Aoun: Saniora is a Sectarian who’s Destroying State!
Source: Al-Manar TV, 03-10-2008
The head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun declared on Friday his support for the ‘circulating' reconciliations, recalling at the same time that personally, he has no problems with any political figure or party. However, Aoun made it also clear that reconciliations could not straighten up as long as the government adopts a biased policy that rests on backing just the partisans for electoral purposes. In this context, the opposition MP focused on the Higher Relief Council, portraying it as a relief agency working for losing parliamentary candidates.
During a press conference he held at his residence in Rabiyeh, General Aoun tackled all issues starting by the adoption of the electoral law in the Parliament and passing through the Christian reconciliation, terrorism in north, relation with Syria and, of course, the Prime Minister's policy.
On the electoral law, Aoun criticized the blocs that declare, with words, support for reforms and then they vote against them. He said that the FPM stood alone in backing such reforms. "We hope that the press will pay closer attention to MPs statements and their behavior. Some make statements that contradict their votes, as happened with the women's quota," he stressed.
"How do they say that military personnel are a germ and are not allowed to vote?" he complained. "The Lebanese Constitution says that anyone over the age of 21 has the right to vote. Why should the soldier not vote? Because they say the soldier will be politicized ... Every person is politicized but the soldier. His wife, son, and family vote. He votes as a person."
"We were also shocked by the rejection of expats' right to vote. This was passed by all committees ... and then it was decided that in 2013 they can vote. We hope that no law will come about by then ... which annuls this decision," he pointed out.
Regarding efforts to reconcile Christians, the General asserted that the FPM has no problems with anybody. "I don't mind reconciling with MP Nayla Moawad," Aoun acknowledged. "But in return I want an apology from her over accusations that I was an accomplice in the assassination of President Rene Moawad. If she apologizes, that's good. But even if she did not apologize, she will be forgiven," he added.
The FPM leader said that reconciliation with the Lebanese Forces took place when Aoun visited LF chief Samir Geagea at his prison. "We (LF and FPM) either reach an understanding or compete through democratic means," he said.
Aoun also lashed out at Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir over recent remarks he made on reconciliation efforts. "Patriarch Sfeir had announced from Baabda that his previous reconciliation efforts had been rejected," Aoun explained. "The Free Patriotic Movement and Marada Movement accepted Bkirki's code of honor unconditionally," he recalled.
The General tackled the terrorism in the North and criticized the so-called March 14 figures over ‘justifying' it. "Their talk against Syria is part of bickering over elections," Aoun said in reference to the majority March 14 coalition.
"When we talk of terrorism in the North, we are talking about terrorist cells. Tripoli is not like Kandahar," Aoun explained. "Syria has the right to take measures along its border and Lebanon has to do the same," Aoun said, adding that he would like to draw the Prosecution's attention on an article about a deal to smuggle Syrian nationals belonging to Fatah al-Islam during the 2007 fighting between the extremist group and the Lebanese army at the northern refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared.
Meanwhile, Aoun branded Prime Minister Fouad Saniora a "sectarian" and accused him of ruining the state. "Mr. Saniora is destroying the state and only gives money to his loved ones ... He is the head of a government with "categories" and citizens are to him clients," he told reporters. "Let him (Saniora) submit to financial audit if he wants to challenge me," he added.
He said Saniora was using the Higher Relief Council to "relieve" parliamentary candidates backed by the premier. "The Higher Relief Council pays money to asphalt roads in Kesrouan and does not compensate to farmers whose crops were damaged during the (2006) war," Aoun said.
Aoun renewed his support for good relations with Syria, noting that Lebanon was still in need for the Resistance amid occupation. He recalled that this resistance achieved an honorable victory during July 2006 war.
Last but not least, Aoun refused to talk about his alliance during the upcoming legislative elections. He said he would announce his electoral alliances just seventy-two hours ahead of the elections.
The head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun declared on Friday his support for the ‘circulating' reconciliations, recalling at the same time that personally, he has no problems with any political figure or party. However, Aoun made it also clear that reconciliations could not straighten up as long as the government adopts a biased policy that rests on backing just the partisans for electoral purposes. In this context, the opposition MP focused on the Higher Relief Council, portraying it as a relief agency working for losing parliamentary candidates.
During a press conference he held at his residence in Rabiyeh, General Aoun tackled all issues starting by the adoption of the electoral law in the Parliament and passing through the Christian reconciliation, terrorism in north, relation with Syria and, of course, the Prime Minister's policy.
On the electoral law, Aoun criticized the blocs that declare, with words, support for reforms and then they vote against them. He said that the FPM stood alone in backing such reforms. "We hope that the press will pay closer attention to MPs statements and their behavior. Some make statements that contradict their votes, as happened with the women's quota," he stressed.
"How do they say that military personnel are a germ and are not allowed to vote?" he complained. "The Lebanese Constitution says that anyone over the age of 21 has the right to vote. Why should the soldier not vote? Because they say the soldier will be politicized ... Every person is politicized but the soldier. His wife, son, and family vote. He votes as a person."
"We were also shocked by the rejection of expats' right to vote. This was passed by all committees ... and then it was decided that in 2013 they can vote. We hope that no law will come about by then ... which annuls this decision," he pointed out.
Regarding efforts to reconcile Christians, the General asserted that the FPM has no problems with anybody. "I don't mind reconciling with MP Nayla Moawad," Aoun acknowledged. "But in return I want an apology from her over accusations that I was an accomplice in the assassination of President Rene Moawad. If she apologizes, that's good. But even if she did not apologize, she will be forgiven," he added.
The FPM leader said that reconciliation with the Lebanese Forces took place when Aoun visited LF chief Samir Geagea at his prison. "We (LF and FPM) either reach an understanding or compete through democratic means," he said.
Aoun also lashed out at Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir over recent remarks he made on reconciliation efforts. "Patriarch Sfeir had announced from Baabda that his previous reconciliation efforts had been rejected," Aoun explained. "The Free Patriotic Movement and Marada Movement accepted Bkirki's code of honor unconditionally," he recalled.
The General tackled the terrorism in the North and criticized the so-called March 14 figures over ‘justifying' it. "Their talk against Syria is part of bickering over elections," Aoun said in reference to the majority March 14 coalition.
"When we talk of terrorism in the North, we are talking about terrorist cells. Tripoli is not like Kandahar," Aoun explained. "Syria has the right to take measures along its border and Lebanon has to do the same," Aoun said, adding that he would like to draw the Prosecution's attention on an article about a deal to smuggle Syrian nationals belonging to Fatah al-Islam during the 2007 fighting between the extremist group and the Lebanese army at the northern refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared.
Meanwhile, Aoun branded Prime Minister Fouad Saniora a "sectarian" and accused him of ruining the state. "Mr. Saniora is destroying the state and only gives money to his loved ones ... He is the head of a government with "categories" and citizens are to him clients," he told reporters. "Let him (Saniora) submit to financial audit if he wants to challenge me," he added.
He said Saniora was using the Higher Relief Council to "relieve" parliamentary candidates backed by the premier. "The Higher Relief Council pays money to asphalt roads in Kesrouan and does not compensate to farmers whose crops were damaged during the (2006) war," Aoun said.
Aoun renewed his support for good relations with Syria, noting that Lebanon was still in need for the Resistance amid occupation. He recalled that this resistance achieved an honorable victory during July 2006 war.
Last but not least, Aoun refused to talk about his alliance during the upcoming legislative elections. He said he would announce his electoral alliances just seventy-two hours ahead of the elections.
