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The Daily Star, Lebanon
June 10 2005
Zahle campaign gets up close and personal
By Adnan El-Ghoul
Daily Star staff
Friday, June 10, 2005
On the campaign trail
BEIRUT: The electoral race in the Zahle district has not attracted as
much attention as other areas, despite the presence of influential
figures such as the area's MP Elias Skaff, who had been courted -
indirectly - by Saad Hariri through Bekaa MP Mohsen Dalloul and Zahle
MP Nicolas Fattoush.
But Skaff has ended the negotiations suddenly, without explanation,
and announced an incomplete electoral list in alliance with the
Armenian Tashnag Party and Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement.
Despite his last-minute divorce from the two MPs, who since have
formed a separate list, Dalloul and Fattoush maintained positive
relations with Skaff in the hope he would reconsider his stance.
However, their cordial behavior did not last long.
In contrast to the nationwide electoral race, where serious and
controversial issues are (somewhat) being addressed, the battle in
Zahle seems to be focused more on minor disputes and personal
accusations and counteraccusations over schemes, corruption and
financial scandals.
The three MPs had divided amongst themselves the spoils from many
local and international ventures over the past 15 years. They appear
to be proving true an old Arabic proverb that says, "The thieves got
away with scheming only to be caught while fighting over the shares."
In a statement allegedly published by one of Skaff's campaigning
staff, embarrassing accusations were leveled against Dalloul and
Fattoush, claiming the pair had made their fortunes on illicit
activities involving the mishandling of private and public funds.
Skaff's denial of who published the statement in local newspapers was
dismissed
by Fattoush, who said he was well aware of who was behind the
accusations.
"I worked closely with Skaff's campaigning team and I know their
dirty tactics very well," Fattoush said.
He continued by claiming to know the true reasons behind Skaff's
reluctance to join Hariri's list.
He said: "Skaff said in front of everyone that he was broke and under
heavy personal debts."
One can't help but wonder why Fattoush would raise the issue of
personal debts if it were not an indication Hariri had refused to
relieve Skaff of his financial burdens?
While candidates in Zahle continue to argue publicly, the rest of the
country is engaged in fierce battles over decisive issues concerning
the country's future, state institutions and the regional role.
One can only speculate as to why key figures such as Hariri or
high-ranking Hizbullah officials have kept their distance from Zahle.
Winning Akkar would represent a major breakthrough for Hariri, just
as his risking a visit to the border towns in the South injected
additional confidence in the resistance and Aoun going to the
southern suburbs for the first time has been a large boost to his
campaign.
What can Zahle offer the national campaign when its leaders continue
to bicker over their deceitful deals that seem to have been the only
grounds for their "national unity, sovereignty and independence?"
June 10 2005
Zahle campaign gets up close and personal
By Adnan El-Ghoul
Daily Star staff
Friday, June 10, 2005
On the campaign trail
BEIRUT: The electoral race in the Zahle district has not attracted as
much attention as other areas, despite the presence of influential
figures such as the area's MP Elias Skaff, who had been courted -
indirectly - by Saad Hariri through Bekaa MP Mohsen Dalloul and Zahle
MP Nicolas Fattoush.
But Skaff has ended the negotiations suddenly, without explanation,
and announced an incomplete electoral list in alliance with the
Armenian Tashnag Party and Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement.
Despite his last-minute divorce from the two MPs, who since have
formed a separate list, Dalloul and Fattoush maintained positive
relations with Skaff in the hope he would reconsider his stance.
However, their cordial behavior did not last long.
In contrast to the nationwide electoral race, where serious and
controversial issues are (somewhat) being addressed, the battle in
Zahle seems to be focused more on minor disputes and personal
accusations and counteraccusations over schemes, corruption and
financial scandals.
The three MPs had divided amongst themselves the spoils from many
local and international ventures over the past 15 years. They appear
to be proving true an old Arabic proverb that says, "The thieves got
away with scheming only to be caught while fighting over the shares."
In a statement allegedly published by one of Skaff's campaigning
staff, embarrassing accusations were leveled against Dalloul and
Fattoush, claiming the pair had made their fortunes on illicit
activities involving the mishandling of private and public funds.
Skaff's denial of who published the statement in local newspapers was
dismissed
by Fattoush, who said he was well aware of who was behind the
accusations.
"I worked closely with Skaff's campaigning team and I know their
dirty tactics very well," Fattoush said.
He continued by claiming to know the true reasons behind Skaff's
reluctance to join Hariri's list.
He said: "Skaff said in front of everyone that he was broke and under
heavy personal debts."
One can't help but wonder why Fattoush would raise the issue of
personal debts if it were not an indication Hariri had refused to
relieve Skaff of his financial burdens?
While candidates in Zahle continue to argue publicly, the rest of the
country is engaged in fierce battles over decisive issues concerning
the country's future, state institutions and the regional role.
One can only speculate as to why key figures such as Hariri or
high-ranking Hizbullah officials have kept their distance from Zahle.
Winning Akkar would represent a major breakthrough for Hariri, just
as his risking a visit to the border towns in the South injected
additional confidence in the resistance and Aoun going to the
southern suburbs for the first time has been a large boost to his
campaign.
What can Zahle offer the national campaign when its leaders continue
to bicker over their deceitful deals that seem to have been the only
grounds for their "national unity, sovereignty and independence?"