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Department of Political Sciences , Djelfa University .

Prepared By Med Tayeb SELT ,Maitre Assistant

Writing a Biography :

Rafik HARIRI

1 Rafik Hariri, a billionaire contractor who plunged into the maelstrom of


Lebanese politics to rebuild his war-ravaged country and twice served as prime
minister, died on Monday in a huge car bomb explosion in Beirut. He was 60.
Mr. Hariri, who had always surrounded himself with bodyguards and lived in a
heavily fortified compound, was killed when the bomb hit his motorcade in the
city center that he helped restore. He had served as prime minister a total of 10
years, stepping down last fall over Syrian interference in Lebanon.

2 Born poor in southern Lebanon, Mr. Hariri was a self-made man who
amassed a fortune building hotels, palaces and conference centers for the royal
family in Saudi Arabia, and remained very close to the Saud family. He was as
extravagant in his charitable works as he was in his big-game hunting, yachts,
private jets and multimillion-dollar real estate projects. Always impeccably
dressed, he was stout with bushy eyebrows and a commanding manner. As a
politician, though, he was obliged to keep his domineering nature in check to
placate Lebanon's powerful neighbor, Syria.

3 While Mr. Hariri was accused by some Lebanese of driving the country into
debt with his ambitious rebuilding plans, he was also praised as the architect of
its rebirth and renewed confidence after the devastation of 15 years of civil
war, from 1975 to 1990. He was a well-known figure in Washington and
European capitals, where he was largely successful in obtaining Western help
to overcome Lebanon's intermittent financial crisis. Yet his political fortunes
were always hostage to his up-and-down relations with Syria's presidents, now
Bashar al-Assad and before him his father, Hafez al-Assad. For the most part,
he appeared to steer an even course. Unlike some of the more impetuous
Lebanese clan and religious leaders, Mr. Hariri carefully avoided direct
criticism of Syria's role as Lebanon's overlord.

4 Yet his frustration with the limits that Damascus set sometimes showed. In an
interview with The Boston Globe in 1993, he was asked whether the ubiquitous
portrait of the elder Mr. Assad on every wall of the old Beirut airport was a
problem for him. "It's not a problem to put it up," Mr. Hariri said. "It's a
problem to take it down." His long-running rivalry with Émile Lahoud, the pro-
Syrian Lebanese president, defined much of his political career. It prompted
him to resign in 1998, after his first six years in office. He was re-elected in
2000.

5 His irritation with Mr. Lahoud drove him to another break last year. When
Damascus insisted on keeping Mr. Lahoud in office beyond the constitutional
limit, Mr. Hariri resigned a move that was widely interpreted as a definitive
rupture with Syria. He had a big enough bloc in Parliament that he could have
stopped Syria's order last summer to amend the Constitution to extend Mr.
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Department of Political Sciences , Djelfa University .Prepared By Med Tayeb SELT ,Maitre Assistant

Lahoud's term. He agreed not to after traveling to Damascus and then to the
office of Syrian intelligence, which serves as a kind of proconsul in Lebanon.
He appeared for the hastily called Parliament vote on the constitutional change
with his left arm in a sling from a fall, leading to jokes that the Syrians had
twisted it too hard. The downtown area was already plastered with freshly
printed Lahoud posters and pre-positioned fireworks went off as soon as the
vote was taken. "He could bypass criticizing Syria because he was able to
criticize people who were supporting Syria, like Lahoud," said Edward S.
Walker, a former American diplomat who knew Mr. Hariri from his service in
the Middle East. "But he never went so far as to make himself a direct target."

6 Mr. Hariri was born in 1944 in Sidon, an ancient port city on the
Mediterranean. The son of a vegetable vendor, he earned a degree in business
administration at Arab University in Beirut and then chose the path taken by
many enterprising young Arabs of his day: In 1965, he left home to seek his
fortune in Saudi Arabia. After a short stint as a teacher, he turned to
construction, amassing a fortune in the building frenzy that swept the kingdom
in the early years of its oil boom.

7 He became a favorite of the Saudi royal family, even gaining Saudi


citizenship, a connection that would prove invaluable after he returned to
Lebanon and sought to re-establish its reputation as a tourism and financial
center after the civil war. Mr. Hariri's charitable works - among them a
hospital, a teaching university and scholarships for Lebanese students - first
reintroduced him to his homeland and grew in tandem with his expanding
financial interests. He invested heavily in the reconstruction of central Beirut
along the former Green Line, which separated warring militias during the war,
and later formed television and radio stations in Lebanon.

