From: hani@gilaman.engin.umich.edu (Hani Abinassif)
Subject: Re: European Parliament and the Lebanese legislative elections
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 92 01:03:12 EDT
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor
Originator: hani@gilaman.engin.umich.edu


In article <1992Jul29.192457.11631@prism.poly.edu>, medawar@prism.poly.edu (Bassem Medawar) writes:
[......]
> 
> It is good you brought this point.  Denemark people just voted in a referendum
> not to be part of the European unification.  I guess Denemark people now
> must move to Greenland or Antarctica to let the European unification happen.

Bassem,
	The example of Denmark you are refering to, works agianst what you
are saying.  If you were following the unification of Europe properly, you
would have noticed that the Danish people voted against their government,
more than on the unification ticket.  In fact, the vote was close like 52-48
I believe.  It is forgranted in Europe that everyone WILL join.  And Denmark
is going to have another referundum which is expected to pass.  The point I
am making is that the ultimate goal or objective of any Arab state, and Lebanon
is one BTW, is to seek unification based on economical proseberity and
political power sharing and democratic terms.  I am not necessarily advocating
a catholic marriage with any undemocratic country.  Some day though some
responsible people will be in power and realize the importance of unity
as the German people did.  The unification of East and West Germany took
place although many were against it on both sides. Now tell me how much
of benefits the Wet German gained.  On the contrary, their economy is shaking
with the burden of this unification. Nevertheless, they went ahead realizing
the importanceof democratizing and rebuilding East Germany.  These are
situation where benefits are not measured only by Oil Barrels, although nothing
is wrong with that either.  There a shared destiny, common culture, and
famlial relations between Lebanon and many Arab states.

> Do you see how follish your argument is?  If the Lebanese population vote
> by majority in an honest election to unite with the rest of the Arab countries
> that will be great, at least my country will get a share of the Gulf oil
> revenue, wouldn't you say?  So, what form of political government will this

Bassem, if you can not continue this conversation without using words like
"foolish argument", then let this be the last reply.  If you gave the DAnish
example to prove that the majority of the Lebanese do not want unity with
the Arab world, then you are simply misreading the headlines...It seems you
are decided that most Lebanese do not want unification.  Can you refer me
to any reference, or previuos experience through history.  It is noted however,
that REGIMES DO NOT REPRESENT PEOPLE IN THE ARAB WORLD.  If there was a
Country like Sweden on the Northern borders, and Norway to the East, and
Canada to the south, (all with ARAB population) would be more willing to unite,
although economic benefits are not clear, as the case in Europe?  


> union have, or do you want to unite first an decide on the form of government 
> later?  [While in jail for defying the absolute Arab ruler]  My point on this
> issue is that you should unite when it is benificial to you and not based on
> romantic sentiments which others may not share.  When you unite, you should

Explain to me the romance the West German are practicing, although they
are under economic burdens due to unification.
  
Come on Bassem, you are so inticed with the EC resolution you can not think of
anything else.  I do not like the idea of Euro-sponsored or any Foriegn-
sponsored resolution on an internal affair that was decided by the Lebanese
Government, elected by a Parlimant, and endorced in your article as to keep it
alive.  So why do you accept Hrawi and Co., Solh and his Cowboys? According
to your anaylsis, it would be ok. if the EC felt that Solh does not represent
the Lebanese, then we should sponsor their views on this issue.

> know what you are jumping into before you start jumping.
> 
The unification will be gradual, starting by educating the people on
democracy, civilization and ideological alternatives.  It is not a unity after
the Eygptian and Syrian example whereby unity took place over the air waves
and newspapers.  It took Europe centuries to reealize the importance of
unification to face the new economic and political challenge.  I hope we
can learn and reduce that time to less than centuries...I think Arabs can
learn quick.  If Eastern Europeans (who are acting like Arabs now) can revolt
and dispose of Dictators, Arabs can and will. 

A people with no dream, can not build a nation.  Especially when cosmic
objectives are measured by the insignificance of individual economic 
prosperity.  

> Do you really think that Kuwait's miniscule population will share its
> enormous oil revenue with Egypt 40 million+ population?
> 

One way or another Lebanese always benefited from Arab Moneys.  So
why not?

> bassem
> 
> 
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