Ain-Al-Yaqeen - October 6, 2006

		October 6, 2006

THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES RECEIVES THE US SECRETARY OF STATE AND DISCUSSIONS FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION AND THE PALESTINIAN, LEBANESE AND IRAQI ISSUES.
PRINCE SAUD AL-FAISAL: WE DO BELIEVE THAT ANY EFFORT FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF THIS DISPUTE SHOULD BENEFIT FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF THE PAST THROUGH FOCUSING ON THE SUBSTANTIAL ISSUES AND AVOIDING WASTING TIME ON PROCEDURAL ONES.
RICE PRAISES THE SAUDI SUPPORT TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE AND STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING LEBANON.
IMPORTANT TALKS BETWEEN MUBARAK AND ABBAS WITH RICE WHILE THE MINISTERIAL MEETING IN CAIRO DISCUSSES THE PALESTINIAN, LEBANESE AND IRAQI ISSUES AND THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR FILE.
THE ISRAELI FORCES WITHDRAW FROM LEBANON EXCEPT FROM THE AREA OF GHAJAR, WHILE THE LEBANESE ARMY OCCUPIES ITS POSITIONS ON THE BORDER LINES.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud received at his palace in Jeddah Condoleezza Rice , US Secretary of State, and her accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, she conveyed to the King the greetings of US President George. W. Bush. In turn, the Monarch sent his greetings to President Bush.

The King and Rice also reviewed the overall incidents and developments in the region, notably the Palestinian issue and the situations in Lebanon and Iraq.

The audience was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, The Foreign Minister; Prince Miqren Bin Abdul Aziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Secretary General of the National Security Council; Adel Bin Ahmed Al Jubeir, Advisor at the Royal Court; and US Ambassador to the Kingdom James Oberwetter.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Jeddah on October 2. At King Abdul Aziz International Airport, she was received by Prince Saud Al Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and other officials.

Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held a joint press conference.

Speaking at the press conference, Prince Saud said Rice had held talks with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, and added 'We have also conducted elaborated talks and reviewed the regional situation notably the Palestinian Israeli dispute and its repercussions on the entire region'.

Prince Saud noted that the frequents visits of Rice to the region embodies the attention given by the us to this issue and its keenness on exploring the suitable means for the revival of the peace process'.

Prince Saud made it clear that the consecutive crises in the region in addition to the phenomenon of terrorism come as one of the repercussions of the Palestinian Israeli dispute which has been undermining the regional security and peace.

'The settlement of the dispute will positively contribute to the settlement of crises in the region either in Lebanon or Iraq'. 'We do believe that any effort for the settlement of this dispute should benefit from the experiences of the past through focusing on the substantial issues and avoiding wasting time on procedural ones.

Prince Saud said efforts in this respect should conform with the principles of the international legitimacy, the resolutions issued by the UN's Security Council, the road map, the Arab peace initiative as well as the vision of President George Bush about the establishment of two independent states in addition to the establishment of a suitable machinery for following up the implementation of the requirements of the peace process by the concerned parties'.

Prince Saud pointed out that they had also reviewed the situation in Lebanon in the light of the resolution 1701, issued by the UN's Security Council, and added 'we have emphasized the importance of realizing security and stability in Lebanon, and extending support to the efforts of its government which aim at spreading its authority throughout the Lebanese territories'.

On Iraq, Prince Saud said the deteriorating situation there constitutes a source of anxiety for Iraq's fraternal and friendly countries.

He hoped that the program of the national reconciliation announced by the Iraqi Premier would be carried out.

Prince Saud said Iraq's neighbouring countries should shoulder their responsibility towards helping Iraq to enhance the pillars of its security and stability through avoiding interference in its domestic affairs.

Prince Saud said they had also reviewed the issue of proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region, and added Saudi Arabia believes that the region should be free from the weapons of mass-destruction, notably the nuclear weapons'

He hoped that the Iranian nuclear issue would be settled peacefully through negotiations.

He noted that the GCC member states feel anxious about the spread of reactors along their coasts due to their expected adverse impact on the environment.

On her part Rice said she had held intensive talks in the Kingdom, and elaborately discussed the situation in the Palestinian territories.

She hoped that there would be progress towards the establishment of two states in line with the vision of US President Bush and the Arab initiative.

Rice said 'We have spoken about the importance of supporting the new democratic countries like Lebanon and Iraq'.

She underscored the importance of extending support to Lebanon, and arming its forces for spreading their authority in all Lebanese territories.

She noted that talks had also covered the importance of the implementation of the UN's resolutions including the resolution of banning weapons.

