July-War Secrets: Exposed by Nabih Berri and Retold by Ali Hassan Khalil (Episode 12)
TRANSLATED from Lebanese Daily As-Safir- Local Editor
Pedersen offers ‘an interesting offer' to Hizbullah... Sayyed Nasrallah Replies: Refer to Berri
American-French Plan: Unconditioned Release of "Israeli" Soldiers, Occupation Rooting, Security-Zone Establishment
The days of August witnessed ‘international talents', whereby ‘political arts' were displayed on a burning stage. ‘The talented sides', however, did not realize that a match stick could not scare an already burned stage.
The difference between us and our enemy was that "Israel" was haunted by the missile phobia; whereas we refused defeat, and we were ready to die, and we told the stories of death to every political passerby.
Anew, envoys kept on arriving to Ain el Tineh, headed by David Welch - ‘the greatest present-maker' for "Israel" that couldn't make a single performance on earth to make the U.S. ‘proud' enough to impose conditions.
Therefore, in compensation for the military failure, the American-French plan commenced sneaking to the UNSC, whereby the introduction to the plan was promoted locally, conveying that certain Lebanese sides had approved of it.
We were strong enough to confront plans and proposals which certain envoys thought were beneficial for us. The mere glance at their content would be enough for us to refuse - again - offering ‘presents for "Israel"'.
The American-French plan could only meet failure as it got discussed in the Second Presidential Palace; whereby MP Berri debased this plan's standards and iterated "maintaining our steadiness and referring to the seven standards and the internal unity".
It was not a secret that the plan bore an Occupation rooting, an unconditioned release of the "Israeli" soldiers, and an establishment of a security zone empty of any members or ordnance. Hereupon, MP Berri wondered, "Why are you offering all of these standards to "Israel" that hasn't conquered us in the War? Then what would you offer it if it were victorious?!"
Saturday, August 5, 2006 witnessed the climax of the "Israeli" escalation of air strikes and maritime and ground bombardment; going hysterical, "Israel" performed more than 500 air raids and launched thousands of missiles against different regions of the South, Bekaa, and the North.
Now twenty-five days of the War had passed, and the "Israeli" Military reached the borders of Aita el Shaab, but it was unable to perform a main infiltration on the borders and to make a center or a base for operations there.
Some infiltrations even led the enemy to ambuscades set previously by the Resistance. Thus, the enemy's elite forces suffered great casualties, and the commanders of these forces were too confused to define the targets of their operations. As for the airdrop attempt at the entrance to Tyr (Sur) City, it occurred after the "Israeli" forces' operation in Bekaa failed: The enemy forces suffered casualties, making the helicopters transport the wounded soldiers quickly. Although the "Israeli" military statements tried to conceal these casualties by reporting the assassination of some Resistance commanders, the statements could not conceal the enemy's casualties as their incredibility was exposed later on.
In fact, this military alternation included launching fuel-air bombs (thermo-baric weapons) against Beirut Southern Suburb, demolishing its buildings. But this became a normal thing that did not affect the management of the battle and its developments. Hereupon, the American-French plan was proposed as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a session. The details of the plan were made in understanding with "Israel" so as to compensate politically for its military failure. Now it was apparent that both sides had tried to conceal this understanding in hope for facilitating its promotion in Lebanon by proposing ‘a gain': listing the issue of the Shebaa Farms in the context of settlement. Yet, the plan basically focused on freezing the warring acts, which meant rooting the Occupation even if along a tight line that "Israel" could not protect in the War. France and the U.S. wanted to negotiate this during the coming stage of the UNSC resolution.
The aforementioned plan included ‘the unconditioned release' of both captivated "Israeli" soldiers in return for ‘the encouragement of efforts' to settle the case of the Lebanese ‘prisoners' detained by "Israel". As well, ‘the settlement' was to include security arrangements including the establishment of a zone empty of any members or ordnance. The procedures were to be succeeded by another resolution in accordance with the Seventh Chapter; whereby the resolution would state the deployment of international forces commissioned by the United Nations.
