I just recently learned that you made reference of my name in the Lebanese newspaper "An-Nahar" labeling me as a Zionist.

Frankly Mr. Jumblatt, you disappoint me; simply because I had much higher aspirations for you and because I thought you knew me much better.

I guess you have already forgotten how much my family has done for you during the last 40 years; from my uncle Salem who bankrolled your father Kamal in order for him to start his political career in the Chouf  in the late 50's-early 60's, to my father Khalil who was a close confident to you for the last decade or so.

But I guess politics is the ultimate "power game" ; and when you feel the heat, such a reaction is quite normal. Please rest assured, I won't take it personal.

On the same note, I have frankly no time for a long speech but let me share with you and our Lebanese constituents in the Diaspora a couple of things; just for the record:

1. Are we now coming to the conclusion that anybody who chants for unity, cements mutual coexistence, or advocates national reconciliation is now a conspirator, an insurgent and a Zionist imperialist collaborator and Israeli agent? Please help me flush this out properly. We in the Diaspora really need to come to terms with your exact definition if you need our dollars to save your sinking ship. Besides, if working for a "Free Lebanon" gets me the title of Zionist, well, I am proud to be one.

2. Both my colleagues and I are fully aware of the extent of the relationships you have with both the Syrian and Israeli establishments for at least the last 20 years. Having said that, we will be delighted to publish a "detailed" Dossier on the subject matter in the next MEIB Issue www.meib.org . Just let me know if that's fine with you, then we could let the public decide who the real "Israeli collaborator" and "Zionist" is out there. By the way, I guess we have unanimously established the fact that you are a "Syrian collaborator" already.

3. I fully understand that you were "explicitly" told to say what you stated in "An-Nahar" so as to send a clear message on the part of certain people whom we both know as to how fierce a fight they will wage against our organization's agenda if this were to materialize. Well, as a starter, please feel free to advise those "fine individuals" that they have already lost the fight because the "domino effect" is in full gear and is irreversible so they'd better pack their bags or face total humiliation. On the same note, please save yourself the same fate....It is not yet too late but will be very soon if you don't take a decision before year-end

4. I don't know if you already forgot the teachings of your great father Kamal and what being a Lebanese truly means. If you did, please let me remind you that the Lebanese people are not a people to be meddled with nor underestimated . We are not people to be denied nor oppressed. We are not people to be vanquished nor condemned and we are not people who will be deprived of our freedom. Our gem and our substance was built and will continue to be the freedom of thought and the freedom of expression and the freedom of belief that makes us the oasis of democracy in a sea of totalitarianism. It is our ability to accept religious differences and tolerate political divergence that makes us unique . It is our ability to exemplify the ingenuity and resourcefulness that has existed in this precious land since the dawn of civilization that makes us Lebanese People . And we are Proud of it.

Bottom Line: Mr. Jumblatt; I urge you not to bow to Syrian pressure, to stay away from Karim Pakradouni as much as you can and to promise me never to give in to the Syrian Agenda; as you have a very important role to play in repairing the cracks of the past in Lebanon and unifying the Lebanon of the future.

I fully understand that the rapprochement that you tried to open towards the Christian Community in Lebanon was a Syrian red line, but it doesn't justify your attacks on the Christian figures that want the best of relations with the Druze community of Lebanon such as my family.

Freedom is our Path and Victory is our Destiny. 

We all are continuing the march of Kamal Jumblatt, Bashir Gemayel ,Hassan Khaled and Rene Mouawad . They haven't died for nothing and I am sure you haven't forgotten them as our Nation would not forget them also.

Until a Free, Independent and Sovereign Lebanon emerges from the ashes, I would like to mention that both my family and I still stand by you.

We and all other Lebanese patriots; whether Muslims, Christians and Druzes are the "heart" of Lebanon and it is not a bunch of Syrian "gunslingers" who are going to divide us.

Respectfully,

Ziad K. Abdelnour

© Copyright 1997-2004 United States Committee For A Free Lebanon. All rights reserved.

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