CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY IN LEBANON™

The Seven Steps of H.E. Prime Minister Fuad Siniora’s Plan
August 2006

An immediate and comprehensive cease-fire and a declaration of agreement on the following issues:

1. An undertaking to release the Lebanese and Israeli prisoners and detainees through the ICRC.
2. The withdrawal of the Israeli army behind the Blue Line, and the return of the displaced to their villages.
3. A commitment from the Security Council to place the Shabaa Farms area and the Kfarshouba Hills under UN jurisdiction until border delineation and Lebanese sovereignty over them are fully settled. While in UN custody, the area will be accessible to Lebanese property owners there. Further, Israel surrenders all remaining landmine maps in South Lebanon to the UN.
4. The Lebanese government extends its authority over its territory through its own legitimate armed forces, such that there will be no weapons or authority other than that of the Lebanese state as stipulated in the Taef national reconciliation document.
5. The UN international force, operating in South Lebanon, is supplemented and enhanced in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operation, as needed, in order to undertake urgent humanitarian and relief work and guarantee stability and security in the south so that those who fled their homes can return.
6. The UN, in cooperation with the relevant parties, undertakes the necessary measures to once again put into effect the Armistice Agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in 1949, and to insure adherence to the provisions of that agreement, as well as to explore possible amendments to or development of said provisions, as necessary.
7. The international community commits to support Leabnon on all levels, and to assist it in facing the tremendous burden resulting from the human, social, and economic tragedy which has afflicted the country, especially in the areas of relief, reconstruction and rebuilding of the national economy.

Prime Minister Saniora's address to the Rome conference
August 2006

I would like first to express our deep condolences to the Secretary General Mr. Kofi Anan and to all the countries to whom these Observers of UNIFL belong and who got killed yesterday by Israeli fire in Southern Lebanon.

I would like to thank my friend, Prime Minister Romano Prodi and the Italian government for hosting this critically important and timely meeting in Rome today. Little did we know when we last met here toward the end of June that we would be meeting again so soon and in such dire circumstances!

Only ten months ago, at our core group meeting in New York, we talked of economic and institutional reform measures to help the Lebanese economy achieve its growth potential, promote sustainable social and economic development, and the enhancement of productive jobs. We spoke of a comprehensive macroeconomic vision to rejuvenate the economy and resolve our debt overhang. We stated that the support of the international community was paramount to the rebirth of our country, and that your continued support was absolutely crucial for the Lebanese experience of democracy to succeed in our part of the world, and warned of dire consequences for us all if we failed. We talked of challenges and opportunities…

Then just three months ago, I addressed the Security Council in New York. There I spoke of the historic strides taken on the road to a self-governing, stable, democratic and prosperous Lebanon. I affirmed the priority national issue being the liberation of the still occupied Shebaa Farms, the handover of Lebanese detainees in Israeli prisons, and the need to put an end to the long history of incursions and violations of Lebanese territory by Israel. I also confirmed the state’s natural obligation to be the sole provider of security to all its citizens and residents, and its exclusive right to carry arms and exercise its full authority throughout the country in accordance with the Taef national reconciliation pact of 1989. I also pleaded for a heightened interest by the international community in order to empower the Lebanese government, enabling it to move quickly in its economic social and political reform program, and alleviating the feelings of hopelessness, despair, and pervasive sense of humiliation in the region, and for serious cooperation, still a top priority, to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians and the Arab world, as expressed in the Beirut Arab Summit peace initiative in 2002, which would contribute to the cause of democracy in the Arab and Muslim worlds.

How long ago that all seems now….

Now we talk only of death and war, destruction and dispossession, casualties and suffering, displacement and desolation.

You are all aware that two weeks of a continuously escalating Israeli onslaught on Lebanon have totally ravaged our country: the toll in terms of human life has reached tragic proportions, and continues to mount: over 400 killed and 2000 injured so far, one third of them children under 12; almost a million people, or 25% of the population have been displaced; (try to imagine what would happen if a quarter of your populations were forced to flee their homes with only the clothes on their backs); in some areas, hospitals have been crippled and are unable to cope with the casualties; there are shortages of food and medical supplies; homes, factories, and warehouses have been completely destroyed; roads severed , and bridges smashed; UN facilities , army barracks, and posts of Joint Security Forces shelled; a civil defense unit wiped out; power supplies and fuel depots bombarded causing devastating environmental damage on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean; storage tanks ablaze; television aerials crushed; foreign nationals fleeing; air, land and sea blockades enforced. In short, ladies and gentlemen, this is the story of a country torn to shreds by destruction, displacement, dispossession, despair and death; the story of senseless human suffering. And as I speak, the trauma, the desperation, the grief and the daily massacres and atrocities go on. More limbs lost, more widows, more motherless children, more orphans, more defenseless people dying.

Before I boarded the helicopter in the besieged and severely bombarded city of Beirut, I visited one of the hospitals crowded with injured civilians, and listened to their cries of pains, fears and uncertainties. I need not tell you how moving that experience was, but I drew strength from the resilience of my people to come to you determined to strive so that their agony is over.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, no government can survive on the ruins of a nation.

How long will it take to heal the human, social, psychological, and economic scars, and at what cost? How long and at what cost to rebuild roads, bridges, homes? Before we forget those who have perished under the weight of Israeli bombs? What future other than one of fear, frustration, financial ruin and fanaticism can stem from the rubble?

Is the value of human life less in Lebanon than that of citizens elsewhere? Are we children of a lesser God? Is an Israeli teardrop worth more than a drop of Lebanese blood?

Can the international community continue to stand by while such callous retribution by the state of Israel is inflicted upon us?

