July-War Secrets: Exposed by Nabih Berri and Retold by Ali Hassan Khalil (Episode 13)
TRANSLATED from Lebanese Daily As-Safir- Local Editor
It does not matter how the negotiations are directed, for the blood of our martyrs enables us to make history, so how about a cease-fire "Israel" is now seeking after the failure of the "Israeli" Military?
Since "Israel" has been conquered in the battle field, we've commenced living blessed times that are much better than all other times. Neither are we dying for a ‘quick' solution, nor is it us who have arranged for an ‘anyhow' settlement. Rare are the solid Arab stances in contrast with the greatly devastated morale among the ‘raiding' delegations.
As we approach victory, local, regional, and Arabized regional formulas are nurtured in Lebanon by certain political sides attempting to do away with the steadfastness fruits - whether on the level of security or politics. The negotiations have entered the Arabs' era, whereby underneath a dark sky, Beirut International Airport witnesses the aviating, private Arab planes, which aviate along with the "Israeli" drones and air fighters performing raids. Even the heavens can hear the voices of dying children!
Oh! We shall revenge for our children's blood and refuse disgrace, for their blood shall show us the right way to the solutions. We shan't consider any ones that can save our enemy from trouble.
Hereupon, we have made our stance, but "our problem with the interior political sides is more serious than with the exterior ones;" the Lebanese government has sent letters secretly to the UNSC and proposed adjustments to the American-French plan, including emptying the South Litany Region of arms and armed fighters.
Even without adjustments, the plan itself bears no signs of the Lebanese sovereignty; "The only outcome of such resolution is that our confrontation with "Israel" will expand to the confrontation with the UNSC and all of the approving states," MP Berri iterates to the French Ambassador Bernard Emie during a meeting.
The day of the U.S. Envoy David Welch who bore the American plan was over, and another day began: Sunday, the sixth of August, 2006, which bore harsh outcomes for the enemy forces in the battle field; whereby the Resistance bombarded a gathering of paratroopers in "the Kfar Giladi Settlement".
"Israel" could no longer bet on its ground forces' ability to perform infiltrations that could be employed politically. Thus, the focus became hastening the passage of the American-French plan to compensate for the crisis the enemies of the Resistance were suffering; also to prevent the making of any adjustments to this plan, specifically adjustments that could overcome the standard concerning the formation of multinational forces, so as to put an end to Hizbullah's armament.
Preparations for "the Conference of the Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Beirut" had begun when the ministers arrived in Beirut; the most prominent of who was the Syrian Minister Walid Al-Moallem, for his presence was of significance, especially when it was the first visit paid by such prominent Syrian official after Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon more than a year earlier. During his visit, Al-Moallem met with Premier Fouad Siniora, reporting to him Syria's adoption for the Lebanese convention. Likewise, Al-Moallem pointed out clearly Syria's support for the Lebanese stance regarding the occupied Shebaa Farms.
When MP Berri reached his office in the morning, he seemed uneasy because of the atmospheres of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Together we discussed the remarks made by our Deputy to the United Nations Caroline Zyadeh in regard to the proposed draft resolution. MP Berri asked us to keep up with certain details.
Mid Sunday, The Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Muhammad Reda Shibani arrived in Ain el Tineh and met with MP Berri while I was present. He commenced reading a letter which the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Sayyed Ali Khaminai had written: "I send you my greetings and regards. I am keeping up perfectly with your stances, which are very good and successful. May Allah grant you the power to go on and become victorious."
Ambassador Shibani added that The Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Manoucheher Mottaki was troubled by the bad draft resolution of the Security Council. Hence, Mottaki was making calls with Russia and China. In fact, Russia did not realize the seriousness of the current crisis; yet, the Chinese and British deputies to the UNSC informed the Iranian ambassador that it was useless to attempt obstructing the plan because it was going to be debated whether Iran and Lebanon agreed or not. Hereupon, Ambassador Shibani asked us about our opinion and the steps that could be made.
Berri: "I've constantly advised to work on finding allies in the UNSC. We're facing a big challenge, for the resolution (to be issued) might offer "Israel" more than it has requested and might compensate for its defeat in Lebanon. Anyway, we're going to refuse such resolution and confront it if it is issued. But we are afraid that the internal Lebanese stance might be disrupted."
