 (Translated freely: By Elias Bejjani) Some opportunists claim to be affiliated with the Lebanese media, while in fact they are mere mercenary journalists with no conscience or morals. These parasites advocate deviously for TV and Radio shows that are falsely tagged as political. In these shows, which are mainly aired through TV stations, the mercenary journalists endeavor to pretend that they believe in the principle of dialogue and freedom of expression. They try to deceive the viewers into believing people in Lebanon enjoy life entirely in a democratic, civilized, free and advanced system. They also try to convince the viewers that Lebanon currently is ahead of the rest of the world, and that its democracy is ideal, its freedom a reality and its future shall be prosperous. They promote for a TV show tailored to answer citizens' inquiries and questions. They claim to be fair with the participants in the show, following in the steps of the puppet system they represent! The TV dialogue this time took place on the Jazera Qatari satellite TV Station. It was between Mr. John Obbied, an MP and Minister under the Syrian occupation, and Mr. Antoine Raad, a patriotic journalist. Mr. Obbied defended the puppet Syrian installed regime blindly and advocated in a disgusting manner the Syrian occupation of his own country. He portrayed the regime as an ideal one and bragged about its illusionary achievements. On the other hand, Mr. Antoine Raad, a patriotic journalist, who lives in London, spoke his conscience and called for a free Lebanon, both independent and sovereign. The host of the show was taken by surprise because he expected Mr. Raad to have nothing to say. He imagined that the opposition that Raad represents has failed and should be thankful just for being given the opportunity to be on his show. The host was very nervous in being faced with what he was not expecting. Yes, he was courageous enough to prepare the programme, put the questions and envisage the answers. But he never thought his guest, Mr. Raad, was a well informed courageous patriotic. He ignored the fact that Mr. Raad is a journalist who knew no deception, never compromised on a righteous cause, and is not accustomed to back off from a just principle. The host was confused and lost his stability because every time he stared in Mr. Raad's face, he saw General Aoun's image, and every time Mr. Raad spoke he heard General Aoun's voice...He was haunted by Aoun's ghost. The host was completely lost and could not face what appeared to be a disaster and an unexpected setback. He abandoned his role as a host who should be neutral and joined Mr. Obbied in attacking Mr. Raad and defending the Syrian occupation for Lebanon. He lost his balance completely and did his best to muffle Mr. Raad and block what he had to say. His hostile body language revealed his fear, anxiety, cowardiness and impartiality. He practically begged Mr. Raad to stop talking many times because he did not want to hear or know the truth. He was trying to avoid being questioned later on by his masters. Mr. Obbied who was presumably presenting the Lebanese government, abandoned his role and assumed an advocacy role on behalf of the Syrians. He preached for Damascus's assumed foresight, logic, capabilities and achievements in Lebanon. He thanked the Syrian regime many times for its efforts in Lebanon and for its wise appointment of the Lebanese president and the government. He also thanked the Syrians for their agreement to occupy Lebanon and help the Lebanese face the hardships surrounding them. Mr. Obbied made the Syrians heroes and savers and portrayed his own people as responsible for the Lebanese crisis. He even blamed the Lebanese people for wasting the Syrian's time and forcing them to get involved in internal Lebanese affairs. Mr. Obbied tried to advocate that: The billions of dollars the Syrians are generating illegally from Lebanon are time consuming and are exhausting their efforts; The hypocritic laws the Syrians tailor and impose on the Lebanese need too many studies and a great deal of thinking; Politics imposed by Syria on its Lebanese puppet officials and political collaborators makes it accountable and creates hostilities. Mr. Obbied declined intentionally to speak about the Lebanese regime's achievements, apparently they do not concern him as much as the Syrian blessings. For people like Mr. Obbied justification in front of ignorant people is an act that could be handled, while doing so in front of a dictatorship regime is extremely costly and very difficult to bear its consequences. Mr. Raad, on the other hand, who represented the authentic opposition, was honest genuine and very clear in every word he uttered. He bluntly said what should be said, he spoke the truth and nothing but the truth. He was very open in his concept of the problem and very precise in its causes and solutions. He spoke with no fear, no inferiority, and no feelings of guilt or collaboration. He was friendly and humble in his attitudes, and advocated with self-confidence and knowledge for coordination, equality and closeness among all the Lebanese, as well as with Syria, but from a stance of respect, free decision making, independence, mutual respect, sovereignty and equality. The ignorants refused to listen, the truth scared them as well as the solutions proposed on behalf of the opposition represented by Mr. Raad. With these collaborators Lebanon is going down hill, and the future of the country with them is going definably to catastrophic. They are exactly like chameleons; they change their colors to match those of their masters. They were and shall remain a symbol for ignorance, collaboration and failure. Long Live Free Lebanon France. April 2/1999 N.B: This above article was based on the contents of a TV interview conducted by the Qatari Al-Jazera Satellite Station and aired last week. The guests were MP and Minister under the Syrian occupation, Mr. John Obbied and Journalist Antoine Raad who lives in London. Mr. Obbied defended the Syrian occupation of Lebanon. While Mr. Raad spoke as a patriotic who wants all foreign troops outside of Lebanon |