The Cause
By Viviane Saliba Dagher 
December 2002
Translated to English by SJ.

Many worries have occupied the LF thoughts since years. It gave rise to two questions equal in importance: What should be the priority of the LF today. What should be the theme of the LF project. Where should we focus. How do we define the revolving point: Should the release of Dr. Samir Geagea lead to agreement? Or would sovereignty and agreement lead to the release of Dr. Geagea? What are the factors that guarantee the freedom of Geagea. Is it the big changes in the region or the internal activity and speech of the LF? Must the Lebanese Forces annihilate since its leader is in prison? Or must it improve itself in order to set him free?

Some LF believe that any activity or struggle within any field, would be a reckless choice since Dr. Samir Geagea is in prison and the balance of power is not to the advantage of the Lebanese Forces. They prefer to be inactive politically as long as the leader is in prison and the party is banned. They consider any political activity in the name of the LF will badly affect its aspirations and lead to compromise, which means giving up on the principles for which Geagea had been emprisoned. Thus, being active at the moment will divide the LF and weaken the position of Geagea. For this reason, they consider being inactive in the meantime is a wise choice. In other words, emprisoning the LF along with its leader until the balance of power turn to its advantage.

A local and regional political overthrow and state interests had contributed to the emprisonment of Geagea. The same factors would contribute to his release. The Lebanese Forces today are inactive and powerless. They are not supported from outside neither from the government, and they are not considered as a base in the Lebanese politics even though they have popularity and rights.

Dr. Toufic Hindi had set an example to this group for once he voiced the LF, he was took to Roumieh to meet the fate of his leader. Other LF had seized its properties in the hope to gain a license to form the party again, and had chosen to be active politically under the common norms of the authority. They gained a property but lost the base.

This could be briefed in a simple formula: The political activity leads to the wearing of the Lebanese Forces energy without standing in the way of positive actions towards the interests of the country and its citizens. The political activity that does not abide by the LF principles only results in empty slogans and eventually loses its popularity since it lacks the true spirit of the LF.

What are the advantages and drawbacks of this groupês vision?

* First, analysts believe that the present political circumstances do not allow the release of Geagea in the near future, thus agree that only changes in the balance of power would lead to his release. The cause of the LF would become solely the cause of the release of its leader, not anymore the cause of the Christians, the sovereignty of the state, the independence of Lebanon and the freedom of its peopleÄ

Emprisoning the LF along with its leader will achieve the plan of the authority: Arresting the head of the LF thus paralyzing the whole organization. By this, we contribute in aiding the authority to achieve victory.

* Second, The LF represents the faith and conscience of the people who believe in a free, sovereign and independent Lebanon. It is hard to contain the LF(er) who is committed to the cause and who faces everyday challenges. He is left with two options: Either emigrate or stay and fight and express his worries in a chaotic manner even if it leads to negative results.

* Third, The policy of neutrality awaiting a suitable atmosphere, allows changes to affect the nation and its people, which can be hard to alter later on.

* Fourth, Inactivity means slow death. Choosing this path could render the LF powerless and contribute to its fall, especially that it would be hard to reactivate it as it was before 1994.

The main advantage to this policy is that the LF would remain intact and unified as one force and one body awaiting the release of its leader, instead of being divided. Also, the probability of committing mistakes would be minimal and the LF would remain an irresistible force and wouldnêt receive blows from the authorities each time they face the opposition. One of the best advantages to this policy is the principle of protecting the LF and minimizing the losses.

Some LF on the other hand view the cause differently. They consider waiting for Geagea to be released to resume the political activity is an act of surrender. Had we been the ones in prison, would Geagea leave us to suffer tyranny or work to free us? Would he resign if his assistants or counselors were arrested? We cannot offer the authority two gifts: The leader as a prisoner of war and the LF annihilated.

This group believes that the main goal of the LF today is focused to release Dr. Geagea and it can be achieved by hard work not by being inactive. The slogans that served during the war are no longer useful. Real work should begin by defining the political project and debate under the scheme of the national charter. What worked in 75 & 94 is obsolete today. Samir Geagea relied on us in the past in issues of life or death, and it is not right to believe that he is not relying on us today to assess right from wrong.

