American Ambassador’s Op-Ed Comparing Lebanese Struggle For Independence With That Of American Founding Fathers

Jeffrey Feltman, the American Ambassador in Beirut has written an op-ed in which he advises, based on his country’s experience, the independence-seeking Lebanese to be patient:

Not quite in the shadow..

Americans recognized that it took more than the stroke of a pen to transform 13 diverse colonies into one strong, prosperous and united country. Finding the correct balance between a strong central government and local rights took 17 years — time for state militias to be integrated into the national army, for Americans to adapt to life without British troops on their soil, and for an American identity to be forged.

The Ambassador had noted a similarity between America’s quest for independence more than 200 years ago and Lebanon’s current struggle:

Observing both the exhilarating and tragic events of the past three years, I appreciate even more the bravery and sacrifices so many Americans made to protect and preserve the unity, independence and democracy of my own country, the United States. To my surprise, I see some similarities in the struggles of our two peoples to achieve genuine independence. Winning freedom and forging a viable union out of diversity, particularly when some are trying to restore the old order, is neither quick nor easy.

Mr. Feltman Also hints to the Syrian role and compares it to that of the British in pre-independence America:

Even the most courageous signers of the Declaration of Independence struggled with the decision to break political ties so decisively with Great Britain. But, they also believed it was not just their right and but also their duty to throw off a tyrannical government which had attempted to assert its control through military force and undermine American self-confidence by inflaming tensions and casting doubts about America’s capacity for self rule[…] We know that our potential would never have been realized had we remained under a foreign mandate, no matter how benevolent.

But that doesn’t mean that there has to be hostility between Lebanon and Syria, to the contrary, Mr. Feltman argued:

Independence from British rule did not condemn us to permanently hostile relations. Today, the United States is proud to count the United Kingdom as its strongest ally and partner. But our deep friendship with the United Kingdom, rooted in so many ties between our countries, did not blossom until the British government recognized and respected our sovereignty.

He ends his piece with a commitment by his country to stay by Lebanon’s side:

As our Founding Fathers pledged to work with each other to realize their vision, so too do we pledge our support to the Lebanese people as they seek to secure an independent, sovereign, prosperous, democratic and united Lebanon. We know from our own historic experience how difficult it can be to define common goals, build a national consensus and establish a democracy.
But the Lebanese are not alone in their struggle. In celebrating our American independence today, July 4th, we celebrate also the partnership of our two diverse and democratic countries — Lebanon and the United States. The strong ties that bind our peoples today connect also our two countries, now and in the future.

Mr. Feltman also published his piece in Arabic in the leading Lebanese newspaper Annahar. Interestingly, his article’s title in the Arabic version is: “Let the Freedom Bell Ring”, whereas in English it’s simply: “A duty to throw off a tyrannical government” Any guesses at why that is the case?