USCFL - Speech of An-Nahar Editor Mr Gebran Tueni at the World Maronite Congress 2002

It may be a most eloquent manifestation of Lebanon's pluralistic society that a Greek Orthodox, in fact a half-Druze Greek Orthodox, is addressing your esteemed Maronite conference on what should best be done to navigate our nation out of its political, economic, social and cultural straits.

Plurality, or smooth coexistence among numerous communities, is a national characteristic guaranteeing Lebanon's survival. And it is not a hollow boast that Lebanon stands unique in the world, as the nation that has brilliantly promoted its communitarian structure into a viable system of government, despite the 75-77 civil war, closely followed by a conspiracy under which others, Palestinians, Syrians, Israelis, Americans, Iraqis and Iranians, fought their wars on Lebanese soil.

Claims that the 1943 national pact, which laid the foundations of healthy coexistence for 50 decades, was the catalyst of inter-communal wars, are untrue. Communities or rather their interaction, he been a source of enrichment to the Lebanese system of government, which is the only working democracy in the Arab world.

Through harmonious evolution, Lebanon has given itself a post-independence democratic constitution which, despite its heavy leaning on the French model, has successfully combined a set of civil status laws, that helped the smooth conduct of the civil affairs of each community under the tutelage of its own clergy.

As things stand now in Lebanon, the Lebanese does need the clergy to defend his rights, since politicians and political parties are looking the other way. Moreover, existing parties are in a state of advanced bankruptcy. They are totally divorced from both the present and the future, and are still embroiled in past conflicts.

An example of the fine-tuned religious role in politics, was the statement released by the conclave of Maronite bishops in September of 2000, which was a sincere outcry over Lebanon's aspiration.

Jealous about their liberty, the various communities that make up the mosaic fabric of the Lebanese Nation, have developed a rich pluralist society within which, minorities are shielded from majority dictatorship. This enriching cooperation has allowed Lebanon to distinguish itself with the a refined peace culture in the Arab world.

What really has given this experiment an ugly facade, however, is the manipulation of the communities by politicians, who have hidden themselves behind sectarian slogans, by they individuals, or grouped in political parties or coalitions. They have bent the frames of the system to serve their own personal ends instead of the nation's welfare.

Furthermore, danger does exist. Since the 1975 wars emanating from the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Christians of Lebanon feel threatened. They are not ready yet to forget the bloody drive to plant a Palestinian ministate within Lebanon, nor Syria's past behavior meddling to set off fires and then pose as the saving extinguisher, never forgetting her old dream of Greater Syria or the conspiracy of trading the Golan Heights for Lebanon.

The 1990 constitutional changes after the Taif Accords, have given the Syrians and their allies the clout to marginalize the Christians and largely exclude them from the conduct of their nation's affairs. The Syrian-controlled regime in Lebanon has been behaving in the mentality of victor and vanquished. In reality, however, it's not only the Christians who are on the losing side; the whole nation and each and every free Lebanese, are in the same bracket. This disequilibrium is causing the political, economic and social crises plaguing Lebanon, which have, in turn, accelerated the pace of emigration out of Lebanon to seek new lives abroad.

I have come here not to ask you to return tomorrow to the homeland, but I am convinced that one day you'll do it. I realize this is difficult, at least at the present conditions. But we have to invent a new relationship between the Lebanese at home and in Diaspora, to try to put the nation back on its own two feet: Free, Sovereign and Independent. Let us recall that the Irish emigrating community to the United States was largely credited for the liberation movement that struggled at home, to win freedom from Britain.

Times have definitely changed since, and the means nowadays are different. But we MUST have a vision, a master plan, within the framework of which an orchestrated endeavor can be launched by all of us to begin the march towards Lebanon's resurrection. It is lamentable that no such plan or master plan is available to either loyalist or opponents of the exiting regime.

A brainstorm is needed, here in the Diaspora, and there in the homeland. This brainstorm should set the paths of new political, economic, and social projects, and should not be limited to a vision, but should be followed by an exhaustive plan to achieve these goals. There is a dire need, too, for new political parties with new nationalistic outlooks. There is an equally dire need for the establishment of think tanks and cultural institutions, that would breed a new generation of leadership.

I am convinced that we have among our new generations plenty of qualified people capable of laying the foundations for a new Lebanon. They must not rely on the old set of politicians, but they have to organize themselves and launch the drive, to define the future and determine Lebanon's role in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. They have to dream, Yes, I insist, to DREAM of the nation they want, and fight for the achievement of that dream. They must never surrender to despair, because as Karl Jaspers once said: " Despair is an anticipated defeat!" Furthermore, isn't it true that hope in one of the three theological virtues taught by our Christian religion?

