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Gebran's Biography
GEBRAN GHASSAN TUENI
Born on September 15, 1957
Nationality:
Lebanese
Married to Siham Asseily
Has 4 daughters.
EDUCATION
1992: CEDEP-INSEAD (FONTAINEBLEAU - FRANCE) - Management
1977-1980: ECOLE SUPÉRIEURE
DE JOURNALISME (PARIS) - Journalism
1977-1980: ECOLE DES HAUTES ETUDES INTERNATIONALES (PARIS) - International Relations
CAREER
- Publisher, Chairman of the Board, General Manager and Editorialist of AN-NAHAR since 01/01/2000.
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General Manager of the daily newspaper AN-NAHAR (1993-1999) & General Manager of the monthly magazine NOUN (1997-2002).
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General Manager, Editor in Chief and Editorialist of the weekly magazine” An-Nahar Arab & International” (1979-1990).
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Regular lecturer and guest to radio & TV programs (political Subjects).
- Executive producer and host of TV programs
on politics.
SYNDICATES & ASSOCIATIONS
- Member of the Lebanese Syndicate of
the Press since January 2000.
- Member of the Board of the WAN (World Association of Newspapers) (since 1991)
- Member
of the “Fund for Press Freedom Development” created by WAN (since 1994).
- Special Advisor to the President
of the World Association of Newspapers for the Arab World (1997)
- Member of the IAA (International Advertising Association)
(since 1996).
- Member of Press Weeklies Syndicate (Paris)
- General Secretary of the “Lebanese Front” (1990)
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Founding Member of the “ Mouvement de Soutien à la Libération (1989)
- Member of the “Lebanese Front”
(1986-1989)
-Member of Qornet Shehwan Gathering (since 2000) and the Lebanese Opposition
SPORTS
& HOBBIES
Horseback riding – Swimming – Sailing – Piloting – Reading – Music
SONGS HE LIKED
Yesterday- Beatles , My way- Frank Sinatra, Cheguevara, Sakata Al Kina3- Majida Al Roumi
10 Of GEBRAN'S ARTICLES
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1- The Mass Graves are a Crime against Humanity
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The Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Sharaa should understand that
Syrian hegemony in Lebanon is over, and that the Lebanese people know more than the Syrian regime what is best for them. The
latter is trying to reestablish its control over Lebanon whereas the Lebanese people aim at defending their independence,
sovereignty and unity after the independence uprising and withdrawal of the Syrian troops from Lebanon.
He should also
understand that what happened in Lebanon is a miracle and a big achievement, not a negative thing as he said in his last declaration
in Cairo.
What does he mean by internationalization when he speaks of the ?internationalization of the Lebanese issue??
Isn?t
the Madrid conference an internalization of the Middle East issue?
Aren?t the Security Council resolutions about the Arab-Israeli
conflict a part of the internalization?
And what about the summits held between the Syrian President Hafez Assad and American
officials to try to find a solution to the Golan issue?
And the UN resolutions which we repeatedly call for their implementation,
aren?t they a part of the internalization?
How does Mr. Sharaa explain his participation as Syria?s representative in the
Security Council meetings?
Does he recognize the authority of the United Nations? Or on the contrary, does he consider
that the Arab league which was unable to solve any pending Arab-Arab or Arab-international issue, is the only competent authority
in this regard?
How can he then explain the Syrian recognition and implementation of resolutions 1559, 1595 and 1663?
Isn?t
the Syrian regime accepting internationalization when it approves of the interrogation of Syrian officers in Europe instead
of Lebanon?
Dear minister, Lebanon appreciates all the help it is getting from the international community in order to
ensure the implementation of the Security Council resolutions. In this regard, Lebanon also calls the international community
for the implementation of all UN resolutions on the Arab-Israeli conflict.
That is unless Mr. Sharaa is upset about the
change in the international policy which now backs Lebanon?s independence and sovereignty while he was satisfied when the
international community gave Syria an authorization to govern Lebanon. At that time, the Syrian minister was happy with the
international action because it allowed him to speak and take decisions on behalf of Lebanon!
As for the Shebba Farms issue,
the Syrian Foreign minister should explain to us why he refrains from submitting a Syrian official paper that recognizes the
Lebanese sovereignty over the Farms instead of all his rubbish talks.
Why does he insist on establishing a link between
the Farms issue and the Golan?s liberation? Golan Heights are Syrian whereas Shebaa Farms are a Lebanese land.
Why does
the Syrian regime, through its Foreign Minister and Prime Minister, refuse to submit the official paper before the Israeli
withdrawal from the Farms?
Doesn?t Minister Sharaa consider that this policy serves the interests of Israel which is doing
all it can to perpetuate its occupation of the Arab lands seized in the 1967 war?
Dear minister, Lebanon disagrees with
you as it considers that the submitting of the paper helps liberating the Farms. However, it seems that your regime wants
to keep this issue as well as the demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian borders pending, maybe because it does not want to admit
that Lebanon has internationally recognized borders and that it was not and will never be a part of Syria!
Accordingly,
Lebanon insists that Syria should hand over an official paper that recognizes the Lebanese sovereignty over the Farms. The
Lebanese government in its turn would submit it to the United Nations so that the international community and the United States
would exert pressures on Israel in order to withdraw from the occupied Shebaa Farms. The area would be under the United Nations?
control for a transitional period until the demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian borders. Then the Farms would be handed over
to the Lebanese authorities and the other frontier lands that belong to Syria would be subject to resolutions 242 and 338.
Therefore,
the submitting of the paper is the first necessary step towards the liberation of the Shebaa Farms whereas the prevarication
serves the interests of the Israeli occupation.
However, it seems that the Syrians do not seek the withdrawal of Israel
from the Shebaa Farms because they want to use this card in the tug-of-war and policy of blackmailing.
All the Syrian talks
about their will to help Lebanon and open a new page in their relations with our country are nonsense whether at the level
of the issue of Shebaa Farms or the investigation in Rafik Hariri?s assassination.
What positiveness is Mr. Sharaa talking
about when the Syrian Information Ministry uses Housam Housam as a weapon ? a dull one ? against the international investigation
and Lebanon?
