http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20050509-094310-6178r
Politics & Policies: Lebanon tempts peace
By Claude Salhani
UPI International Editor
Published May 9, 2005
WASHINGTON -- The good news is the departure of Syrian troops from
Lebanon has given the country a rare second chance to assume control
of its own political destiny. The bad news, however, as seasoned
Lebanese analysts fear, is that the future may hold more of the same
as Lebanese politicians continue to argue over habitual differences
rather than grab at the golden opportunity offered by Syria's withdrawal.
And between the two -- between the good and the bad -- lies a new
factor: a former Lebanese army general and one-time caretaker prime
minister, Michel Aoun, a Maronite Christian whom some Lebanese regard
as a renegade, others as a savior and who sees himself as the next
president of Lebanon.
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Aoun returned Saturday to Lebanon and to a hero's welcome as tens
of thousands of supporters turned out to welcome him home after a
14-year exile in France.
"One year ago when we discussed the possibility of the general's
return and the Syrians leaving, you said we were dreaming," Tony
Haddad, who has been lobbying Washington in support of Aoun told
United Press International from Beirut, where he returned with the
former general.
A crowd of some 400,000 people, according to Haddad, greeted Aoun
in Freedom Square, previously Martyr's Square and the site where
monster anti-Syrian demonstrations were held after the Feb. 14 killing
of former prime minister Rafik Hariri.
But not everyone is happy to see Aoun return. Friday night a bomb
exploded in Lebanon in the Christian port city of Jounieh, killing one
-- a Sri Lankan woman -- and wounding six people. This is the fifth
such explosion since the death of Rafik Hariri. It came on the eve of
Aoun's return.
Aoun seemed undeterred, holding talks immediately upon his arrival
back in Beirut.
"Democracy comes first," Aoun told United Press International,
speaking on a cellular telephone shortly after landing in Beirut
Saturday.
"Changes are important if Lebanon is to change," said Aoun to UPI.
"The Lebanese must change their ways." The former army general said he
held great love for the Lebanese people and felt "very emotional upon
his return."
He said he would focus his energies on building a new Lebanon.
Asked if he intends to run for the presidency, as many expect him to,
he replied "one must not aim for a specific post, but plan for a new
society." But changing long-ingrained traditions will prove to be a
Herculean task.
"Lebanon's archaic, feudal and religious fanaticism as well as
rampant corruption that in the past has destroyed the people must be
done away with," Aoun said.
But in Washington, a close aide to assassinated prime minister
Rafik Hariri was in tears at a recent reception, lamenting the death
of the former Lebanese leader, which the aide said now appears to
"have been in vain."
"Given continued bickering, back-stabbing and petty quarrels," the
aide told United Press International, "I fear Mr. Hariri died for
nothing.
Lebanese politicians are back to their usual tricks."
Not only are Lebanese politicians back to their usual political
tricks, but so, too, are those resorting to dirty tricks, such as the
bomb Friday night that "welcomed" Aoun's return to Lebanon.
Aoun got on the Syrians' bad side following some of the bloodiest
clashes in the country's 15-year civil war. In 1988 Aoun had assumed
the presidency during a power-vacuum when he was appointed caretaker
prime minister in order to organize elections. He was forced out of
power by a Syrian-led force in 1990, after rejecting the terms of the
Saudi-sponsored Taef peace accords. He has lived the last 15 years in
exile, in Paris, from where he remained politically active, building
his anti-Syrian campaign.
Aoun played a primary role in convincing the Bush administration
to pass the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act of 2003,
meant to impose economic sanctions on Damascus. His actions brought
accusations from the Lebanese pro-Syrian government of trying to
foment discord between the two countries and of trying to incite
religious discord.
Aoun said now that Syria has quit Lebanon his problems with
Damascus are over. Syria may see it somewhat differently and may not
be as forgiving toward Aoun as he is towards Damascus.
"I have harmed no one, I have good intentions," Aoun told UPI. He
indicated he wished peace with Syria, "as there is much Syria and
Lebanon can profit from each other."
The 71-year-old former general has made no secret of his
intentions to seek the Lebanese presidency. While Syria's troops and
possibly most of its intelligence services have left Lebanon, Damascus
would be reluctant to completely abandon its interests in neighboring
Lebanon.
It is worth recalling the words of Syria's President Bashar Assad
when he addressed his parliament last March: "Syria's pullout from
Lebanon does not mean the end of Syrian participation in Lebanon."
A Lebanese official speaking to UPI on condition his name is not
used also lamented that "more of the same," was the order of the day.
The official said that although the Syrians had left, their supporters
in the country remained active.
Indeed, Syria's Baath Party maintains an active branch in Lebanon.
While it may not be large enough to mark points in the coming
parliamentary elections, it nevertheless commands enough supporters
should Damascus ever wish to stir up the pot -- as do a number of
Palestinian armed militias.
Aoun's "war of liberation" that was waged against Syria in 1990,
then against Christian Forces led by militia leader Samir Geagea, left
him with many enemies. At the time Aoun turned to Saddam Hussein for
weapons, forging a temporary alliance of expediency, something which
earned him more bad marks from Damascus.
"I have already pardoned those who fought me," Aoun told UPI, "but
they will not be recompensed unless they prove themselves. If they
want to work with us in rebuilding the country, I am ready to work
with them. I have good intentions for Lebanon."
"Peace cannot be waged by one side alone," Aoun told UPI. "War can
be waged by one side, but not peace. I hope Syria opts for peace."
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