Open Letter to Aoun, Berri, and Hariri Elie Aoun/October 26/2019
إيلي عون: رسالة مفتوحة إلى عون وبري والحريري
I lived in the United States for more than twenty years. When I returned to Lebanon, there was a “dispute” (within the extended family) which had been unresolved for more than twenty years. I did not cause that dispute, I was not a party to it, and it was not my responsibility to solve it. Despite these facts, I took the initiative and resolved it in less than two months. In my humble opinion, this is an example of what a responsible leader would do.
Similarly, there are many problems in Lebanon which had been lingering for decades. Yet, no one from the three presidents assumed responsibility for any of them and resolved them. To the contrary, the language spoken was always one of blame. Each side blaming some unknown for prohibiting it from doing what they consider to be “reform.”
The speeches made by government officials and the comments made by supporters of the ruling political parties reveal a huge gap between what they proclaim and the actual meaningful solutions. Even if one wishes to consider the three presidents as the most decent and honorable individuals, the fact remains that they are not equipped to save the country. They simply do not know how, even if they want to.
A dispute on a family level was not resolved because the mentality of the individuals involved was not compatible to coming up with solutions – not necessarily because they were bad people. Similarly, the mentality of the ruling class is not “compatible” to elevate the country to a better status.
True leaders make changes from the first day on which they assume responsibility. Their entire being reflects the desire to make a difference, to improve the wellbeing of their people and those whom they love.
Many people now ask: What is the solution to the situation in Lebanon? How do the Lebanese cross the bridge from ineffective leadership to an effective one?
The answer does exist, but it has to be implemented by those who have the solution (and not to write about the solutions for others to implement them). We cannot present solutions to three presidents who have themselves declared by words and by inaction that they could not do anything throughout their term in office. Whomever they wish to blame is of no significance. What is significant is that they failed.
The three presidents face the following options:
(1) Refuse to acknowledge their failure;
(2) Refuse to acknowledge their inability to solve any of the country’s problems (with their history being an example, since everything in the country had been consistently deteriorating while they watched and did nothing meaningful); or
(3) Acknowledge their failure and inability and take the necessary measures to replace themselves with those who are willing to assume responsibility and solve existing problems.
The solution for Lebanon today is for the existing political class to surrender to reality – that they have failed and that they do not know how to establish a nation and protect its people. If they did, the people would not be demonstrating against them.
The so-called “solutions” presented by present politicians are of elementary level. They do not resolve the root cause of the problems and do not rise to the level of what the current situation demands.
There is one thing that the three presidents need to do and to do it well – and that is to replace themselves in a peaceful and constructive way. If they do so correctly, then they would be truly patriotic.
The three presidents have to agree on appointing one individual with full power to decide and implement decisions related to all economic and social aspects which caused the people to overwhelmingly go to the streets.
That person would assume full responsibility for one year, six months, four months, or even two weeks – whatever the three presidents decide.
What can a person do in two weeks or four months? This time-frame is enough to at least introduce the principles and measures that would put the country on the right path. Try me and watch. If I fail, hang me.
For some, it is very difficult or impossible to fly in the sky. But for an eagle, that is normal. Those who think that nothing meaningful can be done in two weeks or four months, they think so because they are not eagles.
