CLAO
Founded in 1989 to
serve the USA and Lebanon.
THE COUNCIL OF LEBANESE AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS
E-mail: clao@clao.com
1-888-4 CLAO 89
Internet: www.clao.com
CLAO AT THE UNITED NATIONS
April 18, 2005
A
delegation from the Council of Lebanese American Organizations (CLAO) held
a series of meetings on Friday April 15, 2005 with the French, United
Kingdom, and United States Permanent Missions at the United Nations. In
attendance for the French Mission was Mr. Damien Loras, First Secretary;
for the UK Mission, Ms. Rosemary Davis, First Secretary; and for the US
Mission, Mr. Peter Vrooman, Deputy Political Counselor and Mr. Melvin Ang,
Political Affairs Advisor. CLAO was represented by its Vice-Chairman, Mr.
Elie El-Murr as well as Mr. Elie Nakouzi, Mr. Samar Bou-Ghazale, Mr. Janah
Risha, and Mr. Daniel Lahage.
The discussions centered around the issues of the Syrian withdrawal and
its verification, ensuring free and fair elections and international
observers, implementation of UNSCR 1595, and other current affairs
relating to the situation on Lebanon. The CLAO delegation expressed its
gratitude to the permanent members of the Security Council for their
tireless efforts in supporting the freedom movement in Lebanon. The
delegation also delivered a statement, outlining its positions on the
various issues. The statement concluded with the following
recommendations:
-
The increase of the size of
the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the expansion
of its mission to include supporting the Lebanese Army's efforts to
protect the people and to maintain peace and order.
-
The
immediate and complete withdrawal of Syrian troops and intelligence
operatives in conjunction with the release of all Lebanese prisoners
held in Syrian jails.
-
The
deployment of Lebanese Army units in all of Lebanon.
-
The complete
disarmament of all Syrian-sponsored and armed militias
-
The
resignation of all Lebanese senior security officers.
-
The formation of an interim
government with the mission of preparing for free and fair elections and
for investigating the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri with
the assistance of an international commission.
-
The implementation of free
and fair elections under international supervision. This must include
provisions that would make it possible for the Lebanese expatriates
worldwide to participate in the electoral process in a manner similar to
what was in place for the recent Iraqi elections.
The unity of the Lebanese people against the oppressive Syrian occupiers
must not be squandered. Lebanon is more ready than ever to emerge as an
independent, democratic and peaceful nation. But the Lebanese people need
the international community, particularly the permanent members of the
Security Council, to continue pressuring the occupying Syrian regime to
leave Lebanon and to allow Lebanon to regain complete political
independence.
