Why a peaceful resistance?

By: Elias Bejjani
LCCC Media Chairman
8/12/02
Every now and then, Lebanon's sovereignists and their leaders are
challenged with this question: "Why don't you resort to armed means
to force Syria out of Lebanon?  Why don't you learn from Hizballah's
successful experience in South Lebanon and take this strategy as a
lesson and example?"   These questions generally come from Lebanese
groups, individuals, politicians and clergymen who are blindly
advocating for Syria to remain in Lebanon.  These people are "made in
Syria" politically, financially and socially. They are what they are,
and where they are, because of the imposed status quo of occupation
by Syria and what it did to our beloved country.

The real intentions behind such a question are not authentic, but
sarcastic, irritating and instigative.  The same folks continue by
saying: "Where were you, when we were fighting Israel in South
Lebanon, offering blood and sacrifices"?   The sovereignists are
frequently also faced by another question from those who have lost
hope and became a burden on the nation's resistance: "There is no
hope; mere talk leads nowhere; the conflict is much bigger than our
capabilities; let us accept the current status quo; live and let
others do the same". 

Those who have lost hope come from all walks of life and from all of
Lebanon's 19 different communities.  They share an apparent
inclination to avoid confrontation or take any kind of national
responsibility.  The sovereignists who have vowed to continue the
struggle peacefully for independence, freedom, sovereignty and free-
decision making are proclaiming loudly and emphatically: "We invest
in solid patriotic stances and convictions derived from knowledge,
human rights, faith and hope".  The use of guns is not our option at
the present time, although we have proved without a doubt that we can
use guns very well when the need arises!  Our brave and fierce
fighters have made triumphant history in every armed battle they were
engaged in: Souk Al-Gharb, Fiyyadieh, Araya, Kahhale, Zahle, Aswak,
Chekka, Beirut... 

Those who ridicule our current peaceful option should take note that
we will not hesitate to resort to guns at any time when all other
options have been exhausted.  The sovereignists willingly chose non-
violent resistance after 1990 based on an accurate and objective
evaluation of all available data regarding local, regional and
international influences, as well taboos and  special interests. 
Sovereignists are well aware of the ongoing regional, international
and Israeli sponsorship of the Syrian occupation since 1976.

The presence of the Syrian army in Lebanon did not come as a result
of its mighty power or military technology, or because it was
victorious against the Lebanese or their army.   Its  presence was
and still is governed by an Israeli-Syrian agreement with full
American and Arab support.  Accordingly, the Syrian Army withdrawal
has to be addressed and approached through the powers that made this
decision in 1976 over Lebanon's independence.  Since then, Lebanon's
free decision-making process has been marginalized, and so have its
independence, freedoms, and democracy.

The non-violent, civilized, resistance strategy derives its strength
from the people's faith in themselves and in each other and on the
founding pillars of Lebanon.  It is a strategy that fights the
enslavement principle and advocates freedom and liberty.  
Sovereignists are a role model in combining patriotic conduct and
ethical morals through their holy struggle.  Lebanon's university
students are these living role models; they have proved through their
peaceful struggle that no power on earth can make the Lebanese kneel
and accept oppression or occupation.  Resistance is not achieved only
through military means, but also through peaceful means that could be
more powerful and effective than guns and canons.

Like saints, Lebanon's sovereignists practice what they preach.  They
advocate a peaceful, civilized, patriotic resistance.  Their
attitudes in approaching their holy cause is based on the principles
of the Universal Human Rights Charter that forbids occupation,
persecution, intolerance, fanaticism and barbaric conduct such as
practiced by the Syrian regime.  They constantly combine their
patriotic convictions with righteous performance and attitudes. 
Their main objectives are the liberation of occupied Lebanon and to
spread faith, perseverance, forgiveness and coexistence amongst the
Lebanese people.

Sovereignists solidly believe that Lebanese faith and prayer should
be translated into practical loyalty and advocacy of a united, free,
sovereign, multi-cultural, democratic Lebanon.

Lebanon, the great nation in its deeply-rooted history, rich culture,
and distinct identity.  Lebanon, the message of peace and coexistence
as declared by His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

The tragic status quo that has been imposed on Lebanon has divided
the Lebanese into four groups:

1- A minority whose faith and dignity are questionable. They have
accepted a subservient role and work like slaves to appease the
occupier.

2- Those who lost confidence in themselves and in others. They have
abandoned their national responsibilities under the false pretext of
not being involved in politics. They rationalize their betrayal
attitudes through holding Lebanon's political parties and leaders
responsible for the current status quo.

3- A group of opportunists advocating the acceptance of the status
quo without any sort of resistance. Their declared strategy is the
full involvement in the dynamics of the current imposed regime and
then endeavor to change it from inside. This policy of camouflaged
cowardice has proven to be a complete failure for the last 12 years.

4- The majority of the Lebanese have refused slavery and
subservience. They have chosen to say no loudly and courageously to
the occupier and to its local puppets. They have vowed to peacefully
resist no matter what the sacrifices are. Their weapons are: a solid
faith, a perseverance of iron, and unshakable patriotic convictions.

We remind those who allege that words do not lead anywhere that
Christianity itself was erected on preaching the word of God.  Jesus,
the Son of God, the Word, became a man to save the world!

The Lebanese people have never, throughout their 7,000 years of
history, never accepted subjugation to any occupier or foreign power,
and will continue to do so.  Let there be no doubt that the fate of
the current occupier is not going to be any different from those who
were forced to leave Lebanon with humiliation.

We remind those Lebanese in the Diaspora and inside occupied Lebanon
who have lost hope and abandoned their country's holy cause of
liberation that:

- If the black slaves had accepted the status quo of slavery, they
would be still living in chains and shackles.
- If General De Gaulle had accepted the German occupation imposed by
Hitler, France would not have been liberated.
- If Nelson Mandela had accepted the status quo of his imprisonment
and Apartheid, South Africa would not have became the multi-ethnic
and democractic country that it is today.
- If East Timor's unarmed, impoverished, courageous people had
accepted the humiliating Indonesian hegemony, their country would
have never ever known freedom and dignity.

Sovereignists sanctify multi-culturalism, pluralism, coexistence,
freedom and democracy.   They are open to others, accept others as
they are, and expect the same in return.   Sovereignists strongly
believe in dialogue as a means of solving differences as well as
conflicts, and instigate no animosity, but call for forgiveness and
peace.

Long Live Free Lebanon!