Where is the cooperation between Syria and the international investigation committee? Is it possible that
the Syrian investigation committee has not listen until now to Housam Housam?s testimony?
Syria would be satisfied with
the international investigation committee in only one case: when the commissioner Detlev Mehlis would conclude that Premier
Hariri, Bassil Fuleihan and their friends as well as Samir Kassir and Georges Hawi ?committed suicide? exactly like Ghazi
Kanaan, and that Marwan Hamade and May Chidiac tried to put an end to their lives but did not succeed.
Anyway, the Syrian
regime reactions show, since the formation of the international investigation committee, that Syria is afraid of the truth
because it would expose its bad practices in Lebanon and point the finger of accusation at it.
In fact, these practices
were best exposed with the discovery of mass graves in Anjar, the former headquarters of the ?Syrian governor of the Lebanese
province?.
What a peace force that kidnaps, imprisons, tortures, kills and throw innocent victims in mass graves!
Then
they accuse the Lebanese people of ingratitude!
All the explanations Syria is giving to justify the mass graves are false,
especially when it tries to revive the memories of the ?Lebanese civil wars? to cover its crimes against innocent Lebanese.
The
Lebanese war and the atrocities committed by the militias and parties ended in 1990 with the Taif Accord, whereas the mass
graves in Anjar are a separate issue that is in direct relation with the actions of the army and intelligence of a regime
that used to pretend that it was not a party but a protector of peace while it was in reality a cruel murderer governor!
The
Syrian regime is the sole responsible of Anjar?s mass graves. It is a crime against humanity that urges an immediate international
action, a thorough investigation and an international trial, independently from the Hariri?s assassination and the results
of the investigation.
The Syrian security apparatus and the Minister of ?contradictions? Farouk Sharaa should realize,
on the basis of the modern international policy, that the totalitarian and despotic regimes that committed crimes against
humanity were prosecuted and overthrown!
Killing people and burying them in mass graves are illegitimate acts even in the
most terrible wars? and the perpetrators of such crimes would meet the same fate as dictators like Adolf Hitler, Ceausescu,
Milosevic, Saddam Hussein or the tribal leaders in Rwanda.
Excuse-us, Minister Sharaa, between loyalty to Syria and loyalty
to Lebanon, we chose the second one because this would serve the Lebanese and Syrian interests at the same time.
At the
Arab level, we will always back the just Arab causes in particular the Palestinian cause and the liberation of the Golan Heights.
And we consider that those in Lebanon who chose to be loyal to Syria at the expense of their country, do not serve the Lebanese
or Syrian interests but those of Israel, our common enemy.
Does Minister Sharaa search for such people to build alliances
with them?
Gebran Tueni
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2-When Will the Syrian Regime Come to Its Senses?
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From Housam Housam?s comedy in Damascus to Farouk Sharaa?s show
in Barcelona, the Syrian security regime is once again trying to gain time in order to evade trial and punishment in the assassination
of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and his friends.
Throughout the Syrian tutelage over Lebanon, Damascus has always
used the carrot and stick policy: sweet talk on the one hand and car bombs and assassinations on the other.
Immediately
after the Syrian President Bashar Assad declared war on Lebanon in his famous speech, the Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Sharaa
?sold? Premier Seniora allegations he keeps repeating about the Shebaa Farms. In fact, by dint of repetition, these allegations
have become like an uncovered check which can only be cashed at the banks of the bankrupted Syrian security apparatus.
Needless
to say that a position taken by the Syrian Foreign Minister is not enough. The Syrian government should submit an official
paper to the Lebanese government and the United Nations by virtue of which it clearly recognizes Lebanon?s sovereignty over
the Shebaa Farms. The two governments should submit an official document about the demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian borders
to the United Nations which must take the necessary steps according to international laws and regulations in order to validate
the Lebanese ownership of the Shebaa Farms.
It is noteworthy here that another Syrian official took a position which contradicts
Sharaa?s declarations. The Syrian Prime Minister Naji Otari sent a letter to his Lebanese counterpart where he agreed on the
demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian borders except the Shebaa Farms. The aim of course is to use it as usual as a bargaining
chip in the hands of the Syrian security apparatus which does not want a real solution or recognition of the Lebanese sovereignty
over the Shebaa Farms because it refuses to recognize the sovereignty of Lebanon in the first place!
It is really ironic
to be impressed by Sharaa?s sweet talk although Lebanon has always looked for positive Syrian attitudes to build on them in
its attempts to put things back on track between the two countries.
Minister Sharaa should have publicly apologized for
the insults the Syrian President addressed to the Lebanese Prime Minister, Parliament and people before starting any dialogue
with Mr. Seniora whom Assad described as ?a slave of slaves?.
How can we rejoice at Sharaa?s sweet talk when the Syrian
security regime launches a calculated and focused campaign ? although silly and primitive ? against Lebanon and the international
investigation committee through a comedy starring a Syrian intelligence agent who used to work in Lebanon and whose only mission
is to tell lies and mislead the international investigation thus exposing the real hostile aims of the Syrian security apparatus
towards Lebanon?
It was obvious that the Syrian campaign launched through the official media which is linked to the intelligence,
contained a clear message that MP Walid Jumblatt spoke about: Syria may once again try to destabilize Lebanon through violence
and terrorist acts. All this is accompanied by a major deception led by Sharaa and his talks about the opening of a new page
with Lebanon.
This Syrian duplicity is also shown at the international level as Syria tries to undermine the credibility
of Mehlis committee and raise doubts about the conclusions of the investigation on the eve of the interpellation of Syrian
suspects in Vienna.
This old-new scenario will only make the Lebanese more determined to know the truth of the assassination
of Hariri and protect their sovereignty, independence and unity by purifying their society from the remnants of the regime
of tutelage and occupation.
To the Syrian security apparatus, we say: in the face of its false testimony through his cheap
agent, there are a whole people ready to testify about all the crimes perpetrated by that regime against the Lebanese people
described by the Syrian President as ?ungrateful?. Had the Lebanese people been ?ungrateful?, they should have claimed indemnities
for all the destruction Syria has inflicted on Lebanon, not to mention all the dead, injured, prisoners and missing persons
as well as the robberies, the suspicious transactions and the blackmailing throughout the Syrian occupation of Lebanon.