Actually, both of the U.S. and France claimed that this plan was supported by the Lebanese people in an attempt to promote it. Hereupon, a series of declarative calls was made, including calls between the members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as the draft statement was distributed to them.
Pederson Maneuvers... Wissam Al-Hassan Sustains Mission
Violent airstrikes targeted Beirut Southern Suburb, waking me up around 4:30 A.M. Haj Hussein Khalil called me at 8:45, asking for an urgent meeting to discuss something, so I met with him in Ain el Tineh. He informed me that the United Nations Secretary General Representative for Lebanon Geir Pederson had called Haj Wafik Safa (Head of Hizbullah Liaison and Coordination Unit) to ‘offer him an interesting offer... that is a chance'; whereby this ‘offer' included one-week suspension of warring operations before political debate could begin and an agreement on cease-fire could be made. Yet, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah informed him of Hizbullah's disapproval and asked for reference to MP Nabih Berri regarding the discussion of any new proposal.
Haj Hussein Khalil added that thirty minutes later Colonel Wissam Al-Hassan
called Haj Wafik Safa to ask him about the reason for Hizbullah's disapproval of Geir Pederson's proposal, so Haj Safa reiterated the same stance as before. Still, Al-Hassan offered a proposal which he considered to be ‘better than the first': declaring cease-fire before reaching an agreement on a double withdrawal, whereby the "Israeli" troops would withdraw to "the Blue Line" and Hizbullah would withdraw to the north of the Litany River. "But we refused this proposal, too, upon such proposals' indication to the level of coordination to form suspected plans," said Haj Khalil.
We reported these proposals to MP Berri, and without hesitance, he strongly refused them, telling Haj Hussein, "Even if Hizbullah agreed, I wouldn't, for these proposals might impose a reality which is "Israeli's" occupation to a new part of the land - no matter how small this part is. Since the beginning, I've refused any formula leading to this - no matter what the consequences might be."
As Haj Hussein attended the meeting, I informed MP Berri of the details of my meeting with Premier Siniora and his senior aide Dr. Muhammad Shatah, whereby there were common points between their proposals and Geir Pederson's even though Pederson's proposals had several positive points.
Haj Hussein then said that the French minister of foreign affairs had called Sayyed Nawaf Al-Moussawi (Head of Hizbullah's Office for International Affairs) and tried to promote his plan; however, the French minister was informed of Hizbullah's refusal.
Berri-Welch Proceedings in Ain el Tineh
Then the United States Assistant Secretary of State David Welch, the United States ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman, and a number of their assistants arrived at the Second Presidential Palace. MP Berri received them, whereas Haj Hussein remained in Ain el Tineh, waiting for the end of the meeting.
MP Berri informed us later that Welch thanked him at the beginning of the meeting for receiving them after the last stance of the United States.
MP Berri then reported the proceedings of the meeting:
Welch: "It has become important - even necessary - that we reach cease-fire in an introduction to the solution of all unresolved cases between Lebanon and "Israel". It is of the interest of all sides that we resolve the case of cease-fire. Having reflected on it, we find the solution should be double staged:
- The first includes leaving all military operations and leaving the situation as it is (which means keeping "Israel" in the southern regions it has invaded).
- The second includes hastening a thorough political solution in accordance with the standards of the American-French plan proposed in the UNSC (Welch didn't propose it as a thorough formula.); whereby this solution is to be defined in no more than a week. After the issuance of the solution, a final cease-fire is to be reached."
Now MP Berri was shocked by this formula, which bore no chances for success, so he said, "Before I answer you, let's see the missing part of your proposal: What about the issue of the "Israeli" captives and the Lebanese ones?!"
Welch: "Well, it's not probable for "Israel" to negotiate the issue of the captives. They must be handed over to "Israel"."
Berri: "And what about the issue of the Shebaa Farms?"
Welch: "It's true that "Israel" has earlier shown its readiness ‘to settle this issue', but it has no intentions to make any step that might be explained ‘as if Hizbullah conquered "Israel" in this War'."
