From: hani@pepper.engin.umich.edu (Hani Abinassif)
Subject: Re: grandliban.gif:  INFO
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 92 15:29:00 EDT
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor
Originator: hani@pepper.engin.umich.edu


In article <NMOUAWAD.92Jul22123003@math.waterloo.edu>, nmouawad@waterloo.edu (Naji Mouawad) writes:
[......]
> On a related note, I would like to add that Israel is not any better
> than Syria when one compares their actions in Lebanon. Both have used
> force, both have tried to impose their will, both have ubducted,
> killed and committed unspeakable crimes.
> 
I wonder, after reading this statement, why most of the "expatriots'"
efforts are concentrating on driving the Syrians out.  Many organizations
spearheaded by the so called CLAO drain their lobbying effort to
change some text format in a congress bill, and do not even care
to lobby for the implementation of UN425.  There are people who get
killed every day in the South.  There are homes that are destroyed.  All
what we hear of is a press release by an insignificant, forgotten
personality, or a kid being spanked on the Barbara check point, or
fabricated polls on how popular some ex-generals are.  


> Yet there is one major difference in the current situation: it is
> Syria who is trying to shape Lebanon's to its will right now with
> Israel's blessing. Guess which country aproved first of the Taef's
> agreement ? Israel. In fact, I doubt whether the Israeli government
> cares as to who governs Lebanon. As long as it can keep the Gholan's
> heigh it is happy. 

The problem was/is with alliances...It is the Right-Wing political
"think tank" who started some desperate alliances with Syria and Israel,
and shifting gears and directions, with no regard to ideological, 
strategical, and political reforms.  Now the problem is not only
an issue of reforms, but also of existance. And we still see CLAO,
AOUN, Geagea, even Bikriki doing the same mistake....

My analysis is that these leaders are still playing the European
Vatican/Religious cards.  It is obvious that the U.S. is the key
if not the only player in the Middle-East. And that the Peace Process
to this Administration means more than THE identity of Lebanon.  The issue 
of the elections (and it will take place IMHO)should not be isolated 
from the regional issues, namely the peace process.  The identity of
Lebanon, Syria or any Arab country is not really an issue (as far as
U.S. is concerend) as long as the peace process in on queue. This
has been the case since the gulf war, and consequently the dilution
of the European (French) infleunce in the Lebanese affairs.  It should
be understood in light of those events why France would insist on
the release of Aoun ALIVE to play a role designed as a window for the
French in Lebanon.  

Before we talk about how bad other regimes are, I wish some house
reforms took place when Kamal Jumbulat called for it.  It was the
same current school (namely "AL-Maronia Alsiasia") who rebuffed
peacefully or militarly all programs of reforms. 

-Hani
-- 
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 | |\ \/ /| |  University of Michigan| Hani_Nassif@um.cc.umich.edu
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.lebanon