8 Although there was some initial criticism, the downtown is now an


architectural gem and very popular, particularly with tourists during the
summer, when the outdoor cafes are buzzing until 3 a.m. Mr. Hariri's political
career began in 1983, one year after an Israeli invasion of Lebanon and at a
time when the country was paralyzed by sectarian fighting. He arrived as an
envoy of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, with a mandate to mediate between
sectarian militias, dodging bullets in typically swashbuckling fashion as his
small plane flew into the besieged capital. His mission failed that time, but he
was later involved in the successful Saudi effort to end the war and establish
the Syrian military as a peacekeeping force.

9 Under Lebanon's Constitution, the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim


like Mr. Hariri. He was first appointed prime minister in 1992, in the hope that
his reputation as a savvy businessman would attract investment and restore
confidence in the shattered Lebanese economy, and held onto the post after the
country's first postwar elections in 1996. When he first took office, he pledged
to lead the country in a “quantum leap” to the future."I want to go down in the

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Department of Political Sciences , Djelfa University .Prepared By Med Tayeb SELT ,Maitre Assistant

history books," he said at the time, "as the man who resurrected Beirut."
Regularly cited as one of the richest men in the world, Mr. Hariri did some of
that resurrection with his own money. He was a major shareholder in Solidere,
the private company set up to rebuild downtown Beirut, and reportedly paid
$10 million for the project's engineering plans.

10 While he was able to pursue an independent economic policy, one that


provided wealthy Syrians a safe haven for their money, Mr. Hariri had little
control over Lebanon's foreign policy. The militant Shiite party, Hezbollah,
supported by Syria and Iran, was left in control over southern Lebanon for
years, operating without consultation or coordination with Mr. Hariri's
government. When Hezbollah attacked an Israeli patrol at the border in 2001,
prompting a retaliatory airstrike by Israel, for example, Mr. Hariri said he was
not surprised that he had not been given advance notice. "Maybe they wanted
to make a point that they don't take advice from the government," he said.

11 Last September, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution


calling on Syria to respect the sovereignty of Lebanon. The vote followed the
moves by pro-Syria politicians in Lebanon to change the Constitution to allow
President Lahoud to remain in office. Mr. Hariri, while making his opposition
known, acquiesced to the change. Then he resigned. Before his death, he had
been promoting a new movement he called Al Mustaqbal (The Future), and
seemed intent on remaining in Lebanese politics. He is survived by his wife,
Nazik Hariri, and six children.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/15/international/middleeast/15hariri.html?pagewanted=2

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Department of Political Sciences , Djelfa University .Prepared By Med Tayeb SELT ,Maitre Assistant

A biography is a description or account of someone's life and the times, which


is usually published in the form of a book or an essay, or in some other form,
such as a film. An autobiography is a biography of a person's life written or
told by that same person. A biography is more than a list of impersonal facts
(education, work, relationships, and death), it also portrays the subject's
experience of those events. Unlike a profile or curriculum vitae, a biography
presents the subject's story, highlighting various aspects of his or her life,
including intimate details of experiences, and may include an analysis of the
subject's personality. A work is biographical if it covers all of a person's life.
As such, biographical works are usually non-fiction, but fiction can also be
used to portray a person's life. One in-depth form of biographical coverage is
called legacy writing. Together, all biographical works form the genre known
as biography, in literature, film, and other forms of media.

1-What do the underlined words in the text refer to?

2-Say whether these statements are True, False or Not mentioned?


1. Rafik Hariri served three times as Lebanon Prime Minister.

2. He was born very rich.

3. European capitals helped Lebanon’s intermittent financial crisis.

4. He resigned in 1998 because of problems with Iran.

5. When he was resigned, Hariri didn’t have a majority in the Lebanon


parliament.

6. Rafik Hariri was born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

7. The Green Line separated Israel and many Arabic countries.

8. Hariri began a politic career before the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

9. Under the Lebanon’s Constitution the President must be a Sunni


Muslim.

10.Hariri had a big control over Lebanon’s foreign policy.

11. The movement Al Mustaqbal was found by Nazik Hariri.

3-Synonyms: Find from a dictionary synonyms of the following


words:
1. Contractor-maelstrom - huge

2. Poor – palaces – yachts

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Department of Political Sciences , Djelfa University .Prepared By Med Tayeb SELT ,Maitre Assistant

3. Accused – intermittent – hostage

4. Frustration – ubiquitous – elder

5. Resigned – rupture – proconsul

6. Port – earned - seek

7. Citizenship –invested - militias

8. Although – gem – mediate

9. Savvy – resurrected – Solidere

10.Policy – coordination - border

11.Resolution – sovereignty – acquiesced

4-Opposites: Find from the article opposites of the following words:


Demolish – far – like – absence – agreement – new – losing – finished –
damaged – big – disrespect.

