Don't shoot the piano player Hi Guys. Upon your request, and in order to correct TROSE a little, I will try to be short, which is not really possible, anyway: Lebanon does not have any oil, or any other natural resources. Syria has a lot of oil, mainly in the northern part close to Iraq. Lebanons main "Industry" have been trading between the west & arab countries, banking, (like Switzerland), and good education facilities for the arab world. It is correct that Lebanon have a multi religious population, with approx 10-15% Christians, (mainly maronites). The biggest group is the Shiite Muslims, (60%), with Sunni & Druze counting for the rest. Before the French left their protectorate Lebanon in the late 40s, they made a constitution whereby the President & the head of the armed forces had to be a Christian Maronite, the Prime minister had to be a Sunni Muslim, the Speaker of Parliament a Shiite, etc. That might have been good solution at the time, but presently the Shiites are the majority, but have only minor positions in the Government. They feel discriminated. Syria came to Lebanon during the mid 70's, (in the beginning of the Civil war), to help the Christians from being over-run by the Muslims & the Palestinian Forces. They have since changed side several times and thereby getting more and more "grip" of the situation. Since "the Peace broke out" in the early 90's, the Syrians have been a stabilizing factor in Lebanon, but they seem to have overstayed their welcome & got their fingers to deep into it. Therefore most ALL Lebanese would like to see them leave. However, they want a good relation with their neighbors, and do not appreciate outside pressure, especially from the US & Israel. They are also afraid for the vacuum that a rapid pull-out of the Syrians will create. The last big protest in favor of the Syrians, was not correctly covered by US & European news. It was a thanks for your support & go in peace, & lets sort out our problems together without outside interference. Hezbolah, which organised the last "pro-Syrian" demonstration, was also the organisation that forced the Israelies out from South-Lebanon, (after 22 years occupation). They get their arms and support from Syria. You don't cut the branch you are sitting on. As the US is seen in this region to support only Israel, it is my opinion that Bush barking actually have played the ball in the hands of the pro-Syrian regime, instead of helping the independent movement that started after the assasination of former Prime Minister Harrire. What a shame. As fare as I am concerned the Lebanese are ALL good people, they just want to live in peace, give their kids a good education & a proper future, (just like we are). I enjoy living here. I had my first tour of duty here from 83 to 89, and returned in 2000. (I also found my 68 Riviera here, so what more can I say). I hope this did not get to political, anyway, describing the Middle East problem this short is not possible, BUT we should not believe everything we see on TV, neither should we believe that everything is only black & white. Per. :beer
Tony, I'll hope to see you here one day, escorting a US president on a official visit to Lebanon. (If so, PM me for a guided tour). John, it still is the Riviera of the ME, I was planning some pics of my Riv infront of the famous Hotel Riviera. You can also go skiing in the morning & swim in the Medeterainian in the afternoon. :TU: And the woman :bglasses: :Brow: Per. :beer
Hopefully you will; thanks for correcting me on the issues! You understand your area very well! :beer
So what tricks did you use to fool the poly test into thinking you were telling the truth???? JK Good Job.
