In response to Diala Haje-Aref, the Syrian Social Affairs Minister.

“Syria is awaiting the formation of a new Lebanese government to begin negotiations over compensation owed to Syrian workers who were attacked.” These surrealistic words were pronounced by Diala Haje-Aref, the Syrian Social Affairs Minister.
We, the Lebanese people, are waiting for Mr. Siniora, or one of his cabinet members, to seek compensation, be it for economic, social, or psychological, to all Lebanese citizens harmed, mutilated, bombed, or otherwise tortured in the last 30 years.
I cannot help but ask how the pounding of Zahle, Bab –El Tabaneh, Achrafieh, and Souk El Gharb could be forgotten? How can we overlook the fact that the Syrians sucked our blood dry by taking half of the revenue from our casino, port, and airport? Should we get compensated for all Lebanese who have served, and are continuing to illegally do so, in Syrian jails? If so, how do we put a price on how much a family is owed for having its son tortured by the “Doulab”?
Permit me to tell Mrs. Diala (assuming, of course, her remark was made for internal Syrian consumption) that at best I can appreciate the objective of her remark considering Syria’s state as a dictatorship. However, if this was in fact truly her intention, I would be the first to suggest that we each agree to compensate the other (in which case Syria would no doubt wind up owing us billions of dollars per year).
Lastly, the workers that she references in her statement should have not been in Lebanon in the first place. Under the auspices of a new Lebanese government, they should be formally documented and, as such, have work permits and pay Lebanese taxes. We, the Lebanese people, will determine how many workers we require, no more and no less. I, for one, would like to thank her from the bottom of my heart, as she will be helping offset our forty billion dollar debt created by them Now we, the Lebanese people, are left to sit back and see which of our Ministers will dare to demand compensation from the Syrians, and put Mrs. Haje-Aref back in her place.