Beirut to Damascus road : crossing time  two hours 

26^th Feb 2005

The road is clear ,  no roadblocks and no check points all the way from Beirut to Damascus. Expected trip time is two hours  . No need for a stop over in the Bekaa valley. The writing is on the wall . This is your last opportunity, so grab it while you can  Bashar.  If your eyesight still blurs go and get it fixed in Geneva . They have good ophtalmologists there , and while you’re at it you may want to consult with your investment advisor . The billions your family and entourage stole from Lebanon must have fared quite well all these years. Time is running out and you know it , but with the murder of prime minister Hari! ri  it looks like someone else is incharge in Damascus . Your hard headed and brutal Intelligence lieutenants are reluctant to let go of the Lebanese golden goose. They are willing to murder whoever stands in their way . They want to drag their feet , use delaying tactics   and other tricks from their morbid book . They might even consider revisiting your late father’s “Hama rules” , scourge the living and the dead  if forced to leave Lebanon . They have already started their evil scheme by hiring  mercenaries inside Lebanon and Syria . All they would achieve is ignite a fire here or there .  Hizbolla’s leaders insinuated the other day that they are determined to stand aside in any internal armed conflict that you might engineer inside Lebanon . The people of L! ebanon were magnificent in their unity and solidarity after the murder of prime minister Hariri . Bottom line :Anyone betting on a renewed civil war in Lebanon is going to lose the bet. It won’t work this time around . Besides, we learned yesterday that Mr Sharon accepted Zain el Abidin’s  invitation to sip arabian coffee in the latter’s palace in Tunis. It looks like similar invitations from other Arab head of states are in the making .

Wheras globalisation fever, democracy and the spirit of freedoms are all catching in the Greater Middle East ,  Syria’s  Leaders  prefer to trample with brutality their neighbours and keep their own people living in the dark ages.  Even the Sphynx of Egypt started to lose patience with you Bashar , just pack and leave Lebanon with some dignity. Your late father did overstay the invitation if an invitation there ever was. Syria's time is out in Lebanon.

                  Redeploying your troops here and there is  a “déjà vu”  ploy . In recent weeks the Lebanese opposition offered you , in the name of the “special and sisterly” relations what they called a “face saving” way out . Let’s be candid  , henceforth there will be nothing called ”sisterly” ,“brotherly” or “special relations”. No more one way street and no more nonsense . Just pack and leave quietly . Lebanon and Syria will be normalising their relationship as two distinct sovereign nations! . The Lebanese are Lebanese and the Syrians are Syrians . Let’s stop this one Nation in two countries “bulleye”. Both countries will be maintaining a buisenesslike and a mutually beneficial relationship  like Saudi Arabia and Bahrain , Tunisia and Morocco ,  the UAE and Oman , Syria and Jordan ,  Belgium and Luxembourg . These and many more countries share common borders , common language , common traditions ,  they are all sovereign,

independent and they share diplomatic representation . We want Syria to stop for good interfering in our internal affairs . Throughout our history we never interfered with Syria’s internal or external affairs . Is it too much asking for mutual respect , genuine cooperation and diplomatic representation ? we are  two neighbours and we share common traditions , the same language and similar heritage , and we want our children to enjoy a constructive and beneficial relationship . We will no longer tolerate  arm twisting , bullying  or  trespassing .  No need to wreck  our house any further  because if you do the free world will not stand by watching. If you elect to proceed with  your plan to burn the field before you depart then it is fair to expect us at the tarmac of whichever airport you elect to disembark in . We’re going to be there welcoming you with no flowers or red carpet . We’re serious . You may want to entertain the friendly overtures and invitations for a direct dialogue from some Lebanese opposition leaders. As far as we’re concerned ,and for the time being , there’s nothing left to talk about . Just pack your bags and leave Lebanon .

If you still think for a moment  that the international community has been complacent , then all you have to do is remember Milosovitch who is withering  slowly in his cell . You may not enjoy growing green onions like Saddam is doing in the little backyard of his prison cell  . Saddam is waiting for the verdict . Time is out please, the game is over . One more thing , on your way out please don’t forget your stooges behind . Take them with you .

                         Sorry for having addressed you a bit harshly, after all we’re neighbours , you have to understand though that we’re exhausted , we feel angry and cheated  , and yes , we’re determined to liberate our beloved country.