Berri: "Mr. Welch, you were there when Mrs. Condoleezza Rice came. Didn't we have contrasting views as she wanted a single-stage solution, whereas I proposed a double-staged solution? So how come you have altered this now in accordance with an agenda that serves "Israel"? And when we - the Lebanese sides - agreed on one basket for the solution, why did you change your prospects, asking for the partition of the solution in accordance with your interest? Even concerning the issue of the Shebaa Farms, didn't Mrs. Rice say it was a part of the solution while you and ambassador Feltman were present?"
Welch: "This is true, but "Israel" hasn't approved of this in spite of our efforts."
Berri: "No harm, allow me to say I don't believe that "Israel" opposes your requests."
Berri continued, "Last time didn't I propose a realistic formula of exchange that could resolve the problem? Anyway, listen Mr. Welch, I have two roles to perform in this battle: the role of Head of the Amal Movement that is completely sharing Hizbullah's battle and making use of all its power for this purpose. As for the other role, it's to negotiate on behalf of myself and Hizbullah. Thus, as Head of the Amal Movement, I have to be convinced with the proposed solution formula in the first place before I perform my second role and convince Hizbullah of this. Now that I am not convinced, I tell you I'm not moving on to the second role."
Welch: "What do you mean?"
Berri: "Even if His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah sent a written approval of this formula, which is something he's not going to do anyway, I wouldn't accept it or adopt such solution. This is why I'm not going to inform Hizbullah of your solution plan, and if I'm to say something to Hizbullah, then I'll only ask for reinforcing Hizbullah's forces to continue the battle!"
Welch: "But we wish to reach a solution."
Berri: "Then let the United Nations Emergency Forces (UNEF) be in charge of the Shebaa Farms, allowing their people to come back. But the Lebanese Army isn't to be deployed there before their liberation."
Welch: "We can leave the issue of the Shebaa Farms to the United Nations secretary general and keep the "Israeli" forces there. Then the publishing (of territories) begins."
Berri: "What you've said doesn't at all convince me. Anyway, we've overcome the point we were discussing, so let's go back to it. The government agreed on an explainable group of points, and I held the responsibility of approving of them during the meeting of the Lebanese Ministerial Council. So let's discuss the unaccepted points."
Now MP Berri retracted the card of the issues of the seven points, of beginning the iteration to cease-fire, and of the captives' exchange. "Let's put these issues ‘aside'," said he, and so "without recording, let me start with your proposal. I'm speaking loudly: Why don't we discipline your plan and rearrange it? Your proposals do not make of you a successful American mediator. When you keep each team in its position, this means you are blazing the situation! Certainly, military operations will be performed, and the Resistance and the Lebanese people, including us, will not agree to keep the "Israeli" forces on the Lebanese territories. There will be escalation any moment.
The best solution," continued Berri, "which you can afford is:
- First: immediate and thorough cease-fire
- Second: return of the dislodged people
- Third: deployment of the Lebanese Army in the whole South Litany Region; afterwards, we go on with the solution."
Welch: "In that case, what will we have achieved?"
Berri: "-Before the twelfth of July, the "Israeli" forces were present beyond "the Blue Line", and now we want to take them back there.
- The "Israeli" forces were present in the Shebaa Farms, too. So we won't be requesting their immediate withdrawal between both stages.
- The Lebanese Army wasn't there, and now it will be deployed there."
Welch: "This sounds confusing. Does "Israel" accept this? What about the international forces?"
Berri: "Don't even think about multi-national forces as any other international ones. The UNEF is there, and we don't mind increasing the number as they support the Lebanese Army."
Welch: "Would you mind if the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon) had a different name?"
Berri: "What matters is to keep the same current missions for them. In that case, there will be no problem."
Welch: "I'm going to meet Premier Siniora."
Berri: "Well, the government and I agree on the points."