The
Lebanese good-heartedness, and some say their fear at a certain period, reduced them to silence. However, if the Lebanese
people testify before the international investigation committee about all the crimes Syria perpetrated in Lebanon, the trial
of the Syrian high-ranking officials would turn into a new ?Nuremberg? where the plaintiffs would be the descendants of Kamal
Jumblatt, Bachir El Jemayel, Mufti Hasan Khaled, Rene Mouawad, Mohammad Choukeir, Nazem Al Kadiri, Salim Al Laouzi, Rafic
Hariri, Bassil Fuleihan and their friends as well as the descendants of Samir Kassir, Georges Hawi and all the victims of
the regime of tutelage whom Cardinal Nousrallah Boutros Sfeir spoke about in his last sermon as he wanted to expose a regime
that perpetrated terrorist acts which condemn it.
The time has come to overcome our fear and abandon our good-heartedness
so that we would be able to face the lies of the Syrian security apparatus while we wonder: when will this despotic regime
come to its senses?
Gebran Tueni
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3- ... Towards a Total Independence
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The Independence Day this year was different from all the previous
ones.
The Lebanese people felt that the anniversary was meaningful and that they really deserved the celebrations that
took place for the first time in thirty years away from the folkloric manifestations that used to cover up the occupation
and tutelage!
However and despite all the joy and happiness, there was a feeling of sadness because the restitution of
the independence, sovereignty and freedom came at a heavy price: the martyrdom of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and his
friends, which added to more than two hundred martyrs who lost their lives during the last thirty years.
The anniversary
revived a mixture of feelings: joy and sadness, hope and fear, and relief and anxiousness.
The Lebanese know that their
independence irritates many people because it aborts their infernal conspiracies. Those people are now waging an open war
against Lebanon?s freedom, sovereignty and independence.
The Lebanese also consider that in spite of the withdrawal of
the occupation forces from Lebanon (except Shebaa Farms which appear to be outside the Lebanese sovereignty because of the
Israeli occupation, as well as Syria?s abstention from giving Lebanon the necessary documents that officially acknowledge
the Lebanese ownership of the Farms), their sovereignty would remain incomplete unless all the Lebanese detainees in Syrian
and Israeli jails return home, and ?Baabda Farms? is liberated ? alongside Shebaa Farms or even before them ? from the symbol
of the Syrian tutelage in Lebanon, President Emile Lahoud, who shamelessly pronounced a ?presidential speech? on the eve of
the Independence Day whereas the Lebanese people were looking for a public demission in compliance with slogans brandished
in the March 14th uprising!
Unfortunately, Lahoud?s speech confirmed what the Syrian President Bashar Assad has already
said in his speech when he declared war on Lebanon. The tutelage authority is still insistent on restituting its control over
Lebanon.
Lahoud tried to give us lessons in the respect of the Constitution when he said that the latter should not be
changed for the sake of one person, as if he forgot that the occupation authority appointed him and extended his mandate through
the forced amendment of the Constitution and threats.
It would be better for President Lahoud to apply what has been written
for him in his famous speech especially when he said that he would always listen to the people.
How are we going to believe
the President when he is fooling himself by ignoring the people?s calls for the elimination of all the remnants of the Syrian
tutelage in Lebanon and the election of a new President?
He would also be fooling himself if he did not understand the
meaning of the boycott by the March 14th forces of Baabda?s reception in the Independence Day. In respect of our dignity and
the dignity of the people who revolted on March 14th, as well as the blood of our martyrs, it was impossible for us to shake
hands with the person who was and still is the symbol of the Syrian tutelage over Lebanon, the man who had a role in the incarceration
of Lebanese citizens in Syrian jails and who covered up the slaying of the army heroes in Yarze and Deir El Kalaa when he
was the army commander and after he became President of the Republic.
How can we shake hands with the man who helped building
the Lebanese-Syrian security apparatus and had a role in the ensuing corruption, suspicious transactions and bankruptcies?
How
can we shake hands with the person who represents all that is opposite to the independence?
Anyway, the presence of the
last ?Trojan horse? of the Lebanese-Syrian security system did not prevent the Lebanese people from celebrating an independence,
sovereignty and freedom they really deserved.
However, we should realize that the independence does not fend off occupation
and conspiracies. We experienced this after Lebanon gained its independence in 1943 thanks to heroes led by President Bshara
El Khoury and Prime Minister Riyad El Solh who consolidated the national unity which is the only means to protect our independence,
sovereignty and freedom.
Since the creation of Lebanon, the conspirers have always targeted this unity which the former
regimes and governments could not protect due to their bad political performance.
That?s why we should know how to protect
our independence now and how to build on it in order to achieve interaction and cohesion between the whole components of our
society.
We should have more faith in our independence and unity exactly like the faith we have in God, a faith that emanates
from reason and heart at the same time. It is the kind of faith expressed by the wounded heart of the living martyr May Chidiac
who spoke on behalf of us all to reassert that the Lebanese people are attached to their civilized vocation and sacred land,
that Lebanon is bound to live, not to die, and that the price we paid for the restitution of our freedom, sovereignty and
independence was very high: martyrs who lost their lives and others who defeated death with faith and defiance.
May Chidiac
sent us yesterday a message of glory on behalf of Lebanon?s martyrs, a message of joy and faith that confirms the resurrection
of a country that takes pride in its people and a people attached to its country to the point of martyrdom.
Gebran Tueni
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4-Assad Declares war on Lebanon and the Lebanese
battle for independence will continue
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We expected President Bashar Assad?s speech to be a turning point,
the first step towards the opening of a new page with Lebanon and the Lebanese people. However, it was not a speech worthy
of a President of the Republic, and amounted to a declaration of a new war against Lebanon and the Lebanese people!
