Friday 22 May 2009.

The vote on June 7 is transformed into a referendum
concerning armed militias in Lebanon

I-Facts:

1
Despite the last change of the electoral law and because the new law, we find that the choice of candidates for parliamentary elections is determined primarily by the major clans’ political leaders in Lebanon. Candidates have made compromises to be adopted on the electoral lists of those who dominate Lebanese politics and the Lebanese militias.

2
If you are a citizen of Lebanon, Democrat, and concerned about the standard of living of the Lebanese middle and poor classes, you should be motivated to vote for the candidate who has a socio-economic trustworthy program and has an exemplary political morality. This is possible in a country where exists a free democracy, respectful of human rights, and the safety of persons and theirs properties.

3
But the reality in Lebanon is different. First, the favorite candidates are previously named by the heads of clans. And above all, insecurity prevails throughout the territory of Lebanon where you have multiple outlaw secret services, and areas controlled by armed terrorists’ militias. Most of them act in favor of foreign dictators who are hegemonic against Lebanon. The fear of terrorism and assassinations in Lebanon reigns. Freedom of choice is limited as well in advance favorite candidates are imposed by the heads of clans and not by the people.

4
The traditional use of mistrust between religious faiths also applies to the current election campaign. The main clan leaders stand as defenders of a particular religion. Thus the citizen feels under pressure to defense his religious culture. He has to choose the alignment with the head of his clan instead of thinking about socio-economic programs. In any case, the country development projects are often blocked by the clan leaders. If a citizen dares to choose outside the dominant clan of his confession he will be accused of Traitor!

5
The traditional use of the poverty of the people also applies to this election campaign. There are many unemployed people in Lebanon. Even the workers wages are largely inadequate to meet the needs of a decent minimum living. Dozens of methods are used to bribe voters by giving them direct or indirect aid. Most will vote for those who provided such aid for the short term. Trade unions in Lebanon are non-existent or ineffective. Most Lebanese do not believe in improving their living conditions through trade unionism and parliamentary elections.

 

II-Position of LSTDO:

1
We confirm what we had previously announced that our call is to vote for candidates from the Group of 14 March.

2
Our text today announces that, despite our wishes for strong and transparent democracy in Lebanon, the binding reality forces us to try to contribute to what could be done! The conditions are not met to vote for socio economic programs. Indeed, the Lebanese are still at the stage of searching to choose what Constitution they want for Lebanon! Modern and cultivated Lebanese are mostly in favor of an independent Lebanon, democratic and neutral, while most Lebanese who are indoctrinated by the anti occidental Islamic and Arabic fanaticism prefer to submit Lebanon to Arab countries or Muslim religious doctrines.

3
Without security of persons and goods within a climate of respect for human rights, independence and democracy, all socio-economic programs are forgotten. The presence of armed militias on all Lebanese territory creates a serious anxiety in the minds of all families on all sides. Nothing can be done without peace.

4
In Lebanon today, the political choice brings us to the essential issues affecting the independence and prosperity of Lebanon. The choice is between a Democratic, Independent and Pacific State, or an insecurity maintained by armed militias serving Clans’ leaders. This leads the primary discussion about current elections in Lebanon. We are thus faced with a real referendum. We are asked to answer yes or no on the presence of armed militias on Lebanese soil whatsoever pretexts advanced to justify carrying such weapons.

5
Despite the misinformation, corruption, pressures and the low standard of living of most Lebanese, I have no doubt there is popular majority to vote massively for the Group of 14 March in order to give the Lebanese State the exclusive power to control all arms throughout Lebanon.

The vote on June 7 is transformed into a referendum
concerning armed militias in Lebanon