Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIRUT242
2009-03-02 10:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
Lebanon: Media Reaction - March 2, 2009
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UNCLAS BEIRUT 000242
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R,
INR/R/MR, INR-PARENT,
NSC - SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - March 2, 2009
Atmospherics:
-------------
All media outlets highlighted the inauguration of the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) at The Hague. Media outlets devoted full
pages to the statements that were delivered and for photos of the
building that will include the courtroom, the investigators'
offices, other employee offices, and the prison. The press also
highlighted statements, impressions, and emotions displayed by the
families of the politicians and journalists who were assassinated
following Hariri's assassination, over the inauguration of the
tribunal. Most expressed satisfaction with the fact that the
tribunal has commenced its operations, but also noted that it will
not bring their loved ones back.
Selected Headlines
-------------------
"A Celebratory Inauguration of the International Tribunal at The
Hague; Bellemare: The Decision to Establish the Tribunal Was
Political, but It will Not be Influenced by Politics and Only
Evidence Will Lead Me" Arab nationalist As-Safir
"Hariri Tribunal Begins Operations in The Hague; Bellemare to Seek
Suspects Transfer" English-language The Daily Star
"The Birthday of the Tribunal Launches the Justice of Ending Escape
from Punishment; Washington: A Sign that Lebanon's Sovereignty is
Nonnegotiable" Moderate, anti-Syrian An-Nahar
"The International Tribunal: Time for Punishment" Pro-Hariri
Al-Mustaqbal
Block Quotes:
-------------
"After the Tribunal," an editorial by Talal Salman in Arab
nationalist As-Safir (3/2):
"The Lebanese breathed easily yesterday while watching the
celebratory inauguration of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
(STL)... The Lebanese, who are divided almost over
everything,...are in agreement that the truth about Hariri's
assassination and others...should be known. ... Political history
in Lebanon has been divided in two: before and after the Hariri
assassination. ...The investigation witnessed ups and downs...but
what is important now is that everything is in order. Yes, we may
need years before the investigation and the tribunal are
concluded...but the Lebanese have agreed that the international
tribunal should be the only judicial authority to investigate and
reach the truth about this huge crime. Perhaps this tribunal,
which is actually the first tribunal against terrorism,...may
protect the future of the Lebanese in their own country..."
"The Tribunal and Justice," an editorial by Aouni Al-Ka'ki in
pro-Hariri Ash-Sharq (3/2):
"Justice entered Lebanon on March
UNCLAS BEIRUT 000242
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R,
INR/R/MR, INR-PARENT,
NSC - SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - March 2, 2009
Atmospherics:
--------------
All media outlets highlighted the inauguration of the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) at The Hague. Media outlets devoted full
pages to the statements that were delivered and for photos of the
building that will include the courtroom, the investigators'
offices, other employee offices, and the prison. The press also
highlighted statements, impressions, and emotions displayed by the
families of the politicians and journalists who were assassinated
following Hariri's assassination, over the inauguration of the
tribunal. Most expressed satisfaction with the fact that the
tribunal has commenced its operations, but also noted that it will
not bring their loved ones back.
Selected Headlines
--------------
"A Celebratory Inauguration of the International Tribunal at The
Hague; Bellemare: The Decision to Establish the Tribunal Was
Political, but It will Not be Influenced by Politics and Only
Evidence Will Lead Me" Arab nationalist As-Safir
"Hariri Tribunal Begins Operations in The Hague; Bellemare to Seek
Suspects Transfer" English-language The Daily Star
"The Birthday of the Tribunal Launches the Justice of Ending Escape
from Punishment; Washington: A Sign that Lebanon's Sovereignty is
Nonnegotiable" Moderate, anti-Syrian An-Nahar
"The International Tribunal: Time for Punishment" Pro-Hariri
Al-Mustaqbal
Block Quotes:
--------------
"After the Tribunal," an editorial by Talal Salman in Arab
nationalist As-Safir (3/2):
"The Lebanese breathed easily yesterday while watching the
celebratory inauguration of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
(STL)... The Lebanese, who are divided almost over
everything,...are in agreement that the truth about Hariri's
assassination and others...should be known. ... Political history
in Lebanon has been divided in two: before and after the Hariri
assassination. ...The investigation witnessed ups and downs...but
what is important now is that everything is in order. Yes, we may
need years before the investigation and the tribunal are
concluded...but the Lebanese have agreed that the international
tribunal should be the only judicial authority to investigate and
reach the truth about this huge crime. Perhaps this tribunal,
which is actually the first tribunal against terrorism,...may
protect the future of the Lebanese in their own country..."