As
a matter of fact, we expected a declaration of peace. However, the Syrian President declared the war on the independence uprising,
the people who revolted because they wanted to know the truth of Hariri?s assassination and to live in freedom, sovereignty
and independence, on the politicians who backed the uprising and the free Lebanese media and press!
The speech took us
by surprise as it contained instigation against the new Lebanese state that emerged from legislative elections which took
place for the first time away from Syrian tutelage. President Assad questioned these elections, insulted Prime Minister Fouad
Seniora, MP Saad Hariri, the Hariris, the Legislative, the parliamentary majority and all those who participated in the uprising
of March 14th and struggled throughout the years for the realization of the dream of sovereignty. He described them as ?bullhorns?
of the colonial powers who implement the policies of these powers and of the Israeli enemy!
President Assad? words are
direct threats to large groups of citizens, politicians and media men. He also tried to sow discord in the Lebanese interior
and create new political or even sectarian divisions pledging to do all he could so that the ?uprising imported from Syria?
would win over the Lebanese uprising, which may lead to new rounds of violence against Lebanon and its citizens!
We should
also note in this regard the illogical comparison he made between the independence uprising and May 17th Agreement, as if
Syria?s priority has become the abortion of all the achievements of March 14th when the Lebanese people demanded the restitution
of their sovereignty and independence.
As for the international investigation in Hariri?s assassination, it seems that
President Assad did not read Mehlis report thoroughly because he said that it did not mention the type and origin of the explosives
and the car? unless the copy he got is different from that submitted to the Security Council. Had he read all the report carefully,
he would have found a lot of details and information that may be the tip of the iceberg.
Assad reminded us that the only
truth he can accept is the one that acquits the Syrian regime in advance. He made this a condition to cooperate with the international
community and respond to UN resolutions. In his opinion, Syria is innocent whereas the international community and Lebanon
are the conspirers!
How can we expect cooperation from a President who is more than ever determined to go on with his dictatorial
practices inspired by Stalinist principles that have been rejected even in Stalin?s home?
It is really a strong blow to
all Arab mediators and envoys who tried to convince the Syrian regime to cooperate with the international investigation committee
by virtue of resolution 1636 and who got pledges from President Assad that Syria would cooperate.
Resolution 1636 made
it clear that the international investigation committee has the right to choose the place it deems appropriate to interrogate
the suspects. However, President Assad still refuses that the interrogation takes place in Lebanon and suggested to the Secretary
General of the Arab League, that it would take place in Egypt or Syria. Isn?t this a sign of weakness and fear that contradicts
the image of innocence which President Assad tried to give?
We do not understand how President Assad considers that the
calls for the disclosure of the truth and for justice, independence, freedom and sovereignty are a conspiracy against Syria.
Nor
do we understand how every international move to help Lebanon recover its independence and how every UN resolution aiming
at punishing the perpetrators of a terrorist crime against Lebanon are a colonialist conspiracy against Syria!
The opposition
figures and free journalists are also conspirers in the eyes of President Assad. He gave a ?lesson? in press and media in
the Arab world. In his opinion, free information institutions and free journalists are conspirers. The only information system
he can hear of is the one directed by one party and that uses newspapers and mass media to ?discipline, reprimand and direct?
citizens through calculated ?propaganda?.
However, the free press that is the voice of the public opinion, that holds the
governments accountable and promotes dialogue and interaction between political and cultural ideas, is a direct threat to
the Syrian regime and should be silenced at any price ? which reminds us of the assassination of martyr Samir Kassir and the
assassination attempt on May Chidiac!
Does President Assad want a militarized press that is similar to an army brigade
or an intelligence apparatus?
For us, the real press is democratic and free. It is a forum where the public opinion can
express itself, and an effective tool for change, peoples? liberation and establishment of democratic regimes that believe
in freedoms and people?s right to self-determination.
President Assad speech is offensive and aggressive towards Lebanon
and the Lebanese people as if he cannot forgive us because we claimed the basic minimum of our rights.
We should note here
his constant reference to colonization and Sykes-Picot treaty as if he confirms that he rejects the geopolitical frontiers
of the Arab region i.e. he does not recognize the state of Lebanon which he considers a part of Syria. No need to enter into
controversy about the existence of Lebanon well before Sykes-Picot and Syria?s shape at that time. Sufficient is to say that
Lebanon dates back to six thousand years.
President Assad rejected also the Lebanese calls to establish excellent relations
with the Syrian people, as if he fears normal and good relations between the two peoples away from the regime that always
confiscates the people?s decision.
Instead of backing the Lebanese stance that insists on establishing good relations with
the Syrian people despite the differences with the Syrian regime, President Assad took a tough position considering that everything
that contributes to the reconciliation between the two peoples is a conspiracy.
If the Syrian regime has really nothing
to do with Hariri?s assassination, and has no qualms at all, then why all this anger, fear, aggressiveness and negativeness
in Assad?s speech? Isn?t all this an attempt to undermine the Lebanese entity and re-establish the Syrian tutelage through
the remaining ?agents? led by President Emile Lahoud who hangs on to his office in spite of his isolation?
It seems that
the Syrian regime is still using those tools as a ?Trojan horse? inside the Lebanese society to undermine Lebanon?s unity,
sovereignty and freedom, and destabilize the country probably with the same means used in Iraq!
Anyway, I will not reply
to the accusations and insults President Assad addressed to the Lebanese people and their sate which they are proud of, because
we do not need certificates of patriotism from President Assad or anyone else in the world.
The Lebanese people have a
clear conscience. Lebanon has always been the victim not the aggressor. We are proud of all what we did to recover our sovereignty,
independence and freedom when we stood united in the face of conspiracy.
The answer to President Assad?s speech is that
we will preserve our national unity, Christians and Muslims, to consolidate our independence, and will continue to seek the
truth of Hariri?s assassination so that the perpetrators of this terrorist crime would be punished. We will continue to spread
Lebanon?s message, the message of dialogue between cultures and religions and the strong defense of democracy and freedom.
We fight armed with our pens and free opinions in the face of all those who try to terrorize us with aggressive speeches and
the conspirers against our country that regained its freedom, sovereignty and independence!
