GMA to UPI on November 20, 2006

BEIRUT, Lebanon (UPI) -- Former Lebanese Army Gen. Michel Aoun is one of two leading candidates vying for the presidency in what is gearing up to be a heated race between Lebanon`s pro- and anti-Syrian forces.

From his heavily secured hilltop borrowed residence just outside the Lebanese capital, Aoun, who rejects the 'pro-Syrian' label, told Claude Salhani, International Editor with United Press International, one of the main reasons he was running for president was to battle corruption. Aoun, however, said it would take a miracle. The following are excerpts.

Claude Salhani: Many people in Lebanon find your alliance with Hezbollah a bit strange. Can you clarify your political philosophy?

Aoun: When I returned from France there was a real problem on the Lebanese (political) scene. I supported (U.N. Security Council Resolution) 1559 (calling for Hezbollah to relinquish its weapons). But I was confronted by a political class, which included (Druze leader) Walid Jumblatt, Saad Hariri (son and political heir of slain former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri) who said Hezbollah should hold on to their weapons. I found myself alone, against Hezbollah and everyone else, the Lebanese Forces, the Phalanges, Hariri, Jumblatt, Amal; all were in an electoral political alliance. I was isolated. I found that there was cheating going on. Jumblatt and Hariri were promising the French and Americans that they would disarm Hezbollah while they were promising Hezbollah they would protect them.

Given this ambiguous situation I felt we were heading for a confrontation and not a solution of the problem. Knowing the nature of Hezbollah, knowing the nature of the others and knowing the U.S. and French position on the issue I imagined how to resolve the problem since no one had the necessary force to resolve the problem by force.

We engaged in dialogue with Hezbollah and agreed to a memorandum of understanding. Once the paper was published there erupted a political explosion against Gen. Aoun.

We managed to get Hezbollah to limit their demands to purely Lebanese issues. They stopped talking about Jerusalem, a global Middle East solution ... we got them to focus on purely Lebanese issues, such as the Shebaa Farms, an area I know very well having served there as a young lieutenant. Yes, the Farms belong to Lebanon.

As soon as the (Lebanese) territory (occupied by Israel) is liberated, Hezbollah`s weapons should become defensive weapons and become integrated in a defensive strategy under Lebanese Army command. And from the moment the Shebaa Farms are returned to Lebanese sovereignty, Hezbollah`s weapons would no longer be used against Israel.

Q: What did you think when Hezbollah kidnapped the three Israeli soldiers in July, sparking Israel`s devastating retaliation?

A: It was a military action to which we were used. This (type of operations) has been going on since 1982. Just two weeks earlier Lebanese security forces broke up a Mossad (Israeli intelligence) cell that was responsible for the killings of five people in Lebanon.

Q: Do you think Hezbollah should have kidnapped those three soldiers?

A: (Hezbollah Secretary-General) Hassan Nasrallah always said you have to take (Israeli) prisoners in order to obtain the release of Hezbollah prisoners. It was part of the game. The surprise was Israel`s reaction. And the second surprise was Hezbollah`s readiness.

Q: But when Hamas kidnapped one Israeli soldier near Gaza just a week earlier, the response from Israel was overwhelming.

A: We didn`t receive the message.

Q: So how do you go about convincing Hezbollah to hand in its weapons?

A: That can only happen through 'trust building.'

Q: How would you apply that in Lebanon?

A: We have to break the circle of fear in which we live in today. If there is no exchange of trust, we remain wary of one another and it offers a permanent source of conflict. One of the first questions I asked Hezbollah was 'Tell me your fears? Tell me about your fears?

Q: What was their reply?

A: They said that they lived first for about 15 years under Palestinian control and suffered a lot. Then came the Israeli occupation. The Lebanese army and government were unable to offer security. We (Hezbollah) succeeded through our resistance to liberate a part of our territory. All solutions should take into account all those fears.

Q: What is your opinion on the Taif peace accords (which put an end to the Lebanese civil war)?

A: Taif was not a choice, it was a dictat. However, we managed to shape a constitution. We have to respect these accords, though they have to become firmer. But much of what was agreed in Taif was never implemented, such as the voting law, decentralization.

Q: Suppose that tomorrow you are president of the Lebanese Republic. How would you go about removing Hezbollah`s weapons?

A: I would put the state in charge of the defense of the country and ensure calm along the border. And integrate the weapons into the army`s defensive system.

Q: Some people say your attitude towards Syria has changed. They accuse you of shifting policy from anti-Syrian to pro-Syrian. How do you reply to that?

A: My attitude has not changed. I always said if the Syrians leave Lebanon we would try to have very good relations with Syria. And I have no links with Syria. There will be no return to (Syrian) tutelage. There should be full diplomatic relations and exchanges of ambassadors.

Q: Do you believe the Syrians have withdrawn from Lebanon?

A: (Laughter) They withdrew militarily, but they still try to impose their influence. The Syrians left, but left behind two explosive situations: Hezbollah and the Palestinians,

Q: How do you feel when accused of being pro-Syrian?

A: First I was raging mad. Later it had no effect on me.

Q: It`s been said that you have a short temper.

A: I lose my temper over small things, such as over breaking a cup of coffee, but I stay calm under fire.

Q: You threatened of taking to the street and organizing demonstrations if the government does not resign. Would you still do that?

A: That is a means, not the only means to resist this government.

Q: If you could ask President Bush one question, what would it be?

A: I don`t think that he would listen to me. We have to use a correct process to install democracy and then to safeguard the values of democracy in the fight against corruption. If we can get rid of corruption in Lebanon it would be a miracle ... And I would merit going to heaven.