April 18, 2005  

 

CLAO AT THE UNITED NATIONS

A delegation from the Council of Lebanese American Organizations (CLAO) held a series of meetings on Friday April 15, 2005 with the French, United Kingdom, and United States Permanent Missions at the United Nations.  In attendance for the French Mission was Mr. Damien Loras, First Secretary; for the UK Mission, Ms. Rosemary Davis, First Secretary; and for the US Mission, Mr. Peter Vrooman, Deputy Political Counselor and Mr. Melvin Ang, Political Affairs Advisor.  CLAO was represented by its Vice-Chairman, Mr. Elie El-Murr as well as Mr. Elie Nakouzi, Mr. Samar Bou-Ghazale, Mr. Janah Risha, and Mr. Daniel Lahage.

The discussions centered around the issues of the Syrian withdrawal and its verification, ensuring free and fair elections and international observers, implementation of UNSCR 1595, and other current affairs relating to the situation on Lebanon.  The CLAO delegation expressed its gratitude to the permanent members of the Security Council for their tireless efforts in supporting the freedom movement in Lebanon.  The delegation also delivered a statement, outlining its positions on the various issues.  The statement concluded with the following recommendations:

  1. The increase of the size of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the expansion of its mission to include supporting the Lebanese Army's efforts to protect the people and to maintain peace and order.
  2. The immediate and complete withdrawal of Syrian troops and intelligence operatives in conjunction with the release of all Lebanese prisoners held in Syrian jails.
  3. The deployment of Lebanese Army units in all of Lebanon.
  4. The complete disarmament of all Syrian-sponsored and armed militias
  5. The resignation of all Lebanese senior security officers.
  6. The formation of an interim government with the mission of preparing for free and fair elections and for investigating the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri with the assistance of an international commission.
  7. The implementation of free and fair elections under international supervision. This must include provisions that would make it possible for the Lebanese expatriates worldwide to participate in the electoral process in a manner similar to what was in place for the recent Iraqi elections.

The unity of the Lebanese people against the oppressive Syrian occupiers must not be squandered. Lebanon is more ready than ever to emerge as an independent, democratic and peaceful nation.  But the Lebanese people need the international community, particularly the permanent members of the Security Council, to continue pressuring the occupying Syrian regime to leave Lebanon and to allow Lebanon to regain complete political independence.