Why Is the Regime Lying? By Gebran Tueini

By Gebran Tueini

When we see the orchestrated Syrian regime reaction to the report of the International Independent Investigation Commission into the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri led by Detlev Mehlis, we remember an article written by one of the most prominent martyrs of the Lebanese press, Salim Al Laouzi, who is believed to have been assassinated by the Syrians, under the title "why is the regime lying?" Unfortunately, after a quarter of a century, the Syrian regime is still adopting the same approach and the question remains: why is the regime lying? Until when will this regime, its cronies and protégés face the truth with lies and bluffing? Wouldn't it be better for this regime to change its performance at the interior and exterior levels? Until when will the Lebanese remain silent, reluctant to say the truth, the whole truth and to put an end to practices that harm Lebanon, Syria and the entire Arab world? Are we going to remain indifferent to all kinds of lies that deride our martyrs, dignity and sovereignty and defy the sacred truth? Will we remain silent after what we heard from Syria's permanent representative at the United Nations who claimed that his country "saved" and "helped" Lebanon and the Lebanese people and was always on martyr Hariri's side? Would anyone reveal the truth about the assassination of Kamal Jumblat? If only Walid Jumblat would say the truth, the whole truth about the assassination of his father by the Syrian regime. What if the Laouzis decide to tell the truth about Salim Al Laouzi's assassination? Why don't we ask the Tahas about the assassination of Riyad Taha, and the Khaleds about the assassination of Mufti Hassan Khaled? What about the assassinations of Mohammad Choukeir, Nazem Al Kadri and Bachir El Gemayel? If only Minister Nayla Mouawad would disclose the truth about the assassination of her husband, late President Rene Mouawad! No need to go on with the list of all the assassinations that took place in Lebanon since the start of the war and targeted honorable people. Is this how they saved and helped Lebanon? Who is distorting the truth? The international commission's report that proved the implication of Syrian and Lebanese security apparatus in the assassination of late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri or the Syrian regime and those who try to falsify the facts? Who is distorting the truth? The international investigation commission or the Syrian Foreign Affairs Minister who submitted a misleading letter to the commission? And what about the statement of Ambassador Walid Al Moallem that is in complete contradiction with a taped conversation – yes, a taped conversation – between him and martyr Rafik Hariri? What principles is the Syrian regime talking about in his comments on the commission's report? The principles of killing, kidnapping and torture in the jails of Beau Rivage, Anjar, Dhour El-Choueir, Mazze and others, the principles of money laundering in collaboration with partners in the Lebanese security apparatus and their relatives through banks that have been created for this particular purpose, or the principles of the protection of cars' thieves, drug traffickers, smugglers of money from Iraq and traffickers of oil coupons?! It is the moment of truth, and there is no use going on with the lies and intimidation means. This is not a personal matter between Hariris and Assads but a crime against Lebanon and the Arab world, which the international community labeled a terrorist act. Therefore, the Security Council should not punish a whole people but should follow this issue up until the criminals and instigators are exposed, prosecuted and punished. It should be known to everyone that neither Syria nor its people are targeted but a group of criminal terrorists who should be brought to justice and severely punished. The Syrian people are innocent of this terrorist crime, and have more things in common with the Lebanese people than with their regime. It is as simple as that: the criminals should be prosecuted before an international court which is the only guarantee for transparency and credibility away from pressure or extortion that might be exerted on judges, lawyers, witnesses or even suspects. I received an e-mail letter from a Syrian citizen which stated "( ) I am sorry for all the things the Syrian regime has done to the Lebanese people, for the humiliation, the hegemony, the tyranny and the oppression. I am also sorry for the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and his friends and the assassinations of many others before and after. Sorry for the Syrian regime's attempt to assassinate Lebanon's spirit and dignity, an attempt that did not and will not succeed. Sorry for the Syrian regime's brutality, bloodiness and stupidity. I am also sorry because I cannot express my opinion with freedom and I feel humiliated and confused as I am so far away from all that happened and like my people, I am innocent of all the crimes perpetrated by the regime". I think that this letter reflects the true nature of the Syrian people who are also eager to know all the truths. It is the strongest answer to all those who are now trying to instigate hostilities between the Lebanese and Syrian peoples. It also proves to everyone that the attempts to foment feuds inside Lebanon and between Lebanon and Syria are bound to fail. It is the moment of truth and the masks have fallen! Only justice will prevail in Lebanon and Syria too!