Berri: Not Right Time, Your Excellency
After Welch left, MP Berri called Premier Siniora and informed him of the discussion of the meeting, iterating keeping the same course as before. Minister Ghazi Al-Aridi was present while MP Berri was talking to Siniora, who said he adhered to the Shebaa Farms and to resolving the issue of ‘the illegitimate arms' in the South Litany Region. So MP Berri replied, "Regarding the Farms, I support you completely, so arrange a sequential solution. As for the issue of the arms, this is something we can discuss together later on. It's not the right time, Your Excellency."
Now Siniora tried to discuss details, but MP Berri said, "Let's go back to the seven standards and how we can explain them."
Afterwards, MP Saad Hariri called, inquiring about the atmospheres of the meeting with Welch and its results. Hence, MP Berri asked him to talk to Premier Siniora so as to maintain a unified stance.
Having been informed of all these atmospheres by MP Berri, we waited to see what was going to happen with Siniora, who called for an exceptional session of the Ministerial Council. MP Berri asked me to precede it with insisting on refusing the so-called American-French plan and with adhering to the content of the Lebanese points.
At 6:00 PM, Missis Farah Berri informed us of the atmospheres of the UNSC. She added that the American-French plan, which was adopted by the United Kingdom, was being debated seriously in the UNSC, which might vote for it. We discussed this plan with MP Berri, Mr. Talal Salman (Publisher and editor-in-chief of "As-Safir Newspaper"), and the staff of "As-Safir Newspaper". Everybody recognized this plan's dangers, especially its dependence on the Seventh Chapter and total absenting of the issue of the Shebaa Farms.
Hereupon, we considered that the discussion of this plan in the Security Council overcame all the talk with the U.S. envoy David Welch in the morning; probably he heard a different talk after leaving Ain el Tineh.
Hajj Hussein Khalil came again and told us that he informed Sayyed Nasrallah of the discussion of the Berri-Welch morning meeting and of Welch's approval of Berri's proposal.
MP Berri called Saad Hariri again, warning him from responding to this plan. So Hariri said that Premier Siniora had several remarks on it, which he was going to expose during the session of the Ministerial Council. Hariri also said that Siniora was going to call the French side so as to adjust this plan.
MP Berri asked me to meet with Premier Siniora during the meeting of the Ministerial Council.
I went to the headquarters of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSC), where I met with MP Muhammad Jawad Khalifeh and MP Muhammad Fneish. I informed them that the proposed plan could not be discussed before I met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fawzi Salloukh to ask him to send a message to the members of the UNSC, whereby he should iterate Lebanon's adherence to its firm standards and its refusal of the plan. When I talked to Premier Siniora aside, he said that he didn't approve of the plan or accept to let it cause any problem. Thus, Siniora's tone now harmonized with ours.
I came back to Ain el Tineh, where MP Berri was talking again with MP Hariri, and I told him about what had happened. Then Haj Hussein Khalil called Colonel Wissam Al-Hassan and asked him to deliver a message to Hariri, whereby the message's content revealed the same stance as ours on the plan.
MP Berri called the Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamad Bin Jassim and informed of the Lebanese stance, so Jassim supported it and asked MP Berri not to hesitate in expressing it as a unified Lebanese stance in the UNSC session to come.
By then, MP Salloukh had written his letter to the UNSC members and sent it to Siniora before sending it to our representative office in New York.
Besides, Siniora informed MP Berri of Condoleezza Rice's call, during which he informed her of the real Lebanese stance; yet, it was obvious that her insistence on her idea affected Premier Siniora's stance, whereby he tried to discuss the details of the plan.
MP Berri spoke with the Syrian Vice-President Farouk Sharaa, who called him and sounded to be dealing quietly with the American-French plan. Sharaa also considered that there still was plenty of time, and he inquired about the meeting of the Arab ministers of foreign affairs. But MP Berri emphasized that what was going on in New York was dangerous and that the priority was to move along with the influential states in order to precede any resolution of the UNSC.
