News Round UP (June 2, 2006)

Russia seems to be building a naval base for its ships at Tartus:

The source in the Russian Defense Ministry noted that the facilities in Syria would allow Russia to expand its influence in the Middle East and to guarantee Syria's security. Russia plans to install an air defense system with S-300PMU-2 Favorite ballistic missiles to be operated by Russians, not Syrians, for the defense of its base. Those missiles will also provide cover for a significant part of Syria.

Marwan Al Kabalan is turning into one of Syria's best analysts. His article, "Is Syria's eastward drift viable?" puts the new Russian port deal in larger context. He explains how the West has forced Syria's hand in the move east, but many Syria's are still hoping they can patch up relations with the West.

BBC reports that "Five die as Syria thwarts attack" against a building near the offices of Syrian state TV and radio. It is not yet clear why the building was attacked or what group the attackers are connected to.

In "Zarqawi Calls for Disarmament of Hizbullah: Internet Audio Message" Annahar reports that Zarqawi accuses Hizballah of acting as an Israeli agent by foiling al-Qaida attempts to attack Israel from Lebanese soil. He claimed"

"Hizbullah is an independent state inside Lebanon... It puts forth lying slogans about Palestinian liberation when in fact it serves as a security wall (for Israel) and prevents Sunnis from crossing its borders."

The Israeli Army Claims it Killed Three Hizbullah Fighters Attempting to Infiltrate during Clashes in last weekends tit for tat fighting. Two Israeli soldiers were wounded in the fighting during which Israel unleashed its fiercest artillery barrage since 2000.

In other news from Lebanon, the government has voted to spend $266 million on an international tribunal to try Hariri's killers. A judicial team that is charged with discussing the international tribunal to try those suspected of assassinating ex-premier Rafik Hariri has left for U.N. headquarters in New York. This is timed to raise Syria's blood pressure as the Brammertz report is due out in less than two weeks. Many annalists have suggested that the Brammertz report cannot be serious because few ground rules for the ensuing trial have been decided on.

Issues such as the funding of the court, the applicable law, the location, jurisdiction and other details remained to be determined before concluding the agreement between the U.N. and the Lebanese government.

One matter of concern to the international community is the death sentence that is sanctioned under Lebanese law. Officials, including Justice Minister Charles Rizk, have said that Lebanon was willing to suspend the death penalty in this case.

In another development, the government is expected to earmark over 4 billion Lebanese Pounds ($266 million) of the national budget to cover the expenses of the U.N. commission investigating Hariri's murder.

A Syrian Lawyer has Withdrawn Lawsuits Against Jumblat and Hamadeh.

Al-Hayat [Ar] reviews the Diaries of Meir Amit, the head of Israeli intelligence during the 1967 war, which have recently been published in Israel. He said that his proposal to extend the war for an extra day so that Israel could take the Jabal Druze from Syria and turn it into an independent Druze state was rejected by Israel's leaders. This was a lost opportunity, according to Amit. He also says that US defense minister Robert McNamara gave Israel the "green light" for its surprise attack on Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.

Another story on how the "Islamic revival spreads in Syria despite rule of secular Baath." This one is better than most and features Aleppo.