-------------------------------------------------------- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4367042.stm Arab press weighs UN report The UN report implicating Syria in the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has elicited a mixed response in newspapers across the Arab world. Syrian commentators argue that the findings of UN investigator Detlev Mehlis are politically motivated and part of a campaign to discredit and destabilise Damascus. One Lebanese paper welcomes the report as a crucial step forward, while another forsees trouble for Syria. Many fear that the report will have dangerous consequences for the entire region. Commentary in Syria's Al-Thawrah The report relies on statements and reports by Lebanese political and media figures that are hostile to Syria... This shows that there is a premeditated intention to politicize the investigation and have it take a specific course that serves the policy of pressure on Syria. Commentary in Syria's Tishrin All laws in the world regard a suspect as innocent until proven guilty; therefore, on what ground is Mehlis incriminating Syria if he himself says that what he has in his hands is only 'conjecture?' Article in Syria's Al-Thawrah Despite all Syria's cooperation with the investigation committee, the report alleged that Syria's cooperation was neither sufficient nor substantial... this just shows preconceived opinions and prefabricated accusations against Syria. Commentary in Lebanon's Al-Safir The Mehlis report is a crucial step forward and will not be the last on the long road to a trial. Editorial in Lebanon's L'Orient Le Jour A big sigh of relief at the spectacle of this long-awaited truth which has risen inexorably to the surface. Commentary in Lebanon's The Daily Star The report... makes mixed but powerful political and legal statements, which spell trouble for Syria and the wider debilitating tradition of security-run Arab regimes... The most important question... is whether indigenous Arab political and legal forces will be able to harness the credibility, power and courage to continue challenging and taming the modern Arab security state, now that the combination of mass Lebanese citizen activism and legitimate international intervention have paved the way for this historic possibility. Commentary in London-based Al-Hayat This investigation was a historic chance for Lebanon, and it is unlikely that such an event will be repeated. Those who were looking for 'the truth' should now use it to restore what the civil war has destroyed, especially with regard to people's minds and spirits. Editorial in Saudi Gazette The Arabs are in a quandary... The worst-case scenario... is the well-founded fear among Arabs that the UN report will be exploited by the US and Israel to further their agenda in the region, similar to what the infamous UN-led investigation into Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction has done. Editorial in Saudi Arab News When a respected neutral investigator names members of the inner circle of President Bashar Assad as involved in the dastardly murder, what Syria must do is to prove the charges wrong with evidence that will withstand judicial scrutiny. But its first reaction has been one of angry denials. Damascus must do better than this, otherwise the serious allegations contained in the report will be a festering wound opening the way for further US-led moves for sanctions against Syria in the UN Security Council. Editorial in Saudi Al-Watan The Lebanese and Syrian governments should combine their efforts to study the report and cooperate, in order to find the true criminals and bring them to justice as soon as possible, as this is something in the interest of both countries. Editorial in Saudi Al-Jazirah While the Arab League strives to extinguish the eruption of Iraq's volcano, another volcano is about to erupt... since it is now expected that the UN Security Council will issue resolutions against Syria... This new phase of tension will give rise to violence that will affect the entire Arab region. Editorial in Egypt's Al-Ahram The Mehlis report was no ordinary one... and its consequences will be dangerous... It is important for all Arab countries to use logic and convincing arguments. As for resorting to the argument that the report is politicised and is part of a plot against Syria... these are just words that will not benefit anyone. Editorial in Egypt's Al-Jumhuriyah The Arab world, if it is truly united, should now stand by Syria and should not once again make the glaring mistake of keeping silent. Commentary in Jordan's Al-Dustur The Mehlis report, with its suggestions and implied accusations against Syria, is a new and reasonable pretext for US interference!... The report is a blatant example of international arrogance. Editorial in Sudan's Al Ayyam There is no doubt that Syria will face hard times in the near future, and tension will also spread in Lebanon... There is no other way out for Syria but to stick... to what the report stated, that is, all those mentioned in the report will remain innocent until proven guilty. BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaus abroad. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/4367042.stm Published: 2005/10/22 11:59:43 GMT © BBC MMV -- -------------------------------------------------------- http://cyberjournal.org "Apocalypse Now and the Brave New World" http://www.cyberjournal.org/cj/rkm/Apocalypse_and_NWO.html Posting archives: http://cyberjournal.org/cj/show_archives/?date=01Jan2006&batch=25&lists=newslog Subscribe to low-traffic list: •••@••.••• ___________________________________________ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
