Let this year be one of upholding nationhood

Friday, Jan 1 2010

A new year dawns on the Lebanese people. In terms of outstanding issues, there are financial, economic and social issues, the issue of administrative reform and the administrative appointments, the development of the Internal Security Forces and the amendment of the electoral law. In addition to this, there is Lebanon's foreign policy and other such topics, all of which require discussion by the new national unity government. The creation of this government brought with it an atmosphere of political calm albeit it with some remnant vestiges of unrest. Also, there has been reconciliation with Syria, as relations have improved as seen by the visit of the Prime Minister, Saad Hariri. Syrian-Lebanese relations require new work, far away from the political balances, narrow interests and calculations of the political forces and call for special care placing the interests of both countries and their security over any single interests and definitively putting an end to the idea of isolating Lebanon from its Arab surroundings and its Syrian neighbor.

The current government was created following the big political crisis which lasted for five years, affecting various sectors, crippling most institutions and leaving the country to spend the contents of its treasury with no budget, accountability or surveillance. In addition to this, is the total absence of any development projects, due to the lack of any proper budgets or related economic and development plans. And so, what can this government do to fix the problems of the country's economy over the past 5 years, some of which were inherited from the Taef governments?

Here is an example of this situation. The value of the loans made under the Paris 3 agreement comes to approximately $4.285 billion according to latest reports, of which $1.337 billion is to support the budget and $2.948 billion is to finance projects, even though these loans which were signed off on by the previous government of Fouad Seniora, have not been ratified by Parliament making them vulnerable to challenge. Is it possible for example, to bet on international financial assistance or on something like the Paris 1,2 and 3 agreements in light of the major international changes, particularly after the financial meltdown in the US and around the world, with all its implications on the third world countries? This cannot be tolerated by the Lebanese social, political and economic situation. The internal Lebanese issues call for courage and political will to give the necessary attention to those issues related to social and health problems, unemployment and immigration, all of which are particularly severe this year. This may be due to the global financial crisis and its effects, particularly on the Lebanese youth abroad and specifically in the Gulf region. Lebanon also needs to address the issue of the public debt and the servicing of this debt – a solution to this needs to be one of the top priorities of Saad Hariri's government, starting with financial and economic reform and moving onto social welfare, as these issues are not secondary in Lebanese affairs but rather must be at the core of this government's concerns.

The political will is the crux of the issue. Of course, the reality which we see before us shows that more political in-fighting is taking place, though less strident than before. This suggests that Lebanon, which is undertaking settlements following the crises which emerge, needs to apply tremendous effort to push reform through to counter problems which emerged mainly due to the misapplication of the Taef agreement, primary amongst which is the creation of a national commission for the abolition of political sectarianism which is a crucial prerequisite for administrative reform.

We at the National Dialogue Party believe that the conflict in Lebanon has never been sectarian or confessional, despite the fact that this feature is what characterized the various crises which have afflicted our country; indeed, there are those who use this to provoke sectarian fanaticism and to fuel the people with hatred.

Therefore, the party will not tire of pointing out the shortcomings and to propose solutions. And so, we lay out below some suggested steps for reform:
A] Issuing clear laws for fighting corruption and promoting transparency.
B] Passing electoral laws which depend on proportional representation in addition to laws which specify the ceiling on election spending, and regulating the relationship between the politicians and the media organizations.
C] Creating a Senate.
D] Restructuring the security and intelligence systems and creating a mechanism which will guarantee for the government the appropriate control while maintaining the integrity of the security system and protecting if from politicization. Also, supporting, developing and training the army.
E] Working to ensure the total independence of the judiciary from the executive power under the supervision of the Supreme Judicial Council.
F] Adopting administrative decentralization and achieving balanced development across the areas.
G] Reconsidering the educational curricula and providing education for all.
In short, Lebanon in 2010 is burdened by numerous difficult issues and needs a state which is capable of providing the basic services and social protection and guaranteeing education, health, housing, job opportunities and a clean environment. This state must be able to be entrusted with the development of various areas and to protect Lebanon and its people from any Israeli attack, taking responsibility for the relationship between its army and its resistance until the liberation of each final inch of Lebanese land and the final stop to Israel's ambitions over Lebanon's land, water and people, as well as the return of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon to their country.

In conclusion, the Lebanese are called upon to finally remove themselves from the sectarian mindset and to enter into a age of nationhood. If this is not done, then Lebanon can have no immunity from the various crises which afflict it. And so, may 2010 be the year for upholding nationhood and enhancing the understanding of this in the minds of the Lebanese people.