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(Part 2)  By: Pierre Rafoul (Translated freely: By Elias Bejjani) Lately the notorious "Taef Accord" has been the focus of attention in numerous political commentaries and round table conferences. It has been described as the "accord of submission" that has no future, no matter what reviving and resuscitating means are applied to make it workable. This accord is hopeless because it was imposed on the people of Lebanon through a foreign will, and was born on a non-Lebanese land. It did not address the Lebanese ambitions, nor their free will or aspirations. It is very helpful to remember what happened nine years ago, and recall with pride the opposing patriotic stance taken by General Michel Aoun and by the people of Lebanon. It is also enlightening to look thoroughly at the treacherous stance adopted by the Parliamentary members (MP's) to identify clearly Aoun's credibility and the treason of the opportunistic MP's. Taef, is a Saudi city, where Princes and wealthy men, from the entire kingdom spend the summer season, because of its moderate climate. The city's past is degrading in Islam's history, and its present is a big shame in the Lebanese history. Its people betrayed Prophet Mohammed fifteen centuries ago, and on its soil the Lebanese MP's sold Lebanon's sovereignty and independence in 1989…they offered them a gift to the occupier. On September 30, 1998, sixty-three Lebanese MP's were shipped to Taef City to escape the authentic Liberation spirit spread all over Lebanon, replacing imported frustration and defeat mentality. The MP's were hosted in a first class hotel, surrounded by a warm milieu of apparent American influence, Saudi generosity, Patriarchal blessing and ongoing Lebanese Forces'support. They were made openly aware that all Syrian demands are to be guaranteed and Hariri's generous cheques will make them all happy and relaxed in return Every means of physical comfort was provided to ensure the MP's were enjoying what was accessible for them. The last thing on their mind was the Lebanese dignity that was humiliated and downtrodden because of their subservient stance. They betrayed Lebanon and its people and showed no gratitude to people elected them and were then, still alive. They gave themselves the liberty to sell the nation's sacred foundations of sovereignty and independence, after filling their bank accounts and pockets with bribery money and precious gifts. On their arrival to Taef City, the MP's were asked to hand over their passports to the Saudi Security authorities. They discovered later on, they were practically held in custody, not allowed to leave until they have approved the already prepared "Taef Accord" without making any change what so ever. They started to procrastinate in a bid to save their reputation and spent three long weeks in lengthy sessions studying the accord. The Saudi Foreign Minster, Prince Fayesl Al-Saoud, who orchestrated the Accord told them openly and in an intimidating manner: "you have no other choice, but to sign, the accord is final and has to be accepted as is". The MP's kneeled, bowed and approved the Accord with sweeping majority. They considered their act of betrayal a kind of rare heroism!!! Initially, the people of Lebanon were not in favor of allowing the MP's to go to Taef City. They knew in advance that the MP's would give up easily Lebanon's independence and sovereignty. In this realm a delegation of patriotic citizens met General Aoun at the Baabda palace and conveyed to him how the majority of the people feel about this issue. They asked for his approval to stop the MP's from Leaving Lebanon. General Aoun refused their request and told them: " how can we can preach and struggle for justice, freedom and democracy and then practice just the opposite of what we are calling for? If I use force to stop them from leaving, and actually I am capable of doing so, some of you would demonstrate against me and say general Aoun is a dictator". The "Central Bureau for National Co-ordination", in a bid to confirm its opposing stance against the "Taef Accord" and against all those who approved it, called for a public gathering at the "Naher Al-Kaleb" site. The Bureau aimed to make its stance clear and public as well as its national plans and political platform. The site was chosen due to the fact that it has witnessed the defeat and departure of thousands of invaders and conquerors with shame and humiliation. All what was left in their degrading memory are few words carved at the historic rocks. They all departed while the great people of Lebanon survived the hardships and kept their country a democratic haven for the persecuted and an oasis for freedoms. The minority defeated the majority, the weaker defeated the stronger, they all departed and the Lebanese remained victorious in its Holy Land. The people of Lebanon believed in freedom and knew how to guard and protect it through ongoing struggle and martyrdom all through 7000 years of deep rooted-Lebanese history. The gathering was enormous and attracted thousands of Lebanese citizens from all over the country, and from all walks of live. It was inaugurated in the name of Lebanon's martyrs. Drums were beaten, and bands played the death music and the national anthem during which a child lighted the torch of freedom. All speeches called for a free, sovereign, independent Lebanon and encouraged the citizens to continue their struggle for liberation and their war against occupiers, collaborators, traitors and opportunists. General Aoun addressed the gathering (a taped speech), he commanded the people's perseverance and confirmed the country's interests should always have first priority. He urged all the Lebanese to continue their struggle for achieving the national set objectives. He defined the public's Current concepts by saying: We are the revolution's youth, not the revenge youth, We are the Current's outrage and anger, not the Current's hatred, and we are endeavoring for peace, not for surrender. During the stay of the MP's at Taef City, some of them called General Aoun continuously, directly or through a third party, asking him what they should do. His answer for all those who called was ""do what we have agreed on in our last meeting at Baabda Palace". On the tenth of October 1989, General Aoun called on the MP's at Taef City to return back to Lebanon. He repeated the same call several times for ten successive days. On the twentieth of the same month, Aoun declared his clear and final refusal of the "Taef Accord". After three days he held a press conference and said to the Lebanese people: "you have two choices, either to accept the "Taef Accord", and in this case I will resign and go back to my home, or to reject it, and this means we will continue the struggle all together". The people's reaction was spontaneous and against the "Taef Accord". Hundreds of thousands came to the Presidential Palace every day (People's Palace) from all parts of Lebanon, and from all denominations to show their full support for Aoun's patriotic courageous stance. Some of the demonstations out side the palace reached half a million citizen. Long Live Free Lebanon Australia. December 5, 1998 |