Now the Iranian ambassador said that the Iranian minister of foreign affairs was upset as Siniora put words in his mouth concerning the Shebaa Farms after his return from Lebanon. So MP Berri told Shibani that he had asked Premier Siniora for an explanation before Berri could make a declarative response to newspapers. Furthermore, Shibani told us that during Siniora's meeting with Mottaki, Siniora intended to make him discuss critical details, but Mottaki replied that the official Iranian stance was to adopt the Lebanese conventional points. "Personally, however," said Mottaki, "I wrote down some remarks, but Siniora intended to distort these remarks and leak them."
Al-Assad Doesn't Mind Giving Up Shebaa Farms to Army or UNIFIL
Afterwards, MP Berri held a press conference, during which he said that the American-French draft "greatly serves "Israel" that hasn't conquered us in the War. Then what would they offer it if it were victorious?!" As well, MP Berri impugned all the standards of the resolution, refusing any kind of talk or plan that exceeded the Lebanese points; also declaring Iran's resolute stance, which supported what the Lebanese political sides agreed on. Berri pointed out that the plan mentioned "the unconditioned release of both "Israeli" soldiers"; Hereupon, MP Berri declared, "I quit this mission, and I have nothing more to do with this issue."
At 4:30 PM, the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs arrived in Ain el Tineh, so I received him, and MP Berri began the meeting by thanking him for his stance on the Shebaa Farms.
Al-Moallem informed us that he held talks that day with the Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, who informed Al-Moallem clearly that he didn't mind giving up the Shebaa Farms to the Lebanese Army or the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL); neither did Al-Assad mind the publishing (of territories) later on. Now MP Berri explained to Al-Moallem his stance on the draft resolution of the UNSC. And when Al-Moallem asked us about what could be done, MP Berri emphasized the adoption of the seven points and the internal unity.
After Al-Moallem left, MP Berri received the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who had arrived immediately in Ain el Tineh from Beirut International Airport.
Upon a previous agreement with Moussa, Haj Hussein Khalil and I joined the meeting, during which a frank discussion took place, and it could be summed up in a message including these points:
"-The Lebanese people are concerned with the battle; neither Iran nor any other country is involved. This is what the Arab ministers of foreign affairs need to know.
-We have a chance that we should make use of by fulfilling victory and preventing "Israel" from making a political gain instead of its loss of the battle.
-We've overcome all reservations on the stances of some Lebanese politicians, especially those of Premier Siniora and Saad Hariri. Also, we've accepted the seven points, keeping our own explanation for some of them, though.
-"The Conference for the Arab Foreign Ministers" must be altered into a chance to help liberate the Shebaa Farms, making, therefore, the Arabs partners in the victory."
As Amr Moussa listened to this, he said we shouldn't underestimate what the U.S. might do to allow the passage of its plan. Still. Moussa said that he adhered to the Arab stance's support for the Lebanese government.
Not all media means could keep up with the news of the massacres against Shayah (Beirut) at night. As a matter of fact, "the Shayah Massacre", which was the first massacre perpetrated there, brought about the martyrdom or wounding of tens of Shayah's citizens. This came after "the Houla Massacre" had been perpetrated, making the southerners recall the scene of the first massacre in Houla in 1948.
Siniora Cries Twice...
Monday, the seventh of August, 2006 was one of the days which witnessed the greatest civilian casualties. Throughout its operations, "Israel" sought to fortify the stance it made to the United Nations before the session for the UNSC could be held. As for "the Conference for the Arab Foreign Ministers", which was held in the Governmental Palace, it was the most prominent political event. The Conference witnessed contrasting views, whereby some ministers were clearly biased to accepting any international resolution (to be issued), and they demanded "positive" dealing with the American-French plan for the UNSC, claiming that refusing this plan "would be disastrous for Lebanon". On the other hand, another team promoted the idea of absolute support for Lebanon and the Lebanese Resistance in refusing any unconvincing settlement that overcame the Lebanese convention represented by the seven points.
