Jumblatt joins chorus against Syrian presence

Zeina Abu Rizk
Daily Star staff

Druze leader Walid Jumblatt stunned Parliament on Friday with an uncompromising demand for a redeployment of Syrian forces in Lebanon and a call for a general reappraisal of ties between the two countries.
A day after Metn MP Albert Mokheiber called for a Syrian troop withdrawal from Lebanon, Jumblatt tackled the issue head on. He hammered the new Cabinet’s policy statement for failing to explain why Syria’s continued military presence in Lebanon is considered “necessary”.
Despite his alliance with Premier Rafik Hariri, and the participation in the government of three of his allies (Ghazi Aridi, Marwan Hamade and Fouad Saad), Jumblatt’s assessment of the policy statement was severe. The Chouf MP appeared more preoccupied with safeguarding his image as a leader, and a new ally to the Christian community, raising delicate issues at the root of long-standing feelings of frustration among Christians.
In reference to the redeployment of Syrian troops to the Bekaa stipulated by the Taif Accord, Jumblatt asked why “the policy failed to mention the need to implement, amend or explain the Taif Accord, at least the military part of it.”
Although “I understand Syria’s strategic considerations which necessitate the presence of Syrian troops” in specific areas, he said, “I do not understand Syrian internal interferences in Lebanese affairs in matters which are not connected with the needs of national security. I call on the Syrian leadership to reconsider its presence in other aspects that have nothing to do with these considerations.”
While acknowledging Syria’s need “to preserve its national security in Lebanon,” Jumblatt refuted “partial, secondary or side-interventions” that have nothing to do with this security.
He suggested restricting Lebanese-Syrian security relations to a “trustworthy Lebanese apparatus headed by a reliable political authority” trusted by both sides.
He insisted that the Lebanese have the right to freely express their opinions, “to discuss, refuse and demonstrate against” any proposal or policy they do not agree on, without being arrested. The MP was clearly referring to the alleged wave of arrests last week against supporters of the former head of the disbanded Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, and the former army commander, General Michel Aoun.
Since former President Amin Gemayel’s return to Lebanon, supporters of the two Christian leaders have called for Geagea’s release and for Aoun’s return.
“It’s the government’s responsibility to respect freedom of opinion,” Jumblatt said, “even if it is in contradiction with its policy, and to facilitate dialogue.”
He said the words used in the policy statement to describe Syria’s presence were contradictory and ambiguous. If the presence is “necessary,” he argued, the statement should specify why; if it is “legitimate,” it contradicts the Taif Accord; and if it is “temporary,” the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, is right to call for a withdrawal of Syrian troops.
His criticism also extended to other issues. He accused the Cabinet of adopting a “hesitant, ambiguous and lecturing style,” on dialogue, freedom of expression, and national reconciliation.
The statement said solutions to the various problems should be the result of national consensus. But, Jumblatt noted, “freedom of opinion is sacred” and cannot be suppressed in the name of national reconciliation.
Jumblatt, known for his animosity toward the military and security apparatuses, accused them of overspending, calling for “an objective study of expenditures in these institutions.”
He said the army’s mission has become one of “maintaining internal security,” which is an “expensive choice.”
“When the army is asked to deploy in the South, I don’t believe we’ll need a large number of soldiers, since the mission will also be one of internal security,” added Jumblatt. He also called for abolishing military service because young people may need to work instead because of the recession.
The MP also accused security services of “propagating corruption, as proven by the recent elections experience,” and of carrying out arbitrary arrests.
He called for splitting the Interior Ministry from Municipalities, “now that the Interior portfolio has become a family (property),” and to avoid municipalities also becoming “private” property. He was referring to the appointment of Elias Murr as interior minister, replacing his father, Michel Murr. Jumblatt also insisted on the need for a “broad decentralization law.”
Kesrouan MP Naamtallah Abi Nasr also questioned the government’s true intentions on such issues as the implementation of laws and the Constitution, and the question of settling Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
Abi Nasr also focused on the recent alleged arrests, which he said contradicted the law and the Constitution.
“How can the policy statement stress the need to see law prevail and citizens protected,” he asked, “when dozens of young people were unlawfully arrested because of their political allegiance? What is the use of organizing judicial authority in a state of laws before securing the judiciary’s independence from the executive authority?”
On refugees, Abi Nasr complained that Hariri already “gave Lebanese nationality to a large portion of Palestinians in Lebanon, in spite of the Constitution and Lebanese law.” He was referring to the naturalization decree issued in 1994, when Hariri was premier.
“How can we trust that your government will not succumb to the temptations of donor countries, and behind them those of Israel, and resort to settlement again?” the MP asked.
As expected, Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad was also critical of the policy statement. The 12 members of Hizbullah’s parliamentary bloc are expected to withhold confidence in the incoming government.
Raad said the statement’s reference to the resistance was “deceptive” as it failed “to make any clear commitment to it.” He called for consolidating ties with Syria and asked Parliament to issue a recommendation supporting the Palestinian intifada.
With several other MPs still wishing to speak and the government then responding, the vote of confidence is not expected until next week.

DS 04/11/00