Dokument #1029304
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Autor)
According to Middle East
International (17 Apr. 1992, 17), Syria has a precise view of
its role in the tutelage of Lebanon:
[...] the country should be independent in name, with
all the trappings of independence -a flag, a national anthem, a
separate currency- but with Syrian influence so overwhelming it
would render such independence meaningless. Syrian strategy was
gradually to infiltrate all parts of Lebanon's infrastructure, to
coordinate in matters of defence and intelligence-gathering, to
control information, and enmesh itself in the totality of Lebanon's
domestic affairs to such an extent that Lebanon would become, de
facto and unofficially, part of Syria.
At the end of March 1992, President Hrawi
and other Lebanese leaders had discussions on possible changes
within the Lebanese government with Syrian leaders in Damascus
(Butt 17 Apr. 1992, 18). These changes were requested in order to
calm the growing discontent among the civilian population in
Lebanon (Ibid.). The Syrian leaders then decided that the
government of Lebanon should remain unchanged (Ibid.). An
article in Le Monde (27 Mar. 1992), stated that the decision
on the above-mentioned case was influenced by Syria since the three
most important members of the government travelled to Damascus for
five days of discussion and agreed with the Syrian decision. Reuter
reported that despite its unpopularity the Karami government
currently in power in Lebanon is likely to stay because Syria, the
power broker in Lebanon, wants it to remain in power and also
because it has a majority of pro-Syrian members (22 Apr. 1992).
According to a sociologist and specialist
of Lebanon at Princeton University, all issues in Lebanon, whether
important or not, fall under the influence of Syria (28 Apr. 1992).
In fact, this source added, Lebanon is subordinate to Syria at all
levels (Ibid.). The Syrian government influences even the
appointment of low-level public servants (Ibid.). At
security check points, Syrian soldiers or officers supervise the
Lebanese army (Ibid.). Syrian military personnel frequently
practise bribery (Ibid.). This source also stated that a
person with strong anti-Syrian opinions and significant political
clout could be facing a dangerous situation right now in Lebanon
(Ibid.).
A Research Fellow at the Middle East Center
at Harvard University stated that Syria controls almost all aspects
of the government of Lebanon's activities (29 Apr. 1992). However,
the source reported that this control is informal (Ibid.).
For example, if the government of Lebanon wishes to fill a position
or make an important decision, the Prime Minister or a Minister
will ask the opinion of their Syrian counterpart on the decision
(Ibid.). This source added that this influence over the
government of Lebanon's affairs is effective because of the Syrian
military presence in Lebanon (Ibid.).
According to a specialist on the Middle
East at the Center for Arab Contemporary Studies at Georgetown
University, Washington, members of the government of Lebanon have
been chosen because of their close relationship with the government
of Syria, thereby assuring Syria's influence (29 Apr. 1992).
Additional information on this subject is
currently unavailable to the IRBDC in Ottawa.
Center for Arab Contemporary Studies,
Georgetown University, Washington. 28 April 1992. Telephone
Interview.
Harvard University, Boston. 29 April
1992. Telephone Interview with a Research Fellow.
Le Monde. 27 March 1992. Lucien
George. "Liban: Des élections auront lieu cet
été." (NEXIS)
Middle East International. 17
April 1992. Fida Nasrallah. "Renewed Rift Between Damascus and
Washington?"
. 17 April 1992. Gerald Butt. "The Dire
Straits of Lebanon's Economy."
Princeton University, Department of
Sociology, New Jersey. 28 April 1992. Telephone Interview with a
Specialist.
Reuter. 22 April 1992. Michael Kuli.
"Lebanese Target Government in Share of Unity." (NEXIS)
Immigration Refugee Board Documentation
Center (IRBDC), Ottawa. 21 June 1991. Response to Information
Request LBN8881.
Le Monde. 27 March 1992. Lucien
George. "Liban: Des élections auront lieu cet
été." (NEXIS)
Middle East International. 17
April 1992. Fida Nasrallah. "Renewed Rift Between Damascus and
Washington?"
. 17 April 1992. Gerald Butt. "The Dire
Straits of Lebanon's Economy."
Reuter. 22 April 1992. Michael Kuli.
"Lebanese Target Government in Share of Unity." (NEXIS)
. 28 March 1992. Michael Kuli. "Lebanese
Angry About Government's Survival." (NEXIS)