Premier Siniora began the session with a speech which he interrupted twice because of ‘tears running down his face'. Therefore, the Arab foreign ministers clapped for him so as to encourage him to continue the meeting. However, the "Israeli" Minister of Foreign Affairs Tsivi Livni asked him to wipe his ‘tears' off and move to work.
Minister Walid Al-Moallem's proposal, supported by Yemen and Algeria, was refused at the end of the meeting since it was to include tribute to the Resistance's role within the final statement and to agree on sending an Arab delegation to the United Nations in order to deliver the Arab point of view regarding the dangers of making inapplicable resolutions.
Before "the Conference for the Arab Foreign Ministers", I met with Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moallem at the Bristol Hotel upon his request. Al-Moallem informed me of the discussion he had with Premier Siniora during their meeting the day before; whereby Siniora began talking sharply about old cases of the Lebanese-Syrian relations, but Al-Moallem replied that now they were meant to express support for Lebanon's steadfastness against the "Israeli" Aggression. As well, he reiterated to Siniora Syria's approval of deploying the United Nations Emergency Forces (UNEF) in the Shebaa Farms; of delaying the publishing (of territories); and of the Lebanese convention regarding the proposed settlement based on the seven standards.
Hariri Reports French Stance, Emie Denies!
In the meantime, MP Berri met with the French Ambassador to Lebanon Bernard Emie, who seemed tolerant with MP Berri's opposition for the UNSC draft resolution. Even though Emie showed his readiness to deal with MP Berri's fears, Berri was resolute, declaring, "The Essence and details of the resolution are based upon rewarding "Israel". It is impossible to execute the proposed formula even if we adjust our stance, for this formula isn't in harmony with the actualities. Therefore, the only outcome for such resolution is that our confrontation with "Israel" will expand to the confrontation with the UNSC and all of the approving states. Hereupon, the best favor France can do is to retract the current draft resolution and listen well to the unified Lebanese stance.
Also in the meantime, calls with several officials began in preparation for holding the evening session for the Ministerial Council. The issue of deploying 15,000 Lebanese-Army soldiers in the South was posed, and MP Saad Hariri reported that this had been coordinated with France; however, Ambassador Bernard Emie denied any knowledge of this as Dr. Mahmoud Berri (Representative for the Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri) called him to inquire about the truth. Emie promised that he would offer an accurate answer later on.
Still, MP Berri dealt positively with the idea, which he had approved of some days earlier, considering it normal to deploy the Lebanese Army in all southern regions after the "Israeli" withdrawal beyond "the Blue Line".
During and after the Ministerial-Council session, I discussed this proposal with Haj Hussein Khalil, who reiterated Hizbullah's approval of it. We agreed on informing the ministers of our approval during the evening session for the Ministerial Council; whereby the resolution formula would basically be the readiness to make this step upon fear that "Israel" might try to refer to it in order to create pressure, which might lead to others issues that could rearrange priorities in accordance with the main American plan.
By the time the Ministerial Council issued a conventional resolution, France had requested that the plan discussion by the UNSC be delayed, offering a chance to expand the calls while expecting the arrival of the Arab delegation in New York. I moved to Shayah, where it was ultimately touching to see over sixty martyrs and wounded people, in addition to tens of others laying under ruins, who could not be released before the late night. Anger masked the place as blood, dust, and screams confirmed that this battle, which was exterminating whole families, must be terminated with the victory of the Resistance, for only this could compensate for the martyrs' loss.
A Stormy Meeting with Siniora in Governmental Palace
On Tuesday, the eighth of August, 2006, a second massacre struck Al-Ghazieh, resulting in the martyrdom of 15 civilians after another one had been perpetrated the day earlier.
Hereupon, the Resistance fiercely counterattacked the "Israeli" settlements and set up ambushes for the "Israeli" forces centered on the Lebanese territories and on the borders, attacking them directly. Now ‘the Merkava legend' was beginning to be history, whereby more and more Merkava tanks burned on several axes, particularly in Sahl Al-Khiyam (Al-Khiyam Plain).
The decision made the day before regarding the readiness to send a force of the Lebanese Army (to the South) had altered the situation and made some sides at the UNSC redo their math, especially regarding their insistence on sending multinational forces. And the debate was different now.