5-Definitions: Find from the text words whose definitions are:


1. A person or group of persons employed to guard an individual, as a high
official.

2. The arch or ridge forming the upper part of the orbit of the eye.

3. Something that one is bound to pay to or perform for another.

4. A feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression,


resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.

5. The system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state,


corporation, or the like, is governed.

6. A town on the Mediterranean coast, 48 kilometers south of Beirut,

7. The character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior


in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen.

8. The act of passing severe judgment; censure; faultfinding.

9. The act of rising from the dead.

10.An opinion or recommendation offered as a guide to action, conduct,

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Department of Political Sciences , Djelfa University .Prepared By Med Tayeb SELT ,Maitre Assistant

11.Supreme and independent power or authority in government as


possessed or claimed by a state or community.

6-Read the text then answer the following questions:


1. When and where was Rafik Hariri born?

2. How long did the civil war in Lebanon take?

3. Why did he resign in 2004?

4. How did he avoid being a target from the Syrian regimen?

5. When did he begin his political career?

6. Why was he appointed PM in 1992?

7. Had the Prime Minster got a control to his foreign policy? Justify.

8. Why did pro-Syrian politician in Lebanon act to change the


constitution?

7-Pick from the text irregular verbs and their past simple and past
participle

8-Transformations: Rewrite the 2nd sentence so that it means the


same as one:
1. Hariri was accused by some Lebanese of driving the country into debt.

2. He was asked by the journalist of The Boston Globe in 1993.

3. A big enough bloc in Parliament could have stopped Syria's order.

4. The country was paralyzed by sectarian fighting.

5. Hariri was later involved in the successful Saudi effort to end the war.

6. The Prime Minister had not been given advance notice from Hezbollah.

7. Rafik Hariri had been promoting a new movement called Al Mustaqbal


(The Future).

9- Translate the following expressions:


1. A billionaire contractor.

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Department of Political Sciences , Djelfa University .Prepared By Med Tayeb SELT ,Maitre Assistant

2. He remind very close to the Saud family.

3. He was a well-known figure in Washington and European capitals, where he


was largely successful in obtaining Western help to overcome Lebanon's
intermittent financial crisis.

4. His frustration with the limits that Damascus set sometimes showed.

5. He could bypass criticizing Syria because he was able to criticize people who
were supporting Syria, like Lahoud. But he never went so far as to make
himself a direct target.

6. In 1965, he left home to seek his fortune in Saudi Arabia. After a short stint as
a teacher, he turned to construction, amassing a fortune in the building frenzy
that swept the kingdom in the early years of its oil boom.
7. Mr. Hariri's charitable works - among them a hospital, a teaching university
and scholarships for Lebanese students.

8. Mr. Hariri's political career began in 1983, one year after an Israeli invasion
of Lebanon and at a time when the country was paralyzed by sectarian
fighting.

9. He pledged to lead the country in a quantum leap to the future.

10. - While he was able to pursue an independent economic policy, one that
provided wealthy Syrians a safe haven for their money.

- Retaliatory airstrike

11. The vote followed the moves by pro-Syria politicians in Lebanon to change the
Constitution to allow President Lahoud to remain in office.

10- Writing: write a biography about a famous political personality


in not more than 2 pages.

How to Write a Biography :


A biography is simply the story of a life. Biographies
can be just a few sentences long, or they can fill an
entire book—or two.

• Very short biographies tell the basic facts of someone's life and
importance.
• Longer biographies include that basic information of course, with a lot
more detail, but they also tell a good story.

Biographies analyze and interpret the events in a person's life. They try to find
connections, explain the meaning of unexpected actions or mysteries, and make

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Department of Political Sciences , Djelfa University .Prepared By Med Tayeb SELT ,Maitre Assistant

arguments about the significance of the person's accomplishments or life


activities. Biographies are usually about famous, or infamous people, but a
biography of an ordinary person can tell us a lot about a particular time and
place. They are often about historical figures, but they can also be about people
still living. Many biographies are written in chronological order. Some group
time periods around a major theme (such as "early adversity" or "ambition and
achievement" ). Still others focus on specific topics or accomplishments.

