Christians of the Levant Accuse France of Plotting to Displace Them ...
For decades, the Christians of the Levant held a belief that France — “the tender mother,” as it was called — served as their shield. Recently, many prominent Christian figures have raised their voices, accusing Paris and other European capitals of plotting to displace them from their homelands. What has caused such a turnaround and what are the bases of these accusations? A few years ago, the Christians of Lebanon discovered for the first time — through an official biography titled "Chirac of Arabia" ("Chirac d’Arabie: Les mirages d’une politique francaise") — just how much former French President Jacques Chirac disdained them. Afterwards, when the civil war erupted in Syria in mid-2011, this intransigence was clearly displayed through the stance of his successor, former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who called for the toppling of Bashar al-Assad at any cost and by any means.The United States, however, was reluctant and prudent regarding the calamities in Syria. At the same time, European analyses and studies were spreading, pointing to the issue of oil and gas in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin as the main motive behind the conflict over Syria and Lebanon. These analyses were further confirmed by a report aired on the French channel “Canal+” on Nov. 25, 2011, demonstrating, through facts and documents, how gas served as the main catalyst to the alliance between France and Qatar in Libya in 2011.Amid escalating fears, the Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai visited Paris in September 2011 and met with President Sarkozy. Speaking about Syria in his meeting at the Élysée Palace, Rai voiced the concerns and fears of Christians as follows: “We fear that events might lead to a sectarian division in Syria, a collective displacement of minorities or a drift towards extremism.” Those who accompanied Rai in his visit expressed that they did not sense any interest on the part of Sarkozy. At the same time, many political and media voices with close ties to Paris loudly accused Rai of defending Assad’s regime.Simultaneously, calamities in Syria were beginning to intensify, while the wave of extremism and religious targeting continued to increase. Many Christian figures were killed, in addition to a collective displacement of Christians in many regions of Homs, as Sister Anies Salib — a prioress at a convent in Homs — told the Lebanese media. AFP reported that Mohamed al-Sansawi, a leader of a Jihadist group in the Bab al-Hawa region near the Syrian-Turkish border, said that the aim of the revolution is “to establish an Islamic state in Syria and Lebanon, the home of casinos and prostitutes.” [ed notes;mind you none of these are asking for an islamic state in Turkey however,none!!!see the contradictions?Turkey main protagonist and backer of these fake islamic groups,is a secular outpost to middle east,and hosting NATO and many pro zionist western think tanks,so why dotn thy establish or figth for islamic state in Turkey?France has tried to absorb this resentment. Late in 2011, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon assigned Sen. Adrian Gotiron, a member of the French Senate and head of the Lebanese-French Friendship Commission, to assess the situation of the Christians of the Levant. Gotiron commenced his mission by visiting the Vatican for consultations. However, many French experts described him as an “amateur” when it comes to foreign policies. It was said that his assignment was a mere cover-up of the real facts.Amid widespread concerns, a slip of the tongue ignited more fears. Gotiron said in a speech on the background of his mission that “political and religious leaders are calling for the avoidance of collective displacement.” His statement prompted many questions: What exactly is required then? Individual displacement? Or a low-profile disguised displacement?Alain Juppe, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, preceded Gotiron with a similar slip-up. On Oct. 11, 2011, he was asked during a cabinet discussion session before the National Assembly about the conditions of Copts, to which he replied: “We were not content with words and speeches, we welcomed all those who were the victims of threats, violent acts and terrorism. The same was done in Iraq, as we brought 1,300 Iraqi Christians to France as a part of an inclusive program.”These two stances were enough to raise concern among the Christians of Lebanon and Syria. Many figures accused Paris and other European capitals of plotting to displace Christians in exchange for oil, gas and preserving France’s interest in Doha and Riyadh. Juppe tried to refute this argument in an article published in a Lebanese newspaper on March 1, 2012, in which he addressed the Christians of the Levant, yet failed to put out the fire.As events escalated in Syria, the Christian voices rang out even louder. Lebanese media outlets reported on Jan. 20, 2012, that Valery Alexeev, the president of the Institute for Orthodox Peoples’ Unity was taken by surprise when he learned of Paris’ stance. During his visit to many western countries to examine their opinions about the situation of Christians in the Levant, France expressed that “it is important to encourage the Christians of the Levant to immigrate to Europe.” According to the same sources, Alexeev and Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow communicated to Lebanese religious leaders during their visit to Lebanon that “a western plan is set to displace Christians.”A week later, Pastor Ibrahim Nseir — head of the Anglican Church in Aleppo — denounced the “French speeches which encourage the displacement of Christians from Syria.” Nseir reported that a French official said that “the number of Christians in the region is not enormous; European countries are capable of taking them in.” In the same context, Nseir said that “Germany expressed its ability to receive 20,000 Christian families; a plan to displace Christians from this region is being carried out.”Christians held in high-esteem the statement made by Hillary Clinton on July 30, 2012, at the Carnegie Endowment. She noted, “The Christians of Syria are filled with concern over their future. They feel like they are really going to be at risk regardless of what developments come about.”Are these concerns simply unfounded? Waiting for the confirmation of these fears may drag out blood baths and mass exterminations. [ed notes;i dont know why people held high esteem for hillarys rethoric at carnegie,since she and carnegie are both deeply involved in seeking regime change in syria and supporting syrias rebels....then again many morons believed obamas propaganda in famous cairo speech about new era of us policy in region(all b.s.).the reason why France,Germany,and other euro zionist control nations want to displace christians in Syria is because they support Assad,and in Lebanon outside of the zionist cedar revolution christians,auon and marada affiliated christians support resistance against west..thats a huge obstacle to creating an atmosphere wich would enable zio euro countries to justify neocolonial policies with support of zionist friendly christians only against resistance axis..hence they need to displace pro resistance christians,leaving only the zio christians to clamour for outside interventions...