Still, MP Berri seemed cautious when he reached his office, and he was waiting to know what the reaction of the U.S. was going to be. Afterwards, he pointed out that his meeting with the German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank Steinmeier made it obvious that the latter had been trying to promote the American plan without considering the Lebanese government's declared stance.
Then, MP Berri met with a big Egyptian delegation of governmental figures, opposition-parties representatives, literati, and artists. During the meeting, MP Berri made an overview concerning the encounters of the Resistance and the Lebanese people with "Israel"; whereby "their faith in God has made them fulfill what all Arabs hadn't been able to fulfill in 50 years."
The atmospheres pointed out that the U.N. Security Council wouldn't hold its session before Friday, the eleventh of August. While we were discussing this in Ain el Tineh, MP Muhammad Fneish called for an appointment. Once he arrived, he showed us a copy of a letter which Siniora had sent to New York regarding the adjustments to the American-French draft resolution; whereby one of the letter's paragraphs talked about emptying the South Litany Region of arms and armed fighters. MP Berri was aggravated for not having been informed of the letter's content, and he reiterated what I had reported earlier to Siniora in regard to referring to the seven points as MP Fneish was present.
We discovered that Siniora had delivered the letter to the ambassadors of the grand states two days earlier. So MP Berri called the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fawzi Salloukh to inquire about this. Then he called Premier Siniora and informed him that I would go see him in the Governmental Palace.
When I arrived, I met with Siniora in a little office. He was exhausted, and his voice was low. First, we discussed the fierce air raid that had just stricken Beirut Southern Suburb. We discussed the places it could have targeted, too.
Khalil (I) to Siniora: "What truth does the letter to the Security Council hide? MP Muhammad Fneish informed us of its content a while ago, and we have several remarks on it. Actually, this complicates things and causes the division of the Lebanese stance."
Siniora: "Ali, how are you doing your math?! If this paragraph makes you tense, then this means we're far beyond the solution. The "Israeli" withdrawal we're advocating for cannot be debated without the occurrence of a thorough withdrawal from the South Litany Region."
Khalil: "But you haven't consulted MP Berri concerning the letter and its content. Maybe he could have helped you formulate the resolution in a way that could preserve the unity of the stance and the prospect of the solution."
Siniora; "Well, this issue is resolute, and we cannot accept anything else."
Khalil: But What about Shebaa Farms' Solution Part before Debating Arms?
Siniora: "The resolution shall involve an integrated unit, but it's hard to resolve the issue of the Shebaa Farms directly. You have to inform me of your real stance, for it's crucial. We must show our credibility to the world we're dealing with. The U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called me and expressed her satisfaction with the government's resolution to deploy the Lebanese Army (in the South Litany Region). And it's her first time to iterate that she supported increasing the UNIFIL, conditioning that this be made in accordance with the Seventh Chapter. I made her aware of the precautions, but she insisted and said, "The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State will arrive (in Beirut) tomorrow, and he will talk to you, whereby he will have in hand a new draft resolution. Afterwards, we can debate a final formula."
Premier Siniora continued talking about his call with the French foreign minister, who considered that Siniora's stance had become ‘better', yet he was ‘unconvinced' that "Israel" had to withdraw immediately after cease-fire.
I set off to Ain el Tineh, where Haj Hussein Khalil was, and I informed him and MP Berri of my discussion with Premier Siniora. MP Berri expressed his dissatisfaction and said, "It is quite dissatisfactory is that our problem with the interior political sides is more serious than with the exterior ones." MP Berri also expressed his concern upon Rice's talk that I had just reported.
Haj Hussein suggested that MP Berri talk to MP Saad Hariri about this issue, but MP Berri refused, saying, "Tomorrow I'll be discussing this directly with David Welch and informing him of the very stance we've declared. Perhaps this is the best way." Leaving late, we heard the roar of an air strike that made us feel it was close.
Episode 14:
-David Welsh in Beirut Again, Berri Tells Him, "You Make a Fine Decorator for an Ugly Resolution"
-Arab Delegation Headed by Moussa Begins Calls in New York, France Declares Withdrawal from American Draft Resolution
-New Massacres Cover Lebanon, "Kheibar" Missiles Raze Occupied Palestine's
Middle
Source: As-Safir newspaper, Translated and eidted by moqawama.org
It does not matter how the negotiations are directed, for the blood of our martyrs enables us to make history, so how about a cease-fire "Israel" is now seeking after the failure of the "Israeli" Military?
