Fneish responds in kind to criticism from corrupt Jumblatt

Source: Daily Star, 10-1-2007
BEIRUT: Resigned Energy and Water Minister Mohammad Fneish on Tuesday accused MP Walid Jumblatt of allowing the current electricity crisis to develop during his time as a Cabinet member and of personal corruption during his term as minister for the displaced. Fneish said shortfalls in the energy sector "increased during the mandates of consecutive post-Civil War governments, of which Jumblatt himself was an integral member."
The resigned Hizbullah minister`s comments came in response to accusations leveled by the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader that Fneish was personally responsible for the collapse of the electricity sector.
In a highly critical article published Tuesday in the PSP-owned Al-Anbaa newspaper, Jumblatt said Fneish should have asked his "masters" in Tehran to provide Lebanon with $2 billion "as compensation for the losses faced by the electricity sector during Fneish`s term."
Jumblatt continues to level "unfounded" accusations at his political adversaries "in an attempt to conceal the role he plays in inciting internal conflicts," Fneish said.
Fneish said Jumblatt is "the most apt" to answer questions concerning the "disastrous" state of the electricity sector.
Jumblatt has no right to attack the performance of other ministers, he added, considering his "corrupt" behavior during his time as head of the Ministry for the Displaced during the 1990s.
Fneish said he had revived a paralyzed energy sector during his short term as head of the Energy and Water Ministry.
"We have fully implemented the reform plan we created. We have also signed maintenance and operation contracts," the Hizbullah minister added.
However, Fneish said he refused to be in a position in which he was forced to boast about his achievements.
"Yet, one cannot keep silent in face of such unfair attacks," he said.