Berri replied, "I've warned you from this, and I see that the Aggression is further targeting more civilians. In brief now, I tell you it's disgraceful for the U.S. not to issue an immediate cease-fire resolution after "the Qana Massacre"."
So Rice said, ""Israel" has made a decision not to fly in the southern airspace." MP Berri replied then, "Well, this is merely an attempt to absorb the rage against it, but the truth beyond this is that "Israel" wants to empty the South of its people to burn it."
Ninth Episode:
- Qana Truce Continues Emptying South; An Airdrop in Baalbeck
- Douste-Blazy and Mottaki in Beirut; Spiritual Summit in Bkirki
- Al-Assad Calls for Steadiness; Mubarak Adjusts Tone
Source: As-Safir newspaper, Translated and edited by moqawama.org
