Democratic Palestine : 23 (ص 3)
غرض
- عنوان
- Democratic Palestine : 23 (ص 3)
- المحتوى
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Editorial
How Long Will the War on the Camps Continue?
There is no doubt that the Syrian entry into West Beirut is
the most outstanding event in the region at present. It con-
tinues to attract the attention of Palestinian, Lebanese, Arab
and international political circles alike. All are watching the
effects of the ongoing developments on the future identity and
position of Lebanon, taking into consideration the close con-
nection between the Lebanese problem, regional problems and
the Arab-Zionist conflict, as well as the failure of all attempts
to separate the Lebanese conflict from the Middle East con-
flict. An observation period is required for all concerned par-
ties to explore the nature of the steps being taken and their ef-
fects on the present and future circumstances.
The Palestinian and Lebanese nationalist forces, along with
all the Arab national liberation movement, are awaiting Syrian
positions and moves that would restore the nationalist
Palestinian-Lebanese-Syrian triangle of steadfastness to its
true militancy and strength. Previously, this alliance facilitated
the defeat of the Israeli, US, NATO and Phalangist forces in
1983-84, aborting the infamous May 17th accord after inflic-
ting heavy losses on the enemy forces.
The Palestinian and Lebanese nationalist forces are also
awaiting Syrian positions and moves supportive of the national
democratic trend of resistance in Lebanon, which lost some of
its strength as a result of the wars waged by Amal against it, in
a marked deviation from the real battle against the fascist,
sectarian trend. The sectarian trend that spread within Amal
not only constitutes an obstacle to consolidating the nationalist
program and continuing the war for liberation and democratic
change. It has also weakened the nationalist alliance’s con-
frontation of the aggression launched against the Arab libera-
tion movement by the imperialist-Zionist-reactionary alliance,
as a prelude to spreading Camp David in the region.
These are the aspirations of the Palestinian and Lebanese
nationalist forces that are supported by progressive forces on
the Arab and international levels. The aspirations of the
Lebanese fascists, who are supported by the US and ‘Israel’,
are entirely different. The fascist forces have publicly declared
that they will resist the Syrian presence unless its main goal is
to disarm the western sector of Beirut and hand it over to the
Lebanese authorities, after being ‘cleansed’. They insist that
the Syrian forces work seriously for the release of foreign
hostages and strike Islamic fundamentalists. The public posi-
tions of the Lebanese fascists, the US and ‘Israel’, are accom-
panied by a flood of direct and indirect threats that Syria will
be drowned in the Lebanese quagmire if it does not deal with
the situation in a manner acceptable to Washington, Tel Aviv
and the Lebanese presidency. These very forces had all
themselves failed to eliminate Palestinian-Lebanese nationalist
armed presence over the preceding years, despite the applica-
tion of massive aggression to that end.
In view of these facts, it is clear that the enemy forces are
working to delay and ultimately avoid the measures proposed
for political reform as a step towards resolving the Lebanese
problem. At the same time, the enemy forces are waiting to see
the steps taken and how these impact on the future of the
Palestinian-Lebanese nationalist armed presence and the sec-
tarian nature of the Lebanese regime. The Lebanese fascists
have waged a fierce war and joined the Zionists in their battle
to eliminate the Palestinian revolution and the Lebanese na-
tional movement in order to impose their sectarian hegemony
on Lebanon. All facts indicate that they have not changed their
line or their relations with the enemy forces. On the contrary,
the fascists are vigorously improving their relations with Tel
Aviv, Washington and the Arab forces who are moving
towards Camp David.
Thus, legitimate fears are harbored by the Lebanese and
Palestinian nationalist forces who have shouldered the main
burden in the battle against the fascists’ plans and the attempts
to transform Lebanon into a US—dZionist satellite. Their fears
stem from the fact that they have not been part of the current
discussions on the future of Lebanon, the political solutions
being proposed and how these plans would safeguard the
achievements made by Lebanese and Palestinian nationalists in
the battle against the fascists. Based on their sacrifices, the
Lebanese and Palestinian nationalist and democratic forces
have the right to participate in decision-making and practical
planning of the steps to be taken. Above all, they have the right
to ask Syria to pressure Amal to stop its ugly practices against
Lebanese nationalist cadres and leaders, and to lift the siege on
the Palestinian camps. This would save the nationalist forces
and allow for the unification of their capacities. If it is true
that the Syrian entry into West Beirut has had immediate
results, such as restoring security and stability to the
courageous city which suffered greatly from Amal’s war, it is
also true that this entry has not yet forced Amal to lift the siege
on Burj Al Barajneh and Shatila camps. The residents of these
two camps are still trapped in daily suffering, despite the
Syrian forces’ deployment in West Beirut. The Syrian forces
did help in a partial lifting of the blockade on food and medical
supplies to the camps. Still, they have not yet taken the
necessary steps to ensure the withdrawal of Amal and the
Lebanese Army from the area surrounding the camps. Only
this would ensure the cessation of the daily attacks on the
besieged Palestinians.
The present conditions necessitate alertness to the known
plans of the fascist forces and their regional and international
allies. At the same time, these conditions require an immediate
initiative to unify and consolidate the nationalist ranks, by
stopping Amal’s war against Lebanese and Palestinian na-
tionalists. In the light of the intensification of Amal’s siege of
the camps, the question now being asked by the camp
residents, and by Palestinian, Lebanese and Arab popular and
political forces, is: Why is the camp war continuing, and for
how long? This question is a legitimate one, since many
thought that the Syrian furces’ entry into West Beirut would
facilitate a solution to the camps’ problems.
The Palestinian people and revolution have confirmed their
adherence to their nationalist armed presence in Lebanon.
They are determined to uphold the achievements made through
their struggle and sacrifices. At the same time, they are
endeavoring to adhere to all the agreements reached with the
Lebanese nationalist forces, under Syrian auspices, concerning
the camps in Lebanon. We expect all sincere patriotic forces to
take these things into account. @
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- Democratic Palestine : 23
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- المنشئ
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