Although the Syrian regime
declared war against the Lebanese people, we confirm that we are not in a state of war or hostility against the Syrian people,
and we are bent on opening a new page in the relations with Syria.
We thank President Assad for his speech because he made
clear for us, maybe for the first time, how much Lebanon?s independence disturbs him, the extent of animosity he has towards
the free and democratic Lebanese people and how much he insists on having an upper hand over our country?
But we have a
just cause and we will win.
Gebran Tueni
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5- Why Is the Regime Lying?
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When we see the orchestrated Syrian regime reaction to the report
of the International Independent Investigation Commission into the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri led by Detlev
Mehlis, we remember an article written by one of the most prominent martyrs of the Lebanese press, Salim Al Laouzi, who is
believed to have been assassinated by the Syrians, under the title ?why is the regime lying??
Unfortunately, after a quarter
of a century, the Syrian regime is still adopting the same approach and the question remains: why is the regime lying?
Until
when will this regime, its cronies and prot駩s face the truth with lies and bluffing?
Wouldn?t it be better for this
regime to change its performance at the interior and exterior levels?
Until when will the Lebanese remain silent, reluctant
to say the truth, the whole truth and to put an end to practices that harm Lebanon, Syria and the entire Arab world?
Are
we going to remain indifferent to all kinds of lies that deride our martyrs, dignity and sovereignty and defy the sacred truth?
Will
we remain silent after what we heard from Syria?s permanent representative at the United Nations who claimed that his country
?saved? and ?helped? Lebanon and the Lebanese people and was always on martyr Hariri?s side?
Would anyone reveal the truth
about the assassination of Kamal Jumblatt?
If only Walid Jumblatt would say the truth, the whole truth about the assassination
of his father by the Syrian regime.
What if the Laouzis decide to tell the truth about Salim Al Laouzi?s assassination?
Why
don?t we ask the Tahas about the assassination of Riyad Taha, and the Khaleds about the assassination of Mufti Hassan Khaled?
What
about the assassinations of Mohammad Choukeir, Nazem Al Kadri and Bachir El Gemayel?
If only Minister Nayla Mouawad would
disclose the truth about the assassination of her husband, late President Rene Mouawad!
No need to go on with the list
of all the assassinations that took place in Lebanon since the start of the war and targeted honorable people. Is this how
they saved and helped Lebanon?
Who is distorting the truth? The international commission?s report that proved the implication
of Syrian and Lebanese security apparatus in the assassination of late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri or the Syrian regime and
those who try to falsify the facts?
Who is distorting the truth? The international investigation commission or the Syrian
Foreign Affairs Minister who submitted a misleading letter to the commission?
And what about the statement of Ambassador
Walid Al Moallem that is in complete contradiction with a taped conversation ? yes, a taped conversation ? between him and
martyr Rafik Hariri?
What principles is the Syrian regime talking about in his comments on the commission?s report? The
principles of killing, kidnapping and torture in the jails of Borivage, Anjar, Dhour El-Choueir, Mazze and others, the principles
of money laundering in collaboration with partners in the Lebanese security apparatus and their relatives through banks that
have been created for this particular purpose, or the principles of the protection of cars? thieves, drug traffickers, smugglers
of money from Iraq and traffickers of oil coupons?!
It is the moment of truth, and there is no use going on with the lies
and intimidation means.
This is not a personal matter between Hariris and Asads but a crime against Lebanon and the Arab
world, which the international community labeled a terrorist act.
Therefore, the Security Council should not punish a whole
people but should follow this issue up until the criminals and instigators are exposed, prosecuted and punished.
It should
be known to everyone that neither Syria nor its people are targeted but a group of criminal terrorists who should be brought
to justice and severely punished.
The Syrian people are innocent of this terrorist crime, and have more things in common
with the Lebanese people than with their regime.
It is as simple as that: the criminals should be prosecuted before an
international court which is the only guarantee for transparency and credibility away from pressure or extortion that might
be exerted on judges, lawyers, witnesses or even suspects.
I received an e-mail letter from a Syrian citizen which stated
?(?) I am sorry for all the things the Syrian regime has done to the Lebanese people, for the humiliation, the hegemony, the
tyranny and the oppression. I am also sorry for the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and his friends and the assassinations
of many others before and after. Sorry for the Syrian regime?s attempt to assassinate Lebanon?s spirit and dignity, an attempt
that did not and will not succeed. Sorry for the Syrian regime?s brutality, bloodiness and stupidity. I am also sorry because
I cannot express my opinion with freedom and I feel humiliated and confused as I am so far away from all that happened and
like my people, I am innocent of all the crimes perpetrated by the regime?.
I think that this letter reflects the true
nature of the Syrian people who are also eager to know all the truths.
It is the strongest answer to all those who are
now trying to instigate hostilities between the Lebanese and Syrian peoples. It also proves to everyone that the attempts
to foment feuds inside Lebanon and between Lebanon and Syria are bound to fail.
It is the moment of truth and the masks
have fallen!
Only justice will prevail in Lebanon and Syria too!
Gebran
Tueni |
| 6-So That The Minority
Would Not Control The Majority |
The government should not remain tied up, unable to move or take
decisions, and subject to a political ?minority? that acts as if it was the ruling majority!
Either the government exerts
its national rights and settles the issue of the appointment of Grade One employees or it should resign and hand the authority
to the ruling ?minority?. Then President Emile Lahoud and his allies, Hizbullah and Amal movement, as well as other pro-Syrian
forces would form a government and the parliamentary majority would become in the opposition side!
The government cannot
remain in power as long as it is unable to govern the country. It is sustaining all the disadvantages and burdens without
benefiting from the advantages that a truly governing majority would reap.
If the government carries on with its current
policy, the parliamentary majority would lose all the achievements it has realized since March 14th.
The occasion of such
words is that President Emile Lahoud, who is supposed to remain neutral as stipulated in the Constitution, has become a party
in the Cabinet, thus trying to impose his ?viewpoint? and leaning on his principal ally Hizbullah.
The vague explications
of the Taif Agreement whether at the security, military or sectarian level, should also stop. The agreement does not stipulate
?shares? for parties in the appointment of Grade One government employees but for sects without giving any sect the right
to monopolize a certain party.