Since "Israel" has been conquered in the battle field, we've commenced living blessed times that are much better than all other times. Neither are we dying for a ‘quick' solution, nor is it us who have arranged for an ‘anyhow' settlement. Rare are the solid Arab stances in contrast with the greatly devastated morale among the ‘raiding' delegations.
As we approach victory, local, regional, and Arabized regional formulas are nurtured in Lebanon by certain political sides attempting to do away with the steadfastness fruits - whether on the level of security or politics. The negotiations have entered the Arabs' era, whereby underneath a dark sky, Beirut International Airport witnesses the aviating, private Arab planes, which aviate along with the "Israeli" drones and air fighters performing raids. Even the heavens can hear the voices of dying children!
Oh! We shall revenge for our children's blood and refuse disgrace, for their blood shall show us the right way to the solutions. We shan't consider any ones that can save our enemy from trouble.
Hereupon, we have made our stance, but "our problem with the interior political sides is more serious than with the exterior ones;" the Lebanese government has sent letters secretly to the UNSC and proposed adjustments to the American-French plan, including emptying the South Litany Region of arms and armed fighters.
Even without adjustments, the plan itself bears no signs of the Lebanese sovereignty; "The only outcome of such resolution is that our confrontation with "Israel" will expand to the confrontation with the UNSC and all of the approving states," MP Berri iterates to the French Ambassador Bernard Emie during a meeting.
The day of the U.S. Envoy David Welch who bore the American plan was over, and another day began: Sunday, the sixth of August, 2006, which bore harsh outcomes for the enemy forces in the battle field; whereby the Resistance bombarded a gathering of paratroopers in "the Kfar Giladi Settlement".
"Israel" could no longer bet on its ground forces' ability to perform infiltrations that could be employed politically. Thus, the focus became hastening the passage of the American-French plan to compensate for the crisis the enemies of the Resistance were suffering; also to prevent the making of any adjustments to this plan, specifically adjustments that could overcome the standard concerning the formation of multinational forces, so as to put an end to Hizbullah's armament.
Preparations for "the Conference of the Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Beirut" had begun when the ministers arrived in Beirut; the most prominent of who was the Syrian Minister Walid Al-Moallem, for his presence was of significance, especially when it was the first visit paid by such prominent Syrian official after Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon more than a year earlier. During his visit, Al-Moallem met with Premier Fouad Siniora, reporting to him Syria's adoption for the Lebanese convention. Likewise, Al-Moallem pointed out clearly Syria's support for the Lebanese stance regarding the occupied Shebaa Farms.
When MP Berri reached his office in the morning, he seemed uneasy because of the atmospheres of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Together we discussed the remarks made by our Deputy to the United Nations Caroline Zyadeh in regard to the proposed draft resolution. MP Berri asked us to keep up with certain details.
Mid Sunday, The Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Muhammad Reda Shibani arrived in Ain el Tineh and met with MP Berri while I was present. He commenced reading a letter which the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Sayyed Ali Khaminai had written: "I send you my greetings and regards. I am keeping up perfectly with your stances, which are very good and successful. May Allah grant you the power to go on and become victorious."
Ambassador Shibani added that The Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Manoucheher Mottaki was troubled by the bad draft resolution of the Security Council. Hence, Mottaki was making calls with Russia and China. In fact, Russia did not realize the seriousness of the current crisis; yet, the Chinese and British deputies to the UNSC informed the Iranian ambassador that it was useless to attempt obstructing the plan because it was going to be debated whether Iran and Lebanon agreed or not. Hereupon, Ambassador Shibani asked us about our opinion and the steps that could be made.
Berri: "I've constantly advised to work on finding allies in the UNSC. We're facing a big challenge, for the resolution (to be issued) might offer "Israel" more than it has requested and might compensate for its defeat in Lebanon. Anyway, we're going to refuse such resolution and confront it if it is issued. But we are afraid that the internal Lebanese stance might be disrupted."
