Aoun: My visit to Syria is a historiography of an old period and the beginning of a new period

 
Source: al-Watan, 03-12-2008
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun said that his visit to Syria was a historiography of the past and the beginning of a new period built on the "purification" of "bad" historical times between Lebanon and Syria.
He said that opposition to his visit to Syria was related to fear that Syria might expose the "sins" they had committed.
In an interview with Syrian daily al-Wattan, Aoun said that good relations with Syria were needed because of three points agreed on in the national dialogue in 2006: diplomatic relations, demarcation of borders and missing persons.
Aoun said that federalism was impossible and accused those calling for federalism of lacking a sense of scale. Vast geographical spaces were needed for populations to live in comfort, he said, and the narrowness of geographical area and overpopulation in Lebanon was one of the reasons for Lebanese emigration.
Aoun said that if "Israel" attacked Lebanon and Syria simultaneously, the strategic defense strategy would take one front, adding that using Lebanese land to attack Syria would not be allowed.
He said he was pleased with security coordination between Lebanon and Syria. Shared security, he said, was necessary between two neighboring states.
"Lebanon's security is Syria's responsibility and Syria's security is Lebanese responsibility and every state should handle the responsibility of controlling its borders and security to preserve its neighbor's security," he said.
Aoun said that "Israel" was preparing itself for war but it lives a state of deterioration. "'Israel' should seek a general revision to reach a quick solution before it ends somewhere else," he said.
Aoun called on March 14 to stop talking about sovereignty and independence. "When we were calling for independence they used to mock and issue intimidating statements: What independence among globalization? Do they have the right to teach us sovereignty and independence? Is independence [achieved] through taking decisions that are harmful to a neighboring country's interest?" he asked.
Aoun said that the free and independent state should understand that it does not have the right to harm its enemies in practicing its freedom and sovereignty.
He said that we live in a country where any crime could happen and the 2009 parliamentary elections could be obstructed by any security incident or could just pass naturally. He - obliquely - inferred that March 14 could be preparing for a new violent action to obstruct the elections, but he said that it would turn back on them. Aoun said that March 14 forces were talking about weapons to justify their expected loss.
Aoun said that there would be changes in US policy after the election of Barack Obama and said he did not expect any US military action against Iran and Syria amid the financial crisis.
Aoun said he regretted how concepts were changed whereby "moderates have become Siniora and his group" whereas "we have become the extremists."
"We who oppose the naturalization of 400,000 refugees and refuse to concede our land; whereas "Israel", which committed massacres and ethnic cleansing, is a moderate and humanitarian state."