The image of the LF and the project it presents will force the authority to review two issues: –Samir Geagea and the Lebanese Forces” and –the Christians”. The local and regional changes that occurred throughout history force us to apply new approaches and policies. A change may take place without leading to evolution but it is impossible for evolution to ensue without going through changes on a certain level, in one condition, that is the spirit and the substance remain intact since they are a sacred pledge.

What are the advantages and drawbacks of this policy?

The worst that could happen is the belief that the comrades of Geagea have trespassed him or forgotten him to be in charge of the LF themselves, whereas the idea of replacing the leader is not acceptable in the first place as long as Samir Geagea is in the political prison. Thus, any LF who becomes an activist will be viewed as betraying the cause and dividing the LF on the expense of the leader.

Another drawback to this policy could be engaging the LF in the labyrinth of the current politics and its seductions of media coverage, positions and meetings which could shake the –yellow leaves” of the LF or threaten its base.

The first advantage to this policy is the participation of the LF in the political life aiming at realizing the targets instead of falling into frustration and being marginalized. As well as awakening the conscience of the Christians who have lost hope and turned to saints. This policy will make the Christian feel that he is active and exists and is capable of changing his situation by reasoning not by the effects of Opium and chaotic instinctive actions. He would realize that his efforts could lead to results. As one of the opposition ministers had stated –had the efforts of the opposition been directed to the release of Dr. Geagea in the same manner it was deployed in the battle of Matn, he would now be free!”

Moreover, this policy would not allow –teenagers” in politics to conduct personal projects on the expense of those who resisted, fought, sacrificed, believed and were committed to the cause for long years.

Another advantage is the reconciliation with oneself and with the government instead of resigning and emigrating. We can be assertive in demanding for our rights and strategizing to reach our targets.

What do the LF(ers) choose today?

Some may refer to a third choice and that is to ask Samir Geagea which policy is the best to the LF. Those may have forgotten who is Samir Geagea and those who know him personally and who operated under his command, would know exactly what we mean. Those may also forget that Intelligence monitors the discussions and records every word he says. Definitely Samir Geagea knows which choice is for the best of LF today.. but it is not necessary to reveal it to his comrades in the presence of his jailers.

The result?

In order to make the right choice, we need to refer to the LF ideology and fundamentals of the cause for which many have been killed.

–The Christians cause calls for their freedom to be ensured and their community to be secured, and for a true political and legal justice with their fellow citizens to be implemented, despite the majority of those..”

Our cause make us realize that the Christians existence, freedom and dynamic role in the society constitute the nerve and base to a free Lebanon. Thus, it shall remain our target.

What makes us overcome the hardships and gets us out of the dark tunnel in which we have been dragged without mercy?

ÄTherefore, must the LF annihilate since its leader is in prison or must it work to save him and save the Christians?

ÄWe agree that our cause has one definition:

–The Christians cause calls for their freedom to be ensured and their community to be secured, and for a true political and legal justice with their fellow citizens to be implemented, despite the majority of those..”

In our study, we should diagnose the problem we are facing and define what we should refrain from doing on all levels and what we should do for the sake of the cause.

First: Overview on reality

Some have tried to confine the LF to the previous two policies that we discussed earlier. However, if the LF truly defends the free and dynamic Christian existence and expresses their conscience, it does not have the right to limit itself to the choice of annihilation or participation in the political life.

The LF was formed to defend the sovereignty of Lebanon and defend its people, especially the Christians, ensuring their security and freedom in coexistence with the Muslims and the Arab environment. The LF believe it is important to safeguard the national charter and that is by applying the best formula that creates a harmony between different religious groups and under which equality is protected by the law.

Throughout its history, the LF never drifted from its path and the resistance took many forms. Neither loss nor pressure halted the LF. Each time it would rise again, regroup and face the challenges, and accomplish its targets in any way. Samir Geagea had always said: –There are basics that never change when we move from one phase to another. The freedom of nations cannot be a target at one stage and not in another. There are issues and fundamentals that cannot be tackled with tactic and there is no way to manouver with principles.”

