Qassem warns local, regional officials not to be `losers` by following US, Audience of 400 assembles from around world

Source: Daily Star, 17-11-2006
BEIRUT: Hizbullah`s deputy secretary general warned Thursday that Lebanese and regional leaders who follow the wishes of the United States "will be branded as losers." "Those in Lebanon and the region, if walking with the US was once bountiful for you, then today only losers follow a loser," Sheikh Naim Qassem, told a group of 400 guests from around the world assembled at UNESCO Palace for a four-day seminar in support of Hizbullah.
Qassem addressed remarks to the Lebanese government, which he said had a decision to make. "It is better for you to leave the loser ... the US, and stand by your own people," he said. "Only then will you all win. Victory belongs to those who don`t follow after others."
Citing the examples of Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Palestine and Latin America, Qassem said that wherever the United States goes, its policies fail.
"It has sabotaged all the places it entered and because of that, curses follow it," he said. "It failed in Iraq and was cursed there, and it failed in Palestine and Iran and Latin America and in Lebanon and curses are raining on it from everywhere. Show me one place the US entered and wasn`t cursed.
"A world without US and "Israeli" hegemony is a world full of peace ... Peace is where justice is, and we want peace.
"The resistance is like a train," he said. "You either are on it or you are left behind. We call on everyone to ride the train so we will all survive. We assure you our political alliances cover the widest section of all sects which surprises the current authority, the current hegemony, and blocks the US mandate here."
Qassem invited his audience to lend support to Hizbullah.
"Let us stand together against hegemony and injustice," he said. "Get to know us and the resistance through our work and stands, not through what you hear from the US and its agents."
As for Hizbullah`s views on Islam, Qassem said the party doesn`t impose its ideas on others, and that "each of us is free to choose their own beliefs and it is up to God to judge people."
"The radical Islamic groups` practices mutilate the true image of Islam," said Qassem. "They don`t recognize other religions except theirs, as if God gave them keys to heaven and they are the ones who pick who goes there or not."
Qassem went on to say that Hizbullah had achieved victory over "Israel" "through sheer willpower; our will to defend our land and women and children. Weapons don`t create victory, willpower creates victory. This is our land, we will not allow the US and "Israel" to be on it or practice hegemony over it. We are defending ourselves, and we don`t initiate offensives."
Also speaking at the conference, former Premier Salim Hoss said the resistance had "destroyed the myth of the invincible "Israeli" Army."
Hizbullah`s weapons are temporary and were "not founded to remain forever," he said.
"The resistance was created because of the occupation, so once there is no more occupation or threats and our detainees return, then the arms issue is solved," he added.
Indian MP Mohammad Salim said that "the resistance had inspired the peoples of the world," and that the war on Lebanon "was done by `Israel` on behalf of the US ... This world doesn`t belong to [US president George W.] Bush, [British Prime Minister Tony] Blair and [`Israeli` Prime Minister Ehud] Olmert. Civilizations embrace each other ... It is the uncivilized who speak of the clash of civilizations."