Aoun Warns Against Voting for Thieves...Christians Cannot be Isolated

Source: Compiled by Hizbollah Staff, 10-3-2009

Aoun said on Monday that the visit he has paid to Syria aimed at safeguarding the institutions. "We did not go to Syria to sell our state institutions but to safeguard them," Aoun told FPM-allied teachers on Teachers' day. "We should safeguard the people. We are open to all parties and to new options," he added.

In addressing the delegation of teachers on Teacher's Day, the main points Aoun stressed that education alone is not enough; culture is more important, adding that we need to improve Lebanon's educational standards, which will ensure a powerful country.

There is a huge disparity between what we learn and what we implement, he further explained and questioned "why should we be silent and not publicize the identity of those stealing? How are we supposed to vote for candidates who are thieves in the upcoming parliamentary elections?"

He said that "a powerful state cannot be built through punishing minor abuses of the law, rather through holding those behind major theft and corruption accountable." Adding that such an "issue ensures security and gives reassurance to the Lebanese."

Further adding that "Political inequality will lead to a coup and revolutions, and would result in an increase in crime...We need to educate these people to respect the freedoms of others and their right to express views without intimidated...We need a better education, while war is a short phase that people should move past...We should educate our children to support peace instead of war, which is a barbarian act."

Aoun hoped that those who did not witness the war would never live it... he said "We should safeguard the people. We are open to all parties and to new options"
He stressed that while "Some parties who dominated the Christians tried to tell them that they should protect themselves, these parties should express openness toward others instead...Christians cannot be isolated, nor should they attempt to isolate themselves...When we reject others, we belittle ourselves."

Aoun added that "We should be always positive. We should not only reject but we also try to build; this is the foundation of any change and reform...We should build public schools based on our ambitious and aspirations... This issue will be part of the Change and Reform bloc's electoral agenda, which will be announced before the elections."

He concluded saying "I call for creating a new national educational program, and the Free Patriotic Movement will welcome holding meetings in order to strengthen our agenda."