MRS. SETHRIDA GEAGEA'S REMARKS

MEMBER OF THE LEBANESE PARLIAMENT

MARCH 13, 2008

US CONGRESS

Dear members of the US congress ,

 I belong to the Lebanese Forces Party , a group that has struggled to defend Lebanon,  since 1976, against the threats of elimination especially those presented by the Syrian tutelage over my country.  This struggle took another dimension when the Syrian regime, then in full control over Lebanon,  decided,  in 1994, to terminate the Lebanese forces political party and contrived criminal accusations against its leader, Samir Geageain order to imprison him.  The Syrian regime realized then that the Lebanese forced represented a main obstacle in its quest to maintain its hegemony over Lebanon.

 After 11 years the LF’s struggle was complemented by a major popular and multi sectarian uprising in which all the components of the Lebanese communities participated to be rightfully dubbed the “Cedar revolution”.  The LF played a leading role in this peaceful revolt that led to the exit of the Syrian occupying army in the spring of 2005.   

 My fellow representatives of the people,  you are free to exert the authorities of your office and to practice your constitutional duties without any hindrances or threats. As a member of the Lebanese parliament, who was elected by a land slide majority in my district,  I cannot perform my duties because the Lebanese Parliament has not been called into session by its speaker for the last 2 years.  The closing of the Lebanese parliament for half of its 4 years term is a clear attempt by the Syrian regime to hold the democratic process hostage by disabling the highest legislative institution representing the Lebanese people.

 I am very glad to visit the United States. For the first time in three years I feel safe to wander around without fear of assassination. In my country, as a member of the parliamentary majority, I fear for my life which limits tremendously my ability to move and limits the places that I can go to.  The sad fact is that terrorism has succeeded already in savagely eliminating 6 of my colleagues starting with Rafiq Hariri , Bassel flayhan, Jubran Tueini, Pierre Gemayel, Walid Eido and Antoine Ghanem .

 The purpose of these killings is to violently reduce the numbers of the March 14th majority in order to prevent them from electing a new president or to vote on any crucial decisions.  In fact 4 months after the deadline for electing a president of the republic by the parliament,  the electing session was postponed 16 times. The parliament is still not able to convene because of the boycott of the March 8th parliamentary group.  They have chosen to do the Syrian and Iranian  bidding in keeping the political void instead of fulfilling their noble duty of electing the head of the Lebanese Republic.

 Honorable friends,

 It is no secret that the countries and entities who are obstructing the Lebanese recovery are the same who are opposing the democratization project of the Middle East.  They know that a free and democratic Lebanon is the corner stone for spreading the ideals of liberty and freedom in the region.  The Lebanese forces promise to continue the struggle in cooperation with other Lebanese freedom fighters and all the friendly nations, especially the US,  in order to create this Lebanon. We strongly believe that winning the battle of Lebanon will usher a new era of peace and stability in the Middle East.

 In the name of my people I thank the United States for its tremendous support of the Lebanese cause, for its staunch backing of the Lebanese government and for the assistance provided to the government, to the public institutions and to the army.  With your help, freedom will win and a sovereign and independent Lebanon will emerge and will always be grateful.