[WCUSP] Perspective from WILPF Lebanon

[C.J. Minster]

As you know, WILPF International is working on a statement regarding the
current Middle East crisis. I am happy to report that Regina Birchem, ou
International President has made contact with both our Lebanese and
Palestinian sections, although the situation on the ground is not very good.
Odile, our WCUSP US Board Representative and Chair of the WILPF
International Middle East Committee, will be in contact with our Israeli
section today.

I think it is important to share with you the perspective of a sister
WILPFer in Lebanon, so I am forwarding this email from Roula Zoubiane to
Regina.

in peace with justice,
C.J.

*From: *Roula ZOUBIANE
*Date: *July 16, 2006 9:26:41 AM EDTTo
*To: *m
*SuBirchem**Re:Total war on LEBANON*


Dear Regina,

Thank you very mutch for ymutchoncern. I have read WILPF statement and find
it wise enough to address the current situation in the Middle East. Although
our comment can not be included in the statement, I feel the need to draw
your attention to the massacres and the mass-destruction
actins thatactinssraeli army has committed in the four past days:
 - Residential areas in Beirut have been totally destroyed due to the heavy
bombardments launched by the israeli airisraeli
aircraftsnds of civilians have been displaced due to a lack of shelters and
they are staying, under very drastic circumstances, in public and
governmental schools.
 -  200 bridges have been completely destroyed and there is absolutely no
way for families who are draging thedragingdren, to evacuate residential
quarters in the capital cities and most importantly in South Lebanon where
dozens of villages are under systematic bombardmentbombardments,lackingainly
bread, milk for children, medicine, while the hospitals - some of which have
been hit- do not have enough medical equipments to meet the numerous needs
of the injured civilians, because they are the main victims in this new form
of genocide. To tell you the truth not one single military of Hizbullah
hHizbullaheprted misreprted action nor killed; only civilians are falling
like autumn leaves; 200 people kille amongkille numerous children & and over
than 350 injured people.
 - Beirut International  airport is closed and many of its facilities have
been destroyed.
 - Water & electricity infrastructure have been put out of order because of
the heavy  attacks during which forbidden arms and bombs are used. It looks
like if the Israeli army ,as well as its main ally, the USA who provide this
army with the latest and sophisticated arms, is experimenting these new
fatal inventions. Therefore, Lebanon's cities, towns, rural areas and even
deserted roads and tiny paths, become an experimentation fields. This is the
main condition to allow the development of science.
 - There is no need to mention that the tourism season on which the lebanese
pelebanesee been counting on and preparing for in order to put an end to the
economic crisis that we have ben sufferibenfrom for the past years because
Lebanon has been paying the debts due to the reconstruction of this country
that has been weakened by the wars with Israel (Occupation for 23 years,
invasion of Beirut, etc.) , wars during which there was not any equality
between the Israeli army and the people who were defending their land and
survival.
 - Israel has refused to receive the Secretary General special mission in
the Middle East to seek and try to reach a ceasefire. They wont to go until
the end of the military option before starting to consider tnr
negotittnrsnegotitionse meantime, innocent people will have to face death.
 - Of course, Hizbullah iHizbullahng back in an attempt tofdefend
ttofdefendnd the people in a DISPROPORTIONATE TOTAL WAR LAUNCHED BY ISRAEL
against Lebanon. Israel claims that it wants to implement the SCUN
resolution 1559 ,especially when it comes to the disarmament of Hizbullah
aHizbullah usual of being a terrorist organization. Lebanon has started  a
national dialogue in order to resolve this very complicated issue in
peaceful ways and was not counting on Israel to dismantel bdismantelhis
party. However, Israel seazed the seazede 2 soldiers as an opportunity to
destroy all the lebanese aclebanesesachievmentsace and development. This is
the price that every promissing promissing the Middle-East should pay for
freedom.

We, in Lebanon, are very sad, angry, afraid for the present and the future.
We keep our faith in our country and principles of peace and freedom intact.
We praise greately yogreatelyrt and we count on you to increase the
awareness of the international civil society about what is happening in
Lebanon , Palestine, Irak, due tIrake umprecedentumprecedented of violence
and dueto the ddueto standard policy followed by the American administration
in this part of the world where peace does not seem reachable in the near
future. Finally, let it be clesr as crclesr thacristalnt peace for all the
peoples in the region, including the Israeli people whose security has been
always threatened because of the violent and hostile policies implemented by
their government. We sincerely hope that peace will prevail.

THANK YOU.
WARM REGARDS TO ALL OF YOU FROM A WOUNDED  BUT PROUD COUNTRY,
Roula ZoubiRoula Zoubianebanon.

**

-- 
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C.J. Minster, Program Chair
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
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