 (Translated freely: By Elias Bejjani) It has been a routine practice for every new Lebanese reign, to advocate during its early days in office, for slogans of change and reform. Citizens, accordingly are bombarded with promises and catch-phrases indicating rejection, condemnation and criticism of previous reigns. Mostly out of despair, citizens delude themselves and become hopeful, only to be disappointed, shortly thereafter. What in fact happens, is that every new reign exhibits an apparent, but camouflaged will for a fresh start, to only secure its illegal power. A new quota for distribution of power to followers and lucky appeasers becomes a necessity for selfish, power-hungry rulers without taking into consideration efficiency, experience, education or honesty. Such sick mentality and practices increase corruption, nepotism, and favoritism. It puts the state coffer under exhausting burdens of unnecessary expenditure, and deprives the regime of the needed capable public servants. Administrative reform, is a beautiful dream, and it would be great, if all the Lebanese could join forces to make it a reality, and solidify its basis. At the same time, reform turns into a cheap slogan when misinterpreted and abused for political and individual aims. The dream is usually killed, when reform is manipulated and aimed to keep people distracted and preoccupied with names or affiliation of officials changed, appointed or fired. It becomes a disaster when the reign divides the people into categories of those scared, those who benefited and those who are mistreated. The process of an actual administrative reform is a well-balanced procedure, and a complete package, based on science and experience. It needs full transparency and fairness in its implementation. It requires both practical and executive measures to make it work and yield effectively. Practical measures needed: 1- The rule of thumb, is the scientific and wise recognition of the wrongdoing without political abuse or manipulation. The aim of reform is to pinpoint weaknesses and correct them as deemed necessary. 2- abandoning all measures that built and led to the wrongdoing or deficiency. 3- abandoning all venues and twisted manipulations of nepotism, favoritism, personal interests and collaboration. Effective administrative reform needs to be implemented in accordance with fair criteria of efficiency, aptitude, education, honesty and patriotism. 4- The authority must play a neutral role and deal with all the Lebanese equally. It must utilize its potentials and power to get all the people together in a process of authentic reconciliation. Officials and public employees should be neutral, and not a part in any political or denominational conflict All the above factors, in addition to many others, are vital for the success of the administrative process. All means, potentials and circumstances must be utilized to fully secure all services needed by the citizens. Citizens must be served decently by capable and efficient public servants, and by organized governmental institutions, without forcing them to be partners in the bureaucratic corruption in a bid to obtain needed services. Executive measures needed: 1- Modernizing governmental administration to render it capable of coping with modern administrative revolution is an important factor for success. All governmental services must be made simple, clear, objective and not time consuming. Services must be available to all citizens, without discrimination, bribing or need for illegal mediation. 2- Reallocating and reassigning of responsibilities in accordance to citizens needs. The public interest must be safeguarded without any political, denominational, feudal or favoritism influences. 3- Abiding by the repent and punishment principle, as a deterrent measure. This principle is an ongoing fair practice that requires no new laws, sophisticated legislative measures, or reform projects with each new reign. Good, productive, efficient employees are rewarded and corrupted ones disciplined. Seniority must be respected, and each Director must be given the right to discipline his subordinates. Currently we are afraid for, and of the administrative reform process, taking place in Lebanon under the new-old regime. We are afraid of politicizing the process and of the role of politicians in this regard. We are afraid of the proportional criteria through which discrimination could be inflicted. We are afraid the authority might lose its neutrality, and jeopardize its presumed fair and righteous role. We are afraid the process will supercede the boundaries of the law in which the government will hire, fire or put employees at its disposal. We are afraid in doing so; the government will be confiscating the judiciary's role. We are afraid the authority will assume the role of a custodian for corrupted employees. We are afraid by putting them at its disposal; they will be rendered idle, while still on the government's payroll, and a burden on the public coffer. We are afraid the authority might lose its insight, and instead of disciplining the corrupted public servants and correct their wrongdoing, it will retaliate against the ordinary citizens. We are afraid the authority will target the isolated and the weak non-supported employees with its punitive measures, while pardoning the supported and influential ones. The Lebanese will is unanimous for the administrative reforms, but unfortunately its implementing concept has always been misused. The Administrative reform practiced currently in Lebanon is apparently based on promises and slogans. We wish these slogans and promises would be made a tangible reality. Lon Live Free Lebanon France, February 5/1999 |