Please visit Bachir Gemayel Community Site to listen to Sheikh Nadim's speech during yesterday's mass.
posted by Rampurple @ 9/14/2003 03:46:00 PM
Sunday, September 14, 2003
Sheikh Nadim's Speech
Please visit Bachir Gemayel Community Site to listen to Sheikh Nadim's speech during yesterday's mass.
Please visit Bachir Gemayel Community Site to listen to Sheikh Nadim's speech during yesterday's mass.
Bashir Gemayel's Heir Makes a Thunderous Entry into Politics
On the anniversary of his father's assassination, Nadim Gemayel has unveiled clear resolve to keep the legacy of the late President-elect Bashir Gemayel alive, and appears to have attracted quite a following and a fair share of controversy in the process.
At the annual commemoration of Gemayel's assassination on Sept. 14, 1982, the young heir thanked his mother, Solange, for leading the followers of his father and keeping the family together all these years until he became 21 and, as such, eligible to thrust himself into politics.
"Lebanon is for all its citizens, and enough of capitalizing on sectarian differences to sow discord," he told the congregation that gathered Saturday at the Miracle Icon Church in Ashrafieh to pay tribute to his father – an annual ceremony held a day in advance to avoid a clash with Baada-Aley by-elections.
But then, he himself seemed to make the religious distinction in an improvised speech he delivered in local Lebanese accent, the same as his father did: "A strong Christian wants a strong Muslim partner," he said.
Nadim Gemayel called for a brisk voter turnout for the Baabda-Aley polls, and urged support for Hikmat Deeb, the Aoun candidate, an issue that has underscored Nadim's scramble for allies that has at the same time split his family.
With his mother and sister, Youmna, at his side, the young man - a replica of the father in looks and mannerism - was greeted with wide applause and a jungle of flags and portraits reflecting who his allies might be: Samir Geagea's disbanded Lebanese Forces, Gen. Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, the National Liberal Party and some segments of the fragmented Phalange Party, which he could not exactly rely on.
His two cousins, sons of former President Amin Gemayel, Pierre and Sami, left the ceremony before his speech to avoid an embarrassment. Pierre Gemayel is now Metn MP and backing Deeb's rival in the Baabda-Aley polls, Henry Helou.
This past month has seen quite a few public mudslinging matches between the two cousins, reminiscent to the endless bickering that marked Bashir Gemayel's relations with, Amin, who became president after the assassination of his younger brother.
Amin Gemayel, however, remained at Saturday's service with his wife Joyce, maintaining a low profile to avoid more dirty laundry hanging in public.
Thanks to Naharnet
On the anniversary of his father's assassination, Nadim Gemayel has unveiled clear resolve to keep the legacy of the late President-elect Bashir Gemayel alive, and appears to have attracted quite a following and a fair share of controversy in the process.
At the annual commemoration of Gemayel's assassination on Sept. 14, 1982, the young heir thanked his mother, Solange, for leading the followers of his father and keeping the family together all these years until he became 21 and, as such, eligible to thrust himself into politics.
"Lebanon is for all its citizens, and enough of capitalizing on sectarian differences to sow discord," he told the congregation that gathered Saturday at the Miracle Icon Church in Ashrafieh to pay tribute to his father – an annual ceremony held a day in advance to avoid a clash with Baada-Aley by-elections.
But then, he himself seemed to make the religious distinction in an improvised speech he delivered in local Lebanese accent, the same as his father did: "A strong Christian wants a strong Muslim partner," he said.
Nadim Gemayel called for a brisk voter turnout for the Baabda-Aley polls, and urged support for Hikmat Deeb, the Aoun candidate, an issue that has underscored Nadim's scramble for allies that has at the same time split his family.
With his mother and sister, Youmna, at his side, the young man - a replica of the father in looks and mannerism - was greeted with wide applause and a jungle of flags and portraits reflecting who his allies might be: Samir Geagea's disbanded Lebanese Forces, Gen. Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement, the National Liberal Party and some segments of the fragmented Phalange Party, which he could not exactly rely on.
His two cousins, sons of former President Amin Gemayel, Pierre and Sami, left the ceremony before his speech to avoid an embarrassment. Pierre Gemayel is now Metn MP and backing Deeb's rival in the Baabda-Aley polls, Henry Helou.
This past month has seen quite a few public mudslinging matches between the two cousins, reminiscent to the endless bickering that marked Bashir Gemayel's relations with, Amin, who became president after the assassination of his younger brother.
Amin Gemayel, however, remained at Saturday's service with his wife Joyce, maintaining a low profile to avoid more dirty laundry hanging in public.
Thanks to Naharnet
posted by Rampurple @ 9/14/2003 03:43:00 PM
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To Sheikh Nadim
I received the following email today intended for Sheikh Nadim:
Sheikh Nadim,
Seeing you on TV, from Dubai, on Sept.13 addressing the people, I couldn't
but wish you the best in your leadership. I've been always against political
inheritance, but everybody can tell " you are different" you are not like
everybody else.
I have one suggestion that I have to say to you, because I can see you as a
capable leader:
Most of the the so called leaders son inherited the leadership (from their
parents) but they never earned it. They were pushed to it and did like the
power but never were able to control it and they are and will be always
known as the " son of.....". Most of the people got tired of following a
leader's son just because he is the "Son".
I ask you to use Bachir's Name in a different way and make sure you show the
people "Your" leadership capability. I did see it in your speech and I ask
you to keep it up for the sake of the True Lebanese People and for the sake
of a Free Lebanon.
Hoping to meet you one day.
Wish you the best always!
Samir
I received the following email today intended for Sheikh Nadim:
Sheikh Nadim,
Seeing you on TV, from Dubai, on Sept.13 addressing the people, I couldn't
but wish you the best in your leadership. I've been always against political
inheritance, but everybody can tell " you are different" you are not like
everybody else.
I have one suggestion that I have to say to you, because I can see you as a
capable leader:
Most of the the so called leaders son inherited the leadership (from their
parents) but they never earned it. They were pushed to it and did like the
power but never were able to control it and they are and will be always
known as the " son of.....". Most of the people got tired of following a
leader's son just because he is the "Son".
I ask you to use Bachir's Name in a different way and make sure you show the
people "Your" leadership capability. I did see it in your speech and I ask
you to keep it up for the sake of the True Lebanese People and for the sake
of a Free Lebanon.
Hoping to meet you one day.
Wish you the best always!
Samir
posted by Rampurple @ 9/14/2003 02:44:00 PM
0 comments
