In defence of Lebanese exile groups in the US

A reader takes issue with a recent opinion piece that described American Lebanese groups that support their homeland's democratically elected government as exiled agents.

In his opinion article Lebanon's exile politics put stability and justice at risk (December 19), James Zogby decried the influence of Lebanese exile groups in the US. In addition to justifying regimes supporting terrorist groups, Mr Zogby is trying to export the mentality used by these regimes against their opponents into the US by describing American Lebanese groups supporting the democratically elected government as exiled agents.
Who is in real exile? The Lebanese American group supporting the current majority Lebanese government, international justice, UN resolutions, a strong Lebanese army and a sovereign Lebanon where the Lebanese government controls all the arms in its territories? Or Mr Zogby who appears to be lobbying to justify Hizbollah, an armed terrorist group outside the Lebanese government's control, and Iranian and Syrian interference in Lebanese affairs?
Recently Mr Zogby attempted to open the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for discussion.
What does it mean to discuss the work of international justice? Especially as the UN and the US still support the tribunal's inquiry into the 24 assassinations against the civilian Cedar Revolution in order to end political assassinations in Lebanon.
More creepily, Mr Zogby lobbies to defend Hizbollah, the terrorist group which vows to attack the Lebanese in support of international law and accuses them of being "agents" for the US. Just as Mr Zogby described various American Lebanese groups supporting the elected government as exiled agents. How can a supporter of a government in power be exiled?
These US Lebanese groups are not agents. They only hold dearly what this land holds in terms of freedom and justice. Labelling these groups as agents will only make them proud US citizens unlike some holders of US citizenship who justify the terrorist group responsible for the deadly attack against the US Marines in 1983.
Tony Safa, US
 
I would like to ask James Zogby whether he has ever considered the reason why there are Lebanese exiled politicians in the United States?
It is for the same reason his ancestors emigrated to the US: to escape persecution to find shelter in the land of opportunity and freedom.
What a hypocritical closing to his article. And I quote: "Finally we affirmed our support for Lebanon's national unity government and urged the US administration to continue to support it as well - with special attention being paid to the need to ensure that violence does not once again tear the country apart, putting Lebanon and its people at risk."
Would he please enlighten us as to how he expects peace, stability and the cessation of assassinations of Lebanese elected officials? How will this peace and tranquillity be achieved without justice? The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is what will bring the assassins to justice and deter the killers from killing again.
Omar O, Dubai
 
Crack down on slowpokes too
Traffic signal cameras will only increase traffic jams. Exceeding the speed limit is wrong and should be punished, but if the authorities wish to do this, then it's also time to start cracking down on people who drive too slow for no apparent reason, leave a massive gap between them and the car in front when they're waiting at a traffic light and are very slow to respond when it goes green.
Such behaviour creates traffic jams. Traffic jams waste everyone's time and cost the economy a lot of money.
Ziad Q, Abu Dhabi
 
Wrong picture of Afghan drug use
I refer to the news article A new crisis emerges (December 10). How irresponsible! After almost two years doing HIV research in Afghanistan, I would characterise the threat of HIV as existent and worth monitoring, but not a crisis. Certainly not in a country with serious competing crises.
Heroin use leads to HIV but United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime data estimated heroin use at 1 per cent. The 2009 study quoted showed that the prevalence of HIV stayed around the same in Kabul.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see health issues get attention. But please focus on the real story in Afghanistan and less on what appears most shocking.
Aimee Rose, UK
 
A fan's praise for Juliana Down
In reference to the article Juliana Down crew to rock Dubai off its Axl (December 16), I was there at the opening of the concert. It was great and those boys sounded amazing.
I wish them all the best. This article does them justice. I think producers should pay more attention to local bands.
Zeinab Ra, Dubai