لقد جربنا كل الأنظمة و فشلنا والديموقراطية لا تنجح الاّ في النظام العلماني فـلـنجرب

ITS OK, IT’S ONLY A FEW CLASHES THAT WILL END SOON

 

Labib Chemali

9^th of May 2008

At this juncture in time, Lebanon is either on the brink of peace or on the brink of war with the current government rejecting any attempt to moderate rhetoric and reach a solution for the salvation of the country.

Power has been usurped, regional plans and a demographic danger to the country are in full swing and the powers who call themselves the “March 14^th Movement” (composed of Saad Hariri, Walid Jumblatt and minor Christian Parties) are comfortable clinging to power as opposed to reaching a Lebanese-Lebanese settlement.

They have only themselves to blame as they have avoided every step to reach a just, dignified and honourable solution to the crisis; the opposition has accepted their proposal for Army Chief General Michel Sulieman to be a consensus President, the opposition also stood down from their position on the 19+11 ministerial distribution formula for a formation of a Government to the 10+10+10 that the pro government forces suggested. Yet for some reason beyond understanding, the more concessions the opposition are making, the more the pro government forces are prolonging the situation.

There is a saying in Lebanese that is roughly translated “if your loved one is made of honey, don’t consume him all in one lick”.  The opposition has so far been patient and accepted every provocation, every dishonourable act and every undignified attempt to jolt their position.

For the last 3 years not only has this government been derelict of their duties on a security and economic level, but have pre-occupied themselves with provocative immoral issues like the banning of the Good Friday public holiday as well as dissolving the Constitutional Council.

The pro government forces allied with Hizballa in the 2005 parliamentary elections, formed the Saniora government with them and legalized Hizballa’s weapons as has every government since 1990; they then reversed their policies overnight once they had Shiyite Muslim votes to get them a Parliamentary Majority (using an electoral gerrymander that robbed the Lebanese people of their democratic right).

This sudden back flip on their own policy is no surprise as they became born again anti Syrians during the last days of Syria’s occupation of Lebanon despite having been its prime advocates in the previous 15 years and beyond.

 

These are the same pro government forces that are suspected of having links with Al Qaeda inspired Sunni terror groups infiltrating Lebanon to offset the Hizballa weaponry that the these same people campaigned for and legalized.

 While devoid of any logic, national interest and common decency it is natural to believe that personal interests and foreign agendas are the driving forces behind the actions of the March 14 Movement.

A return to dialogue within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Hizballa and the Free Patriotic Movement (representatives of over 70% Lebanon’s Christians) is the only way out for Lebanon and the region from conflict that threatens to spill throughout the Middle East.

 This framework that addresses the Lebanon’s ills of the last 30 years including the eventual disarmament of Hizballa and the implementation of United Nations Resolutions1559 and 1701; is one of the last hopes Lebanon has from slipping into a destructive war that is not going to benefit anyone.

 The clashes of the last few days smell a lot like April 13^th 1975 when Lebanon witnessed the opening blows of a 15 year conflict that was to ensue.  Many were saying then as they are saying now, “its ok, it’s only a few clashes that will end soon”.

 

Labib Chemali

The United Australian Lebanese Movement

 

UALM Angered by Self Serving Interest’s of Lebanon’s Politicians
UALM: It is time to call a spade, a spade

  The United Australian Lebanese Movement (UALM) laments the fact that the current situation in Lebanon is a direct result of the oppurtunistic and self serving political alliances and decisions made just before the 2005 parliamentary elections by certain Lebanese political parties.

 The first mistake that occurred was the running of the 2005 Lebanese parliamentary elections under the 2000 electoral law (otherwise known as the “Ghazi Kannan law” after the Syrian General in charge of Lebanon during the Syrian occupation).

 This law was tailor made to ensure that Syria’s allies in Lebanon would be guaranteed victory in the 2000 parliamentary elections among them Walid Jumblatt and his Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), Hezbollah, The Future Movement of the Hariri family, Ja’maa Islamiya (known as JI), Amal and other Pro-Syrian groups.

 The law redrew electoral boundaries to dilute the voting power of the anti-Syrian occupation populace and marginalised many in Lebanon and the Christians in particular. There were many districts allotted to constituencies they did not even geographically border so that their votes were rendered worthless.

   11 claims contesting 11 seats and which if successful would tip the balance of power towards the Opposition.

As a result of the political impasse that ensued after the ‘marriage of convenience’ between the February 14 group and Hezbollah/Amal fell apart the following has occurred:

 therefore reinstating a real and effective partnership in power through political reform, focusing specifically on the creation of a new electoral law, new parliamentary elections, and a resolution of the presidential stalemate.

UALM firmly believes that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between The Free Patriotic Movement and Hezbollah sets the framework for a solution. The MoU includes variety of vital points such as defining the frame of the relationship with Syria and a disarmament roadmap for Hezbollah to the advantage of both the Lebanese State and Army as the sole military institution in charge of the country\'s security (This was adopted months later by the National Dialogue).
It is imperative that any decision or agreement around controversial issues be the product of a representative government with the adhesion of all, for the good sake of stability. Excluding any of the major Lebanese groups from crucial national decisions will undeniably expose Lebanon to the risk of new turmoil.

 

The UALM believes that only a comprehensive political agreement that encompasses and addresses all outstanding political issues such as the size and make up of the incoming government, readdressing the issue of the powers of the president and a new electoral law along with the issue of the presidency will ensure an end to the deadlock that has gripped Lebanon. This proposal also ensures that all political disagreements are solved at once, therefore saving Lebanon and the Lebanese many more months of political wrangling and more violence.

 

Media contact:
Charlie Khouri
P :( 02) 9687 0518
F: (02) 9687 0975
M: 0411 868 222
E: pressoffice@ualm.org.au

 

 

UALM Calls for Calm
UALM: Violence will not solve problems

Australia: The United Australian Lebanese Movement (UALM) calls on all groups involved in the clashes in Lebanon to show restraint. The UALM is saddened by the scenes of violence emanating from Lebanon and urges all leaders and citizens to speak in the language of peace.

Lebanon is serious and communication between all groups is needed in order to gain stability.

Lebanon.

Lebanon is not dragged into unnecessary violence, turmoil and destruction.

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<P class=MsoNormal style=""MARGIN: " 0pt\? 0cm><SPAN lang=EN-AU style=""COLOR: " black\?>Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who have died or were injured in the latest clashes. We hope that the needless loss of life ends in order for the Lebanese to live in peace and harmony.

The UALM believes that only through open and sincere dialogue will solutions be reached. 

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