MP Misbah Ahdab: A call for radical reform (Monday Morning)

Monday Morning

How do you evaluate the Lebanese internal situation?

People have serious financial problems as they try to make ends meet. In addition, there is a leadership problem. The country’s top leaders disagree on how the Constitution should be applied, but unfortunately the government’s achievements are minimal.

There is no productivity, and when major issues are raised, they are not really settled because of disagreements among ministers and others. Take, for example, the official indecision over the issue of the quarries, or the interminable matter of privatizing the mobile phone sector. There is a widespread impression that the cabinet is not able to implement its decisions.

Moreover, the budget is mainly allocated to paying the salaries of government employees and the security forces, and all this money comes out of the citizens’ pockets. It’s a pity that some officials may be getting more than their fair share of the public funds.

How are these problems being dealt with? Where are the reforms? And is it possible to extract yet more money from the Lebanese people? And is it fair to ask them to pay for inefficiency and corruption?

We submitted proposals to Parliament two years ago, a program of radical reforms on the economic, financial, administrative and political levels. Unfortunately our proposal faced major opposition. But after the second conference of international donors in Paris, our proposals for financial restructuring were adopted in so far as they dealt with negotiating with the banks to reschedule the public debts.

It should be pointed out in this context that this required reform cannot take place without reconsidering the political, financial and administrative structure.

There has been a good deal of criticism of the present cabinet of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri since its installation. How long do you think it will continue in office?

The current government will not resign because there is an imbalance in Parliament. Thus, we often hear that there is wide discontent with the government, but whenever serious opposition appears, the parliamentary blocs close ranks behind the cabinet. That’s why there must be a change of methods because at the moment political activity is paralyzed and requires a radical solution.

Any new government should be based on a policy statement that would ensure a radical solution and a mechanism for carrying out reforms.

Do you support Premier Hariri’s policy?

The issue isn’t about one person only. The disagreements between President Lahoud and Premier Hariri are one thing; a reconsideration of the government’s methods is another.

In regard to the disagreements between the two heads of the executive branch, I think Hariri is right on a lot of issues.

How do you mean?

According to the Constitution, the prime minister convenes the Council of Ministers and draws up its agenda, while the president is entitled to chair council meetings when he is present and to insert items in the agenda prepared by the prime minister.

I would like to make things clear: in this country matters are always dealt with from a confessional perspective. I am far from having such a mentality. But I am mindful to apply the Constitution and I consider it my duty to defend the constitutional texts.

What seems dangerous is the attempt to substitute ‘customs’ for the Constitution, though when there are serious disagreements, it is useless to invoke ‘customs’.

I’m not defending him because he’s a Sunnite leader; I didn’t designate him or give him my vote of confidence.

Hariri has the advantage of having a wide network of relations and contacts. If we want to remove him, we’d have to ensure that the new cabinet had a much wider representation than the present one.

There is talk about setting up a Sunnite political gathering rather like certain groupings comprising Christian politicians&

I don’t think the situation should be dealt with in a sectarian manner. I criticized the Kornet Shahwan Grouping because it only represents Christians, whereas I believe that matters should be dealt with in a more comprehensive manner by having the various sides agree on a converging vision.

What about the opposition?

There are different kinds of oppositions. There is the opposition to certain persons in office, persons whose departure would result in an improvement in the conduct of state business.

Not long ago a government opposed to Hariri was in office, but the manner of governance did not change. Thus, it is not a matter of persons but of policies.

Our rulers admit that the situation is far from satisfactory, but nothing is done to improve it.

How are your relations with former Premier Omar Karami?

Omar Karami is a former premier and a fellow-citizen of Tripoli. We may have certain disagreements on certain political issues, but this does not prevent us from having a dialogue.

It is said that some of the acrimony on the political scene arises from speculation that an attempt may be made to renew or extend the presidential term. What is your view?

I believe it’s a mistake to raise this matter. There is no reason why this Administration should have its term extended.

What I can say is that the Constitution is clear in this regard, and amending it is something that should not be taken lightly. I will not vote for amending the Constitution simply for the benefit of a particular Administration or a person. It is most unfortunate that the matter is being discussed at all.

How are your relations with President Emile Lahoud?

This has nothing to do with my relations with the president. I have nothing personal against him. I believe it is my duty as a representative of the legislative power to be in constant contact with the head of the state.

There is reportedly discussion of a new law to regulate elections. What is your view of this?

I believe we should give priority to dealing with the parlous economic and social situation. It’s true that the electoral law is very important in order to have a better representation, but I think the government must give priority to other matters.

Every time an electoral law is drafted, the president withdraws it from consideration after the elections to reexamine it. I propose that we should draft the text of a new law, but that we should do so a long time before the date of general elections.

As far as constituencies are concerned, I have a preference for basing their boundaries on those of provinces [mohafazats].