Why The Special Tribunal Matters
In early November of 2010 during the Martyr’s day gathering in Southern Beirut, Hezb’Allah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah discussed the STL, explaining the importance of the Special Tribunal and the plot behind it:
“Accuse Shiite individuals of assassinating the most important Sunnite leader and consequently issue an indictment in this regard. Call on the Lebanese government which had signed an agreement with us (STL) to arrest these men. The latter would set to arrest them and dispatch army troops and security forces which would be engaged in a clash with the Resistance [...] this is the plot.
It is not important for the Americans, the Israelis and the sponsors of the STL what would happen or what might happen in Lebanon. Lebanon in itself is not important, neither is martyr PM Rafiq Hariri, the Sunnites, the Shiites, the Muslims, the Christians, the Future Movement, March 14 Bloc nor March 8 Bloc.
What is important is Israel, and Israel’s interest is that the Resistance be hit, eliminated, isolated, besieged, weakened, snatched away from its popular environment and its image be distorted. Its morals, belief and will must be harmed and consequently, it would be ready to be hit or to surrender to this plot.”
The Lebanese: "We All Think Like Political Scientists!"
The following are statements by Lebanese-Americans were submitted via email in respect to the new impasse they all face, the Special Tribunal and what it all means for them, as Lebanese citizens:
"I don't want my children to live under this political hell anymore. I don't want them to come to Lebanon to visit in the summer-time or winter and then dread the idea of living here when they get older. This is no future. But, I don't want them to be forced onto their knees either.
Sa'ad Hariri spoke about dignity recently yet where is his? Where is the dignity in crawling to Washington?"
- Hassan Abdallah, Post-Graduate Political Science Student; Michigan.
"I didn't care before, about the Tribunal. I thought, like many still do, that it wasn't important on a level where I should trouble myself with it but now after seeing that the Opposition has taken down March 14 bloc's upper-hand in the cabinet and the fact that many are saying that AIPAC and other US-Israeli lobbies are involved, I think we all need to pay attention to the outcome. Lebanon is very much used to drama but this is the kind we can't afford to ignore."
- Ayman Khalil, Dentist Assistant; California
"The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is a necessity and it is a guarantee that Lebanon will not allow the true criminals behind the massacre of Rafiq Hariri et al. to walk free."
- Maher S., Student; Michigan
"I don't see the conspiracy theories so many are talking about, one of which is that Israel/the United States are behind the Special Tribunal. Theories like this do not help Lebanon but make us seem as if we cannot carry on with a civil matter with rationale. What is the problem with trying to find the killers of Rafiq Hariri? Nothing. We should, as Lebanese, be supporters of the UN Tribunal, not the enemies of it."
- Tariq Hamden, Analyst; Arkansas
"Lebanese politicians believe that just because we all do not have a concrete place in the Lebanese political system that we have not learned the means and methods of politicians. We all think like political scientists! We know corruption, war, suffering and resistance. There is nothing that we haven't seen or have been forced to see. The Special Tribunal is one more nail being driven into the coffin of all the martyrs of every war we have been made to trek alone.
The United States and its allies believe that because they couldn't rid the Lebanese of the Resistance that they can do it by making us believe it was them behind the assassinations. We will not be fooled."
- Zainab Mousa; Texas
"I couldn't believe it, when I read that the Special Tribunal was being coordinated by the United Nations; with its history of corrupt resolutions and unwavering pro-Israel policies. I also couldn't believe how many Lebanese cheered on this charade, of a Tribunal for "Lebanon" which is being conducted by everyone but the Lebanese themselves. It's a joke. It's a farce."
- Mustafa Raad, Undergraduate Biology Student; Illinois.
"What can happen to Lebanon that hasn't happened before? War? No governmental direction?
We've been through everything under the sun. The idea that there might be a "civil war" as a result of the outcome of the STL is far-fetched. We, the Lebanese people, are smarter than this.
Anyone who even thinks that we can stoop to such a vile level is attempting to derail true efforts to create a more prosperous Lebanon, one which will not be influenced by the United States, France and/or Israel."
- Reem Zahr, Pharmacist; New York
Lebanon, with its long history under French colonialism and its passionately extensive history with war and imperialist intervention, now faces a new quandary - one which will challenge its sensitive political institutions as well as its expansive social melting-pot. It is not the slew of politicians but the Lebanese who will decide the outcome of this standstill.
River to Sea Uprooted Palestinian
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