Saturday, October 14, 2006

Assad I, Bush I, Iraq I, Assad II, Bush II, Iraq II and Lebanon



The picture above depicts what happened when Assad I appeased Bush I during Iraq I. Syrian soldiers dancing over what was later (last year) discovered to be a mass grave of Lebanese soldiers in Yarze.

This scene would've been reproduced in March 2005 in Martyrs' Square had Assad II done what Bush II wanted him to do in his Iraq II Project for spreading freedom, democracy, moderation, subserviency in the Middle East.

Fortunately for us, Assad II's defiance was in the Lebanese people's advantage as we got rid of, to some extent, brotherly bullying. Of course nothing is for free. The price we had to pay was a period of instability that is far from over.

Back to October 13th, 1990, I lived in Chtaura in the Bekaa which isn't exactly the commercial air traffic capital in the world. The only air traffic I witnessed growing up was that of Israeli fighter jets taking care of building code violations in the area by leveling buildings on their occupants. The morning of that day was exceptional as the fighter jets in the air were different. They sounded as if they had a broken exhaust pipe and they were coming from the East. Minutes later they returned and the battle was over. Syria was awarded a full control lease of Lebanon as a return favor for their full support of Iraq I, a lease deal that was up for renewal in 2005.

On a positive note, the events of that day meant I could now go ski in Faraya and watch Theatre du 10 Heurs at Portemilio Kaslik, two things high on my priorities' list as a young teenager. I wonder how much would my Pierre Chamassian autograph fetch on Ebay.

This weekend the Aounists commemorate that day, a day the whole world abandoned them as they stood all alone facing the Syrian occupation. Of course, you wouldn't get that impression if you see Al Mustaqbal's main headline today, but again they have an insatiable orange fetish.

In this occasion, I want to give some due credit to the Aounists. They have proven over the years to be the most "Lebanese" major political party in Lebanon. In a country where most major players draw strength from external sources to enhance their local presence (some have actually openly and shamelessly called themselves "tools"), the Aounists have patiently and painfully built a solid movement on the strength of a Lebanese base. While I don't support Aoun for president (though he will be), the example the Free Patriotic Movement has set can be a model for other "Lebanese" parties to follow. If the orange crew could overcome the hardships of the past 16 years to stand today as one of the Top 3 political parties in the country, then there is hope for some party with a better vision for Lebanon to follow the same path and succeed without embassy shortcuts or seesawing principles.

Now who's got the energy and commitment to go for it?

*Photo Source: Al Akhbar

14 comments:

Hilal CHOUMAN said...

I agree jamal.

you should have posted the quotes of the politicians on that day ;)

Ana Min Beirut - أنا من بيروت said...

like "zala al Kabouss" by a prominent religious figure who shall remain nameless!!! but not for long ....

Angry Anarchist said...

Heh.. I don't remember that day. I do, however, remember that most of the people in our neighbourhood, which suffered for a long time under the terrorizing presence of the LF gangs, unanimously supported Aoun's "liberation" movement. It's a shame the way things happened. I cannot even begin to think how much different things would've been had the timing been more suitable.

What is "Occupation" said...

jamal: The picture above depicts what happened when Assad I appeased Bush I during Iraq I. Syrian soldiers dancing over what was later (last year) discovered to be a mass grave of Lebanese soldiers in Yarze.

bush 1 during Iraq 1:

So Syria sending 16,000 troops to iraq appeased Bush1?

Since Syrua had hosted Abu Nidal in Damascus? (Under Reagan Admin - Bush 1 was VP) How was that appeasing?

Please explain, dont get defensive, just trying to figure out your POV.

How was it “APPEASING”

As for your Yarze reference to the 12 Lebanese Soldiers bodies found.

http://www.libnen.com/2005/11/12_bodies_uncov.html

I am trying to figure out how the arab murder of 12 arab christian lebanese trying to free lebanon from assad was appeasing to bush 1. Yes Arab murder of other Arabs to control Arab lands is not new, so why is it somehow America’s fault that Arabs would kill one another to control one another?

Let’s look at this from another pov.

Christian arabs have been driven out of most arab islamic lands, why should lebanon be different?

Is this what bush 1 really want? Or is this what is actually happening from Egypt to Gaza to Arabia to Lebanon.

Appeasing is what we are doing with iran now. Appeasing is what we do when we allow hezbollah and hamas to tout “democracy” and use a GUN to enforce it. Jamal, maybe there is a BETTER word to use. How about “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”, yeah that’s the ticket... screw morals or real values, but let’s arm iraq to fight iran.

As for this comment:

This scene would've been reproduced in March 2005 in Martyrs' Square had Assad II done what Bush II wanted him to do in his Iraq II Project for (spreading freedom, democracy, moderation)-deleted, subserviency in the Middle East.

The plan for bush2 for syria was not being in lebanon, maybe you missed that ONLY the USA passed laws (syrian accountablity act) to PUSH syria OUT of lebanon, where were your brother countries of the arab league? what did the OIC do or say to support Lebanon? What did Iran do or say to HELP lebanon? Where were the Palestinians? Where were the Europeans, the Chinese or the Russians?

Nope America did more to PUSH syria OUT of Lebanon than any other country.

So to infer that America “allowed” syria to “keep lebanon” as a prize for gulf war 1 is fasle.

Maybe America waits for the Arab world to learn to build not murder as policy.

Hilal CHOUMAN said...

هيدا الغبي اللي فوقي بدو يفسدلنا متعة كل بوست
بالتعليقات السبامية تبعيتو

Kodder said...

7a ya 7mari 7a, saba2ook el 7ameer.
hayda lal miz3ej.

as for your post jamal, great post as usual.

Hashem said...

Jamal-
I don't think now will be different from yesterday....and somehow a compromise will be reached where Lebanon will be sacrified, this time to different side....
Aoun for presidency? why not....he seems the only sane person in Lebanon politics now....I just hope his insanity wouldn't start when he's "back" in B3abda.

Maya@NYC said...

Thank you. for the post, for the insight, for the fairness, for the hope, and of course, for the sarcasm.:)
wonderful post.

Anonymous said...

then there is hope for some party with a better vision for Lebanon to follow the same path and succeed without embassy shortcuts or seesawing principles.

Now who's got the energy and commitment to go for it?


Man! You do ask difficult and embarassing questions!

Do you know where we can get some real shilsh el zalou3?

Kodder said...

Bashir, why do you need it? I can give you some of my blood and you will never need it :P.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Jamal, great post. You have seen through our eyes. They made a mistake by standing with the whole world against us 16 years ago. And now, the same mistake all over again. Its sad but at least the mask has fallen.

Anonymous said...

kodder:
you are very generous!
your blood, man, Ramadan is karim!!
Thanks a lot.

but i am sure u know what i meant
:-)

Kodder said...

hehe yeah I know :P

inmotion said...

jamal .. sho sheghlak?

wainak?