(202) 686-4844

Washington, DC 20045

2077 National Press Bldg.

Council of Lebanese American Organizations

Beirut under growing pressure over restrictions on food and cars

Public outcry over import curbs

By Samer Iskandar in Beirut

The Lebanese government is
coming under increasing
pressure to rescind protec-
tionist measures and
changes in import policies
which have sparked unex-
pectedly strong opposition,
even from within the ruling
government.

The introduction of the
unpopular measures also
threatens to undermine the
credibility of Mr Rafik Har-
iri, the prime minister, who
was appointed on a platform
of market-oriented reforms.

The government last week
failed to convince a sceptical
public that one of the new
measures - duties of up to
200 per cent on imported
cars was justified on envi.
ronmental grounds. A lower

limit of L£5m ($3,200) means
the poor, who buy cheaper
used cars, face a heavier tax
burden.

"The measures are com-
pletely arbitrary. They do
not have any rational expla-
nation," said Miss Helena
Lati, a banker. "There has
been no consultation [with
industrialists, trade associa-
tions and the general public]
and no consideration of what
the effects might be."

The second set of mea.
sures involves stringent
restrictions on food imports
including a total ban on
products such as ice-cream,
cream cheese, eggs and sev-
eral fruits and vegetables.

The government said the
measures aimed to alleviate
rural poverty, reduce the
trade deficit and achieve

food self-sufficiency.

car emissions. "Pollution can
only get worse," said a used
car dealer.

However, Mr Kamal She-
hadi, a research director at
the Lebanese Centre for Pol-
icy Studies, an independent
think-tank, believed the
main beneficiaries, would be
Syria's agricultural exports
which would be boosted sig-
nificantly as foreign competing cars."
tition was eliminated.

Syrian exporters are to a
large extent immune to the
measures, as border controls
between the two countries
are ineffective. Farming
experts have said the food
import curbs could not
themselves improve produc
tion but could cause smug-
gling, increase prices and
reduce quality.

Car importers are arguing
that the punitive tariffs will
not reduce congestion and

"Most people will no lon-
ger be able to afford a new
car. Instead of promoting
replacement of old cars, the
new tax will force people to
keep using older, more pollu-

Economists also pointed
out that the new tax regime,
if implemented, could accen-
tuate inequality.

"What this will create is a
new class of privileged," said
an economist close to the
government. "The new tax
will mean that only a minor-
ity will be able to afford new
cars," he added, referring to
members of parliament and
army and security officers,
who are exempted from
import duties.

Inserted testimony from Daniel Nassif:

Mr. Pierre Attallah, 34, a journalist with the Lebanese newspaper "Al-Nahar," was arrested on December 23, 1996, reportedly for "contacting Israeli agents" in Lebanon, a charge frequently used by the Lebanese authorities against people suspected of political opposition. The charges related to an interview he conducted 1993 with Etienne Saqr, the former head of the Guardians of the Cedars, an opposition political party, in the Israeli-occupied “security zone" in southern Lebanon. Atallah was released on bail on January 6, 1997.

In early June, Lebanon's Attorney General formally indicted Mr. Attallah for "contacting Israeli" agents. As he was returning home from work on the evening of the indictment, Mr. Attallah encountered a group of about 15 assailants in his neighborhood. The assailants, whom witnesses believed were plainclothes Syrian intelligence cadres because of their distinctive Arabic accent, beat him severely. Mr. Attallah collapsed on the ground and was rescued by neighbors and family members who rushed him to a hospital. After spending several days in the hospital recovering from his injuries, Mr. Attallah escaped Lebanon secretly and arrived in France where he asked for political asylum.

The accompanying photos, displaying his injuries, were taken of Mr. Attallah after his arrival in France. Also attached is an Amnesty International "Urgent Action Appeal” dated May 16, 1997, which gives earlier details of Mr. Attallah's case.

(Insert photos and text.)

Further information on UA 300/96 issued 23 December 1996 and re-issued 30 December, 31 December, 7 January 1997) Fear of Torture/Legal Concern and new concern: Fear of unfair trial

On 14 May 1997, a military magistrate demanded between three and 15 years' imprisonment with hard labor for journalist Pierre Attallah. No date has been set for the trial but it is thought to be imminent.

