LEBANESE MP RECEIVES US AMBASSADOR, COMMENTS ON AWN’S VISIT TO SYRIA

Lebanese National News Agency
Dec 5 2008
Lebanon

National News Agency, 5 December: MP Michel al-Murr received US
Ambassador Michele Sison and reviewed the latest developments with her.

After the meeting, Al-Murr said: "We discussed what is happening in
the world in the wake of the global financial crisis and its impact on
European nations and Middle East countries. The ambassador stressed
to us that the US policy after the presidential elections is still
the same. She is waiting for President Obama to assume his official
duties on 20 January. She said that US policy towards Lebanon is
for maintaining its sovereignty and supporting it on more than one
level. Other issues include the new US vision of finding solutions
to the problems of the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue
and the Iraqi issue, which are linked to Lebanon either directly
or indirectly, in addition to the nuclear problem between Iran and
America."

Questions and answers

He was asked: What is your comment on the visit of Gen Awn to Syria
in form and content?

He answered: "I do not want to comment on this issue for one reason,
which is that during the previous elections and the alliances,
General Awn used to say: How are we going to have an alliance with
Michel al-Murr, who is one of the symbols of Syria? Today, it seems at
least that we have met on this symbolic principle, which he used to
ascribe to us. He is now convinced that we were not at fault in our
good relations with Syria. As for the content, Syrian courtesy and
welcoming Gen Awn is one of their moral duties; it has nothing to do
with politics. Syria’s political position does not depend on a visit
to determine it. As for the timing, the president of the republic is
in Germany, and this coincided with General Awn’s visit to Syria. Awn
also previously visited Iran when President Sulayman was in Saudi
Arabia. The two visits are important, but for them to coincide with
the visit of the president of the republic, this was not right. I
wish things had been coordinated because there is a president for
the state in Lebanon and he negotiates in the name of Lebanon and
establishes relations. As a president who represents consensus,
he can establish good relations with both Iran and Syria."

He was asked: Yesterday, Gen Awn wore an aba in Syria. Does this
mean that the Christian electoral decision is now in his hand, and
has the decision of the Armenians been confiscated as well?

He answered: "First, I do not want to speak on behalf of
the Tashnaq. They can speak for themselves and they have a
position. Certainly, they have communicated this position to the
Syrians. I met them recently, and their position was firm and did
not change. As for the issue of the aba, I am thinking of wearing
one now if the aba helps in creating lists. As for the story of the
aba according to its colour, it is a symbol of love and welcoming a
guest. I will not forget during the war of liberation how many members
of the Syrian army died. I will also not forget how they demanded,
on an American television, a Syria accountability law. Maybe this
visit will erase everything from memory and open a new chapter."

He was asked: The question of amending the Al-Ta’if [Accord] was also
raised in Syria. What do you think?

He answered: "I am waiting for my main ally, Speaker Nabih Birri,
who is a friend of General Awn. If he agrees to amend the Al-Ta’if
[Accord], let us start discussing the amendment. All the Lebanese
agree on the Al-Ta’if Accord. Hezbollah, in its positions, and Sayyid
Hasan Nasrallah, stressed the Al-Ta’if Accord and its implementation
in full. The same goes for Speaker Birri. But if this is part of
one-upmanship to amend the powers of the president of the republic,
which Al-Ta’if prejudices, I do not think that Al-Ta’if can be amended
in this way. Do we have to see the country in ruin once more to reach
another Al-Ta’if? The Al-Ta’if Accord is agreed upon. If he wants
to amend it, that is his business. I reiterate: Does Speaker Birri
want to amend Al-Ta’if? Will Hezbollah amend it? I do not know. If
you want, we can study the issue."