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LEBANON'S STUDENTS  For the last few months the "Free Patriotic Current", and its leader General Michel Aoun, have been the targets of an organized, concentrated, and malicious media attack. The campaign has not been limited to Lebanon's mercenary media, but also include many of the Lebanese Diaspora's media who are known for their opportunistic tendencies. Certainly, it does not need a genius to understand the reasons behind this vicious campaign, or to pinpoint its organizers or instigators. Lebanese involved in politics were not surprised and even had predicted the occurrence of such a campaign months before it started to take shape and intensify. The campaign took its final shape two months before Syria's dictator appointed General Lahoud president for occupied Lebanon (5/8/1998). Since that date, any congratulation of any kind to the appointed president required an attack on General Aoun and the Free National Current. Otherwise the occupant and its puppets would not give a credit to the congratulation. Well-known mercenary journalists paved the way for the vicious campaign with numerous poisonous political commentaries and fabricated news published in Al-Safir, Al-Nahar, Al-Sheraa and other newspapers. They predicated that with Lahoud as president all parties opposing the regime except the Free Patriotic Current would abandon their stances and join the new government. Why only the Patriotic Current, and is it the only opposing group left in the opposition battlefield? In fact, yes! It is the only political group that still fiercely opposes the imposed occupational status quo and refuses any compromise that solidifies and prolongs the occupation presence. It refused to recognize the "Taef Accord" forced on Lebanon in 1989 and still adopts the same stance. The campaign aimed to distort the Current's patriotic image, question its credibility and portray its supporters as only a minority in Lebanon. It also targeted the popularity of the Current's leader, General Michel Aoun in an attempt to picture him as someone who is stubborn, detached from reality and opposes the government for personal, not national, reasons. The attack campaign not only failed miserably, but also backfired on its organizers. It actually significantly increased the Current's support among all Lebanon's communities. This vast nationwide support was practically shown in the sweeping victories achieved by the Current's students two weeks ago in the AUB, St. Joseph, Lebanese and Luaisy Universities. It was also proved during the last Lawyers' Syndicate elections, at which three of the four nominees who won were active prominent members in the Current. The Lebanese Syrian-installed regime and its figures have been proven time after time since 1990 to be puppets, and only puppets, with no public support. The Current has proven at the same time to enjoy the actual support of the majority of the Lebanese people in every election that was not forged. God bless all those who believe in freedom, sovereignty, independence, human rights and dignity. God bless our university students who through their faith and hard work were successful in proving to the whole world who is the majority and who is the minority in occupied Lebanon. Salute to our university students who are Lebanon's hope and future! Our students, you have daringly, in spite of all intimidation, harassment and oppression, stated your word and voted for a free Lebanon and expressed the peoples' desires and aspirations. You are the bedrock upon which the glory of great Lebanon shall be rebuilt, and no foreigner or collaborator will be able to shake. You made those of us who are part of the Diaspora proud to be Lebanese and of Lebanese descent. You boosted our dignity and fortified our commitment for the fair and righteous Lebanese cause. Lebanon shall be liberated to become again an oasis for the persecuted and a heaven for democracy and freedom; Thanks to our students who bravely carried the torch for the Current. Their victory was a blunt message to those chameleon leaders who lately changed their political affiliations and jumped into the rear "Taef Wagon". The students proved that the Lebanese people are civilized, non-sectarian, non-fanatic and strong believers in freedom and democracy. Lebanon will be again an independent proud country as long as its youths are committed to its cause of liberation. A big salute to our students, God bless you! Long Live Free Lebanon. |