Guardians of the Cedars-National Lebanese Movement
Central Directorate.

        Commenting on the international concern to put the peace process back on track, the Guardians of the Cedars - National Lebanese Movement issued the following communiqué:

        The Middle East is at present witnessing an intense diplomatic activity aimed at reanimating the peace process, impeded on the Israeli-Palestine track and blocked on the Lebanese-Syrian-Israeli track. It seems however, that none of those diplomats has any substantial proposals to offer capable of removing the hindrance, or provide an approach that might at least present a crack in the ice, freezing the peace process.

        Despite the apparent importance of this activity in giving the illusion that the Middle East question is again in the limelight, and thereby raising hope in the broken hearts of the people of the region after all these successive wars and dissensions, the Guardians of the Cedars, wishing to be realistic, cannot but minimize the importance of this activity, for the following reasons:

1. What is left from the assembly of Arab governments seeking a peaceful solution, is still swayed by concealed intentions and hostile ideologies. This applies particularly to the Syrian regime which is the principal beneficiary of the status quo allowing it to remain in Lebanon, usurping his political decisions and draining his resources.
2. The so-called peace concluded between Egypt and Jordan on the one hand and Israel on the other, is nothing but a precarious coexistence between regimes and has never approached the state of overture necessary for genuine peace. This fact prompts us to conclude that the launching of the peace process in the last quarter of this century was premature.
3. Sacrificing the Lebanon on the altar of peace has had until now no effect on the peace process. On the contrary, it is hindering it more and more each day. The fact is that Lebanon, in view of his historic message, his cultural heritage and his natural openness on the whole world, is more qualified than any other country of the region to lead in the peace process.

        Consequently, in the name of the Lebanese people we appeal to the United Nations, in the person of its Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, to reconsider the policy it has so far adopted towards Lebanon, and examine its causes and results. The pursuing of this policy can only turn Lebanon to a time bomb which might explode at any time, transforming the effort for peace into an incitement to war, which will bring disaster to the whole region.

At the service of Lebanon,
The Chief,

Etienne Sacre.