She made it clear that the un has underlined the importance of disarming all groups including Hezbollah, and said the Lebanese security forces are the only party which should be armed.

Rice lauded the great support extended by Saudi Arabia to the Iraqis who have been working to reach a national reconciliation.

'We do appreciate this great support which will help the Iraqis to establish a democratic and unified state where the Sunnah, Shiites and Kurds can coexist'.

She pointed out that the Iraqis who are looking for a better life, do appreciate the support of their neighbours and friends, and added 'the Kingdom has been working along with us for supporting Iraq and the Iraqi plan'.

Rice said she had briefed the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal on the US anxiety about the Iranian nuclear program.

She noted that negotiations will soon be held with group 5+1 in this respect, and added there is a clear way in this regard in line with the resolution 1669.

She pointed out that she had also discussed the ongoing changes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the ongoing progress in the field of reforms.

She reiterated the existence of a strategic dialogue which deals with so many bilateral issues.

Rice urged the Palestinian parties to avoid violence and said they will realize a better life through the road map and the Arab initiative as well as through the establishment of two states.

She hoped that Hamas would cooperate with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

She noted that Mahmoud Abbas is adherent to the agreements signed by the Palestinians in the last decade as well as to the Arab initiative and the idea of establishing two states.

Rice said failure to attain progress in the peace process will pave the way for extremism.

On his part, Prince Saud al-faisal said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extends support to the Palestinian Authority and supports parties in Palestine.

He noted that the Arab League has established a fund for assisting the Palestinian Authority.

He hoped that all problems would be solved as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Rice urged all parties in the region to dedicate their efforts for helping the Arab governments that face difficulties and problems like Lebanon and Iraq, as well as the Palestinians. She underlined the importance of paving the way for enabling the countries of the region to remain in security and peace far away from extremism and violence.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Cairo for talks with Arab counterparts.

Rice held a private meeting with Egypt's chief of intelligence Omar Suleiman. She met with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Egyptian foreign minister.

While in Cairo, Rice met with eight Arab allies in hopes of reviving the moribund Arab-Israeli peace process and making headway on other regional issues.

Saudi Prince Saud Al Faisal, Foreign Minister, arrived in Cairo to lead his country's delegation to the meetings which included the foreign minister of Egypt, Jordan, member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice scheduled to start in Cairo.

At Cairo International Airport, Prince Saud Al Faisal was received by the Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Hisham Nazer and the kingdom's permanent representative to the Arab League Ahmed Qattan.

The Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, Jordan and the United States started a meeting to discuss the situations in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, Palestinian territories, Iraq and Sudan's Darfur region in addition to a number of issues of mutual concern.

Prince Saud Al Faisal, Foreign Minister, led the kingdom of Saudi Arabia's delegation to the meeting.

This is the foreign ministers of those countries' second meeting following their first which was held in New York last September on the fringes of the united nations general assembly's meetings.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held talks in Cairo on the Middle East peace process and Darfur.

Discussions focused on the need to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks and resolve the Darfur crisis, Minister Abul Gheit told reporters after his one-hour meeting with Rice.

The meeting covered diplomatic efforts by the US, the UN Security Council and the international Quartet committee to resume the peace process and arrange a meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Abul Gheit said.

"The Palestinian issue is passing through a very difficult phase," the Foreign Minister said.

Abul Gheit voiced hope that Hamas and Fatah would reach a deal on the formation of a national unity government that would serve the interests of all Palestinians and revive the peace talks with Israel.

He added that his talks with Rice dealt with the crisis in Sudan's western province of Darfur and the interest expressed by the US to send international peace-keepers to the region.

Last month, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on the deployment of 20,000 peacekeepers to replace an African Union (AU) force in Darfur. But the Sudanese government has opposed the deployment of the proposed UN mission.

Abul Gheit affirmed that Egypt was not playing the role of mediator to persuade Sudan to accept UN peace-keeping forces.

Abul Gheit said he expected that the military and humanitarian situation in the Darfur region might worsen due to the drought season, which would lead to famine.

US State Secretary Rice left Egypt for Israel and the Palestinian territories following talks with President Hosni Mubarak. Rice met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Rice flew in from Jeddah to join talks with foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan and the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. Rice, in an interview with Egyptian news media, insisted that "this is not a meeting or a coalition against anyone."

The meeting started with the traditional Iftar (fast-breaking meal eaten at sundown during the Muslim month of Ramadan).

Political sources in Amman told Reuters that Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdel Ilah Khatib said the Palestinian issue was vital. "Jordan and other Arab countries will insist that priority be given to solving the Palestinian question, which is at the core of the Middle East conflict," Khatib told reporters before flying to Cairo.