The freedom, sovereignty and independence of a nation are basic principles. The Christians living in dignity and freedom like other Lebanese religious groups is a principle. Their security, political and legal equality with their Muslim brothers is a principle. None of these principles could be present before the Taef agreement, and before the war and 11 September, and absent after it!

A political and demographic reading shows that the Christians in Lebanon live in days of wrath! Their parties have fallen. The Phalangists no longer represent the Christians aspirations and functions as a protective shield. The LF is no longer active as before. Kamil Chamounês Ahrar have lost its glory days. The Lebanese Front no longer carries the cause and the torch under the leadership of great historic figures. These parties havenêt been replaced by new and strong ones that represent the Christians, hold the torch and continue the march. Kornet Chehwan may be the only savior riding the waves in a struggle to reach land.

The Christians had been presented by Bkerki, Baabda and Yarze since 1943: The Maronite Patriarchy, the presidency and the Lebanese army. Today, after years of war, the Christians put their hope in Bkerki with all due respect to the president and to the army. Unfortunately, both Baabda and Yarze have failed the Christians.

We will not examine the reasons neither analyze the mistakes of the Christians but only focus on reality and the truth. And the truth is the Christians political fund have minimized because of the attacks that were directed against them, the extended period of tyranny, the losses they incurred and the mistakes they committedÄ Do they have the right to trade with the little leverage they still got?

The Christians number did not exceed 10,000 (4.22%) in the Arab Orient. In Lebanon, the Christians represent 36% of the total population (of the Lebanese who reside in Lebanon), and some believe that they fall under 30%. Half a million Christian have emigrated for political and economical reasons. The decree of naturalization have contributed to an unfair balance. The absence of a true Christian representation on official levels, the decrease in birth rate, the economical situation, the depression, the chase and the overall stinking situation are factors that affect the Christian presence in Lebanon.

The political fund have truly diminished, despite its increase in popularity. A solution must be found, even if some still consider the problem as just an illusion!

We must fortify what is left of the Christian existence on all levels instead of risking it. How?

Second: What should we refrain from doing: 

- Resigning and waiting. The solution may not be in our hands but it will not be given to us for free. We are not going to be saved if we donêt act.

- We should refrain from doing any move that may contribute to emigration, persecution, or to despair.

- We should refrain from any announcement or action that leads to division and weakness.

- We should refrain from any provocative activity against the authority that risks our political fund by leading to more arrests and accusations.

As Fouad Botros once declared: –You push us to be either Aounists or pro-Syrians!” Do we really only have these two choices!?

Yes we want a free and sovereign Lebanon

Yes we want the Syrian army to withdraw

Yes we want Samir Geagea to be released

Yes we want political freedom

Yes we want democracy and justice

Yes we want economical stability in a safe environment

And who doesnêt wish this for Lebanon without any exception? Which responsible Lebanese belonging to any group does not want this to Lebanon including ® yes - the release of Geagea?

We must be aware that we cannot accomplish our targets now. We cannot force the Syrian army to withdraw by our declarations, neither set Geagea free, nor achieve democracy, economical stability and political freedom by magic.. However, this does not mean that we should forsake those goals. On the opposite, we should work harder to achieve it.

The LF is banned from any political activity that operates beyond the authority line. It cannot regroup and unite as long as it is annihilated and represents the opposition. Otherwise, we would be risking our political fund.

Besides these points that the Christians must refrain from, there are prohibitions defined by the authority that forced the LF commit to it:

- Breaching of security

- Attacking Syria and interfering in the Lebanese-Syrian relations

- Any action that serves the Israel under the current regional circumstances

The LF refuses to breach security. On the opposite, the LF wants security to be enforced and complete. The LF agrees that only the Lebanese security corps should possess weapons but not Ahmad Mansour and the killers of Ramzi Irani and sister Antoinette Zeidan.. The LF refuses to strike the Lebanese-Syrian relations and attack Syria without reason. We are not conspiring against Syria. The LF believes that Lebanon and Syria should ally against the Israelis, and admit that Syria plays a major role in adjusting relations with Lebanon in order for both our societies to evolve and prosper. Respect to the sovereignty and independence of each nation should be protected.

