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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Aoun & marginalization of Lebanon's Christians |
| 2007-08-25 |
| Judging from the meetings of politicians in Rabieh and in Merab, Lebanon's Christians - including the Maronites - seem more divided than ever. This division threatens to undermine their future and historical role in Lebanese political life as they appear increasingly divorced from the country's sectarian-political scene - especially in light of the current Sunni, Shia and Druze positions on politics in general and elections in particular. Although pluralism is a welcome development integral to democracy, it has become a source of weakness for Christians as compared to the solidarity among Lebanon's other sects and the spirit of cooperation embodied in the Taef Accords. If Lebanon's current division was purely political, it would be only natural for a variety of Christian parties to emerge - each pushing their own political and economic program. However, given the intense sectarian mobilization on the parts of other sects, Christian leadership seems divided into factions - each of which must follow the lead of other sects and - and does not emerge as an equal partner capable of defending its own interests. The blame for the Christian's predicament lies mainly with the sect's leaders, many of whom brandish slogans that contradict their political positions. This includes MP Michel Aoun, who continues to view the current situation through the same lens as the 'war of cancellation' he fought almost two decades ago. Aoun recognizes no representative of the Christians but himself and attributes any opposition by others to "foreign influence." This thinking was behind Aoun's statement following the Merab meeting in which he insisted that the participants' decisions were not in their hands - apparently forgetting that many of the meeting's attendees had fought hard against Christian marginalization during the peak of Syrian hegemony and had paid a high price for it. Following each political assassination, all eyes are on Aoun as he scrambles to craft a defense of Syria on the grounds that they have already "withdrawn from Lebanon." The presidential contest has in Aoun's eyes become a battle for survival: either Aoun becomes President or Lebanon enters a political vacuum as elections are stalled. Thus, the 'defender' of Christian rights becomes their violator - and a tool in the hands of those who wish to see a political vacuum in Lebanon for their own reasons. However, it will be Aoun alone who will bear responsibility for the crisis he creates - for the interests of his allies may be guaranteed in international and regional negotiations, while his will not. In his last role as head of an interim government, Aoun gifted the Lebanese with two wars that resulted in the massive emigration of young Christians. Few are eager to grant him another position of leadership, for there are no longer enough young Christians remaining to don his orange shirts - unless he borrows followers from other factions. |
| Posted by:Fred |