The attempts by the Shiite sect to have a monopoly in the nominations and other issues lie
within the principle of the ?federation of confessions? that contributes to the disintegration of the country!
The government?s
submission to the fait accompli means that it also contributes to the shares? distribution and to divisions!
Unfortunately,
Hizbullah, along with the President of the Republic, and its regional political and military allies, acts as if it represents
the ruling majority and tries to impose its policies as well as the security, military, economic, foreign and even educational
policy of his allies. This was shown in the unjustified verbal attack launched against the President of the teachers? union
because he traveled to the United States under an educational exchange program that benefits to the education sector in Lebanon!
It
seems as if Hizbullah has turned away from the resistance to Israel and started to resist the majority rule and impose an
internal equation in the name of an armed minority.
Is this the aim behind Hizbullah weapons? Is it permissible that the
party and its allies hold on to the weapons at the detriment of the security and military sovereignty of the central state?
In
other words, is it permissible in a democratic system based on consensus and dialogue that the parliamentary majority be the
hostage of the minority because the latter is armed?
The Lebanese people should deal frankly with each other in these critical
circumstances while the chief of the international investigation committee is about to submit his report on Rafik Hariri?s
assassination to UN Secretary General Kofi Anan.
We should not fall in the trap set by Lebanon?s enemies who try to undermine
the credibility of Detlev Mihlis, underestimate the committee?s work and claim that it is working to disclose the truth for
the sake of martyr Hariri?s family not for the sake of Lebanon that was dealt a fatal blow on February 14th.
It should
be noted here that the committee was formed by the Security Council not by the Hariris by virtue of a clear resolution which
considered Rafik Hariri?s assassination a criminal terrorist act that does not only target Lebanon but the whole Arab world
and Middle East, as well as the international stability. That?s why the crime was labeled as an international terrorist crime.
The
Lebanese people should be careful of the misleading campaigns by all those who do not want the truth about Hariri?s assassination
to be disclosed. The truth may not only expose the conspiracy that targeted Lebanon but the conspiracy that aims at politically
and geopolitically destabilizing the whole region.
The disclosure of the truth and the identities of the conspirers is
very essential if we want to move from the era of tutelage to the protection of the achievements of the independence uprising.
To do that, the government should take things in its own hands instead of paralyzing the regime and thus serving the interests
of those who have always counted on the time factor to attack Lebanon!
The government should face this challenge so that
it would ?give? itself a motion of confidence and take tough decisions, or otherwise fail to do that and face a vote of no
confidence in the Parliament!
Gebran Tueni
|
| 7-In Order to Start the Second Chapter of March 14th |
March 14th that led to the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, the
return of General Michel Aoun from exile and the release of Dr. Samir Geagea from jail, triggered this week the reopening
of MTV station, thus putting an end to the Syrian tutelage that oppressed freedoms and crushed all forms of democracy.
Congratulations
to Lebanon on the recovering of its freedom and the rekindling of the MTV flame. Congratulations to all free media in the
hope that the Syrian media would follow suit and stop being a tool used by the regime to promote the policy of suppression
of all principles of democracy and freedom.
There is neither real democracy nor real freedom without a free media. The
free media in Lebanon defended democracy, stood against the conspiracies and actively contributed to the independence uprising.
The
media sector in Syria needs to be reformed through privatization because this is where the real reform and liberation start.
As
for the Lebanese urgent issues, we ask Prime Minister Fouad Seniora once again to accelerate the process of nominations to
vacated security and judicial offices. It should be ended before the chief of the international investigation committee on
PM Rafic Hariri?s assassination, Detlev Mehlis, finalizes his report, knowing that those who are afraid of its content are
doing their best to delay the nominations in an attempt to destabilize the security and political situation on the eve of
the submitting of the report to the UN Secretary General Kofi Anan.
The nominations should not be delayed even if the Council
of Ministers had to vote on the names, taking into consideration that no one has the right to put a veto on a certain name,
because only the majority in the Council of Ministers can decide in this matter.
The government must be ?equipped? and
immunized. There should be no deficiency, vacation or gap so that it would be able to deal conveniently with the consequences
of the report of the international investigation committee.
Any tergiversation or delay would serve the interests of those
who aim at destabilizing the country and returning to the situation that prevailed before March 14th. However, the government
should take advantage of the report to protect the achievements of March 14th and immunize the country.
It is necessary
to call upon the international community to renew its confidence in Lebanon through the adoption of a new resolution that
entrusts the investigation committee, after the issue of the report, with a new mission. It should work closely with the Lebanese
regime to help disclose the truth about the assassination of martyr Rafic Hariri ? described by the international community
as a ?terrorist act? ? on the basis of the report.
Such resolution would ensure the continuity of the international community?s
interest in helping Lebanon recover its total sovereignty and independence. It would also establish a sort of dissuasion in
the face of those who assume that the interest of the international community in Lebanon would end once the report is issued,
and Lebanon would become once again a no-man?s-land.
A new Security Council resolution would thwart the attempts of those
who want to turn Mehlis report into a ball of fire that would destroy the truth and the achievements of March 14th. The report
should be a real and fundamental turning point that would herald the second chapter of the March 14th era, the chapter of
disclosing the truth, prosecuting all those responsible of the crime irrespective of their positions and realizing the dream
of a people who revolted to keep the martyrs? flame alive thus protecting unity, freedom, sovereignty and independence!
Gebran Tueni
|
| 8-The Promise of a New Lebanon |
Yesterday, the page of the war, or rather the internal Lebanese
wars, has been turned forever.
Samir Geagea turned this page when he got out of the small prison ? as he called it ? and
pronounced his historical speech in these historical moments that Lebanon is witnessing.
His insightful and deep speech
revived the spirit of the independence uprising, the March 14th uprising.
It also revived the Taif Accord and the promise
of rebuilding Lebanon on the basis of competence, equality and coexistence.
Samir Geagea?s speech on July 26th, 2005 was
worthy of March 14th, as if it was written to be said in the Martyrs? Square on the day of the independence uprising in front
of the people who revolted to get Lebanon out of the big prison!