"The Tribunal and Justice," an editorial by Aouni Al-Ka'ki in
pro-Hariri Ash-Sharq (3/2):
"Justice entered Lebanon on March 1. ...The world is witnessing for
the first time an international tribunal designed to stop political
assassinations. ...No doubt, March 1 is a victory for justice and
not a day for revenge. It is also a victory for the will to live -
and (it) is a victory for Lebanon. Many bet that this tribunal
would never see the light, but their bets failed yesterday. This
international tribunal will be the line between crime and justice.
...The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is not a normal event. It is
the beginning of a new phase, not only for Lebanon but for the whole
world community. ...Following this tribunal, political assassins
will realize that they will no longer be able to escape
punishment..."
Grant
STATE FOR NEA/ELA - LAWSON, NEA/ELA - IRWIN, NEA/PPD, R,
INR/R/MR, INR-PARENT,
NSC - SHAPIRO, MCDERMOTT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL KMDR OPRC KPAO KISL KPAL LE
SUBJECT: Lebanon: Media Reaction - March 2, 2009
Atmospherics:
--------------
All media outlets highlighted the inauguration of the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) at The Hague. Media outlets devoted full
pages to the statements that were delivered and for photos of the
building that will include the courtroom, the investigators'
offices, other employee offices, and the prison. The press also
highlighted statements, impressions, and emotions displayed by the
families of the politicians and journalists who were assassinated
following Hariri's assassination, over the inauguration of the
tribunal. Most expressed satisfaction with the fact that the
tribunal has commenced its operations, but also noted that it will
not bring their loved ones back.
Selected Headlines
--------------
"A Celebratory Inauguration of the International Tribunal at The
Hague; Bellemare: The Decision to Establish the Tribunal Was
Political, but It will Not be Influenced by Politics and Only
Evidence Will Lead Me" Arab nationalist As-Safir
"Hariri Tribunal Begins Operations in The Hague; Bellemare to Seek
Suspects Transfer" English-language The Daily Star
"The Birthday of the Tribunal Launches the Justice of Ending Escape
from Punishment; Washington: A Sign that Lebanon's Sovereignty is
Nonnegotiable" Moderate, anti-Syrian An-Nahar
"The International Tribunal: Time for Punishment" Pro-Hariri
Al-Mustaqbal
Block Quotes:
--------------
"After the Tribunal," an editorial by Talal Salman in Arab
nationalist As-Safir (3/2):
"The Lebanese breathed easily yesterday while watching the
celebratory inauguration of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon
(STL)... The Lebanese, who are divided almost over
everything,...are in agreement that the truth about Hariri's
assassination and others...should be known. ... Political history
in Lebanon has been divided in two: before and after the Hariri
assassination. ...The investigation witnessed ups and downs...but
what is important now is that everything is in order. Yes, we may
need years before the investigation and the tribunal are
concluded...but the Lebanese have agreed that the international
tribunal should be the only judicial authority to investigate and
reach the truth about this huge crime. Perhaps this tribunal,
which is actually the first tribunal against terrorism,...may
protect the future of the Lebanese in their own country..."
"The Tribunal and Justice," an editorial by Aouni Al-Ka'ki in
pro-Hariri Ash-Sharq (3/2):
"Justice entered Lebanon on March 1. ...The world is witnessing for
the first time an international tribunal designed to stop political
assassinations. ...No doubt, March 1 is a victory for justice and
not a day for revenge. It is also a victory for the will to live -
and (it) is a victory for Lebanon. Many bet that this tribunal
would never see the light, but their bets failed yesterday. This
international tribunal will be the line between crime and justice.
...The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is not a normal event. It is
the beginning of a new phase, not only for Lebanon but for the whole
world community. ...Following this tribunal, political assassins
will realize that they will no longer be able to escape
punishment..."
Grant