WLCU PRESS RELEASE :
Lebanese delegation meet with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer
23/10/2003
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003: "Lebanese Immigrants have made a tremendous contribution to the development of Australia..We support United Nations' Security Council Resolution 520" -Alexander Downer
In a brief stop over in Sydney on his way to Canberra from Thailand, Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer was understandably in a hurry as the Australian Government was preparing to host United States President George W. Bush in his very brief stay in Australia.
However, Minister Downer took time to receive a delegation of the World Lebanese Cultural Union comprising of; WLCU World President Joe Baini, Geographic Regional Council President for Australia and New Zealand Joe Arida and Assistant World Secretary General Dr Pierre Raffoul.
WLCU President Joe Baini clarified to Minister Downer the status of the World Lebanese Cultural Union as an International Non Government Organization representing many millions of people of Lebanese origin throughout the Diaspora.
The delegation conveyed its congratulations to the Australian Government for its continued commitment and tenacity in its efforts to combat terrorism in the local Pacific Region and abroad. The delegation assured Mr. Downer of the WLCU's
Support for his government's policy on terrorism.
Minister Downer seemed very pleased at the support expressed and directly reflected on the past, present and continuing development of the Lebanese community in Australia. He was quick to add, that the Lebanese community has been a great contributor to the development of Australia.
Minister Downer congratulated Joe Baini on his new position and remarked that his election to the World Presidency of the WLCU was indicative of the great achievements of the Lebanese community in Australia.
As the delegation took up in general the broader topics of the situation in Lebanon and particularly the presence of foreign forces there, Minister Downer seemed to be better informed than most on the real situation.
The net worth of the discussion was that the Australian Government totally supports United Nations Security Council Resolution 520 which calls for the withdrawal of all foreign forces in Lebanon and allowing the people of Lebanon to return to their course of Democracy and self determination as a Sovereign Nation.
The delegation then moved to another issue relating more to the technical development of students in Lebanon. It seems to be very difficult to have any technical accreditation from schools in Lebanon accepted here in Australia. Further, it seems that Australia is prepared to continue to receive migrants from Lebanon. It therefore, seems logical and totally beneficial if the Australian Government was to establish a TAFE (Training And Further Education) College in Lebanon, fully built and totally administered by Australian personnel and teachers until such positions were able to be filled by Lebanese replacements; who would be trained and developed for their roles by Australians.
Such a development would have two immediate benefits;
1. Australia would in effect be developing and training students in Lebanon who would be considered preferred candidates for an Australian Migration Visa.
These applicants would be already accredited in accordance with Australian standards and would be immediately productive for Australia.
This would save Australia of about 3 to 5 years of financial support to those who might otherwise need retraining here in Australia.
2. Australia would in effect be granting aid to Lebanon in a more beneficial, more productive ways than otherwise and having a longer lasting positive influence on the lives of the people of Lebanon.
No doubt such a program would help to reshape Technical Educational Programs in Lebanon.
This concept seemed to attract the Minister's attention and he assured the delegation that this proposal get some consideration.

The United Australian Lebanese Movement
Press Office
pressoffice@ualm.org.au
http://www.ualm.org.au
23/10/2003