The Difference between Chehabism and Aounism


Aounists in numerous occasions have stated that they are the new Chehabists, that statement is totally false as well as misleading.

In order for me to explain the difference between Chehabism and Aounism, I am compelled to resort to a little bit of history of the Chehabism Era and specifically in 1952.

In 1988, President Amin Gemayel's term was coming to an end. The Parliament convened to elect a new president but , the deputies who were present at that session were not enough (as per the constitution) to elect a new president added to the fact that they were all coming from anti-Gemayel Areas (mainly Syrian Controlled areas) on the other hand the deputies needed to complete the election session were in the Gemayel Controlled Areas (and according to their later testimony were barred by the Lebanese Army to attend the Presidential Election Session). The country needed a new President, Amin Gemayel's attempts for a re-election (which is forbidden by the constitution) or even prolonging his term by 3 years have failed. The Parliament convened to elect a new President but failed to do so due to lack of deputies required to complete the session.
The same 1952 scenario was repeated in 1988 were an outgoing President had to surrender the Country's authority to the Commander of the Armed Forces : General Michel Aoun. General Aoun's task was very simple and specific : Create a stable and secure environment for the elections of a new President. General Aoun claims he could never perform such a task due to the Syrian influence in Lebanon both Political & Military and therefore the possibility of electing a President that would be completely Pro-Syrian who might "give-away" the country. This claim is debatable & would occupy politician's and analyst's opinions for years to come due to 2 main reasons stated in "Wanna Play Ball ??" sub-section.

General Michel Aoun found himself stuck in an impossible situation, but he chose the wrong solution. I am not doubting General Aoun's patriotism or love of our Country & the Lebanese People, but he took the wrong decisions and was surrounded by the wrong team who gave him the wrong exposure which definitely deviated him from Chehabism, if he is to consider himself a Chehabist. Nevertheless, he is a patriot, he is well known to my family ; in the sixties, Lieutenant Michel Aoun served as an Artillery Officer under the Command of my Grandfather.

General Aoun's mistakes (in my humble opinion) are in the following summary :

1- Attacking " The Lebanese Forces " (The Christian Extremist Armed Militia supported by Israel & Iraq ... hehehe ... don't ask me how ?? ... they claim it's all in interest of the Anti-Syrian Struggle). General Aoun attacked the "Lebanese Forces" because "illegal Armed militias will no longer be tolerated to exist" as he claims. In that case why the "Lebanese Forces" ?? why not The AMAL movement (Shiite Extremist Armed Militia Supported by Syria) , why not the Progressist Socialist Party (Druze Armed Militia supported by ...uuhhh....eerrrr...well ...It depends) or why not the Hezbollah (no need to explain this one).

2- Attacking the Syrian Army. General Aoun knows very well that the Lebanese Army does not have the military arsenal that the Syrian or Israeli Armies have, but he was betting on the fact that Syria will be forced to withdraw under international pressure. Heheh Well, "international" was NOT willing to pressure , because they needed to please Syria for a better atmosphere in the Middle-east Peace Negotiations with Israel, and asking Assad to make peace with Israel & withdraw from Lebanon is just too much asking. So our dear General bet on the wrong number.

3- Politically attacking the Deputies of Parliament. It's true that democracy , in Lebanon, has been in a state of Coma for a long time, and the Deputies do not represent the people more than me being the son of Emperor Hiro Hito, but still it is the closest we had (at the time) of an assembly representing all the regions and sects of Lebanon.

4- THE UNFORGIVABLE MISTAKE, more, let me call it : THE CRIME : Implicating the Lebanese Army in the country's internal conflict. President Fouad Chehab, ABAL-JAISH (Father of the Army) would NEVER have allowed this to happen, even if you were to put a bullet in his head. General Aoun transformed the Army into his own personal militia, a lot of officers and soldiers deserted and regrouped under another faction of the Army led by the present Commander who remained neutral and acted only under the orders of Legal Institutions. Who is to blame for the division of The Lebanese Army whose soldiers & officers are from every region & religion of Lebanon. Here , I would like to take a moment to remember a good friend : Lieutenant Elie Chamoun, Pilot in the Lebanese Air Force, died from a grenade explosion in the Adma Airbase attack. Lt. Chamoun was an Officer & a Gentleman a true Lebanese, not to mention his extremely pleasant & charming personality. He will always be remembered and mourned (Adma Airbase was cowardly attacked by the " Lebanese Forces " , I say cowardly because the attack was from more than 600 militiamen against 75 Lebanese Army Soldiers & Officers in an Airbase which does not hold Heavy Weapons nor has any fortifications even, yet those officers and soldiers faught valliantly).


General Aoun (although patriotic) committed the above mistakes without any calculation for the consequences. He was appointed Prime Minister by an outgoing President, this appointment is NOMINAL and NOT ACTIVE, his duty was clear and specific, create an environment for Presidential Elections. Even if this task was impossible at the time , nevertheless he should have concentrated all his efforts in that direction ONLY. It was never his responsibility or DECISION to act the way he did. One Man cannot take a decision on behalf of a divided Nation, only a united Nation can force its way to independence from a greater Nation like France.


C E D A R L O R D

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