Emigrants should be ferociously encouraged to take back their role as full-fledged Lebanese citizens. They should practice their right to citizenship, and must register their families with embassies abroad, to help conduct a new national census. They have to claim their right to vote, and the government should grant them this right as we live in an open world where barriers have been largely knocked down. Many nations allow their communities abroad to cast their ballots in polling centers assigned by their embassies. France always does this in Lebanon and the Syrians, Yes; The Syrians have lately had their Lebanon-based citizens, vote in the national referendum for the late President Hafez Assad's last mandate. Strangely and ironically, among the few positive actions of the Syrian Government, shouldn't we have adopted the same example? Or are we condemned to imitate them only in negative ways? Polling centers were set up for them in gas-filling stations for Syria has no embassy in Beirut. We do hope they will have on sometime, embodying a mutual recognition of independence.

For the similar purpose of getting Diaspora Lebanese more involved in their mother country's affairs, I propose that a senate be created in which emigrants can be represented.

I also propose the creation of an Emigration Ministry, fully independent from the Ministry of Foreign affairs.

I would further propose that more than one cabinet State Minister e empowered to cope with emigrants affairs. They must be directed to maintain constant dealings with our extra territorial communities, instead of occasional or seasonal interaction.

I am optimistic about Lebanon's future despite the suffocating economic and political crises it suffers, and despite the mass exodus of the youth. We still have enormous potential among qualified emerging generations. Lebanon is the only country who speaks the 21st century language in the Arab world, and has the spirit of modern times, of globalization, which champions public freedoms, private sector, freewheeling economy and a World-Wide presence. No country can survive without these basics of democracy, which Lebanon has practiced long time ago, while other Arab countries need rehabilitation in taking it up.

Unfortunately, what is most missing today, is confidence between the people and the government. This lack of trust has plunged the country in a political and economic crisis. The whole nation with all its productive sectors is paralyzed. Because confidence plays a key role to any political or economic recovery, it is urgent for the government to rebuild this relationship today, better than tomorrow.

That's why we must have a national reconciliation government, to remedy the political blunders that have mothered the nation's economic hardships. We also must get a new transitional electoral law, base on the small constancy concept, to bring in a more representative parliament. Such a system is of a transitory nature, pending the emergence of innovative and mature political parties, that prevent the change of democracy into an autocracy or worst a theocracy. These parties must be totally liberated from religious slogans because, if today Allah has a party, nothing guarantees that in the future Christ will not have a militia of knights fighting in his name. As for their funding, it must be provided under very strict regulations.

We also must begin a frank and honest inter-Lebanese dialogue, as well as a Lebanon-Syria dialogue, within a context of mutual respect. The Lebanese Syrian dialogue should be conducted in an efficient and modern manner, from nation to nation, state to state, not at an individual basis, but by putting aside all kind of sentimental and "parental" ties.

Considering that the actual political government and parliament are not representative of the people will, I propose that this dialogue should start after the formation of a national reconciliation government, beginning as a first step with a clear agenda of the withdrawal of the Syrian troops.

The national reconciliation government is required to establish its authority over the entire Lebanese soil, leaving no militia with arms under any pretext. Another required move, is the application of the long-belated local decentralization of local administration.

We need a new Lebanon; a Lebanon where "win to win" theory, mutual recognition, synergy and complementarily will be the driving fore for any undertaken action.

In the wake of September 11, the concept of civilization dialogue is much talked about across the world. I believe that Lebanon stands as the unique, living example of Christian-Muslim coexistence. Neither Christians nor Muslims are intruders in the land, but they are both partners in rebuilding the concrete and the mentalities of their homeland.

Unlike certain countries such as former Yugoslavia or Ireland, all through the years, the Lebanese Experience has proved that the coexistence between its different communities was very solid despite all the foreign interference's.

Lebanon's pluralism must be put into full upgraded use. Lebanon has succeeded in preserving to each community its specificity's. Our understanding of unity compared to a bowl of fruit salad whereby each fruit keeps its own flavor while giving the other a complementary taste and not a blended single color and taste compote.

Lebanon has no oil riches, but its emigrant communities make up the difference. Through the involvement of the Lebanese Diaspora in various businesses, social, cultural and political sectors, its emigrants could play an essential role for the welfare of their motherland as they possess all the know-how to achieve such a role.

Based on the points developed earlier, I firmly believe that Lebanon is the only country in the Middle East - and why not, in the World - capable of playing a leading role in the new dialogue of civilizations. A dialogue made more and more crucial by last September's events. Lebanon today is definitely a major player on the international political and social chess board and it is Lebanon's duty and mission to make it known to the international community.

To end my speech, I would like to quote John F. Kennedy, America's only Catholic president, from his special message to congress on conservation on May 3, 1962,:

"Our deep spiritual confidence that this nation will survive the perils of today - which may well be with us for decades to come - compels to invest in our nations' future, to consider and meet our obligations to our children and the numberless generations that will follow."

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Article:	Speech of An-Nahar Editor Mr. Gebran Tueni at the World Maronite Congress 2002
Author:	Gebran Tueni
Date:	June 2002