WORLD MARONITE UNION
General Secretariat
      
6th September, 2001

Press Release

Commenting on the Second Historic Appeal of the Council of the Maronite Bishops issued today, the World Maronite Union (WMU) issued the following
press-release:
The World Maronite Union (WMU), its World Council and its National Chapters around the world sends its best regards and congratulations to the Council of
Maronite Bishops who, under the auspices of His Beatitude Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, has once again made history by issuing their second courageous appeal.
The WMU cannot but praise the Bishops declaration which called clearly for the withdrawal of the Syrian Army from Lebanon and for the cessation of the
all Human Rights abuses against our people in Lebanon. From this perspective the WMU reiterate the following crucial matters which were addressed by the
Bishops declaration:
1) Lebanon, was and remains a separate nation with full rights to sovereignty, independently from local, regional and international politics. Neither the Mameluks nor the Ottomans, the French and Arab occupations have been able, nor will be able to terminate our country's autonomy in the Middle East. What was not eradicated in centuries will not be removed in two decades.
2) The Syrians have entered Lebanon in 1976 and occupied it. It is the natural right of the Lebanese to demand and struggle for its liberation, despite all other considerations.
3) The ongoing abuse of Human rights is a crime against the Lebanese people. It shall not be tolerated nor disregarded. We shall seek all means under
International Law to cease this abuse.
The World Maronite Union, by the virtue of the powers of representation of the Maronite Diaspora invested in it since 1980, formally asks its chapters to consider the Second Declaration of the Council of Maronite Bishops as a standing policy to adopt, advocate for and implement in all their countries of residence.
The World Maronite Union declares its decision to raise the issues addressed by the Council of Bishops to the United Nations and to consider it as a priority in its action.
Sheikh Sami el-Khoury
President

Dr Walid Phares
Secretary General

Dr Rachid Rahme
Deputy Secretary General
Director for Europe

Mr Tom Harb
Director for North America

Mrs Lody Brais
Director for Brazil

Mr Karim Khoury
Delegate for Hispanic America

Mr George Douahi
Delegate for Australia

Mr Camille Barakat
Delegate for the Middle East

Mr Joseph Keiruz
Delegate for Africa