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MONKEY BLOG:
Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008:
The Government of Lebanon:
Despite all the bickering and chaos that's been going on, I want to begin this by discussing a subject matter that really makes me feel good on the inside. It, in my opinion, is one of the very few things that represented a string of hope in Lebanon over the past few years.
So here's to a break from the stench of body parts, and that of burning tires; here's to the Government of Lebanon, and its Statesman. Fouad Siniora formed the "government of independence" on June 30, 2005, thereby creating what I believe was in some sectors, one of the most transparent and professional governments Lebanon has had in its recent past. That is despite the fact that is was also the first Lebanese government to include Hizbollah ministers, but thats far from being the only way the Syrians made up for their demise in the year 2005. Remember Berri, Lahoud, MoU, and now, possibly, Sleiman?
What braught about this topic is the following two pieces of news. Here's a website the government recently launched for those affected by the July war. In addition to giving detailed statistics as to what's been achieved so far, it also has a list of those who have not yet been reimbursed, and all the documents these individuals are missing. The way a weak government like ours managed to transparently deal with the aftermath of this war is quite remarkable; let alone the seven point plan and the genius behind it.
Onto the economy, "On January 8, 2008 the finance ministry announced the state deficit for the first 11 months of 2007 had been reduced from 37% to 31%". Considering the resignations, the assassinations, the food blockades, the riots, the occupation of the downtown district, and the whole endless list; that is quite an achievement. A similar achievement was recorded in 2006 despite the war that year.
There is no need to go on with this much longer, but the bottom line is this: the way the current Lebanese Government dealt with certain issues is exemplary. The success of Paris III, the international tribunal, the cover for the army to go behind Fateh-al-Islam, and the survival of the Lebanese economy under these circumstances, are all living proof of the achievements of this government. That is not to mention all the smaller things that everyone tends to forget, and the fact that despite all the vicious attacks against him and his government, our man Fouad, has not caved in.
Of course no-one is saying this government has been flawless either. It is no secret that they have showed weakness, made themselves vulnerable under several occasions, and did not succeed much with security matters, but "let he who is without sin, cast the first stone".
The days left for this government are few, regardless of when the green light for electing Sleiman comes from Damascus. Yet, the chances of re-appointing Siniora or any of his cabinet members are so far unclear, and before their days are over respect is due to Jihad Azour, Charles Rizk, Elias Murr, the late Pierre Gemayyel, and all those have shown great proficiency in the current government. As for PM Siniora himself, I will take this opportunity to really salute this man; not as a leader, but as a friend, a true friend of the Republic.
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