In his State of The Union Address on February 2, 2005, President Bush stated: “To promote peace in the broader Middle East, we must confront regimes that continue to harbor terrorists and pursue weapons of mass murder. Syria still allows its territory, and parts of Lebanon, to be used by terrorists who seek to destroy every chance of peace in the region. You have passed, and we are applying, the Syrian Accountability Act -- and we expect the Syrian government to end all support for terror and open the door to freedom.” The Council of Lebanese American Organizations (CLAO) could not agree more: Syria must end its occupation of Lebanon and the Lebanese people must be freed. Only through a free, democratic, sovereign, and independent Lebanon that the nation would be capable to apply policies designed to benefit the Lebanese and be able to pursue peace.

The Syrian regime must realize that the doctrine of ruling by oppression and denying freedom is no longer tolerated by the free world. Furthermore, the recent success in the Iraqi elections is none but a giant indication that the vast majority of the people in the Middle East region are indeed ready to embrace democracy. The Syrian regime must comprehend that time is running out and that it must open the door to freedom and democracy or else the Syrian people would eventually defeat oppression and open such a door on their own. Democracy is on the march and dictator regimes will soon become part of history.

The Council of Lebanese American Organizations (CLAO) is committed to a free, democratic sovereign, and independent Lebanon. CLAO’s support by the American Lebanese community throughout the United States is second to none. CLAO’s tireless efforts will continue and its objectives set and pursued since 1989 will soon be materialized. Lebanon will, before long, become a free nation, Lebanon will be for the Lebanese – Justice will prevail.

Founded in 1989 to serve the USA and Lebanon
THE COUNCIL OF LEBANESE AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS
4401-A Connecticut Ave. NW Suite 273, Washington, DC 20008
Eastern USA: P.O. Box 181116 Cleveland, OH 44118   Western USA: P. O. Box 661823, Los Angeles, CA 90066
E-mail: clao@clao.com
1-888-4 CLAO 89           
Internet:  www.clao.com