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PART 13  (Translated freely: By Elias Bejjani) On October 5, 1989, the Central National Coordinating Bureau's Higher Committee met with representatives of its affiliated groups at the "Remal Complex". They were unanimous in calling the Lebanese people for a sit-in at the Maronite Patrirchate at Bkerke to condemn what the dissolved MP,'s have committed against the people's will. All decisions taken in this regard were announced through media. The same day, at 8 PM, the presidential palace switchboard called me to say His Excellency, Prime Minister General Aoun would like talk to me. Aoun asked: What did you decide on? Raffoul: We decided on a sit-in tomorrow at Bkerke. Aoun: I was just informed that a demonstration has reached Bkerke and it is trying to enter the Patriarchate premises by force. Raffoul: We have information in this regard, but Mr. Joubran Tueini, an hour ago, called Mr. Toni Helou, in charge of the "Promise Movement" who participated in our meeting today at the Remal and asked him to join a demonstration that would be heading to Bkerke tonight. The aim as I was told was to make Patriarch Sfier adopt a clear stance in relation to the Taef Accord. Aoun: Can you head to Bkerke and deal with the situation there in full coordination with the Army troops stationed at the Patriarchate? Raffoul: I will do that immediately with the help of some colleagues. We were able to reach as far as "Al-Louz curve" but because of the jammed traffic and the many demonstrator's cars parked in the middle of the road, we left the car and decided to walk to Bkerke. On the way, many demonstrators returning from Bkerke identified us. They were angry, sad and frustrated and told us that a group of the demonstrators broke into the Patriarchate, destroyed some containers, torn down pictures and assaulted his Beatitude the Patriarch. I returned immediately to nearby City of Jounieh, phoned General Aoun and informed him. He sighed and said: Dear Pierre, what has happened is a big disaster and they will definitely taken advantage of it. It is worth mentioning that General Aoun did not have any objection to Mr. Renee Moawad as a person. His objection was on Moawad the president who was elected illegally by a dissolved Parliament and who emerged from the Taef Accord that the Lebanese rejected. Aoun said openly and more than once: Mr. Moawad is a friend and a moderate politician; we could have cooperated with each other. But those who made Moawad president wanted him to finish me not cooperate with me. Mr. Moawad focused on a comprehensive national conciliation and on comprehensive legitimate authority and on a national unity government. He did not even once threaten to resort to force in the face of any opposition. On the contrary apparent realism and modernism characterized his statements. Mr. Moawad asked the Syrians to withdraw their troops from the Batroun area as a gesture of good will for supporting the Lebanese legitimate authority and as a proof of their commitment for the continuity of the State of Lebanon. They responded instead by sending Mr. Abdel Haleem Khadam to meet him at the Town of Ehden to force him to accept specific individuals for his first cabinet. Moawad rejected strongly the Syrian offer. The Syrians were not deterred by Moawad's rejection and did not put an end to their interferences. The Lebanese media facilities as directed by Syria attributed a statement to Moawad saying: the people of Lebanon and Syria are one. Moawad refused to give in to this strategy of intimidation and announced publicly that the alleged statement was fabricated. The second the media a similar statement To Moawad's wife, she took the same stance. During a meeting with General Aoun at the Baabda Palace, Aoun stated: Mr. Moawad did not comprehend the Syrian message. I believe his life has come into great danger. Based on his knowledge and hunches, Aoun asked a mutual friend to advise Mr. Moawad on his behalf to refrain from moving to West Beirut. During a meeting with a delegation from the City Of Zkarta, Aoun asked how is the situation in your City? A member in the delegation answered: Every thing is okay except that Mrs. Naaela Moawad has been accusing you continuously of assassinating her husband (Mr. Renee Moawad). Aoun responded by saying: We should all understand Mrs. Moawad's situation and her stance at the current time, for if she does not say so, she will be the next victim. To be continued next week. Long Live Free Lebanon |