Episode 13:
-Killing Twelve "Israeli" Militants in Kfar Giladi Rocks Tel Aviv
-Walid Al-Moallem's First Time in Beirut since 2004
-Amr Moussa Leaves Airport to Ain el Tineh... Sayyed Khaminai's Letter to Berri
Source: As-Safir newspaper, Translated and edited by moqawama.org
Pedersen offers ‘an interesting offer' to Hizbullah... Sayyed Nasrallah Replies: Refer to Berri
American-French Plan: Unconditioned Release of "Israeli" Soldiers, Occupation Rooting, Security-Zone Establishment
The days of August witnessed ‘international talents', whereby ‘political arts' were displayed on a burning stage. ‘The talented sides', however, did not realize that a match stick could not scare an already burned stage.
The difference between us and our enemy was that "Israel" was haunted by the missile phobia; whereas we refused defeat, and we were ready to die, and we told the stories of death to every political passerby.
Anew, envoys kept on arriving to Ain el Tineh, headed by David Welch - ‘the greatest present-maker' for "Israel" that couldn't make a single performance on earth to make the U.S. ‘proud' enough to impose conditions.
Therefore, in compensation for the military failure, the American-French plan commenced sneaking to the UNSC, whereby the introduction to the plan was promoted locally, conveying that certain Lebanese sides had approved of it.
We were strong enough to confront plans and proposals which certain envoys thought were beneficial for us. The mere glance at their content would be enough for us to refuse - again - offering ‘presents for "Israel"'.
The American-French plan could only meet failure as it got discussed in the Second Presidential Palace; whereby MP Berri debased this plan's standards and iterated "maintaining our steadiness and referring to the seven standards and the internal unity".
It was not a secret that the plan bore an Occupation rooting, an unconditioned release of the "Israeli" soldiers, and an establishment of a security zone empty of any members or ordnance. Hereupon, MP Berri wondered, "Why are you offering all of these standards to "Israel" that hasn't conquered us in the War? Then what would you offer it if it were victorious?!"
Saturday, August 5, 2006 witnessed the climax of the "Israeli" escalation of air strikes and maritime and ground bombardment; going hysterical, "Israel" performed more than 500 air raids and launched thousands of missiles against different regions of the South, Bekaa, and the North.
Now twenty-five days of the War had passed, and the "Israeli" Military reached the borders of Aita el Shaab, but it was unable to perform a main infiltration on the borders and to make a center or a base for operations there.
Some infiltrations even led the enemy to ambuscades set previously by the Resistance. Thus, the enemy's elite forces suffered great casualties, and the commanders of these forces were too confused to define the targets of their operations. As for the airdrop attempt at the entrance to Tyr (Sur) City, it occurred after the "Israeli" forces' operation in Bekaa failed: The enemy forces suffered casualties, making the helicopters transport the wounded soldiers quickly. Although the "Israeli" military statements tried to conceal these casualties by reporting the assassination of some Resistance commanders, the statements could not conceal the enemy's casualties as their incredibility was exposed later on.
In fact, this military alternation included launching fuel-air bombs (thermo-baric weapons) against Beirut Southern Suburb, demolishing its buildings. But this became a normal thing that did not affect the management of the battle and its developments. Hereupon, the American-French plan was proposed as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a session. The details of the plan were made in understanding with "Israel" so as to compensate politically for its military failure. Now it was apparent that both sides had tried to conceal this understanding in hope for facilitating its promotion in Lebanon by proposing ‘a gain': listing the issue of the Shebaa Farms in the context of settlement. Yet, the plan basically focused on freezing the warring acts, which meant rooting the Occupation even if along a tight line that "Israel" could not protect in the War. France and the U.S. wanted to negotiate this during the coming stage of the UNSC resolution.
The aforementioned plan included ‘the unconditioned release' of both captivated "Israeli" soldiers in return for ‘the encouragement of efforts' to settle the case of the Lebanese ‘prisoners' detained by "Israel". As well, ‘the settlement' was to include security arrangements including the establishment of a zone empty of any members or ordnance. The procedures were to be succeeded by another resolution in accordance with the Seventh Chapter; whereby the resolution would state the deployment of international forces commissioned by the United Nations.
