April 30/2001
To: Mr. Jean Chretien Prime Minister of Canada
On behalf of a coalition composed of major Canadian-Lebanese groups and organizations, I would like to share with you the following facts addressing the status quo currently imposed in occupied Lebanon. I hope you will take them in consideration when meeting with Lebanon's Prime Minister Mr. Rafic Hariri during his visit to Canada by the end of this month:
Mr. Hariri was appointed by the Syrian authorities, as well as the entire Beirut regime against the will of the majority of the Lebanese people. Accordingly Mr. Hariri represents the Syrian interests more then those of Lebanon. Because of Mr. Hariri's failed economic policies, Lebanon's debt rose from less then half a billion US dollars in 1990 to 25 billion in year 2000. The majority of his policies failed and proved to be non-productive.
Mr. Hariri is not a free official in regards to his decision making process.
He receives his instructions on daily basis from the Syrian authorities and
functions accordingly. Mr. Hariri's government is not taking any tangible
measurements to secure the release of hundreds of innocent Lebanese citizens
arbitrarily detained in the notorious Nazi- like Syrian jails. These conscience
detainees are deprived of all their basic rights, while the Syrian regime denies
even their existence.
Mr. Hariri's government is infringing and on daily basis on the basic human
rights of the Lebanese citizens, especially the University students and those
who call for the implementation of the UN Resolution 520.
Mr. Hariri's government is harassing and intimidating journalists and muffling
the voice of those that oppose the Syrian installed regime. Mr. Adnan Chaaban, a
journalist from the well-known "Annahar Newspaper" was forced out of
the country.
Professor Samir Khasier'' another journalist from "Annahar" is now
living in fear. His passport was confiscated and Secret Intelligence follow him
around the clock. Many other similar infringements are inflicted on the
patriotic Lebanese.
Mr. Hariri is keeping a blind eye in regards to the Syrian occupation and even
advocating for the continuation of the miserable imposed status quo. He is not
supporting the implementation of the Taef Accord, nor the UN Resolution 520. On
the contrary he is echoing on daily basis what the Syrians dictate on him.
Mr. Hariri's government is refusing to deploy the Army on the Lebanese-Israeli
borders. Meanwhile Hizbollah militia is still controlling the whole Southern
region following the Afghan Talbani model, creating a state inside a state.
Mr. Hariri's government is applying double judicial standards and allowing the
Syrians to have almost complete hegemony over the country's judicial System.
Thousands of Southern citizens, including senior citizens and women are
arbitrarily charged with treason and collaboration with Israel. Meanwhile more
then five thousand other southern citizens were forced to take refugee in Israel
fearing for their lives. Mr. Hariri's government is ignoring this human dilemma
and not helping these citizens to return to their families and homes.
Mr. Hariri's government is not taking any practical measures to disarm Hizbollah,
the Palestinian armed groups and the many other armed groups who oppose the
peace process. Mr. Hariri's government is not working for conciliation. On the
contrary it is fueling and escalating all the oppressive measures against
students, political parties and groups that oppose the Syrian occupation.
Mr. Hariri supports the Syrian occupation that is destroying Lebanon as an
independent state, killing its civilians, kidnapping and torturing its young men
and forcing its people to immigrate. Mr. Hariri is responsible for giving the
Lebanese citizenship illegally and haphazardly to more then three hundred
thousand foreigners, mainly Syrians.
Mr. Chretien we ask your government not to grant the current Lebanese regime
any financial support. Instead we ask that any such help be granted directly to
private bodies like hospitals, schools, human rights organizations,
non-profitable groups etc.
Mr. Chretien, we urge your government to support a free, sovereign, independent
and free from foreign troops Lebanon. We ask your government to:
Take measures to end Syria's occupation to Lebanon.
Deny Syria and the Lebanese Syrian installed regime any financial aid until they
comply with the UN Resolution 520, which calls for the withdrawal of all
foreign, forces from Lebanon.
Pressure the Hariri government into safeguarding the interest of Lebanon and its
citizens.
Mr. Chretien, We ask you to help the Lebanese people to save their country.
Yours truly,
Elias Bejjani
President and Media Chairman