The past year has witnessed a sea change in Middle Eastern and International events affecting Lebanon and the lebanese situation. Those changes both in Lebanon and beyond necessitate a re-evaluation of our policy and approach and a re-assessment of our positions. 

Over the years, NALA has earned respectability and credibility by remaining abreast of the latest events and accurately assessing the prevailing conditions. Our credibility was further bolstered by our objectivity and rational approach. By remaining above the fray of personality conflicts and petty political squabbles we were able to address the issues in their own right, presenting workable solutions independent of the personas of the political players. 

NALA's approach has proven highly successful in attaining results that would not have otherwise been possible. It may not seem as much, but the changes we have witnessed in the past months indicate dramatic transformation in the Lebanese question, leading us closer to our objective. 

Internationally

The international community had operated under the presumption that by suppressing the conflict in Lebanon, it will have the necessary atmosphere to pursue peace negotiations and reach a regional settlement. They believed that through Lebanon they may lure the Syrians into a regional arrangement conducive to their interests. 

Today, the international community has begun to realize the errors of its ways. It has become clear that the Lebanese situation, resulting form the Taif accord and its consequent Syrian-Iranian control, is the main obstacle to regional peace. The accord that was envisioned to bring about an end to the state of war and pave the way to real peace has become the main vehicle for waging war through surrogates and disrupting the peace processes. The peace process is now threatened by the consequences of the Taif accord, which had been envisioned to facilitate it. 

As the international community searches for a solution, the proposals of NALA, begin to see the light. The international approach to the Lebanese question is moving closer to what we have been advocating and is expected to move even closer. It is now accepted that a Lebanese solution is a necessary pre-requisite to peace, no a by-product of it. 

Internally

On the Lebanese scene, many who had either advocated Taif or believed it to be workable, have become disillusioned with its implementation and results. those who attempted to make the best of what they had, have begun to despair at the possibilities within the present system. 

Instead of serving as a starting point for settling the Lebanese conflict and leading to final settlement for Lebanon and the region, it went the opposite way. Taif has lead to further division within Lebanon. It has provided the enemies of peace with the necessary venue to disrupt all positive steps towards peace and maintained the threat of terrorism and war. 

Those Lebanese who had hoped that from within the system they may be able to regain control of Lebanon, have been disappointed. Those who believed that the peace process will create an atmosphere conducive to Lebanese freedom and would deprive Lebanon's occupiers from their ability to suppress Lebanese independence have become convinced that no such outcome may occur under the present system. 

Bolstered by the international shift in approach and reconsideration of the Lebanese question, those Lebanese have begun increasingly articulating their believes. The voices of dissent have been growing stronger and the ranks of those willing to stand against the Taif current have been swelling. Several moves attest to this trend and signal a coming sea change. 

Although not always successful, many attempts have been made to change the situation from within and without. Still, even unsuccessful attempts serve an important purpose. They signify an intent and willingness to act and send a clear signal regarding the Lebanese will. When an attempt at settling a festering problem is proposed and fails it sheds light on the true colors of those involved. 

In this light, NALA needs to re-evaluate its tactical approach - NOT ITS GOALS. NALA has lead the pack for years with a clear vision and a bold approach that addressed the issues clearly and accurately. Today most others have followed in our footsteps with positions closely resembling ours. If we are to maintain our lead we must continue to move forward, charting new routes for others to follow. 

We cannot afford to stand by and watch the train pass us by. Holding ones ground is admirable only under defensive conditions. When events begin to move our way, as they have been, holding our ground would be self defeating. We must move to take advantage of the gains, however small, and push for more. 

We are still far from victorious. We still have much to do. But, we can take comfort in the fact that the current is shifting in our favor, recognize this change and take advantage of it. 

The Lebanese have paid a high price in the past when the leadership failed to adapt to its surroundings and fell victim to shortsightedness. We should not repeat those mistakes. Our policy approach must remain current and relevant to other developments. If we fail to maintain currency and relevance, we risk marginalizing our arguments and losing our effectiveness. 

Key Issues

Some of the key issues to be considered are:

Ø       The growing number of Lebanese Government officials who are pushing for change, with stands similar to ours.

Ø       The Lebanese Army's attempts to regain control of Lebanese territory and assert more independence from Syrian control.

Ø       The new legislation granting full civil rights to all Lebanese expatriates and the facilitation of naturalizing spouses and descendants.

Ø       The recent proposal by Hrawi for a Lebanese-Israeli agreement for settling South Lebanon and reaching peace. 

Many other issues and events may be considered in our analysis and may be  incorporated into NALA's policy. I look forward to your inputs. 

Our meeting on January 28, 1995, should mark a new beginning with a another bald vision born of the same convictions and pursued with the same dedication that has brought us this far. 

Ziad Nassar

NALA, National President