Now the Iranian ambassador said that the Iranian minister of foreign affairs was upset as Siniora put words in his mouth concerning the Shebaa Farms after his return from Lebanon. So MP Berri told Shibani that he had asked Premier Siniora for an explanation before Berri could make a declarative response to newspapers. Furthermore, Shibani told us that during Siniora's meeting with Mottaki, Siniora intended to make him discuss critical details, but Mottaki replied that the official Iranian stance was to adopt the Lebanese conventional points. "Personally, however," said Mottaki, "I wrote down some remarks, but Siniora intended to distort these remarks and leak them."
Al-Assad Doesn't Mind Giving Up Shebaa Farms to Army or UNIFIL
Afterwards, MP Berri held a press conference, during which he said that the American-French draft "greatly serves "Israel" that hasn't conquered us in the War. Then what would they offer it if it were victorious?!" As well, MP Berri impugned all the standards of the resolution, refusing any kind of talk or plan that exceeded the Lebanese points; also declaring Iran's resolute stance, which supported what the Lebanese political sides agreed on. Berri pointed out that the plan mentioned "the unconditioned release of both "Israeli" soldiers"; Hereupon, MP Berri declared, "I quit this mission, and I have nothing more to do with this issue."
At 4:30 PM, the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs arrived in Ain el Tineh, so I received him, and MP Berri began the meeting by thanking him for his stance on the Shebaa Farms.
Al-Moallem informed us that he held talks that day with the Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, who informed Al-Moallem clearly that he didn't mind giving up the Shebaa Farms to the Lebanese Army or the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL); neither did Al-Assad mind the publishing (of territories) later on. Now MP Berri explained to Al-Moallem his stance on the draft resolution of the UNSC. And when Al-Moallem asked us about what could be done, MP Berri emphasized the adoption of the seven points and the internal unity.
After Al-Moallem left, MP Berri received the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who had arrived immediately in Ain el Tineh from Beirut International Airport.
Upon a previous agreement with Moussa, Haj Hussein Khalil and I joined the meeting, during which a frank discussion took place, and it could be summed up in a message including these points:
"-The Lebanese people are concerned with the battle; neither Iran nor any other country is involved. This is what the Arab ministers of foreign affairs need to know.
-We have a chance that we should make use of by fulfilling victory and preventing "Israel" from making a political gain instead of its loss of the battle.
-We've overcome all reservations on the stances of some Lebanese politicians, especially those of Premier Siniora and Saad Hariri. Also, we've accepted the seven points, keeping our own explanation for some of them, though.
-"The Conference for the Arab Foreign Ministers" must be altered into a chance to help liberate the Shebaa Farms, making, therefore, the Arabs partners in the victory."
As Amr Moussa listened to this, he said we shouldn't underestimate what the U.S. might do to allow the passage of its plan. Still. Moussa said that he adhered to the Arab stance's support for the Lebanese government.
Not all media means could keep up with the news of the massacres against Shayah (Beirut) at night. As a matter of fact, "the Shayah Massacre", which was the first massacre perpetrated there, brought about the martyrdom or wounding of tens of Shayah's citizens. This came after "the Houla Massacre" had been perpetrated, making the southerners recall the scene of the first massacre in Houla in 1948.
Siniora Cries Twice...
Monday, the seventh of August, 2006 was one of the days which witnessed the greatest civilian casualties. Throughout its operations, "Israel" sought to fortify the stance it made to the United Nations before the session for the UNSC could be held. As for "the Conference for the Arab Foreign Ministers", which was held in the Governmental Palace, it was the most prominent political event. The Conference witnessed contrasting views, whereby some ministers were clearly biased to accepting any international resolution (to be issued), and they demanded "positive" dealing with the American-French plan for the UNSC, claiming that refusing this plan "would be disastrous for Lebanon". On the other hand, another team promoted the idea of absolute support for Lebanon and the Lebanese Resistance in refusing any unconvincing settlement that overcame the Lebanese convention represented by the seven points.
Premier Siniora began the session with a speech which he interrupted twice because of ‘tears running down his face'. Therefore, the Arab foreign ministers clapped for him so as to encourage him to continue the meeting. However, the "Israeli" Minister of Foreign Affairs Tsivi Livni asked him to wipe his ‘tears' off and move to work.