"The absence of a solution to this question is the cause of tensions and frustrations in the Middle East," Khatib said.

"All parties need to be dedicated to helping young governments in places like Lebanon, Iraq, and helping the Palestinians, but most of all, helping the moderate forces against the extremist forces," Rice said in Jeddah.

Asked what to do about violent clashes between the Palestinians' ruling Hamas movement and its rival Fatah, Rice said "the answer is for the Palestinians to find a government that can be committed to the Quartet principles."

"Innocent Palestinians are caught in this violence. I call on all parties to stop this violence," said Rice, adding that she is looking for ways to strengthen President Abbas in his standoff with Hamas.

At the same time, Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said on Tuesday 3/10/2006 that he received a-phone call from his Iranian counterpart Monouchehr Mottaki.

He said the conversation tackled negotiations between Tehran and the European Union on the Iranian nuclear programme.

Abul-Gheit said the Iranian Foreign Minister reiterated his country's stance that Iran was pursuing a peaceful nuclear programme and did not intend to use it for military purposes.

In discussions with print media in Cairo Secretary Condoleezza Rice said democracy is not something that belongs to America or is for America to impose abroad. And certainly democracy will look -- will take on different cultural tones, different forms, in every single country on earth...

We seek to help support the development of a Middle East that is indeed peaceful, in which longstanding conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and in a larger sense the Arab-Israeli conflict can be resolved...

But a part of getting to that peaceful Middle East and one that can be truly stable is that there needs to be at the same time a move toward the development of moderate democratic states in the Middle East. So we need to support the development of a democratic Palestinian state, but one that can live side by side with its democratic Israeli neighbour. We need to support the democratic state of Lebanon which is finally, after more than 30 years, free of foreign forces. It should also be free of foreign influences. And we are supporting the development of a democratic national unity government in Iraq...

You can be assured that President Bush would like nothing better than to bring a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is why he was the first American President to make it a matter of policy that there should be two states living side by side, a Palestinian state and an Israeli state

Well, let me talk about the difficult and rather challenging circumstances that we find first in the region. I think there's no doubt that whether it is in Lebanon or Iraq or in the Palestinian territories we're seeing a very challenging time with violence and with a sense of instability...

I know and I hear that the United States is somehow against Islam or people even say you're fighting a war against Islam. It is extremely important that everyone understand how much Islam is respected in the United States as a great religion. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the United States itself and the people of the United States who practice Islam, the Islamic faith, are respected. They live in neighbourhoods everywhere. They are thoroughly and completely American. And the United States could not possibly lack respect for a religion which is so important to the United States itself among our own people.

So, it is because of our respect for Islam that we do not believe that the violent people who blow up innocent civilians, children, people standing at a bus stop, children in a kindergarten in a school in Russia, that these people represent Islam. These people couldn't possibly represent Islam because Islam is a peaceful religion.

And it is also because we respect Islam that we fully believe that there is no contradiction between Islam and democracy. It will be up to different countries and different cultures to work out the relationship of politics to religion. It will be up to different cultures and different countries to work out social norms in democracies. It will be up to different cultures and different countries to work out precisely what form democracy will take...

GCC Secretary General Abdul-Rahman Al-Atiyyah said the meeting of the GCC foreign ministers and their Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was a continuation to meetings recently held in New York on the fringes of the meetings of the UN's General Assembly.

In a press statement, Al-Atiyyah pointed out that the GCC member states are keen on enhancing the pillars of peace and security in the region.

He noted that at the meeting a number of topics including the Arab-Israeli dispute, repercussions of the war launched against Lebanon and the situation in Iraq were reviewed.

He hoped that the meeting would positively contribute to supporting the peace efforts which have been frozen due to Israel's intransigence and covetousness.

Al-Atiyyah said peace will come through a just and comprehensive settlement based on the resolutions of the international legitimacy.

He expressed anxiety over the deteriorating situation in Iraq, and said the GCC member states do support the efforts that aim at the preservation of Iraq's unity and identity.

On the situation in Darfur, Al-Atiyyah said the meeting of Cairo had discussed the issue.

He reiterated support to the efforts exerted by Sudan, the Arab League and the African Union to realize security and stability in Sudan.

In Ramallah President Mahmoud Abbas stressed the necessity to launch a meaningful peace process.

President Abbas' Statements came during a joint press conference in Ramallah with the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

He said this process should lead to the implementation of the Road Map reaching the end of the Israeli occupation of the 1967 lands to achieve the Bush vision of two states living side by side in peace and security.