Actually, both of the U.S. and France claimed that this plan was supported by the Lebanese people in an attempt to promote it. Hereupon, a series of declarative calls was made, including calls between the members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as the draft statement was distributed to them.
Pederson Maneuvers... Wissam Al-Hassan Sustains Mission
Violent airstrikes targeted Beirut Southern Suburb, waking me up around 4:30 A.M. Haj Hussein Khalil called me at 8:45, asking for an urgent meeting to discuss something, so I met with him in Ain el Tineh. He informed me that the United Nations Secretary General Representative for Lebanon Geir Pederson had called Haj Wafik Safa (Head of Hizbullah Liaison and Coordination Unit) to ‘offer him an interesting offer... that is a chance'; whereby this ‘offer' included one-week suspension of warring operations before political debate could begin and an agreement on cease-fire could be made. Yet, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah informed him of Hizbullah's disapproval and asked for reference to MP Nabih Berri regarding the discussion of any new proposal.
Haj Hussein Khalil added that thirty minutes later Colonel Wissam Al-Hassan
called Haj Wafik Safa to ask him about the reason for Hizbullah's disapproval of Geir Pederson's proposal, so Haj Safa reiterated the same stance as before. Still, Al-Hassan offered a proposal which he considered to be ‘better than the first': declaring cease-fire before reaching an agreement on a double withdrawal, whereby the "Israeli" troops would withdraw to "the Blue Line" and Hizbullah would withdraw to the north of the Litany River. "But we refused this proposal, too, upon such proposals' indication to the level of coordination to form suspected plans," said Haj Khalil.
We reported these proposals to MP Berri, and without hesitance, he strongly refused them, telling Haj Hussein, "Even if Hizbullah agreed, I wouldn't, for these proposals might impose a reality which is "Israeli's" occupation to a new part of the land - no matter how small this part is. Since the beginning, I've refused any formula leading to this - no matter what the consequences might be."
As Haj Hussein attended the meeting, I informed MP Berri of the details of my meeting with Premier Siniora and his senior aide Dr. Muhammad Shatah, whereby there were common points between their proposals and Geir Pederson's even though Pederson's proposals had several positive points.
Haj Hussein then said that the French minister of foreign affairs had called Sayyed Nawaf Al-Moussawi (Head of Hizbullah's Office for International Affairs) and tried to promote his plan; however, the French minister was informed of Hizbullah's refusal.
Berri-Welch Proceedings in Ain el Tineh
Then the United States Assistant Secretary of State David Welch, the United States ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman, and a number of their assistants arrived at the Second Presidential Palace. MP Berri received them, whereas Haj Hussein remained in Ain el Tineh, waiting for the end of the meeting.
MP Berri informed us later that Welch thanked him at the beginning of the meeting for receiving them after the last stance of the United States.
MP Berri then reported the proceedings of the meeting:
Welch: "It has become important - even necessary - that we reach cease-fire in an introduction to the solution of all unresolved cases between Lebanon and "Israel". It is of the interest of all sides that we resolve the case of cease-fire. Having reflected on it, we find the solution should be double staged:
- The first includes leaving all military operations and leaving the situation as it is (which means keeping "Israel" in the southern regions it has invaded).
- The second includes hastening a thorough political solution in accordance with the standards of the American-French plan proposed in the UNSC (Welch didn't propose it as a thorough formula.); whereby this solution is to be defined in no more than a week. After the issuance of the solution, a final cease-fire is to be reached."
Now MP Berri was shocked by this formula, which bore no chances for success, so he said, "Before I answer you, let's see the missing part of your proposal: What about the issue of the "Israeli" captives and the Lebanese ones?!"
Welch: "Well, it's not probable for "Israel" to negotiate the issue of the captives. They must be handed over to "Israel"."
Berri: "And what about the issue of the Shebaa Farms?"
Welch: "It's true that "Israel" has earlier shown its readiness ‘to settle this issue', but it has no intentions to make any step that might be explained ‘as if Hizbullah conquered "Israel" in this War'."
