The U.S. Committee For A Free Lebanon

The United States Committee For A Free Lebanon (USCFL) aims "to educate the American public as to Lebanon's strategic and moral significance as an ally of the United States and an outpost of Western values in the Middle East”. The USCFL seeks to keep the American people updated on the events in Lebanon. The USCFL actively works against the influence of the Syrian government, believing it has too much involvement with the Lebanese military. The USCFL argues that Syria has used this involvement to its own strategic advantage. These advantages are seen in the swaying of Lebanese politics, policies, and the economy. Democracy in Lebanon and the Middle East is the organization's main ambition.

Formation and Founders

The USCFL “was founded on July 4, 1997 by New York financier Ziad K. Abdelnour, along with 56 other prominent Lebanese American activists and other financiers." Abdelnour is known throughout many countries for his economic, investment, and financing skills. His skill with finances has helped him gain support and influence policies within the companies and organizations for which he works, especially the USCFL. The committee has an International Advisory Board.

Origins

The committee's roots lie in Syria’s invasion of Lebanon. While occupying Lebanon, the Syrian government alienated the Lebanese people by divided them into separate communities. The Syrian government also engaged in a substantial amount of violence, killing Lebanese leaders and people who rejected their presence in Lebanon. The United States Committee For A Free Lebanon asserts that Lebanon is a self-governing and privatized nation that should be free from interference from countries, especially Syria or any other nation.

Affiliates

Originally, there were 56 members. Today, the number of members exceeds over 3,100, with hundreds of thousands following the work of the committee on the internet.

The End Of An Era

On February 18, 2005, the Lebanese people and supporters of a Syrian-free Lebanon

"launched the 'Independence Peaceful Uprising' to liberate Lebanon, motivating the Lebanese masses to support its move. The Lebanese in occupied Lebanon and in Diaspora held mass rallies to support the freedom of their occupied motherland. The protests continued -- larger, louder and bolder -- until the pro-Syrian government in Lebanon resigned on February 28, 2005... By the end of March 2005, the Syrian government pulled most of their troops and dismantled all of its intelligence stations in Beirut and north Lebanon”.

Although the goal of the USCFL has been fulfilled, the USCFL is still committed to keeping foreigners, particularly Americans, informed of the actions and movements of the Lebanese people. The committee is forever pledged to having Lebanon viewed in a positive perspective by the American people.

Philosophy

The goal of the USCFL is to increase the likelihood of an independent Lebanon, which took place in 2005. With the independence of Lebanon, the Committee is now focused on making sure that Lebanon stays independent. The Committee is also continuing its mission of making sure that U.S. citizens have a greater understanding of Lebanon and their connection with the United States. The Committee does not wish to use force, but is not opposed to doing so when it believes no other options are available. The USCFL is also working to change the way foreign policy is directed in the area of Lebanon and the Middle East. The USCFL is also working to modernize Lebanon and reduce Lebanese exploitation by more powerful countries.

Principles

The USCFL strongly advocates for people in the Middle East. The committee believes that the people of the Middle East have the right to basic civil liberties that those in developed countries take for granted. For instance, the USCFL endorses the idea of people in the Middle East having the freedom to choose their government. The Committee also believes that people have to right to live anywhere in the Middle East free of judgment and harassment by others, regardless of religion, sex, or ethnicity.

Actions Taken

Since the formation of the USCFL, the committee has been an active member in lobbying for the rights of Lebanon and change in the Middle East. In 2001, the USCFL created “A Petition Demanding War Against Governments that Sponsor Terrorism”. The document ordered that six countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Lybia, and Sudan, relinquish their governments over to the United States. These countries’ governments would be run by the U.S. as territories until conventional governments - ones that could sustain long tern military power - were established.

In 2003, along with other foreign-member organizations, the USCFL created the Syria Accountability Act. The act encouraged the U.S. to back plans to pull Syria out of Lebanon, end Syria’s open support for terrorism, and stop its development and production of weapons of mass destruction. The act aimed to punish Syria for engaging in violence taking advantage of the other countries surrounding it.

Critics

The USCFL and Lebanon are not without their critics. The committee has faced opposition and some have argued that it functions as a letterhead or front organization with ulterior motives. For instance, it is unclear where the Committee’s funds come from. It is not reported or stated anywhere how the Committee functions, but it does have the power to lobby officials. Some believe that the funds come from the members of the organization, but it has been suggested that the funds come from a collective group of other letterhead organizations or from individuals with vested interests in commercializing Lebanon. The Committee supports reshaping the Middle East to favor U.S. interests. As an illustration of this, the aforementioned “Petition Demanding War Against Governments that Sponsor Terrorism” was largely aimed at benefiting American corporate interests. Letterhead organizations like the USCFL have the power to shift political discussion with no clear responsibility to a power structure that would hold them accountable for their actions. This influence can be seen in lobbying efforts by the USCFL aimed towards members of Congress.