An unholy war

The Lebanese public's right to information has long been abdicated. Yesterday's clashes, though blamed by March 14th on the "opposition"—have not been assigned any perpetrators by the authorities on the ground. Similarly, the assassination of Wissam Eid is now focused on determining whether it's part of previous attacks, as opposed to naming suspects.

Many of us have their own suspects. It doesn't take a genius to point the finger at Syrian intelligence—the motives are there, and the methods too predictable. Yet despite all this obviousness, we ultimately sink in confusion because no one is willing to present an official account of what happened, and who did it. It's always swept under the rug of "investigation". Killers roam free and kill again while being "under investigation".  And the argument against Syrian culpability weakens, because not even the official authorities are able to point the finger.

Needless to say, we are tired of it all. If this is war, then could someone involve the dying public in the details of the fight? This public cannot subsist on the same old indirect accusations. Instead of declaring a day of mourning, how about a day of truth?  How about teaching the interior minister how to speak? How about the army commander, instead of phoning the dictator next door, be asked to report to the defense minister and to the public? Is the enemy so powerful that we are afraid to at least give it the media treatment we have given Israelis when they were doing the killing?

I was not surprised to see the unwillingness to keep the public informed spread to the latest Arab FMs meeting. We got An-Nahar today saying the FMs could not agree on an interpretation of their own text. The result of yesterday's meeting, officially, reeked of ambiguity. There might have been threats behind closed doors, but this doesn't matter to me and to the average person on the street who still turns to conspiracy theories. Better be publicly ambiguous than confrontational, seems to be the Arab motto. Arabs have long lost their swords and balls. When courage dictates that you excise one of your own, cowardice and ambiguity become the currency of the day.

It was disappointing, however, to see this plague of ambiguity spread to the UN and the Hariri investigation. Here it is in the words of former commissioner, Detlev Mehlis:

The German prosecutor also criticized Brammertz for wasting valuable time in reopening analysis of the crime scene because the commission ended up confirming Mehlis' conclusion that Hariri had been killed by an above-ground explosion.

"We needed two years of investigative endeavor to discover this?" Mehlis wondered.

About the Belgian prosecutors' secrecy in conducting the inquiry, Mehlis said: "The Lebanese public has to be informed, even if there are setbacks in the investigation. In a democracy people have the right to know, particularly when a prime minister was murdered and people don't trust the authorities."

If the Siniora government wants to earn the trust of people from all sides, then transparency must be put on the agenda. There is no shame in admitting mistakes or failure. But there is shame in accepting causalities as a "price" for a war that the public was never asked to prepare for.

What are we afraid of exactly? Someone in Lebanon forming a resistance movement against Syrian-sponsored transgression? Someone turning this into a war between equals, by striking targets within Syria? 

Why can’t this war be holy?

Comments

[Fawzan]

Yeslam timmak!
Now if we can get Khaddam and his group to get off their asses and get started, we may be able to get somewhere.

[Ali]

Lebanon will not rest until the bombs start going off in Damascus. Where are the US and France when we need them!

Hafez knew that the only way to keep Syria stable after his coup d'etat was by keeping Lebanon on the brink of some kind of wicked event.

[Bad Vilbel]

Here here, AK. I've long ago given up on the Arab world (Lebanon included). There seems to be some sort of genetic predisposition against truth, democracy, and accountability. No one seems to realize the very basic tenets of all of the above, as you so rightly pointed out. It's one thing for the dictators and despots to obfuscate and hide the truth, but THE PEOPLE themselves seem far too forgiving on that matter. We seem far more interested in conspiracy theories and soap operas then we are in asking our "leaders" for some accounting.

And here's some irony for you, courtesy of Hizballah: "Hizbullah Blames Government for Unrest, Urges Army to Expose 'Criminal Side'" (Naharnet headline).

Anyone else finds this amusing (in a sad pathetic way) to the 8th degree?

What a f***ing joke this all is. Makes me glad every day that I don't live in Lebanon, and have no intention of going back. They can all rot in hell for all I care. (With apologies to those of you who still live there).

[boo]

sad but true

[Andre]

Advocating an all out war on Syria is foolish and naive at best. Does anyone believe that we can actually organize a campaign of destabilization in Syria without their intelligence knowing about it? They will probably have had knowledge way before any plan is hatched and will crush anyone involved. We are amateurs when it comes to this kind of stuff
as we are not experienced in the field and our own operations are infiltrated,besides,it won't do us any good since it will only give them a legitimate excuse to intervene militarily. I know everyone is angry and desperate, but this solution is irrational and does not serve the country's interest. I would favor a return to the powerful and peaceful "cedar revolution" that forced the syrians to depart the country. We need to get back to that movement again and this time force changes from within...it can be done but it needs strong and bold leadership.

BV,
pls be careful with your remarks, many of us that live abroad, still have relatives in Lebanon and worry about them constantly and as such we do not need these inflamatory statements. I know that you're frustrated as anyone on here, but there are innocent people for the most part caught up in this madness and begging for peace, they wish they could get away too.

[Bad Vilbel]

Andre,

My parents live in Lebanon. You know exactly where my comments are coming from (frustration and a sense of hopelessness). Just let me vent. I'm not hurting anyone.

[Solomon2]

"Does anyone believe that we can actually organize a campaign of destabilization in Syria without their intelligence knowing about it?"

