The World Council of the Cedars Revolution

Representing the hopes and aspirations of many millions of Lebanese in Lebanon and throughout the Diaspora

2300 M Street NW  

Phone ( 202) 416 1819, Fax ( 202) 293 3083

www.cedarsrevolution.org

cedarsrevolution@gmail.com

 

29^th  November 2008,

Washington DC

The Honorable Fouad Siniora

Prime Minister

Republic of Lebanon

RE:  Lebanon is in danger of being classified as a terrorist nation

         WCCR is in support of German Government for banning Al Manar

Dear Mr Prime Minister,

The free world is today hailing the German government for its courageous action in banning the telecast of Al Manar television network in Germany, accusing it of aiding and promoting terrorism in Germany and throughout Europe.

However, there appears to be a good deal of pressure being brought to bare by Hezbollah and their affiliated members of the Lebanese parliament, upon the Lebanese government to take a position pressuring the German government to withdraw the ban.

The World Council of the Cedars Revolution (WCCR) hereby advises that such action would not be in the best interests of Lebanon. The WCCR, WLCU and the Lebanese in Diaspora have collectively expended enormous time, energy and political clout to safeguard Lebanon from terrorism and to revive the international image of Lebanon as a message of peace and harmony. As such, any measure of effort on your government’s part to pressure Germany into withdrawing the ban would be an act providing support and comfort to the terrorists once more and would be a most inexcusable and unwise step to take for the following reasons;

-         Lebanon having been the victim of terrorism for over thirty (30) years and having paid and is still paying a heavy cost to redeem its full sovereignty, independence and democratic freedoms, must never position itself on the side of terrorism and its sponsors. Rather, Lebanon must position itself on the side of freedom and peaceful co-existence.

-         Lebanon has a difficult enough task to protect its own territory and people let alone interfering in the internal security of other nations. Should any nation in the world take measures to protect itself and its citizens from terrorism as Germany has recently put into effect, it would be most advisable and appropriate for Lebanon to stand on the side of freedom always.

-         Germany as many other nations have demonstrated a strong commitment to the protection of the people of Lebanon and to the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and democratic freedoms by the provision through UNIFIL of a strong contingent of personnel. Germany has also been a compassionate and generous contributor to the redevelopment of Lebanon’s historical and economical wellbeing. In the event that your government seeks to interfere in the internal security of Germany, it risks the dangerous possibility of losing all its benefits not only from Germany but possibly from the rest of Europe as well; and more dangerously it could find Lebanon being classified as a terrorist nation once again. Is the risk worth taking?

 

Dear Prime Minister, the President of Lebanon Michel Suleiman will be visiting Germany in the next few days. It is also common knowledge that the President is a strong supporter of Hezbollah which has been classified by the free world as a terrorist organization. The WCCR strongly advises that during his visit and for the sake of a continuation of a strong relationship with Germany and all of Europe, the president of Lebanon must vividly and firmly support the decision taken by Germany to ban Al-Manar.

For and on behalf of the World Council of the Cedars Revolution

Joseph Baini

Joseph P. Baini

President