Inside The Middle East

SHOW #60

HOSTED BY HALA GORANI IN BEIRUT

THE CEDARS OF LEBANON

They once were a priceless commodity; they symbolize a nation, and have sparked a revolution. They are the Cedars of Lebanon - a protected species of vegetation under constant threat from man and environment. We take a look at the passion the emblem of the national flag raises in a strife-torn country, examine the roots of a tree that was traded by the Phoenicians and which helped build an empire. Today, the beleaguered trees are protected by guards in special reserves in Lebanon; one is controlled by Druze politician and former warlord, Walid Jumblatt, founder of a cedar reserve society. Brent Sadler speaks to Jumblatt about his passion, meets with a forester who helps nurture the trees, and talks to an historian who articulates the historical and present-day relevance of the cedars.

A MODEL OF WHAT IRAQ COULD BE

It's a stark contrast to the rest of Iraq. The economy is booming, construction is everywhere. Five-star hotels are sprouting up. There is a new library, luxury homes, even a modern amusement park. Three quarters of what you see is either new or newly-renovated. This is Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdish north, an autonomous region run by the K-R-G - the Kurdistan regional government - and not plagued by the levels of violence and the political infighting that has paralyzed other parts of Iraq. Arwa Damon reports on the changing face of the ancient city of Erbil.

OLIVES INTO OIL

After the first rains of autumn, the olive harvest in the West Bank begins; thousands of Palestinians--usually entire extended families--take to the rugged, rocky hills of the West Bank to harvest. It's a family affair in which their ties to the land are renewed. While Palestinians try to harvest the olives--which are an essential part of the rural economy--they are often confronted by Jewish settlers, who themselves claim the land as their God-given right. The Israeli army tries to keep the peace, but often fails, and is accused by Palestinians of coddling the settlers and impeding the harvest. The olive tree, a symbol of peace, has become the symbol of competing, and often clashing, claims to the land. Our package will highlight all of the above, at the same time trying to give an idea of how you get from olives on the tree to olive oil. Ben Wedeman reports.