On Monday, a preparatory meeting for the launch of the National Christian Forum joined Free Patriotic Movement leader General Michel Aoun, Marada chief and former Minister Sleiman Franjieh, Tashnaq Secretary General Hovig Mekhtarian, and former Kataeb official Karim Pakradouni at Aoun's residence in Rabiyeh.
The objective?
"The aim was and will remain the compilation of a national policy to maintain the unity and coexistence of Christians in their homeland, Lebanon, and their openness to the world.”
Michel Aoun's, Free Patriotic Movement gained support because of a nationalist, secular type of political agenda. That is not to say that Christians should not stick together, and fight for their rights as a community. As long as the frame is sectarian, Christians can't and should not watch how others use them as a door mat. However, Christians should have called for such meetings, back in the 80s, 90s when they were confronted with the Syrian plans for the country, and with Hizballah's development. In 2008, a different type of message is needed. One of unity, but as a people, not only as a sect.
I can't tell if Aoun changed his ideas or he is only trying to fulfill the role of a President, a self-imposed, de facto one. Anyway, while the idea in itself is OK, the timing could not been more inappropriate.