Berri: "Mr. Welch, you were there when Mrs. Condoleezza Rice came. Didn't we have contrasting views as she wanted a single-stage solution, whereas I proposed a double-staged solution? So how come you have altered this now in accordance with an agenda that serves "Israel"? And when we - the Lebanese sides - agreed on one basket for the solution, why did you change your prospects, asking for the partition of the solution in accordance with your interest? Even concerning the issue of the Shebaa Farms, didn't Mrs. Rice say it was a part of the solution while you and ambassador Feltman were present?"
Welch: "This is true, but "Israel" hasn't approved of this in spite of our efforts."
Berri: "No harm, allow me to say I don't believe that "Israel" opposes your requests."
Berri continued, "Last time didn't I propose a realistic formula of exchange that could resolve the problem? Anyway, listen Mr. Welch, I have two roles to perform in this battle: the role of Head of the Amal Movement that is completely sharing Hizbullah's battle and making use of all its power for this purpose. As for the other role, it's to negotiate on behalf of myself and Hizbullah. Thus, as Head of the Amal Movement, I have to be convinced with the proposed solution formula in the first place before I perform my second role and convince Hizbullah of this. Now that I am not convinced, I tell you I'm not moving on to the second role."
Welch: "What do you mean?"
Berri: "Even if His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah sent a written approval of this formula, which is something he's not going to do anyway, I wouldn't accept it or adopt such solution. This is why I'm not going to inform Hizbullah of your solution plan, and if I'm to say something to Hizbullah, then I'll only ask for reinforcing Hizbullah's forces to continue the battle!"
Welch: "But we wish to reach a solution."
Berri: "Then let the United Nations Emergency Forces (UNEF) be in charge of the Shebaa Farms, allowing their people to come back. But the Lebanese Army isn't to be deployed there before their liberation."
Welch: "We can leave the issue of the Shebaa Farms to the United Nations secretary general and keep the "Israeli" forces there. Then the publishing (of territories) begins."
Berri: "What you've said doesn't at all convince me. Anyway, we've overcome the point we were discussing, so let's go back to it. The government agreed on an explainable group of points, and I held the responsibility of approving of them during the meeting of the Lebanese Ministerial Council. So let's discuss the unaccepted points."
Now MP Berri retracted the card of the issues of the seven points, of beginning the iteration to cease-fire, and of the captives' exchange. "Let's put these issues ‘aside'," said he, and so "without recording, let me start with your proposal. I'm speaking loudly: Why don't we discipline your plan and rearrange it? Your proposals do not make of you a successful American mediator. When you keep each team in its position, this means you are blazing the situation! Certainly, military operations will be performed, and the Resistance and the Lebanese people, including us, will not agree to keep the "Israeli" forces on the Lebanese territories. There will be escalation any moment.
The best solution," continued Berri, "which you can afford is:
- First: immediate and thorough cease-fire
- Second: return of the dislodged people
- Third: deployment of the Lebanese Army in the whole South Litany Region; afterwards, we go on with the solution."
Welch: "In that case, what will we have achieved?"
Berri: "-Before the twelfth of July, the "Israeli" forces were present beyond "the Blue Line", and now we want to take them back there.
- The "Israeli" forces were present in the Shebaa Farms, too. So we won't be requesting their immediate withdrawal between both stages.
- The Lebanese Army wasn't there, and now it will be deployed there."
Welch: "This sounds confusing. Does "Israel" accept this? What about the international forces?"
Berri: "Don't even think about multi-national forces as any other international ones. The UNEF is there, and we don't mind increasing the number as they support the Lebanese Army."
Welch: "Would you mind if the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon) had a different name?"
Berri: "What matters is to keep the same current missions for them. In that case, there will be no problem."
Welch: "I'm going to meet Premier Siniora."
Berri: "Well, the government and I agree on the points."
Berri: Not Right Time, Your Excellency
After Welch left, MP Berri called Premier Siniora and informed him of the discussion of the meeting, iterating keeping the same course as before. Minister Ghazi Al-Aridi was present while MP Berri was talking to Siniora, who said he adhered to the Shebaa Farms and to resolving the issue of ‘the illegitimate arms' in the South Litany Region. So MP Berri replied, "Regarding the Farms, I support you completely, so arrange a sequential solution. As for the issue of the arms, this is something we can discuss together later on. It's not the right time, Your Excellency."