"We are discussing a cluster of issues of interest including our relations with various countries in the world fetching a peace process that would end the Arab Israeli conflict and solve the Palestinian question by means of establishing an independent Palestinian state that would live peacefully along side the state of Israel," said President Abbas.

He added that they discussed the issue of forming a national unity government, affirming "we addressed the issue of how talks on the national unity have been distrusted and today we say that any government to be formed has to be fully committed to all the commitments of the Palestinian authority towards the Arab, the world and the international community and has to honour all kinds of agreements signed between the PNA and the other parties."

Up to this moment, said President Abbas, there are no indications that these conditions are going to be met. President Abbas also said that they spoke about the prisoners and the big effort Egypt is making to release the Israeli soldier, stressing; in return it is a must to release Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

He also said that Rice and he spoke about the crossing points as well as the deteriorating security conditions specially the events of the last two days.

For her Part, Rice said the United States is worried about the plight of the Palestinians and pledged to improve living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, affirming that the U.S. will "redouble efforts" to help the Palestinian people.

"I told the President that we are very concerned, of course, about the humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territories," she said. "I said to him that we would redouble our efforts to improve the conditions for the Palestinian people."

On the other hand following two days of deadliest violence and fighting, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh vowed that his Hamas-led government would not let Palestinians slide into civil war.

Twelve Palestinians were killed and more than 100 wounded in two days of clashes between supporters of Haniyeh's ruling Islamist movement and the rival Fatah party, concentrated in the Gaza Strip and the flashpoint West Bank.

Compounding the tension, an armed group affiliated to Fatah threatened to kill Hamas leaders, blaming the hard-line faction for violence unprecedented since the Islamists took power after a landslide election win in January.

"We are against internal clashes," Haniyeh told a Cabinet meeting in Gaza City. "We cannot allow a civil war to erupt, but this question is the responsibility of everyone." The embattled premier was speaking just hours after a radical group linked to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah issued a vitriolic statement, threatening to kill leaders in his Hamas party.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades pointed the finger at Hamas' Khaled Meshaal, Gaza-based Interior Minister Said Siam and chief of the group's paramilitary force in Gaza, Yousuf Al-Zahar.

"In this statement, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades declare loud and clear the decision of the people and the revolution to condemn to death the head of the discord Khaled Meshaal, as well as Said Siam and Yousuf Al-Zahar," it said.

"We will charge ourselves with executing this sentence so that these scoundrels serve as an example to all those who dare spill Palestinian blood."

Hamas reacted immediately, accusing Fatah of sowing discord and poisoning the atmosphere. "We are speaking about a seditious current in the heart of Fatah that searches to sow discord and poison the atmosphere in order to realize personal aims," said MP Mushir Al-Masri.

Some 100 security forces loyal to Fatah blocked the Gaza Strip's main highway with vehicles and burning tires, but a paramilitary controlled by the Hamas government did not intervene.

The two days of violence erupted on Sunday, when the Hamas paramilitary force tried to stop the mainstream security forces from blocking roads in Gaza as part of their demonstrations against non-payment of salaries.

Hamas has been unable to pay any full public service salaries since taking power in March owing to an international aid boycott stemming from its refusal to recognize Israel, renounce violence and abide by past agreements.

In the northern village of Azzun, in the occupied West Bank, a car belonging to a Hamas member was set alight and gunmen opened fire on a house belonging to another official of the party.

Further north in Nablus, suspected Fatah loyalists burned two buses belonging to a Hamas-run school and opened fire on the car of a university lecturer close to the ruling party.

On the eve of a visit to Israel and the West Bank by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Haniyeh lashed out at her regional tour.

"It is clear that Condoleezza Rice is resorting to the old policy of divide and rule," he told the Cabinet. "We urge all the brother Arab countries not to bow to the American plans and aspirations of the American administration to carve up the region," he added.

Political talks between Fatah and Hamas on forming a unity government have stalled over Hamas' hard-line stance despite an initial agreement last month between Abbas and Haniyeh on a political platform.

Meanwhile Lebanon deployed its army on its southern border with Israel for the first time in almost 40 years, vowing to reassert control in the area by stopping attacks and arms smuggling.

At a ceremony to mark the occasion, army commander Brig. Gen. Michel Sleiman called on his troops to confront any violations of an Aug. 14 UN-brokered cease-fire that ended Israel's 34-day war against Hezbollah.

The deployment "to monitor the southern borders and the maritime and territorial borders is meant to prevent aggressions as well as the smuggling of weapons and other prohibited items," he said.

