Tuesday, November 29, 2005

On ... Stuff

Should we be chasing after national unity? What exactly is that? Does it entail leaders shaking hands and saying they agree today, or should it be the Lebanese who are willing to accept each other? More importantly, should Lebanon focus on national unity, or on socio-economic reform?

You've all heard the saying "No victor no vanquished." No winners, and no losers. Only Lebanon has lost. Should that mean that there are no debates and no controversies and no friction between parties as they try to do something for Lebanon? If one party does take the lead in some initiative, is that so bad?

Aoun currently insists on national unity, especially with regards to Hezbollah. Let's hope that Bassil's words "We are genuine in the search for an exit of the country's political deadlock" are true, but Aoun's words "March 14 is our own house. The others were temporary guests ... they are welcome back at any time." make me wonder. Of course, a small part of the distrust I have goes back 3 years to an interview he had with Pat Robertson: "Hezbollah is not a separate entity from Syria. It is under the Syrian operational control. [He is 100% sure about that]".

If his opinion has really changed, then he should explain why. How else can he build trust in those who don't have it?

Last week the demarcation of borders was in the air, yet Shebaa was to be glanced over. Yesterday, it was bluntly said that Shebaa was lebanese. Good. Finally it's out in the open, but will we stop in words? Or will documents, besides land ownership papers (which is what was used in 2000 versus the maps which Israel used), be displayed to the UN? What has happened with Seniora and Syria to change the current situation? We have a right to know.

A new development has been Mr. Houssam - will that degrade the Mehlis report? If his last testimonial is all a lie, was he not capable of lies with dealing with Mehlis and Lebanon? Look at what happened to Saddik. It will be interesting to read the report in December (which will be done on the flight back home). How will this interview be used later on?

We need answers and explanations. At least to try to understand why. This is how true national unity is built, not by shady deals and secret meetings. Otherwise Lebanon is just the same as it always was ... the only difference is that the Syrians aren't here.


posted by Lazarus, 8:34 AM

4 Comments:

  • "More importantly, should Lebanon focus on national unity, or on socio-economic reform?"

    national unity is empty rhetoric aimed at diverting public attention from the real problems: freedoms, economic growth and corruption.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:45 AM  

  • Anon. 11:45

    Lebanon will continue to limp along from crisis to crisis because no politician wants to tackle the hard issues and upset the division of the spoils.

    The maps for shebaa and its demarcation exist in France and an Israeli professor has unravelled the border problem. http://beirut.indymedia.org/ar/2005/03/2262.shtml

    BTW, he concludes that they are Lebanese.

    Mr. Housam and Mr.Saddik have blown a big hole in the weak Mehlis report. he needs to do better next time.

    We maybe seeing the outline of a deal that the Syrians have negotiated with the US on Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine . Bashar's tough speech was a prelude to his concessions.

    News is now out that the Americans are warming up to the Iranians and may restore diplomatic relations in exchange for cooperation on Iraq.

    The insurgency in Iraq and the success of the MB in Egypt have forced the Americans to cooperate with the Syrians and Iranians. So much for Bush's Democracy Initiative in the ME.

    issam

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:59 PM  

  • Issam, you're speaking about Asher Kaufman. I have his report right in front of me. His conclusion is much more complicated than it just being Lebanese. He says "it will be left to Syria and Lebanon to determine who actually owns the land".

    Let's hope this will be done properly.

    By Blogger Lazarus, at 10:24 PM  

  • That detail has just been tidied up by PM Sinoura and the FM Sharaa of syria . If the Israelis are interested in diffusing the situation in that area ,they will withdraw and set the Lebanese political bargaining in motion.

    However, I don't think they will without lots of inducements. They may see shebaa farms as just another Taba.

    Issam

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:39 PM  

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