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11 January, 2008 4:55 PM
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| Newsletter No. 830
The following newsletter has been contributed by Keely Fahoum (Shingetsu Member No. 112). Fahoum is based at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey.
Through recent public statements, MOFA has joined other non-Arab states in expressing its disappointment in the Lebanese government’s inability to craft a solution to the recent electoral crisis in their country. The presidential election has been postponed five times and a feeling of international unease has only increased after the previous president, Emile Lahoud, left office on November 24th placing the security of the country in the hands of the Lebanese Army. Most proponents of democracy, or at least those non-Arab countries who are watching Lebanon carefully, are hoping that the country will not slide back into militia-dominated power struggles reminiscent of the disastrous Civil War. One crucial Lebanese figure who has been notably absent in the current political fray is Prime Minister Fuad Siniora. Prior to the election hubbub, Siniora was the “darling” of the international community, standing as a symbol of Lebanese solidarity in the face of opposition backlash from other political parties challenging the confessional organization of the government. Fielding criticism from groups such as Hizballah and its Christian allies as well as facing down political assassinations from an unknown perpetrator, Siniora was very public in his determination to hold the government together, and he was buttressed by several non-Arab countries, including the US and Japan. Following the assassination of Antoine Ghanim, the international community rushed to condemn the action, but absent in their statements was any mention of Siniora. One may question whether or not the tide is turning for the Lebanese prime minister and confidence is lessening in his ability to lead Lebanon to a stable future. Where has the public support for Siniora gone? Arabic and English-language media have primarily covered the scrambling about of the Maronite leadership (meeting with French government representatives), Hizballah and a few sporadic statements from the Lebanese Forces. After the departure of Lahoud, Siniora and his Cabinet assumed powers as head of state. Siniora has been a bit “mum” on the whole elections fiasco, however, he has stated in the Lebanese newspaper, The Daily Star, that he would not take any “provocative” moves in order to quell the current political crisis. But this begs the question: Why no public mention of Siniora in the current press releases by MOFA? Is the Japanese government cooling in their support for Mr. Siniora? Have they finally recognized that Siniora does not hold the key to the future stability of Lebanon? Immediately after the Lebanese-Israeli conflict in the summer of 2006, criticism was hurled at the Siniora government from both inside and outside Lebanon, but Japanese and American pundits held firm in their belief that Siniora was the pivotal figure for Lebanese stability. After the recent roller-coaster of political events, it now comes to light that perhaps the Sunni prime minister may not hold all the cards of success for a stable Lebanon. Perhaps the Japanese government now recognizes the state of the unknown in Lebanon and is waiting for some indicator from the US on which way to wave the flag. Siniora has not turned out to be the dynamic and influential figurehead that the US and Japan hoped he would be. His “hands-off” approach has not fulfilled the vision which was crafted by these countries who were then looking for a ‘Man of the Hour’ to control the Lebanese political crisis. The parliament is scheduled to try once again for an election of the Lebanese president this Friday and there has been little or no mention of the prime minister in any public or political press release. MOFA has taken a more reactive stance to the current crisis in Lebanon and it seems is waiting for the outcome of the elections to voice its support one way or another.
In the cultural sphere, the Japanese Embassy hosted a Japanese film festival in Beirut last month, showcasing works from various well-known filmmakers such as Takeshi Kitano, Takashi Koizumi, Kazuo Karoki and Itsumichi Isomura. It also featured a film by late director Akira Kurosawa. The festival was held in a refurbished auditorium of Ain al-Mreisseh’s YWCA, whose work was funded by the Japanese Cultural Grassroots Grant Program. The money donated was used to construct a high-quality sound system and a large screen.
Statement by the Press Secretary on
the Current Situation Concerning Election of a New President
in Lebanon The Government of Japan expresses its concern over the current situation in Lebanon where the election process of a new president has not been completed by the scheduled deadline. The Government of Japan calls upon all parties to continue dialogue to overcome the political impasse, and hopes that political stability will be restored in Lebanon in a peaceful manner as soon as possible. The Government of Japan also supports the initiatives of all the countries concerned toward resolving the deadlock. It will be an enormous loss for the future of Lebanon if the people of Lebanon discontinue their dialogue and discussions and bring about further political confusion. The Government of Japan strongly hopes that all parties will act in the interests of the people of Lebanon.
The Government of Japan is deeply shocked by the act of terrorism in Beirut on 19th which killed a number of innocent people including Mr. Antoine Ghanim, Member of the Parliament of Lebanon, and expresses its condolences to the victims and their families. Such an act of terrorism can never be tolerated and the Government of Japan strongly condemns it. The Government of Japan, together with the international community, fully supports the efforts of the Lebanese Government for the stability of Lebanon and calls anew upon that all the parties concerned in Lebanon to overcome their differences through dialogue and negotiations, and work together to achieve the stability and reconstruction of Lebanon.
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