The problem is not a military checkpoint in the Northern region, or on the coastal road, or a deployment of military forces in the Bekaa or the mountain. It isnêt the strategic coordination between the two armies and states. The problem lies in the Lebanese free decision in accord with Syria. The Lebanese sovereignty cannot be achieved by the withdrawal of the last Syrian soldier from the Lebanese soil, but only when the Lebanese decisions are pure Lebanese!

Samir Geagea had previously sent this message to president Hafez el Assad before he visited Al Kordaha to pay his condolences, and after. Why didnêt the Syrian authorities publish these letters that reveal the position of the LF from the Lebanese-Syrian relations? Concerning the Israeli enemy, the LF refuses to tackle this issue. Israel is an enemy and this fact is clear.

From this standpoint, from the basics that the LF believe in and work for and which overcoming is not acceptable by the LF and is banned by the authority, where does the LF stand now from the political activity?

Third: What should we agree upon 

The attempts of the LF to free Samir Geagea can never be worn out. It is being done on all levels. The LF believe that the release of Geagea is not merely an LF or local decision, but a decision where local and regional interests meet, and the balance of power is able to set him free with the aid and unity of his men and supporters.

Moreover, the LF considers its headquarters empty as long as Samir Geagea is in prison. And the LF principles which represent the national-political convictions are the only basics of any LF activity today.

What if the price of the political activity is to give up on the basics, create divisions and lessen the hope of freeing Geagea?

The point is to save what is left of our political fund, save our existence and enforce unity not division, responsibility not chaos, dynamism not paralysis, belief not despair, and education not superficiality. This cannot be achieved except by forming a referential authority constituted of a conscious group who is not interested in positions, power and fame, but whose role is to save what is left for us as a backup and educate it politically, awakening it and direct it towards the cause. This group would be represented by the patriarch who believes in the principles and is always open to debate, and who never aims to win politically on the expense of losing oneself, the truth, the mission, the history of the resistance and the hopes of the people.  

Fourth: Which line? Which policy? 

No to resignation and annihilation cause the solution is not in our hands. No to politics for the sake of politics! No to the engagement in the political activity on the expense of the basic principles of the cause and its prisoner. 

Yes to sticking to our principles based on which we draw our line, a line that is committed to those fundamentals and that believes in our rights, cause, freedom and the sacred nation.  

Yes to being committed to the national charter and to debate, believing in normal relations especially with Syria, and in the responsibility to restore the state. The belief that whether politics oppose the authority or ally with it, it should not trade with the principles in both cases. And knowing that development is not achieved without change and change cannot be without resistance and resistance should never be emotional but always wise. 

We are not asking for miracles. The LF realize that the release of Geagea and the salvation of the nation is not in its hand alone. But it is not also by annihilation, nor by confining the LF to a small group who use its name for personal interests. It is neither by being a blind opposition or engaging in small battles. The LF was not formed to be an apparatus for protests in the streets. A famous saying: At 20, if revolution does not move you, you are heartless. At 40, if it does, you are certainly brainless. 

Moreover, the LF is not an active force in unions, municipalities and universities! At the end of each electoral battle, we turn back to our paralysis! Our resistance is an everyday struggle on all levels. 

The LF is a conscious, targeted and wise force. It has its own visions and position in the political realm, protected by Bkerki. The political project is present and its holder is agreed upon: Bkerki nowadays carries the cause and aims to guarantee a safe, free, dynamic and effective presence of the Christians in Lebanon and assures equality with the other religious groups based on debate and the law. It carries our cause without interests and compromises.  

This is our cause. This is our reality. These are the things we should willingly refrain from doing and this is the line we should follow by being united and assuming our responsibilities under Bkerki beacon. This is how we protect the LF today and the Christians free and dynamic presence, and this is how we protect Lebanon.


Taken from Lebanese-Forces.org

click here to go back to main page