Minister Walid Al-Moallem's proposal, supported by Yemen and Algeria, was refused at the end of the meeting since it was to include tribute to the Resistance's role within the final statement and to agree on sending an Arab delegation to the United Nations in order to deliver the Arab point of view regarding the dangers of making inapplicable resolutions.
Before "the Conference for the Arab Foreign Ministers", I met with Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moallem at the Bristol Hotel upon his request. Al-Moallem informed me of the discussion he had with Premier Siniora during their meeting the day before; whereby Siniora began talking sharply about old cases of the Lebanese-Syrian relations, but Al-Moallem replied that now they were meant to express support for Lebanon's steadfastness against the "Israeli" Aggression. As well, he reiterated to Siniora Syria's approval of deploying the United Nations Emergency Forces (UNEF) in the Shebaa Farms; of delaying the publishing (of territories); and of the Lebanese convention regarding the proposed settlement based on the seven standards.
Hariri Reports French Stance, Emie Denies!
In the meantime, MP Berri met with the French Ambassador to Lebanon Bernard Emie, who seemed tolerant with MP Berri's opposition for the UNSC draft resolution. Even though Emie showed his readiness to deal with MP Berri's fears, Berri was resolute, declaring, "The Essence and details of the resolution are based upon rewarding "Israel". It is impossible to execute the proposed formula even if we adjust our stance, for this formula isn't in harmony with the actualities. Therefore, the only outcome for such resolution is that our confrontation with "Israel" will expand to the confrontation with the UNSC and all of the approving states. Hereupon, the best favor France can do is to retract the current draft resolution and listen well to the unified Lebanese stance.
Also in the meantime, calls with several officials began in preparation for holding the evening session for the Ministerial Council. The issue of deploying 15,000 Lebanese-Army soldiers in the South was posed, and MP Saad Hariri reported that this had been coordinated with France; however, Ambassador Bernard Emie denied any knowledge of this as Dr. Mahmoud Berri (Representative for the Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri) called him to inquire about the truth. Emie promised that he would offer an accurate answer later on.
Still, MP Berri dealt positively with the idea, which he had approved of some days earlier, considering it normal to deploy the Lebanese Army in all southern regions after the "Israeli" withdrawal beyond "the Blue Line".
During and after the Ministerial-Council session, I discussed this proposal with Haj Hussein Khalil, who reiterated Hizbullah's approval of it. We agreed on informing the ministers of our approval during the evening session for the Ministerial Council; whereby the resolution formula would basically be the readiness to make this step upon fear that "Israel" might try to refer to it in order to create pressure, which might lead to others issues that could rearrange priorities in accordance with the main American plan.
By the time the Ministerial Council issued a conventional resolution, France had requested that the plan discussion by the UNSC be delayed, offering a chance to expand the calls while expecting the arrival of the Arab delegation in New York. I moved to Shayah, where it was ultimately touching to see over sixty martyrs and wounded people, in addition to tens of others laying under ruins, who could not be released before the late night. Anger masked the place as blood, dust, and screams confirmed that this battle, which was exterminating whole families, must be terminated with the victory of the Resistance, for only this could compensate for the martyrs' loss.
A Stormy Meeting with Siniora in Governmental Palace
On Tuesday, the eighth of August, 2006, a second massacre struck Al-Ghazieh, resulting in the martyrdom of 15 civilians after another one had been perpetrated the day earlier.
Hereupon, the Resistance fiercely counterattacked the "Israeli" settlements and set up ambushes for the "Israeli" forces centered on the Lebanese territories and on the borders, attacking them directly. Now ‘the Merkava legend' was beginning to be history, whereby more and more Merkava tanks burned on several axes, particularly in Sahl Al-Khiyam (Al-Khiyam Plain).
The decision made the day before regarding the readiness to send a force of the Lebanese Army (to the South) had altered the situation and made some sides at the UNSC redo their math, especially regarding their insistence on sending multinational forces. And the debate was different now.
