Aoun: Americans are not the ones to decide how I deal with Hizbullah

Source: Nowlebanon.com, 5-6-2009

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun said, "Electoral money will lead to the collapse of our society. This way we will never reach the reform phase. No matter how much Hariri and his institutions pay, he will not reach the $1 billion we brought to the Lebanese people." Aoun's comments were a reference to the money his party gave to Lebanon's communication system.

Speaking to OTV on Friday, Aoun said, "I cannot face money with money, but electoral money is being based in the Christian community to ruin it and devalue it," and, "From 1992 until today, Hariri's politics have not been based on productivity, but on funding a state that is in debt."
He accused the March 14 coalition of wanting to displace people, saying it would happen with bullets or with the economic situation.

"Some of the misguided say that if Palestinian naturalization takes place, Lebanon will be divided," he added. "The Lebanese Forces are the ones playing this game. That is why we are seeking to spread the mutual assurance policy instead of intimidation."

Aoun stressed that "Hizbullah can not be isolated, because all Shia would be isolated. If Hizbullah refuses to enter dialogue then it has isolated itself."

"The Americans objected when they knew that I was going to sign an understanding with Hizbullah, but they are not the ones to decide how I deal with Hizbullah," he said. "When we disagreed in Jezzine, we resorted to democratic methods, back to the voter. This is the natural solution, the solution of dialogue."