The Liberation of France could not wait, Why should Lebanon’s?
By: Charles Jalkh (Freedom Fighter)
On a visit to Syrian-occupied Lebanon, French president Jacques Chirac stated today that once a comprehensive peace has been reached in the Middle East, there would be no rationale for the continued presence in Lebanon of the 35,000 Syrian troops currently deployed there.
"Once an Israeli withdrawal has taken place within the framework of a comprehensive peace, the Lebanese army, police and paramilitary forces must be the sole guarantors of state authority over Lebanon's entire territory.
"I am convinced that this new situation will then allow the Syrian forces to withdraw once peace has been fully established. Lebanon is entitled to its full independence, to its security and to the recovery of its sovereignty over the entirety of its territory", he said.
There is no acceptable human and civilized rationale for the Syrian occupation of Lebanon. We thank President Chirac for his support and stand but we cannot accept the link between the two occupations. It is a bit insensitive to the suffering of our people to suggest that we should wait. A bloody dictatorship has invaded and occupied our homeland and we are being asked to wait until its demands are met? It is like saying; "Once Hitler finishes Russia, then there would be no reason for the Nazi forces to occupy France, and the Nazi-collaborator Vichy government could then extend its authority over all France."
Another example would be to visit WW2 occupied Poland (divided between Hitler and Stalin), and state; "Once the Nazi forces withdraw from Poland then there would be no need for the Soviet forces to remain".
No one has the right to enslave another people to a tyranny. The Syrian dictatorship has violently attacked and occupied Lebanon in violation of all international laws. It has bombarded our country for years and killed and imprisoned thousands of our people. It installed an occupation regime and violently suppressed our freedoms and the national aspirations of our people. It is now pillaging billions of dollars from the country under the guise of a Vichie-like collaboration regime. The world must stand up to evil and not compromise. Hostage taking is illegal. The wrong committed against Lebanon need to be rectified today, not tomorrow. Why wait for the Israeli withdrawal then ask for the Syrian withdrawal. Why doesn’t Syria withdraw today as required by UN resolution 520. Syria is as much of an aggressor against Lebanon as Israel, if not more. At least Israel claims to protect itself against guerilla attacks that did originate from Lebanese territories. There were no similar attacks launched from Lebanon against Syria. What business does the Syrian Dictatorship have in Lebanon?
World leaders need to maintain the integrity of their offices and nations. They cannot accept unto others a fate they reject for their own people. Occupation, exploitation, compromise with dictatorships, censorship, violations of human rights; rule of Mafias, all proven Syrian behavior in Lebanon, should never be accepted. The Lebanese people truly seek the friendship of France and other nations to help restore international laws and principle, and not perpetuate the laws of the jungle.
The hostage in the dark dungeon visited by the outsider cannot believe or accept promises. All he is interested in is that instant moment when the chains are removed and he steps outside free. In the solitude of his dark underground cell, he wonders: When will true freedom come? When will I see sunshine and light again? When can I breathe fresh clean air outside? When can my eyes roam the mountains and not be blocked by the four walls plastered with Assad’s pictures? When will I hug and kiss my loved ones again? When will I hear my free voice again? When shall I walk freely and wander in the prairies of life?
The destiny of the Lebanese people has been surrendered to a dictatorship from the middle ages. It is time to correct the crime. A caged bird may fold its wings but it cannot fly.
Long Live Lebanon