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PART 6  (Translated freely: By Elias Bejjani) In the beginning of 1976, after the Syrian troops entered Lebanon, Colonel Michel Aoun, criticized the stance of the Lebanese Intelligence Bureau chief, Joul Bostani. Although Aoun had respected and admired Bostani a great deal, for his patriotism, efficiency and devotion, he could not standstill while Boustani was promoting the Syrian military role and portraying it to be in Lebanon's advantage. Aoun said openly, and in my presence: the Syrians have deceived Colonel Bostani,, they used him, like they did with others to achieve their aims. Aoun added, but there will be no significant future role for Bostani or other Lebanese officials or military personnel as long as the Syrian troops remain in Lebanon. The Syrians used Bostani and then, he was disposed of. Aoun elaborated more by saying: the entrance of Syrian, Israeli or any other foreign troops to Lebanon is a frank and blunt occupation act, it will weaken the state's authority and paralyze Lebanon's army role. The solution, as I see it, is through an Arabic-international consensus, yielding a serious commitment through which an effective embargo can be imposed on all support for all factions involved in the war. An effective role, that will strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese troops, army, police and security forces. Aoun ended by saying: I feel sorry for Colonel Bostani, his role is finished, he has lost his credibility. Since that date, Colonel Bostani, lost both, his power and status. Boustani had played an effective and vital role in building the army, maintaining the unity of the Intelligence Bureau, and in supporting and training the army youth to be able to confront the conspiracy. Michel Aoun predicted the Gulf war would take place one year before it happened. He cautioned the Arab world against its devastating consequences and called on them to show more interest in Lebanon as an effective precautionary measure. He asked them to help solve the Lebanese conflict and put an end to its ordeal or it would bounce back on them. Aoun in most of his statements and speeches stressed and confirmed the fact, that with the Taef Agreement, Lebanon would cease to be a free, sovereign independent, democratic, liberal country. The current Lebanese status quo confirms the righteousness of his predictions. During a news conference he held at the People's Palace (Baabda Presidential Palace, during his reign between 1988-1990) a female journalist kept bombarding him with irritating and instigating questions. She was aiming to embarrass him, and show that his Taif opposing stance was wrong. Aoun quietly and with self confidence responded by saying: Listen my friend, now, feel free to ask any question you want, the way you like and take advantage of this opportunity as much as you can. As from this moment I can tell, you would not be able to do so, when the Taef Agreement that apparently you support, is imposed on the country. When the time comes, I want you to remember what I have just said today. You, as well as other journalists will not be allowed such kind of freedom Who from the Lebanese people can forget Aouns numerous appeals and calls to Dr. Samir Jaja (Leader for the Lebanese Forces). He called on Jaja not to be a Trojan horse in the eastern region of Lebanon ( The free region under the control of the legitimate military government headed by Aoun between 1988 and 1990). He said to Jaja: You are cornered, and in a no win situation. Do not bombard the presidential palace, this palace is your safe gate, if you win, you will surrender, and if you lose you will surrender too. Ask yourself why you are fighting the Lebanese army, and be sure if you win, you shall never take over my place, the Taef is between us, it will take over. In case I lose, this shall mean the end of the free Lebanon. Last year, in a friendly conversation, with General Aoun, at the Haute La Maison, in France, we talked about the last year of his reign, and recalled the unfortunate events that lead to the Syrian invasion. Aoun said: As a rule of thumb, man surrenders in a bid to avoid a fight, nobody in the world has waged a war because he wanted in advance to surrender. It has never crossed my mind that there will be a deviation from this general global rule. I was quilty of believing that no one would fight in a bid to surrender. The Lebanese Forces, followed this odd deviation; they fought the Lebanese Army to surrender to the Syrian troops. The military mail, has never ever in the history of Lebanon, carried more letters from Diaspora as it did, during Aoun's reign. The letters brought financial donations from Diaspora to support the army and commended the nationalism and courageous stance of its leadership. One morning, in 1989, General Aoun, asked me, if I knew Mr. Fouad Nemaan Al-Khoury, a Lebanese immigrant poet living in Australia. Definitely, I do, was my spontaneous reply, he was my classmate, and comes from a neighboring village in North Lebanon. Where did you meet him, I asked? I did not have that honor, Aoun replied, but today I received a letter from a group of Lebanese immigrants living in Australia with a poem he wrote. With tearful eyes, Aoun handed me the letter, and said passionately: How great are our Lebanese people, it is crime for anybody to deceive, mislead, cheat or manipulate them. A leader can not even maneuver with them; they are so eager to learn the truth. They shall admire, respect and support leaders who fulfil their eagerness and patriotic aspirations. Leaders who betray their cause and underestimate their intelligence and devotion shall be doomed and alienated. Upon his return from an Arabic summit, President Sheik Amin Jomayal, handed to General Aoun, the army chief, an official Syrian invitation to visit. Aoun accepted and paid an official visit to Damascus shortly after. The Syrians received him with great respect, in a ceremony, usually given to visiting presidents only. They made their best to make him feel at home and extremely welcomed. A member of the delegation that escorted Aoun in his visit told me this anecdote: During a banquet the Syrians held in Aoun's honor, Syrian Minister for Defense, General Mustafa Talas said to Aoun: General Aoun, the Lebanese dignitaries as a general rule carry too many gifts and presents when visiting us, it is clear you did not bring us any thing. Aoun smiled, and replied spontaneously: Your Excellency, believe me, you left us nothing in Lebanon, that could be offered as a gift. Long Live Free Lebanon. Australia. February 19, 1999 |