To write a biography you should:

1. Select a person you are interested in


2. Find out the basic facts of the person's life. Start with the encyclopedia
and almanac.
3. Think about what else you would like to know about the person, and
what parts of the life you want to write most about. Some questions you
might want to think about include:
o What makes this person special or interesting?
o What kind of effect did he or she have on the world? other
people?
o What are the adjectives you would most use to describe the
person?
o What examples from their life illustrate those qualities?
o What events shaped or changed this person's life?
o Did he or she overcome obstacles? Take risks? Get lucky?
o Would the world be better or worse if this person hadn't lived?
How and why?
4. Do additional research at your library or on the Internet to find
information that helps you answer these questions and tell an interesting
story.

Diana, Princess of Wales

(1 July 1961 – 31 August 1997) .

Princess Diana was an iconic figure of the late 20th Century. During her life
she was often said to be the most photographed person, appearing on the cover
of People magazine more than anyone else. She epitomized feminine beauty
and glamour. At the same time, she was admired for her groundbreaking
charity work; in particular her work with AIDS patients and supporting the
campaign for banning landmines. Married to Prince Charles in 1981, she
received the title of “Her Royal Highness Princess Diana of Wales” She is the

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Department of Political Sciences , Djelfa University .Prepared By Med Tayeb SELT ,Maitre Assistant

Mother of Prince William and Prince Harry 2nd and 3rd in line to the throne
respectively.

Diana was born to an aristocratic family who links to the Royal Family. Her
father was Edward Spencer, Viscount Althorp. Edward Spencer was a direct
descendent of Charles II.. Her mother was Frances Viscountess Althorp. Her
mother was distantly related with the Queen Mother, and was also of American
descent. When Diana was young, her parents divorced with her father winning
a bitter battle for custody of the children. Diana grew up in the family home of
Park House, before moving to Althorp in 1975. Diana did not shine as a
student, but did well in music and ballet. When she met her future husband,
Diana was working as a part time assistant in a nursery school in London

In 1981, Diana married Prince Charles. Diana was 13 years the junior, at an age
of just 20, Charles by contrast was 33 at the time of the wedding. The general
public soon warmed to the innocence and beauty of Princess Diana, and the
wedding was watched by over 1 billion people world wide. During their
marriage they had two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. However, in the
mid 1980s, strains started to appear in the marriage, and under much publicity
the marriage broke up leading to a divorce in 1992. During this period Diana is
said to have suffered various health problems such as bulimia and depression.

As Princess of Wales, Diana was expected to take part in various official


engagements, such as, opening of hospitals. This provided a natural outlet for
her to become involved in various types of charitable work. Her natural
sympathy and oneness with patients was much admired. In 1987, Princess
Diana was one of the first well known celebrities to be photographed with a
victim of AIDS. This was important in changing attitudes to the disease. At the
time, many thought the disease could be contacted by touch alone. Another of
her high profile charities, was her involvement in the campaign to ban
landmines. In January 1997, she visited mine fields in Angola to inspect the
clearing of landmines. After her death, the Ottawa treaty, was signed banning
the use of anti-personnel landmines. Many agree that her support and role in
the campaign played an important role in influencing this decision.

Shortly before her death, June 18th Princess Diana met with Mother Teresa.
Both admired each other. Mother Teresa always said “Diana is my daughter.”
With utmost humility Diana said “I am a very, very small Mother Teresa.

Despite the pervasive press intrusions into her private life, Diana remained very
popular because people could identify with her. Her hands on approach to
charity work gave the impression of a new type of Royal, who was no longer so
remote.
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Department of Political Sciences , Djelfa University .Prepared By Med Tayeb SELT ,Maitre Assistant

“everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something


back if only they had the chance.”

Diana died on 31st August, 1997, in a car crash involving Dodi Al-Fayed. (see
last moments of Princess Diana) It was said they were being chased by
paparazzi at the time the fatal accident. Although, the inquest noted that the
driver was also under the influence of drugs and drink. Controversy still
surrounds her death, with a further inquest still underway.(3) The death of
Diana had a profound impact on the British public and those in other countries.
It led to an unprecedented outpouring of grief and sympathy, for a person
people had taken into their hearts. Over 1 million bouquets of flowers were laid
at Buckingham Palace. Her funeral was watched by countless millions around
the world. Her final resting place was her family home of Althorp.

Sri Chinmoy said of Princess Diana

“Princess Diana, your heart of sympathy covers the length and breadth of the
world. There shall come a time when the entire world will value you most
sincerely, most lovingly and most wholeheartedly." (2)

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