Excerpts from the Fares’ address:

As a leading figure in the development of the European Economic Union and as an active member of its parliament, President Giscard D’Estaing has been a tireless worker in his efforts to unify and strengthen the European economy. He believes that France, with its uninterrupted centuries of experience in the democratic process of government, can play a key role in fashioning the unified, prosperous and democratic future of Europe.
As a Middle Easterner – and especially as a Lebanese citizen – I believe our distinguished speaker is uniquely qualified to speak to our current concerns. What he helped bring about for France and for Europe is what we want to bring about for Lebanon and the Middle East. He worked had to restore civility and equilibrium in French politics. We want to restore civility and equitable honor in Lebanese politics after our long and dreadful civil war. Today President Giscard d’Estaing works diligently to build a harmonious and integrated Europe. This is exactly what is still sadly missing in the Middle East – harmony and integration. We look to you, Mr. President, for your advice and counsel.

France has played a unique and central role in the development of our country, in the creation of the modern state of Lebanon. We deeply appreciate and recognize France’s historical concern for our nation welfare, and we feel a special cultural affinity with your country. I have no doubt that France, under President Jacques Chirac, will continue – and indeed deepen – this historic, fruitful and special relationship.
We want to put Lebanon on its feet. We want to share in building a new Middle East in which Lebanon will live in peace and stability with its neighbors. Lebanon went through very difficult times during the past two decades of war. Now, thanks to the determination of our people, we are well on our way to achieving consensus in our democratic institutions and in our vision of Lebanon as a nation. Considering the extent of devastation we suffered, I am amazed at how far we have come in such a short time. Much more, of course, remains to be done.
On the internal front we have taken giant steps toward putting our house in order. But what about the external front? Here our role is relatively limited. We are, after all, a small country. We therefore look to the U.S. and Europe to do their share in bringing about the lasting, just and comprehensive regional peace we yearn for – an unshakable peace that will assure not only Lebanon’s future but also that of every country in Middle East. I applaud the high-priority commitment of America in its efforts to help achieve this goal.

Peace will not be realized until the Syrian-Israeli negotiations reach a successful conclusion. And because of our close and distinctive ties with Syria, we are deeply concerned about the progress of these negotiations.
Assured of a peaceful future, the Middle East region will move steadily toward liberalism and democratization. New trade routes will open; new patterns of social and cultural exchange will emerge. Lebanon has always stood for free enterprise, liberalism, democracy and open dialogue across religious and ethnic differences. If the new Middle East embodies these values – as I believe it will – then Lebanon is destined to play a leading role in its future. We will enter the era of peace as active partners. We will enter it with confidence and with the vision of a people conditioned by history and geography to thing regionally and internationally.

Lebanon has always been unique in the region as a “free zone” for artistic and intellectual expression. Our universities have set the standard for academic achievement. Once again, Lebanon will become the “hub” of cultural life in the Middle East.

Summary of the Giscard d’Estaing address:



The former President of France expresses his country's continued deep interest in
seeing Lebanon regain its full sovereignty and independence


Entitled “The Contribution of the European Union to Peace and Development in the Middle East”, President Giscard d’Estaing’s address called for a wider European role in the peace process and expressed France’s continued deep interest in seeing Lebanon regain its full sovereignty and independence.
President d’Estaing thanked Tufts University for its invitation and praised Mr. Fares for his continued encouragement and support of the university’s activities in promoting cross-cultural understanding. He then talked about the special relationship – the special affection – that exists between Lebanon and France. He said that France has spared no effort in helping Lebanon overcome the destructive consequences of the war on its infrastructure and cultural installations and also expressed his country’s continued support of Lebanon as an independent, sovereign state with autonomy in position and decisions regarding its role in the region and internationally.

In the opinion of France and the European community, Lebanon should be invited to play a full role in the peace negotiations taking place in the Middle East, in order to gain assurance that it will be granted its full sovereignty and independence and be freed of all foreign military presence. D’Estaing urged Americans, and especially those of Lebanese origin who occupy prominent positions in the United States, to undertake all necessary contacts with the U.S. administration to make sure that Lebanon is not denied its rightful sovereignty and free decision.
The former President declared that a just and productive peace in the Middle East must necessarily lead to a completely democratic process in the national life of each country involved, including the promotion of full rights for women. He also supported increased economic involvement by France and the EEC in the Middle East, in order to help build a solid economy in the region and also to assist in undertaking development projects related to the exploitation of natural resources, especially water. Europe is ready to assume its role in this field, as it did in its joint financing with Japan on projects in the Gaza strip.

President d’Estaing said he prefers to see the European community position its approach to peace in the Middle East in accordance with the Madrid agreement, which involved participation of both the U.S. and Russia, instead of America monopolizing this role and reducing Russian presence.
He defended the European role in the peace process and also in the post-peace epoch on the economic and development levels, based on the geographic and economic realities of the Middle East as a region situated in the Mediterranean region and, as such, forming a natural extension of the European community – especially with regard to countries like France, Italy and Spain.

President d’Estaing gave importance to the last Barcelona Congress, because it focused on European economic coordination, on the joint cooperation between EEC states and industrialized countries on one hand and with Middle Eastern Mediterranean countries on the other hand.
Finally, the French former president stressed the need for the international community to pursue the Middle East peace process, so that the region can become once again an oasis of peace, security, stability and economic and social prosperity emanating from the development of its human and natural resources. He cautioned, however, that this process must be accompanied by the installation of democratic norms based on the protection of full human rights, including respect for women’s rights in particular.