Now Siniora tried to discuss details, but MP Berri said, "Let's go back to the seven standards and how we can explain them."
Afterwards, MP Saad Hariri called, inquiring about the atmospheres of the meeting with Welch and its results. Hence, MP Berri asked him to talk to Premier Siniora so as to maintain a unified stance.
Having been informed of all these atmospheres by MP Berri, we waited to see what was going to happen with Siniora, who called for an exceptional session of the Ministerial Council. MP Berri asked me to precede it with insisting on refusing the so-called American-French plan and with adhering to the content of the Lebanese points.
At 6:00 PM, Missis Farah Berri informed us of the atmospheres of the UNSC. She added that the American-French plan, which was adopted by the United Kingdom, was being debated seriously in the UNSC, which might vote for it. We discussed this plan with MP Berri, Mr. Talal Salman (Publisher and editor-in-chief of "As-Safir Newspaper"), and the staff of "As-Safir Newspaper". Everybody recognized this plan's dangers, especially its dependence on the Seventh Chapter and total absenting of the issue of the Shebaa Farms.
Hereupon, we considered that the discussion of this plan in the Security Council overcame all the talk with the U.S. envoy David Welch in the morning; probably he heard a different talk after leaving Ain el Tineh.
Hajj Hussein Khalil came again and told us that he informed Sayyed Nasrallah of the discussion of the Berri-Welch morning meeting and of Welch's approval of Berri's proposal.
MP Berri called Saad Hariri again, warning him from responding to this plan. So Hariri said that Premier Siniora had several remarks on it, which he was going to expose during the session of the Ministerial Council. Hariri also said that Siniora was going to call the French side so as to adjust this plan.
MP Berri asked me to meet with Premier Siniora during the meeting of the Ministerial Council.
I went to the headquarters of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSC), where I met with MP Muhammad Jawad Khalifeh and MP Muhammad Fneish. I informed them that the proposed plan could not be discussed before I met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fawzi Salloukh to ask him to send a message to the members of the UNSC, whereby he should iterate Lebanon's adherence to its firm standards and its refusal of the plan. When I talked to Premier Siniora aside, he said that he didn't approve of the plan or accept to let it cause any problem. Thus, Siniora's tone now harmonized with ours.
I came back to Ain el Tineh, where MP Berri was talking again with MP Hariri, and I told him about what had happened. Then Haj Hussein Khalil called Colonel Wissam Al-Hassan and asked him to deliver a message to Hariri, whereby the message's content revealed the same stance as ours on the plan.
MP Berri called the Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamad Bin Jassim and informed of the Lebanese stance, so Jassim supported it and asked MP Berri not to hesitate in expressing it as a unified Lebanese stance in the UNSC session to come.
By then, MP Salloukh had written his letter to the UNSC members and sent it to Siniora before sending it to our representative office in New York.
Besides, Siniora informed MP Berri of Condoleezza Rice's call, during which he informed her of the real Lebanese stance; yet, it was obvious that her insistence on her idea affected Premier Siniora's stance, whereby he tried to discuss the details of the plan.
MP Berri spoke with the Syrian Vice-President Farouk Sharaa, who called him and sounded to be dealing quietly with the American-French plan. Sharaa also considered that there still was plenty of time, and he inquired about the meeting of the Arab ministers of foreign affairs. But MP Berri emphasized that what was going on in New York was dangerous and that the priority was to move along with the influential states in order to precede any resolution of the UNSC.
Episode 13:
-Killing Twelve "Israeli" Militants in Kfar Giladi Rocks Tel Aviv
-Walid Al-Moallem's First Time in Beirut since 2004
-Amr Moussa Leaves Airport to Ain el Tineh... Sayyed Khaminai's Letter to Berri
Source: As-Safir newspaper, Translated and edited by moqawama.org
