Middle East News
Biden calls for clean Lebanese vote, Hezbollah cries foul (1st Lead)
May 22, 2009, 12:08 GMT
Beirut - Visting US Vice President Joe Biden called for clean conduct in Lebanon's upcoming parliamentary election in Beirut Friday, in a short visit to the city which drew the ire of the main opposition group Hezbollah.
Biden in a joint press conference with Lebanese president Michel Suelieman called for 'a sovereign and democratic Lebanon to be stronger than it is today.'
'I did not visit Lebanon to take sides, but to convey our support for the Lebanese people,' he added.
The US official said US President Barack Obama had charged him with conveying US support for Lebanon's security and stability.
He added that future US aid to Lebanon will be based on the policies of Lebanon's new government, which will be formed after the June 7th election.
The parliamentary vote is expected to be a tight race between the Western-backed majority against the Hezbollah-led opposition.
On his part, Sulieman said he informed the US vice president of the preparations made to hold 'transparent and free parliamentary elections.'
Biden is on a seven-hour visit to Lebanon will meet with Lebanese Prime minister Foaud Seniora, House Speaker Nabih Berri as well as members of the Western-backed ruling majority.
Biden is accompanied by Jeffrey Feltman, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near-Eastern Affairs.
Upon Biden's arrival in Beirut Friday, Hezbollah issued a statement lashing out at the visit, describing it a 'clear inteference in Lebanon's internal affairs.'
'High US interest in Lebanon triggers strong doubts over the reasons behind it,' the statement said.
'This suspicious US concern, constitutes an explicit and open meddling in the Lebanese affairs, which is obviously reflected in the series of visits paid lately by the US administration's officials to the country,' the Hezbollah statement said.
In April, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Beirut and said that the upcoming poll should be 'free from foreign meddling' - a coded reference to both Syria and Iran, which are assumed to support Hezbollah.
President Suleiman after his talks with Biden told reporters that he also raised with the US official the issue of suspected Israeli espionage cells discovered recently in Lebanon. 'They are considered a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty ...' the president said.
In the past few weeks, Lebanese authroities have arrested more than 30 people in connection with spying for the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.
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aMay 22nd, 2009 - 16:25:14
Barack Obama as next President of The United States of America
The die is cast and for reasons that only a privileged few know, you Sir, will be the next President of the United States of America. Your next 4 years will be a turning point in US history and planet earth. CHANGE, your advisors and high stake investors offer the nation will undoubtedly be the same rhetoric and empty promises that make up a political campaign, that campaigns for appointment for any public office in America.
The White House will be the Black House to some, the Aryan Brothers of America will not be so happy, but yet will blame you and your staff if you fail, which will reinforce their belief that the Aryan Nation is the true leader for America. The religious zealots will be busy bees making nests to survive the onslaught of lies, corruption and deceit. Business enterprises and other competing nations will capitalize off of your inexperience in the art of corruption and murder. The organized crime organizations from different nations including our own will benefit from the lack of control over national crime.
Military governments including our own will test your tolerance to pain and deception and trick you into needless and profitable domestic and international conflict. You will no doubt attempt to colorize your staff to soften the race conflict once in office.
As President you will be President. Nations will respect you only for your title of office. Americans will soon see after your appointment as President that your intentions were manipulated by those that make the rules. You will fill the spot in history as planned, and nothing more.
You will never while in office be able to pull the troops from conflict in any land we are engaged in. As a matter of fact we as a nation will be engaged in a new conflict of war, which will galvanize Americans to seek a different form of government and a different and honest Congress.
You will attempt to shore up Americas problems with false promise and lies, because you cannot directly affect the CHANGE you promised.
Your frustration will be your downfall while in office, and your co-dependence on those that you trust will also add to your demise.
Our Armed Forces in rank will respect you as good soldiers they are, but those under them will not, and for good reasons, that only a good soldier knows.
America will not be America until its government respects the People, and tells the truth. America is a Republic, not a Democracy or Fascist Government or is it?
Until you can walk thru the streets and neighborhoods of America unaided by Secret Service or any other law enforcement agency you will not be respected by the many, only by the fearful and selfish few. Americans can protect their leaders if they are honest and respectful of the people they were elected to serve. Our Government has forsaken us for many hundreds of years, and now we will wait until your 4 years are finished for us to come to fruition.
CHANGE FOR AMERICA FOR AMERICANS!
The American Republic
A Sovereign Republic
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