Will innocent civilians, churches, mosques, orphanages, relief supplies under Red Cross escort, people seeking shelter or fleeing their homes and villages continue to be the casualties of this barbaric and senseless war?

Is this what is called legitimate self-defense? Is this the price we pay for aspiring to build our democratic institutions? Is this the message of support for the country of diversity, freedom and tolerance?

Jan Egeland, U.N. Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator has, after visiting affected area in the suburbs of Beirut, called the indiscriminate bombing a breach of humanitarian law, which is clear on the supreme obligation to protect civilians during hostilities. This obligation is also enshrined in the Rome Treaty establishing the International Criminal Court which restates the facts that, under international law, constitute war crimes. Yes, the indiscriminate shelling of cities constitutes a foreseeable and unacceptable targeting of civilians. Similarly, the bombardment of sites with alleged military significance, resulting invariably in the killing of innocent civilians, is, under international law, unjustifiable and criminal.

Israel cannot go on indefinitely disregarding international law. It must be made to pay, and we shall commence legal proceedings and spare no avenue to make Israel compensate the Lebanese people for the barbaric destruction it has inflicted and continues to inflict upon us. How, though, do you put a value to human life? What value do you place on lost limbs?
While my calls for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire have gone unheeded, I have declared Lebanon a disaster-stricken country in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. My Government, which had no advance knowledge of the Hezbollah crossing of the Blue Line and abduction of two Israeli soldiers and has disavowed it, condemns in the strongest possible terms the violent Israeli response and its aggression in contravention of international laws, conventions, and norms. It also rejects the claim that this aggression is in the context of the legitimate right to self-defense. The Government has also reaffirmed the commitment of Lebanon to abide by international resolutions and its determination to preserve its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It is also committed to fully respect the Blue Line. It also warned last week that the continuation of the destruction and the killing perpetrated by Israel will only aggravate the problem and threaten international peace and security, especially in the Middle East. It also reaffirmed its responsibility in safeguarding the country and its citizens, and its right and duty to extend that authority over the entire territory.

On behalf of the valiant people of Lebanon, from Beirut, Baalbeck, and Byblos, to Tyre, Sidon and Qana, to Tripoli, Zahle, Jamhour and Becharre, to the 21 villages at the southern border, declared a no-go zone by Israel, to the people of each and every town and village suffering now as we speak, I call upon you all to respond immediately, without reservation or hesitation, to my appeal for an immediate cease-fire, and provide urgent humanitarian assistance to our war-stricken country. A new Marshall plan must then be set in motion in order to help Lebanon recover as quickly as possible from the crippling effects of this unjustified onslaught valued in billions of US Dollars which is for the seventh time deliberately targeting and disabling our economy and civilian infrastructure.

The killing must stop! Now! We must work together for peace. We have seen previous Israeli aggressions on Lebanon, in 1969, ‘78, ’82, ’93, ’96, and ’99. They have achieved none of their stated aims. This must be the end. Returning to the status quo ante would be futile. In the name of the people of Lebanon, I call upon you all to help put an end to this human tragedy. I firmly believe that this can be achieved in the following manner:

- An immediate and comprehensive cease-fire and a declaration of agreement on the following issues:
a- An undertaking to release the Lebanese and Israeli prisoners and detainees through the ICRC.
b- The withdrawal of the Israeli army behind the Blue Line, and the return of the displaced to their villages.
c- A commitment from the Security Council to place the Shebaa Farms area and the Kfarshouba Hills under UN jurisdiction until border delineation and Lebanese sovereignty over them are fully settled. While in UN custody, the area will be accessible to Lebanese property owners there. Further, Israel surrenders all remaining landmine maps in South Lebanon to the UN.
d- The Lebanese government extends its authority over its territory through its own legitimate armed forces, such that there will be no weapons or authority other than that of the Lebanese state as stipulated in the Taef national reconciliation document.
e- The UN international force, operating in South Lebanon, is supplemented and enhanced in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operation, as needed, in order to undertake urgent humanitarian and relief work and guarantee stability and security in the south so that those who fled their homes can return.
f- The UN, in cooperation with the relevant parties, undertakes the necessary measures to once again put into effect the Armistice Agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in 1949, and to insure adherence to the provisions of that agreement, as well as to explore possible amendments to or development of said provisions, as necessary.
g- The international community commits to support Lebanon on all levels, and to assist it in facing the tremendous burden resulting from the human, social and economic tragedy which has afflicted the country, especially in the areas of relief, reconstruction and rebuilding of the national economy.

With goodwill and determination on all sides, the above can provide us with the necessary elements to rebuild our fractured country, reemerging as a unified Arab democratic country, a beacon of freedom, diversity and tolerance in the region. It can also be a stepping stone to achieving a just and comprehensive peace between the peoples of the Middle East. The significance of Lebanon as a model cannot be preserved and fostered if turned into a battlefield for the wars of others.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen
We owe our people an honorable way out of this war. We owe our people, with your support, a solution that will not allow any further destruction and will help us rebuild our nation and strengthen our democracy.

In conclusion, let me recall what the Roman historian Tacitus said in this great city two thousand years ago and which describes well what Israel is doing to Lebanon and the region today, and I quote: "They create a desolation and call it peace"

Our choice is clear.
We have chosen life.
We did not come to Rome only to ask for relief and support.
We came to be heard and to cry out loud our nation's right to life.
We shall not compromise our just cause or our national interests.
We are here to bear witness to our unity as a people.
We have overcome wars and destruction over the ages.
We shall rise up again.
Let that be your choice too.
Do not allow desolation to prevail.
 

Source: The Presidency of the Council of Ministers (http://www.pcm.gov.lb/)