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
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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
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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
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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

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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