Pierre Attallah was arrested on 23 December 1996 and was released on bail on 6 January 1997.

Amnesty Internationa¦ is concerned that Pierre Attailah is reportedly being charged with contacting Israeli agents in Lebanon, (a charge frequently used by the Lebanese authorities against people suspected of political opposition). This relates to a published interview he conducted with Etienne Saqr, former head of the Guardians of the Cedar, in 1993, in his professional capacity as a journalist (see previous update). The indictment reportedly states that Pierre Attallah "published Saqr's ideas (such as} his opposition to the Lebanese government, to the Syrian presence in Lebanon and to Hizbullah". If Pierre Attallah is convicted on this charge Amnesty International would consider him a prisoner of conscience.

The organization is also concerned that Pierre Attallah will be tried before a military court which, by virtue of its procedures and lack of adequate judicial supervision as recently confirmed by the UN Human Rights Committee, does not guarantee that defendants receive fair trials.

Magistrate Riyad Talee' also reportedly charged Pierre Attallah with "distributing leaflets that incite strife, disturb Lebanon's relations with a friendly country [reference to Syria] and slander the army." Pierre Attallah denied this charge.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters: -calling for the charges against Pierre Attallah that relate to his professional work as a journalist be dropped; -expressing concern that Pierre Anallah is being tried before a military court without adequate safeguards for fair trial; • requesting assurances that Pierre Attallah will receive a fair and prompt trial if he is charged with a recognizable criminal offence.

APPEALS TO:

President Elias Hirawi

Office of the President

Ba'abda Palace

Ba'abda, Beirut

Republic of Lebanon

Council of Lebanese American Organizations

2077 National Press Bldg.

Washington, DC 20045
(202) 686-4844

This Urgent Action appeal originated from Amnesty International's research headquarters at the laternational Secretariat in London, United Kingdom. Amnesty International is an independent workhwide movement working for the international protection of human rights. It seeks the release of men and wemen detained anywhere because of their beliefs, color, sex, ethnic origin, language or religious creed, provided they have not used nor advocaled violence. These are termed prisoners of conscience. It works for fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners and works on behalf of such people detained without charge er trial. It opposes the death penalty, extra-judicial executions (polllical killings), "disappearances" and torture er ether cruel, inhuman er degrading treatment er punishment of all prisoners without reservation.

COUNCIL OF LEBANESE AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS

2077 National Press Building Washington, DC 20043 Tel: (202) 686-4844

The Honorable Benjamin A. Gilman, Chairman
Committee on International Relations

The House of Representatives

2170 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-6128

Dear Chairman Gilman:

During my testimony at the Lebanon Hearing on June 25, 1997, I submitted to be included in the record three pictures of An-Nahar reporter Pierre Atallah showing how he was severely beaten by unknown individuals working for the Syrian-controlled authorities in Beirut. My remarks at the Hearing relied on initial sketchy reports which later, following news conferences held on 3 July simultaneously in Beirut and Paris, received extra bolstering details. The news conference in Beirut was held by An-Nahar editor and Mr. Atallah's boss, Mr. Gibran Tueini, and Atallah's attorney, Mr. Butros Harb. Representatives of Western embassies, including that of the United States, were present at the news conference. In Paris Mr. Atallah, currently in exile in France, personally testified in the news conference which was held at the headquarters of the French organization "Reporters Without Frontiers."

Although what I said at the Hearing constituted groundbreaking news at the time, I wish here, in light of subsequent revelations, to supply additional information to what I said. The physical attack against Mr. Atallah's person occurred in the vicinity of his residence not far from the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Syrian-occupied Beirut. As Mr. Atallah was driving back home from a meeting with his lawyer, Mr. Harb, a car suddenly pulled up and blocked his way. Three men believed to be working for the Syrian-affiliated intelligence apparatus of the Beirut authorities descended from the car and began to hit Mr. Atallah repeatedly on the head, neck, back, and arms with large