An Event and a Regional Tendency

The US-Russian summit revealed again that the cold war will continue and the disputes between the two governments on many hot issues are still existent.
The media coverage of the summit’s agenda and the joint press conference concentrated on the difference in dealing with the Iranian nuclear file,especially on Russian president Putin’s intervention to notify that Iran is dealing in a positive way with the international atomic energy agency. This was a reaction to the US president Bush’s attempt to suggest that the two sides agreed to deliver a strong message to Iran to call it to stop uranium enrichment or face more severe international sanctions.
Dispute on energy resources, giant oil pipelines, the battles for influence in central Asia and Eastern Europe, all these issues are escalated by the US flagrant intervention in Russian internal affairs.
Arranging the files of disputes and a relative cooling of political congestions may result from this summit, but commercial battles take place on a grand scale, and arms race returned between the two super powers. In addition to this, experts in Russian affairs say that the stands of active blocs in the new Russia concerning disputes with the US on many important issues are stronger than Putin’s, especially towards the situation in the Middle East.

An Event and a Lebanese Tendency

Russian presidential envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran carries today with him to Beirut official invitations for participation in the forum which will be organized by the French foreign ministry in Paris on Mid-July.
Political and press sources wondered about the meaning of this visit despite the weight of US secretary of state Condoleeza Rice’s pressures to stop French initiatives towards Lebanon and Syria.
Available information from Paris show that Paris does not want to clash with Bush’s administration and it is determined to continue France’s new method in dealing with the area’s condition in a way that corresponds to French interests and national security.
The Elysee’ welcomed the US support to al-Siniora government and Paris shares Washington’s fears from the deterioration of Lebanese conditions in the coming weeks, namely if a second government is formed. But Paris rejects the US demands to delay openness to Hezbullah and Syria and refused changing Lebanese presidential elections into a new station that enhances division through the US boundless support to the loyals project; thinking this will destabilize Lebanon.
The US fear is doubled by the development of the French initiative and the available news about a possible visit by the French envoy Cousseran to Damascus. And despite belittling the importance of Paris’s forum, the US considers initiations and delegations as a confirmation of France’s new stands towards Hezbullah, and the continuity of Paris rejection of responding to Washington’s chronic demand to include the party in the list of terror.

Arab Press

Arab and international news agencies focused on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s visit to Iran and his meeting with President Mahmud Ahmadinejad; pointing out that the two leaders enhanced their anti-Washington alliance.
Al-Shraq al-Awsat paper quoted Yemeni security sources as saying that al-Qaeda network stands behind the suicide attack on the Spanish touristic group in Ma’reb which resulted in killing seven Spaniards and two Yemenis.
The Emirate paper Al-Khaleej said in its editorial that the Palestinian emergency government deprived 23 thousand employees from Hamas supporters and loyals of their salaries in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in away that violates religious, moral and human laws; pointing out that Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert threatened to server relations with Mahmoud Abbass if he resumes dialogue with Hamas.
The Kuwaiti paper Al-Qabas quoted deputy chairman of Hizbullah’s political council Mahmud Qamati as saying that the idea of forming a second government is serious and present; pointing out that the ruling team pushed the army to Nahr al-Bared battles by orders form David Welch and with foreign and US support.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad al-Siniora announced in an interview with the Spanish paper (Pais) talks by the European Union, Syria and Lebanon to reach a tripartite agreement to form a team and offer technical assistant to monitor Syrian-Lebanese borders.

Lebanese Press

Al-Akhbar said western and Arab states exert pressures to prevent the formation of a second government in Lebanon, pointing out that the US army arrested an official from Hezbullah in Iraq.
Ad-Diyar said 300 Palestinian elements will be deployed in Nahr al-Bared camp; pointing out that the destiny of Shaker al-Absi and his colleagues is unknown.
An-Nahar said the French envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran will arrive in Beirut to hand over invitations to Lebanese officials.

International Press

Jaiko Forum internet site said Russian president Vladimir Putin should leave the Kremlin in 2008 in accordance with the Russian constitution.
Strategic Janes Defense magazine said when Israel tried to develop its capabilities to launch satellites, its project “Horizon” faced serious obstacles due to a failure in launching the space missile (Shafq SLV) and 3 satellites from seven were missed.
Taiwan journal paper said China and the US pushed their strategic partnership forward at the conclusion of the US-Chinese strategic economic dialogue’s forum.
Seymour Hersch said in an article published in the New Yorker that president Bush did not exert any effort to deal with the strict and brutal treatment of Iraqi prisoners before Abu Ghraib scandal.
British writer, Robert Fisk, said Lebanese crisis moves to more dangerous stages that target also Western armies.
Arab and international press agencies quoted Israeli defense minister, Ehud Barak, as saying that the Israeli army should restore its deterring power; pointing out that the Israeli army will carry out military exercises on the occupied Golan Heights within the framework of preparations for possible war with Syria.
United Press International said the Israeli occupation army will patrol the Dead Sea to prevent the entrance of armed men from the Jordanian side.

Arab Satellite Stations’ News

Al-Jazeera.
News covering.
Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak denied accusations against the brother-in-law of the late president Gamal Abdul Nasser which said that he informed Israel of October war’s date.

Television Station’s News in Lebanon

Al-Manar said the Lebanese army’s leader Michel Suleiman rang the bell of danger in Lebanon, while the NTV said the crisis continues.
The LBC said Nahr Al-Bared crisis is waiting for a military termination which seems that it is the only possible option.
The Future said the continuity of battles in Nahr al-Bared reflects the absence of solutions.