 Written By A Lebanese Freedom Fighter In his last weekend editorial in the Beirut daily An-Nahar (previously independent), Ghassan Tueni, the editor-in-chief, took his staunchest pro-Syrian positions ever, and made proclamations that indicated he is either a traitor, or an insane person. It is a sad testament to the power of the Syrian occupation to see a pillar of Lebanese journalism sell his soul to the Syrian barbarians. Ghassan Tueni wrote "First; Lebanon is naturally and organically linked to Syria, and it is a Link more powerful than treaties, and stronger than passing influences, including the Syrian "Presence" in Lebanon.." If Mr. Tueni means the illegal presence of 1 million Syrian workers in the country, the 40,000 Syrian occupation troops, and the Syrian Secret Services who kidnap and torture our people, then he is probably right about the level of linkage, it is called occupation and assimilation. There is nothing natural or organic about occupying a neighboring country after bombarding its towns and villages into oblivion, ransacking its legal government, and arresting and terrorizing its people. That has been the Syrian behavior in Lebanon. That is what history recorded. We say to Mr. Tueni and all collaborators that thanks to "brotherhood treaties" imposed upon Lebanon by the Syrian dictatorship our borders are currently open with Syria. There is no restriction on movement, and if he feels so naturally and organically linked to Syria, then we suggest he moves there. We welcome all collaborators to do the same and become residents of Syria, and we would gladly take back their undeserved Lebanese passports. They can all go to Syria, but they cannot bring Syria to Lebanon. That is called treason by the simplest of definitions. Mr Tueni added: "Lebanon, cannot benefit from any power games, neither tactical nor strategic, between Syria and any enemy/part, and how so when that part is an ally of the common enemy Israel.." Of course Lebanon will benefit when Syria weakens. Any 10 years old child can deduce that. We welcome any power in the world that can contribute towards the destruction or weakening of the Syrian dictatorship. That will only help eradicate the Dark Age from our homeland and liberate Lebanon. Syria is as much an enemy of Lebanon as anyone can be. Who is more dangerous, an adversary that attempts to occupy your land but is willing to make peace, or a Syria that is assassinating your identity, and eliminating your very existence. Syria is the worst enemy. It is practicing the physical annihilation of Lebanon from the map. Syria has no honor Mr Tueni. It rules through fear, and you above all should intimately know that. Syria has reneged on its International promises and refuses to withdraw from Lebanon as required by UN resolution 520, as well as by the Taef accord. Mr Tueni continues: "But what Turkey may want from Lebanon, on the Kurdish front for example, Syria is more capable of delivering it, in the current circumstances, than any Lebanese president who may reach power in conflict with Syria, or be imposed upon Syria." How true! Lebanon is not independent, and has no foreign policy of its own. Through its occupation of Lebanon, Syria has installed anti-Turkey Kurdish training camps on Lebanese soil. Not because it believes in the justice of the Kurdish cause, but to sell that card during its water negotiations with Turkey. The Kurds should wake up and realize that they will be burned by Syria as were the Palestinians and Lebanese before them. Finally, it is none of Syria's business, who the Lebanese elect as their president. We are free to "impose" upon Syria any president we see fit for the job. Ghassan Tueni: "If Israel, and behind it America, seek the Turkish threats to pressure Syria to change its stances towards the peace process, or to weaken its negotiating ability, then it is natural that this would not be to the advantage of Lebanon, to the contrary, it will be at Lebanon's expense.." We ask Mr Tueni; what advantages has the Syrian occupation brought to our country? Wasn't Syria the party who facilitated the armed infiltrations into Lebanon to destabilize its government? Didn't Syria supply men, arms, and munitions to armed groups in Lebanon? Didn't the Syrian army invade Lebanon, topple its legitimate government, and militarily occupy it since 1976? Haven't you read Mr Tueni you the journalist, the US state department reports, Amnesty International Reports, Middle East Watch, UN Commission on Human Rights, GreenPeace, and Solida reports? Why are you ignoring the global evidence of, and the daily Syrian violations of your co-citizen's human rights? Of Course it is in Lebanon's advantage that the Syrian dictatorship is weakened or destroyed. Tueni: "We call for supporting Syria without hesitation or games, and without any reserve. After that, Lebanon must make Syria realize that Lebanon will not be a path that colonialism follows to penetrate Syria.." Why should Lebanon give any guarantee whatsoever to Syria. To the contrary, we are the injured party, we need guarantees from the future Syrian government, to respect our independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and not meddle in our internal affairs. Syria is the aggressor in Lebanon, and it must apologize to the Lebanese for its crimes against humanity it committed in Lebanon. We recognize no obligation towards the Syrian dictatorship. What puzzles us is why hasn't Mr. Tueni supported Syria during decades of his career in free Lebanon prior to the Syrian occupation? He ate, drank, and sold his newspapers in Free Lebanon, and when difficult times came, he praised the arsonist who burned the temple. Tueni: "Then Lebanon will enhance its truthfulness, not only the diplomatic one, but also the patriotic one, if it carries the flame of initiative, as it did in the past, to call Syria, and then Jordan, Iraq, and arriving to Egypt.. To revolt together.." Why? Why should anyone spill their people's blood to help the Syrian dictatorship? And How does he suggest putting together such an interesting coalition? Syria has backstabbed Iraq during the Gulf war. It attacked and occupied Lebanon. It has annihilated the Palestinian resistance in Lebanon. It sabotaged Jordan and financed terrorism in the kingdom. Why should anyone come to Syria's help? Second, Lebanon does not need to prove its truthfulness to any Arab party. We have been a founding member of the Arab League and the most civilized in our Foreign policy. Lebanon has never been the aggressor in any war in its modern history, unlike the Arab regimes who plot and scheme against each others, who sell each other out to colonialism, who use invasion and assassination to achieve their political aims, who rule their people through dictatorships. In 1982, during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Ghassan Tueni was Lebanon's ambassador at the United Nations. I watched Mr Tueni nightly giving interviews to a variety of American news organizations. That is when I found out the true nature of the Chameleon. Mr Tueni was initially adamant about his opposition of the Israeli invasion. When the Israeli troops reached Saida in the South, Mr Tueni shifted his tone towards a neutral ground deploring all violence. With every additional kilometer the Israelis gained during their approach towards Beirut, the Chameleon changed color time and time again. By the end of the invasion, Mr Ghassan Tueni became an enthusiastic supporter of the new regime of President Bachir Gemayel. Today the Chameleon is changing colors again, as will he tomorrow dance on the Syrian graves as soon as the Assad regime collapses. Long Live Lebanon |