"I call on you to confront any Israeli aggressions and violations," Sleiman told conscripts during the ceremony in which the Lebanese flag was hoisted on a hilltop in the border village of Labbouneh for the first time since 1970.

The Lebanese Army did not deploy in the area for decades because of fighting between Israel and Palestinian fighters and subsequently Lebanese fighters, mainly from Hezbollah.

The deployment comes a day after Israel's near-complete withdrawal of several hundred soldiers who had remained in south Lebanon for almost seven weeks after the cease-fire.

A Lebanese Army officer told AFP that at least 12 Israeli soldiers were still deployed on the Lebanese side of the Ghajar border zone in the east.

The Jewish state has said it will keep its troops there until security arrangements in the divided village are agreed with UN and Lebanese forces.

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commander Gen. Alain Pellegrini said that he expects the last troops to have pulled out of Ghajar this week, in keeping with the UN cease-fire resolution.

But Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salukh charged that Israel "wants to provoke fresh trouble in south Lebanon" by holding on to Ghajar, inhabited by Syrian Alawites and which is a reputed bastion of drug smugglers and spies.

Prime Minister Fuad Siniora expressed more confidence in a swift Israeli withdrawal.

"The United Nations is dealing seriously with the issue of Ghajar and I believe it will achieve its objective, given our determination" to recover Lebanese lands expropriated on the edges of the village, he said.

In separate comments to his Cabinet, Siniora welcomed the departure of "disappointed" Israeli troops. "The occupier has left disappointed," Siniora said.

"But we still have tasks to complete: recover the Shebaa Farms, free Lebanese prisoners held in Israeli jails and the enemy still refuses to hand over maps of the land mines they left behind" after leaving in 2000, he said.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Saleh Sleiman told AFP that "by Monday afternoon, the government plan to deploy 15,000 troops in the south up to the border will be complete, except for the area of Ghajar."

Troops had already taken up positions along the border, mainly in Marwaheen, Marun Ar-Ras, Adaysseh and Kfar Kila where about 100 soldiers backed by 10 armoured vehicles deployed on the Fatima Gate sealed passageway, he added.

Security Council Resolution 1701, which put an end to the war, called for Israel's complete pullout from Lebanon in tandem with the deployment of Lebanese Army troops backed by additional UN peacekeepers, as well as the disarming of all militias.

While Hezbollah has agreed to abide by the mid-August cease-fire, it has resolutely refused to lay down its arms until it is satisfied Israel has ended its occupation of Lebanese territory.

The Head of the Future Bloc in Parliament MP Saad Hariri appealed for dialogue among the Lebanese and said Muslim-Christian unity is crucial in the face of attempts to create instability in the country. He rejected sectarian provocations and threats of 'coups' to bring down the government.

Speaking at an Iftar meal- marking the end of the fasting day of Ramadan- in Koreitem, in honor of families from the Achrafieh district of Beirut, head of the Future Bloc praised a recent statement by Maronite Bishops in which they warned against attempts to scuttle the creation of an international tribunal in Prime Minister Rafic Hariri's assassination case, through the formation of a new government. MP Hariri expressed confidence that the tribunal will be formed and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Highlighting the legacy of the late leader's commitment to national unity, Mr. Hariri reiterated calls for internal dialogue, and said the assassinated Premier was also committed to the status of the Presidency, adding the post should be filled by the appropriate person. Commenting on reports that country could face 'storms' after the fasting month of Ramadan, head of the Future Bloc told the gathering the current government will remain in office, especially after Israel's military campaign, citing the majority support that Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government enjoys in Parliament.

Asked about his relations with Hizbollah Secretary General Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, MP Hariri said there are no direct contacts between them so far, however he voiced respect for Sayyid Nasrallah despite their political differences. He made clear that Lebanon has an opportunity to implement clauses in UN Security Council Resolution 1701, to put an end to all wars, and to diplomatically free detainees held by Israel and recover the occupied Shebaa Farms. He added that Israel will remain an enemy, but will be faced through a defense strategy based on national unity and a strong economy manifested in the success of the planned Beirut I international conference. He also urged Lebanese youths to have confidence in the country, citing his presence in Beirut and efforts to reconstruct Lebanon despite the late leader's killing.

In an open forum at the gathering, head of the Future Bloc stressed that the 1990 Taif Accord set clear rules for a Muslim-Christian partnership, and warned against rumours of possible rioting in Beirut saying security forces will take appropriate measures and that the impact will be negative especially on the perpetrators. Mr. Hariri said a plot to destroy Lebanon has been designed in some quarters of Damascus, but "there are political forces in the other side" that do not back activities such as rioting because they are aware of its negative consequences.