Syria's chance
By:  Charbel Khouri
25/12/01
Contrary to what the puppets in occupied Beirut might have you believe, the presence of 40,000 Syrian soldiers and countless more Gestapo style secret service agents is not needed in Lebanon. Every time the Syrian occupation is put under the spotlight, so called Lebanese leaders race each other to defend the Syrian rape of Lebanon. They are activated and controlled like robots by their masters in Damascus. Be they politicians or religious leaders they all take part in this mockery of Lebanon and its people. Anyone listening to the rhetoric of these people would think that the Lebanese are a bunch of blood thirsty cannibals who have not yet been civilised and are just waiting for the friendly and sisterly Syrian army to leave, so they can start killing each other.

What is being conveniently forgotten by these alleged leaders however, is the crimes that were committed against the people of Lebanon by this so called sisterly army. Ever since Lebanon gained independence from France in 1946, the Syrian political and ideological goal has been to swallow its smaller neighbour. Syria has never recognised Lebanon, and has refused to establish diplomatic relations with it. Proof of the real Syrian intentions for Lebanon came when the Syrian forces invaded Lebanese territory in 1976 and started systematically destroying Lebanon and its institutions, thus the reality of a free Lebanon was quickly disappearing.

To add insult to injury on July 20, 1976, the Syrian dictator Hafiz al Assad in one of his usual illogical speeches conjured up his own version of history declaring that "Syria and Lebanon were one people in two states". Adding its voice to that of the tyrant Hafiz al Assad came the voice of treason, this was the voice of the elitist Lebanese politicians who sold Lebanon in order to fill their own pockets. This crime of theirs, cost Lebanon not only its freedom, sovereignty and independence but also cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of others, and the disappearance of thousands more. It must be made clear that Lebanon is in the hands of Syrian rulers while its politicians squabble with each other for the scraps off Bashar al Assads table.

It is time that the mask is lifted and the true voice of Lebanon is heard. For over a quarter of a century the Lebanese have been calling for the Syrians to leave, these calls have largely fallen on deaf ears as Syria with the blessing of the worlds powers has firmly entrenched its self in Lebanon and its institutions. Not even daily Lebanese society is safe from the clutches of Syria. The people of Lebanon have had enough of the lies and humiliation. They know the Syrian regime and their Lebanese sidekicks much too well to believe their lies regarding the Syrian question. All the Lebanese people ask of Syria is to leave Lebanon. The Lebanese are a peaceful people and want the best relations with their neighbours, Syria has a chance now to reverse all the mistrust and hatred that has developed as a result of its occupation of Lebanon.

The current status quo cannot continue as it is, history tells us that all foreign occupations come to an end at one point in time its just a matter of how and not all end peacefully. The Lebanese look forward to the day when Lebanon is free, when freedom of speech is becomes part of everyday life, when the Rule of Law is respected and they look forward to the day that Lebanon and Syria have a relationship built on the solid foundations of trust and mutual respect not the current relationship which is built on sand, that of fear, terror and intimidation. The ball is now in Syria's court, it has the chance now to make a decision, which based on wisdom, is a stepping-stone to a just peace in the Middle East.

Long Live Free Lebanon