Still, MP Berri seemed cautious when he reached his office, and he was waiting to know what the reaction of the U.S. was going to be. Afterwards, he pointed out that his meeting with the German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank Steinmeier made it obvious that the latter had been trying to promote the American plan without considering the Lebanese government's declared stance.
Then, MP Berri met with a big Egyptian delegation of governmental figures, opposition-parties representatives, literati, and artists. During the meeting, MP Berri made an overview concerning the encounters of the Resistance and the Lebanese people with "Israel"; whereby "their faith in God has made them fulfill what all Arabs hadn't been able to fulfill in 50 years."
The atmospheres pointed out that the U.N. Security Council wouldn't hold its session before Friday, the eleventh of August. While we were discussing this in Ain el Tineh, MP Muhammad Fneish called for an appointment. Once he arrived, he showed us a copy of a letter which Siniora had sent to New York regarding the adjustments to the American-French draft resolution; whereby one of the letter's paragraphs talked about emptying the South Litany Region of arms and armed fighters. MP Berri was aggravated for not having been informed of the letter's content, and he reiterated what I had reported earlier to Siniora in regard to referring to the seven points as MP Fneish was present.
We discovered that Siniora had delivered the letter to the ambassadors of the grand states two days earlier. So MP Berri called the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fawzi Salloukh to inquire about this. Then he called Premier Siniora and informed him that I would go see him in the Governmental Palace.
When I arrived, I met with Siniora in a little office. He was exhausted, and his voice was low. First, we discussed the fierce air raid that had just stricken Beirut Southern Suburb. We discussed the places it could have targeted, too.
Khalil (I) to Siniora: "What truth does the letter to the Security Council hide? MP Muhammad Fneish informed us of its content a while ago, and we have several remarks on it. Actually, this complicates things and causes the division of the Lebanese stance."
Siniora: "Ali, how are you doing your math?! If this paragraph makes you tense, then this means we're far beyond the solution. The "Israeli" withdrawal we're advocating for cannot be debated without the occurrence of a thorough withdrawal from the South Litany Region."
Khalil: "But you haven't consulted MP Berri concerning the letter and its content. Maybe he could have helped you formulate the resolution in a way that could preserve the unity of the stance and the prospect of the solution."
Siniora; "Well, this issue is resolute, and we cannot accept anything else."
Khalil: But What about Shebaa Farms' Solution Part before Debating Arms?
Siniora: "The resolution shall involve an integrated unit, but it's hard to resolve the issue of the Shebaa Farms directly. You have to inform me of your real stance, for it's crucial. We must show our credibility to the world we're dealing with. The U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called me and expressed her satisfaction with the government's resolution to deploy the Lebanese Army (in the South Litany Region). And it's her first time to iterate that she supported increasing the UNIFIL, conditioning that this be made in accordance with the Seventh Chapter. I made her aware of the precautions, but she insisted and said, "The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State will arrive (in Beirut) tomorrow, and he will talk to you, whereby he will have in hand a new draft resolution. Afterwards, we can debate a final formula."
Premier Siniora continued talking about his call with the French foreign minister, who considered that Siniora's stance had become ‘better', yet he was ‘unconvinced' that "Israel" had to withdraw immediately after cease-fire.
I set off to Ain el Tineh, where Haj Hussein Khalil was, and I informed him and MP Berri of my discussion with Premier Siniora. MP Berri expressed his dissatisfaction and said, "It is quite dissatisfactory is that our problem with the interior political sides is more serious than with the exterior ones." MP Berri also expressed his concern upon Rice's talk that I had just reported.
Haj Hussein suggested that MP Berri talk to MP Saad Hariri about this issue, but MP Berri refused, saying, "Tomorrow I'll be discussing this directly with David Welch and informing him of the very stance we've declared. Perhaps this is the best way." Leaving late, we heard the roar of an air strike that made us feel it was close.
Episode 14:
-David Welsh in Beirut Again, Berri Tells Him, "You Make a Fine Decorator for an Ugly Resolution"
-Arab Delegation Headed by Moussa Begins Calls in New York, France Declares Withdrawal from American Draft Resolution
-New Massacres Cover Lebanon, "Kheibar" Missiles Raze Occupied Palestine's
Middle
Source: As-Safir newspaper, Translated and eidted by moqawama.org
