 By: Elias Bejjani A boring charade has been going on in occupied Lebanon since 5/10/1998, the day General Lahoud was appointed president by Syria's dictator (Hafez Assad). What is happening is confusing for many Lebanese not only in occupied Lebanon but also for those of us living in Diaspora. What is incomprehensible is the contagious, widespread phenomenon of self-denial, fantasy and cajoling among civil and religious leaders. In the midst of this national dilemma, one wonders where Lebanon is heading under the current Syrian-installed 'leadership' and what will become of the aspirations of the majority of the Lebanese citizens who are treated as third class citizens in their own country? Does it really sympathize with thousands of Lebanese who are oppressed, persecuted, exiled, imprisoned, detained illegally in Syrian and Lebanese jails and deprived of their basic human rights? What has happened since the fifth of last October to make the majority of Lebanon's leaders change suddenly their national stances? What made them hysterically enter a race focusing merely on appeasing the occupier and abandoning their entire previous reservations and patriotic opposition? The crazed phenomenon is not limited to those already collaborating with the Syrian occupier and accepting the slave's status. The infectious fever has hit many parties as well, individuals, journalists and dignitaries who were up till a few weeks past, opposing the whole "Taef regime" (imposed in 1990) and refusing to take any part in its successive governments. What has happened since Mr. Lahoud's appointment may well be completely bizarre but since when are the stances adopted by collaborators and opportunists based on rationality and logic? These traitors are self-centered, extremely selfish and always ready to sell even their own mothers for the right price. One actually can't expect devotion and national sacrifices from senseless, week-willed, cowardly puppet leaders who have no conscience. What is really disappointing and disgusting are the new sudden stances adopted by leaders and parties who for years preached democracy, resistance and patriotism. They jumped swiftly and suddenly into the "Taef "wagons, negating bluntly all their previous fake opposition positions. Surprisingly, all the drastic and sudden stance changes, including those who had tagged themselves for years as bold and aggressive "Taef Accord antagonists" took place while the Syrian-appointed President, Mr. Lahoud, is completely silent. He is not in office officially, did not deliver his first speech (pledge speech) and the first cabinet in his incumbancy is not yet formed. Sooner or later clouds of deception will part and the reality of the appointed president will be uncovered. Once in Baabda palace he will be forced to remove the mask and face the people and address their hopes. At that time all his promises will vanish in the air and all hopes of those who were deceived by his devotion will be disappointed. He will find himself nationally crippled, with no range for any kind of maneuver and programmed like a robot to serve Syria's interests and its vicious scheme to annex Lebanon. Nothing has changed and nothing will change as long as Lebanon is under occupation and the regime is completely under Syrian hegemony. The process of replacing governors and officials does not change the bitter reality. Those appointed by Syria shall work only for Syria to serve its interests. Syria every now and then replaces Lebanese high-ranking officials, including presidents, to improve its image and hide behind fake legitimacy. Under the Syrian occupation all officials in Lebanon including the appointed president are like actors playing roles. They have to abide by the Syrian script and follow the Syrian director's orders. In the midst of this charade, genuine and wise patriotism necessitates a great deal of faith, patience and perseverance. Resorting to peaceful resistance is the only effective weapon that can be utilized to abort the ongoing cajoling and appeasement behavior. Those of us who believe solidly in Lebanon's 6000 year old culture and history cannot allow themselves to compromise on any national convictions. We are required to stand erect like a rock and say No, No, No and keep repeating our righteous opposition, even if we are left alone in the battlefield. Some fellow Lebanese, in a bid to justify their collaboration, claim that opposing the current imposed status quo is an act of suicide. Others who go with the flow and always give priority to their personal interests, allege that only dreamers believe Lebanon can again be an oasis of freedom and a safe haven for the persecuted. For all those and for all others who lost their self-confidence and faith, we say loudly: Lebanon will be liberated sooner or later and shall again be the Paris of the Middle East, a democratic and free country. All foreign troops will leave in shame and disgrace, as was the fate of hundreds of previous invaders, conquerors and tyrants. We live on in hope of liberation and shall always till our Lebanon is again an independent, free and sovereign country. Long Live Free Lebanon. |