From: saleham@right.clarkson.edu (Anwar M. Saleh)
Subject: Lebanese and Syrians (was Re: grandliban.gif:  INFO)
Reply-To: saleham@right.clarkson.edu
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 07:12:11 GMT


nmouawad@waterloo.edu (Naji Mouawad):
>
> Anwar,
>
>   While your ideal is commendable, I do wonder whether the current
> application of it is in line of what Washington did.
>
>   There are two ways in which you can bring people together: one by
> concensus and recognition of mutual interest, another by imposition
> and censorship. As long as such a process is done against the will of
> the people it is bound to fail. If not now, tomorow and if not tomorow
> the day after.
>
 
   Which one you apply to Lebanon with its many factions? 
    
>  As with the concept of "melting pot" which seems to be the apanage of
> the United States, I am not at all convinced that it constitutes an
> ideal democratic binding of people. Somewhat, that same idea of
> "melting" is reminiscent of Hell where all differences are erased, and
> where uniformity rules.
>
  
   If Lebanese with their differences can be "melted in one pot", 
   Lebanese and Syrians would melt very easily.  
    
>  I much prefere a grass-root approach where the people do not feel
> threatened, come together sensing that unity is far better than
 
   But you don't suggest giving up part of Lebanon if Lebanese don't 
   agree!!
    
> ostracy. Unfortunatly these conditions are not met in the Middle-East
> where dictatorship, obsucrantism and torture seems to be the most
> advocated values by the ruling classes.
>
   Absolutely. The governments are something and people are something  
   else. I talk about people. When the Syrian government or the 
   Lebanese government is elected by the people, then I may blame it
   on the people. What we got is the opposite.  
    
>  Until we get a truly humanitarian Middle-East there is not sense in
> talking about unity, or rather, let's talk about it like a dear friend
> who immigrated for lack of freedom.
>
   Would you say "until we get a truly humanitarian Lebanon (militia leaders) 
   there is no sense in talking about unity"? 
 
   What makes you feel closer to a Lebanese militiaman than an inocent Syrian
   in Deir Alzour?
    
   Sure you find Lebanese who disagree with you  on everything and Syrians
   who share your feelings. Yet, you  accept the notion of brotherhood 
   between Lebanese but not with Syrians. You do so because of what the 
   Syrian government did to you (and you know that it is not an elexted 
   one) while you consider all warring Lebanese factions as brothers.
   i.e. brothers and sisters.
      
  * For any "you" above, I don't mean you as a person, but rather "someone"
        
> naji.
> --
>      -------------------------------------------------------------------
>     | Naji Mouawad  |          nmouawad@watmath.waterloo.edu            |
>     |  University   |---------------------------------------------------|
>     | Of Waterloo   |   "The Stranger in us is our most familiar Self"  |
>      -------------------------------------------------------------------

  Anwar Saleh (Ya eesh: shoo? fee marah am tikhbiz rahu yeddaffoo endha)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.lebanon