Samir Geagea?s release crowns the national reconciliation
and strengthens the unity of the Lebanese people, all confessions and sects alike ? a unity that made Lebanon recover its
sovereignty and independence.
(?) ?The dark days are behind you, the bright days ahead. You will not have to pay twice
for your independence and freedom (?)?. It is a pledge to rebuild Lebanon, a country of peace and national unity that will
not sink again in sectarian or absurd wars.
Geagea was right when he said that ?fate provides opportunities but cannot
supply a morsel in the mouth?. That?s why we are now in need of people who embody the dream of March 14th, and have enough
courage, insight and wisdom to take daily initiatives that help building the future and realizing the dream!
The grudge,
fear and oppression are over. It is a new page which offers the Lebanese people a golden opportunity to cement the national
unity which will eternally immunize our independence and sovereignty.
If the oppression and common mistakes have united
us in the past, it is time that mutual love and the love of our country unite us to reach together a common vision to rebuild
a country for which more than 200 thousand martyrs sacrificed their lives.
Samir Geagea?s sppech was a cry in this direction,
but it also reminded us that ?time does not move backwards and will not move backwards!?
The Lebanese people should be
convinced of that fact and work accordingly in order to get rid of their fear and inferiority complex, and unite under the
banner of March 14th uprising which made Lebanon get out of the big prison and recover the freedom which Geagea embraced yesterday!
Gebran Tueni |
| 9-It Is Lebanon, not Syria, That Should Demand Compensations |
We congratulate Lebanon on the formation of the new government.
But most importantly, we congratulate Lebanon on the formation of the new national consensus after the Parliament had voted
for the amnesty law to free Dr. Samir Geagea from jail.
Another stage of Lebanon?s dark history, the history of Syrian
tutelage, has ended hoping that it would be the last. It was a history of humiliation, of oppression and of political and
judicial blackmail. It was a history of shame that delayed the implementation of the Taif Agreement for 15 years, thus impeding
Lebanon from recovering its freedom, sovereignty and independence.
The vote on the amnesty law was a historical and crucial
step towards the building of a new Lebanon and the realization of the dream of those who participated in the independence
uprising.
As a matter of fact, thanks to that uprising and to the international community?s interest in Lebanon that was
materialized through resolution 1559, we were able to turn a new page in our history.
Thanks to the independence uprising,
General Michel Aoun was able to return to Lebanon, free parliamentary elections were held in spite of the lame-duck election
law and the Parliament voted for the amnesty law to free Dr. Samir Geagea from jail.
The uprising unified the Lebanese
people after the assassination of PM Rafik Hariri, and made the international community listen to their appeals and support
their cause.
And that unity was consecrated in a historical alliance between ?Al Mustaqbal Movement?, ?Qornet Chehwan
Gathering? and the ?Democratic Gathering?.
This alliance, criticized by some people and considered by others a mere electoral
alliance, proved to be a national one that consolidated the unity of Muslims and Christians, and led to the adoption of the
amnesty law after the parliamentary elections. It was a first step towards national reconciliation, thus paving the way for
reform and change in order to build a strong state of law and institutions, a state of justice and equality, a state of freedom,
sovereignty and independence.
At last, the government was formed after a deliberate delay that aimed at destabilizing the
country through assassinations and explosions, undermining its economy through the borders? siege, and paralyzing the political
life by hindering the formation of the new Cabinet.
The Cabinet formation would allow Lebanon to face the political, economic,
social and security challenges. And we will judge the government according to the ministerial statement and its field work
because we believe that the institutions, the separation of Powers and the efficient opposition are the tools of accountability
and progress in the democracies.
We hope the government would quickly take control of the security situation, find a solution
to the financial, economic and social problems, and enact a new election law while giving priority to the resolution of the
problems between Lebanon and Syria, and helping the international investigation committee disclose the truth about the assassination
of Rafik Hariri. The success of the committee would give Lebanon the necessary immunity at the security level, thus protecting
the lives of the Lebanese people especially the lives of the public figures. It would also put things back on track at the
internal political level especially that it seems that we are getting close to the truth.
As for the borders? siege, the
former government should have acted to help the farmers and industrialists. It should have put a boat at their disposal or
asked the Middle East Airlines to transfer some of the agricultural products on the board of their airplanes as a means to
face the siege, the blackmailing, the threatening and the punishment that aim at taking revenge on Lebanon.
By failing
to react to this crisis, the former government covered up the Syrian crime against the Lebanese farmers.
Concerning the
declarations of the Syrian Social Affairs Minister, Diala Hajj Aref, who claimed that Syria has the rights to ask for compensations
for the Syrian workers killed in Lebanon, we might agree with her provided that Lebanon would ask Syria for compensations
for those who were killed, injured or kidnapped as a result of the Syrian bombing and attacks on Lebanon.
Lebanon should
also ask Syria for compensations for all the financial losses it suffered from because of the confiscation by the Syrian army
of Lebanese private properties and the destruction of other properties through military and security operations.
And the
list goes on to include the compensations for all those who were assassinated, beaten up, kidnapped, imprisoned and humiliated
by the Syrian army and intelligence, as well as those who emigrated fleeing the regime of tutelage that suppressed freedom.
Syria should also apologize from Lebanon, not to forget the claims concerning the frontiers? demarcation, the submission
of an official document proving that Shebaa Farms are Lebanese and the issue of the missing persons and the prisoners in Syrian
jails.
Moreover, the declarations of Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Moallem show the extent of grudge he bears against the
Lebanese people because they claimed their right to be free and sovereign in their country.
No need to comment on the declarations
of Minister Ghazi Kanaan who was a high commissioner in Lebanon and participated in the undermining of the Lebanese state
and the people?s unity? No need to comment on his words about ?the disloyalty of the Lebanese people? because we cannot say
enough to describe all the economic and financial gains Syria reaped in Lebanon and at its expense? and no need also to repeat
all that has been said and written about the smuggling, the drugs? cultivation, the stealing of cars, the money laundering,
the collection of illegal taxes, etc.