There are alternatives. Israelis raid, Americans invade, Russians conquer. Marching Lebanese troops into Syria, liberating a few towns, and letting the locals hang Asad's servitors would certainly be noticed. I wonder if that would help precipitate the Asad regime's collapse? If so, would an Iranian-dominated faction dare to take over once the populace committed itself to liberation?

[Bad Vilbel]

Solomon,

You're living in a fantasy world.

[marillionlb]

“Lebanon will not rest until…”, I would say until:
1) The Palestinians return to their homeland, and those who stay as REFUGEES are not allowed to bare arms.
2) The regime in Syria is toppled and replaced by any other form of government (even another dictatorship) which recognizes the independence of Lebanon and its borders.
3) The disarmament of Hizbollah (actually this should be number one).
4) A fair and equitable peace treaty is concluded with Israel.
5) True democracy is installed in Lebanon (whereby majority rules).
6) Re-educating the Lebanese people (and that is the hardest task of them all).
7) Revamping of the judicial system.
8) Secular state.
9) Creation of independent bodies (watchdogs) to monitor and hold accountable all public figures.
And many more…..
Enough pussy footing and finger pointing. I refuse to believe that all those (any of those would be a better word) who demonstrated were nothing but mere people objecting to power failure and harsh living conditions. While in hospital being interviewed, one of the injured (who had to be reminded by his friend when asked) claimed that he was their peacefully demonstrating against the price of a loaf of bread; but brandished a brand new cell phone that saved his life. How come today all those who fell in the riots were buried under either Amal or Hizbollah” flags?
Andre, This is not inflammatory, this is the truth and it is time we face it. I have returned back home with my son after having lived a while in peace abroad. I stand by my beliefs and my love for my country. The Cedar Revolution was sold out by M14, but I haven’t sold out yet, and never will. I feel the hardship of living in Lebanon and worrying about my son’s future much more than those who demonstrate and let their sons roam the streets at night acting like bandits. I feel it, and it affects me much more than it affects them (I do not have the Hizb to pay my bills. I pay my own). I claim my land, my Lebanon, free of those turban and sandal wearing traitors. I never believed in the Arab world, but unlike BV I haven’t given up on Lebanon (yet).

[Solomon2]

Let it not be said that the Lebanese experiment failed due to a paucity of ideas, rather than a lack of gumption.

[Bad Vilbel]

For the record, I have not given up on Lebanon, the idea, the country, my homeland. I have, however, given up on the the Lebanese people. They have shown time and again being nothing more than shortsighted imbeciles, lead around like sheep by every idiotic slogan and "cause".

I know I ruffle feathers when I say this stuff. And you must all realize that i don't think EVERY SINGLE Lebanee is an idiot. But the Lebanese people, in general....yeah, nothing to see here. Darwinism at its best.

[Andre]

marillonlb,

I understand and sympathize with you...we're all in the same boat. But you should not feel that the rights of the lebanese people to reclaim their country belongs to anyone but the common lebanese citizens themselves who aspire for freedom and the right to pursue their dreams based on equality and respect of the law. This concept is shared by the thousands that rose in 2005 to demand it! These are the people that need to take back their stand once more and call for changes...it is them that allowed M14 to come to power not the other way around.

[marillionlb]

Andre,
Point me towards the Lebanese you are taking about. I was amongst those who took to the streets along with my son when the Cedar Revolution was still alive, where are they now? still waiting for M14 leaders to give them orders to move? or waiting for another Kassir or Tueni to be killed?
Lebanon is for those who have the guts to go to its rescue and claim back its dignity. When that day will come, every other so called Lebanese would have revoked many of his rights as a citizen. Yes to each his dream, but not at the expens of independence and freedom. What if my dream was to have Lebanon declared a new American State? When we talk of freedom we have to be careful of those who's concept of freedom is imposing their righteous way.

[Andre]

marillonlb,

I agree with what you are saying, I am just pointing out that it is not for M14 or anyone else to claim the 2005 movement. These were patriots like you, your son and countless others who demonstrated for their rights to live in a free and prosperous country...this is non negotiable and no one can "sell it out" especially not egocentric politicians from M14 or anyone else. That is why the movement must reclaim its rights independently from any party and push forward for changes internally. It does take courage and determination to do so, b/c the price of true independance is always paved with sacrifices, and all of us who aspire for the same things on these sites should be willing to share in that feat.

[Bassam]

So many pathetic comments that do not relate to reality nor to any kind of common sense. What some of you have to understand is that your problems start with you, with your foolish assumption that those leaders of yours are only looking to serve the best of your interest; to promote democracy, freedom and enhance the living conditions of all Lebanese. Perhaps the Syrian regime is contributing to your misery but you have to differentiate between the people and the rulers. You can hate the regime, blame it or do whatever you think you can to target it, but should you direct your hatred towards the Syrian people you will be losing a lot. What’s most ironic about the assassination of Hariri, whom I hold the utmost respect for, is that the people who continuously trashed him and tarnished his reputation were the ones who walked in his funeral… in summary the ruling class in Lebanon is no better than that of Syria, yet only the average citizens of both countries end up paying the price for all the foolishness.

[marillionlb]

Andre,
What the Cedar Revolution needs, is for its people to organize away from those politicians who took it to a complete halt.
Any suggestions are welcome!