MARONITE BISHOPS CRITICIZE HIZBALLAH; HINT THAT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 002882 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ELA AND L NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/SINGH/HARDING E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV LE SUBJECT: MARONITE BISHOPS CRITICIZE HIZBALLAH; HINT THAT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WILL BE CONTESTED Summary -------------- ¶1. Under the leadership of Patriarch Sfeir, the Maronite Bishops' League convened their monthly meeting September 6 and issued a subtly-worded statement addressing the current socio-political situation. Without mentioning him by name, the Bishops criticized President Lahoud, claiming that the Christians have been marginalized because of the "absence" of the Presidency. They hinted that the next Presidential Elections should be earlier than the November 2007 schedule and contested, indirectly implying that presumed candidate Michel Aoun would not get an automatic pass from his religious constituency. The statement further alleges that Hizballah broke the Taif Agreement when it kept its weapons following the 2000 liberation of South Lebanon, and stresses building a strong state that is the only guarantor for all citizens. End Summary. National Problems -------------- ¶2. The statement addressed four national problems Lebanon is witnessing currently: absence of national involvement, individual selfishness, partisan selfishness, and decision making exclusivity. The absence of national involvement is demonstrated in the division among the different parties in Lebanon, each claiming that it is looking after the interest of Lebanon, while in reality it is looking after its own interest. "This is a disease that must be eliminated." Symptoms of this disease are apparent in the highest levels of authority. Because of the absence of the President, the Presidency -- a Maronite preserve -- will eventually lose its effectiveness and prestige. ¶3. In addition to individual selfishness, the statement addresses partisan selfishness too. Instead of cooperating with each other to build and reinforce the state, heads of various parties fight to employ their partisans in different government institutions, regardless of their qualifications, in order to gain loyalty and allegiance. Presidential Politics and Elections -------------- ¶4. The Bishops hinted for an early, and contested, presidential election when they called for democratic competition between aspiring presidential candidates. (Note: Normally, competition starts two months before the end of the presidential mandate. The current, extended presidential tenure is due to end in November ¶2007. End Note.) National interest is best achieved through democratic competition between the most credible and qualified individuals. Therefore, those Maronites aspiring for the presidency must be committed to the rules of competition and must represent the national interest and not their personal interest. ¶5. The Bishops condemned Hizballah (though, again, without mentioning any names) for unilateral action that brought harm down on Lebanon. Such actions have occurred four times in the past half century; the most recent occurrence was when "a Lebanese group kept their weapons following the liberation of South Lebanon in 2000, in violation of the Taef Agreement. Then this group transformed into a religious, political, and military organization. Consequently, there was the July 12, 2006 war." Foreign policy decision-making belongs solely to the state, which represents all Lebanese. Repercussions of the War -------------- ¶6. Regardless of the extensive damage and destruction the war has caused, the Lebanese faced the tragedy and aggression with solidarity and unity. However, this war caused a large number of Lebanese to lose confidence in their country and emigrate. A Strong State in a Sovereign Territory -------------- ¶7. The Maronite Bishops' Council called on all Lebanese to renew their trust and confidence in their small country that has been described as the "example of democracy and co-existence." Furthermore, the statement supported the existence of one strong state and not "many states in one state," a state that should treat everyone equally and not differentiate between its various confessions. Therefore, "we urge the state to take its full responsibility towards its affected citizens of South Lebanon." They expressed hope the GOL would fairly distribute all assistance and donations they receive from the numerous humanitarian BEIRUT 00002882 002 OF 002 associations. They added that any assistance administered by a political organization or party may raise suspicion. ¶8. Notably, the statement implies that the bishops do not support recent calls by Michel Aoun, Suleyman Frangieh, Hizballah and others for a government of national unity to replace the Siniora government. According to the statement: "People should alternate in authority in accordance what free voters want. The Lebanese should understand that the only savior is a strong and just state, where people alternate in authority." ¶9. Finally, the statement urged Lebanon to take advantage of the international support and to commit to the implementation of international resolutions which will consequently lead to the liberation of all its territories. In addition, the GOL is capable of exercising its sovereignty over all its land through its legal security forces. FELTMAN