As for Mr. Kanaan?s claims that Syria saved the Lebanese army, I refer the issue
to the Lebanese army?s Command to write the history of the courageous battles fought by the soldiers on the confrontation
lines and in the Lebanese cities in defense of the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Defense against the Syrian bombing
and attacks.
These declarations by Syrian officials are more harmful to Syria than Lebanon. And the unfriendly practices
on the borders mean that Damascus is going on with its idiotic and revengeful policies that had very bad effects on the relations
between the two countries.
This hostile approach is not in the interests of the relations between the two peoples or the
two countries. Syria lost its international and regional credibility because of the way it dealt with the Lebanese issue since
the extension of Lahoud?s term by force, and the consequences will be even worse if it does not change its policy.
No one
in Lebanon bears Syria ill will. On the contrary, all the Lebanese people aspire for normal, excellent and distinguished relations
between the two countries. This might be the first, or rather the most critical mission of the new Cabinet in the hope that
it would start with an official visit paid by Premier Fouad Al-Seniora to Damascus that would lead to the opening of the borders
and the exchanging of diplomatic missions between the two countries in the context of relations governed by the international
conventions.
Gebran Tueni
|
| 10-The Final Battle (05/05/2005) |
It seems that the Lebanese people have not yet realized the importance of
their achievements during the last two months.
They are not conscious that the Syrian army and intelligence have withdrawn
from Lebanon after thirty years of tutelage and occupation.
They are not conscious that the security apparatus in Lebanon
started to collapse with the collapse of the joint Lebanese-Syrian system.
They are not conscious that the highest security
leaders resigned or were dismissed.
They are not conscious that the State Prosecutor Adnan Addoum has been removed from
office so that the Judiciary would recover its freedom.
The people have not fully understood the importance of the creation
of an international investigation committee to investigate in the assassination of PM Rafic Hariri and MP Bassil Fuleihan.
They
have not realized the importance of the creation of a committee of international observers to verify the Syrian withdrawal
and even delimit the frontiers between Lebanon and Syria.
They do not realize that Lebanon is once again drawing the attention
of the international community and superpowers that entrusted the Security Council with the following up of the process of
the restitution of Lebanon’s freedom, independence and sovereignty, and protecting it from external pressures or manipulation.
They
do not realize that the restitution of sovereignty has turned the page on the international conspiring against Lebanon and
the deals made with Syria, Israel or both of them at Lebanon’s expense.
The people do not realize that the independence
uprising and more specifically the demonstration of March 14th gave evidence of their unity, thus proving once and for all
the falseness of the claims that Lebanon is divided along sectarian lines.
They do not realize that they got rid of their
passivity and revolted against a status quo that has been imposed on them for thirty years!
If only the people would realize
the importance of these achievements and protect them for this is the way to safeguard their country, its independence, freedom
and sovereignty.
The people should realize that these achievements represent an utter defeat to all those who conspired
against our country, in particular the Syrian regime that tried to suppress Lebanon. It is also a defeat to Israel that tried
to disintegrate Lebanon, and to Syria’s agents in Lebanon whose days in power are almost over.
The maneuvers and
campaigns of provocation are bound to fail, because the authorities of tutelage and occupation suffered an irreversible defeat.
It
is really a shame to foment confessional and sectarian conflicts, and to question the unity of the opposition that has fought
one of the fiercest battles against the worst enemies of Lebanon.
It is also a shame to undermine, through confessional
and sectarian provocation, the achievements of the independence uprising and the demonstration of March 14th, where the Lebanese
youth, “the guardians of the Square of the Martyrs of Freedom”, have cemented the national unity since they believe
that Lebanon is a reality and that the Lebanese unity is the only means to safeguard this reality.
It is really regrettable
that the remains of the Syrian apparatus in Lebanon are trying to sap the people’s victory by undermining their unity
and sowing suspicions among the different communities. They are also trying to split the opposition.
The remains of the
tutelage regime are using the “same old kit” of provocation, conspiring and even accusations of treason in order
to regain control over the civil and political society.
But we should be careful not to fall into the trap set by those
who conspire against Lebanon’s unity, independence and sovereignty.
We should not sacrifice all the achievements
of the independence uprising and fail in the last confrontation with the last agents of the tutelage authority in Lebanon.
Those
agents want to make the world believe that the Lebanese people are divided, that there is a sectarian conflict between the
Christians and Muslims in Lebanon, and that the Lebanese people cannot take things in their own hands and Syria is the only
one capable, through tutelage, of ensuring a stable political governance.
This is nonsense.
The Lebanese people revolted
against the Syrian presence in Lebanon, the tutelage and against the rulers who now pretend to be keen on the “communities’
interests” whereas they were responsible for the perpetuation of occupation and tutelage, and for oppression, impoverishment,
imprisonment, banishment, humiliation and displacement!
The people who united and revolted against the intelligence grip
on power, should not be sacrificed for the interests of the vassals of the Syrian regime.
The process that started on March
14th should continue until the realization of the full objectives of the opposition and the young generation: the release
of Dr. Samir Geagea, the holding of the elections on the basis of the small districts (caza) and on time, because the cancellation
would amount to a conspiracy that aims at extending the Syrian tutelage over Lebanon. In this context, Speaker Berri has become
a party that promotes Syrian tutelage instead of assuming his role as a head of the Parliament.
We also reiterate our call
for the establishment of an international investigation committee that would disclose the truth about the kidnapped and missing
persons and the detainees in Syrian jails, and would search the former headquarters of the Syrian intelligence to make sure
that there are no mass graves.
We still have one battle before we can declare our final victory on injustice, oppressors,
skeptics and occupiers – the battle of the parliamentary elections which we should fight with unified slates and with
candidates who would openly defend the dreams and aspirations of the youth who are not going to have pity from now on for
those who kill their dreams.
Gebran Tueni |
THE OATH OF INDEPENDANCE
"In the name of God
We, Muslims
and Christians,
Pledge that united we shall remain
To the end of time
To better defend our Lebanon"
Gebran Tueni
March 14, 2005
Martyrs Square
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GEBRAN'S PICTURES
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