Opposition Rejects 3 Formulas Proposed by March 14 Christians on Policy Statement”s Resistance Article
Bickering between March 14 Christians and the Shiite parties of March 8 forces is delaying the drafting of the ministerial policy statement amid insistence by the first party to introduce changes to the article on the resistance and Hizbullah”s resolve not to accept the formulas proposed by their foes.
Informed sources told An Nahar newspaper that the Phalange party played the main role in coordinating with Christians in the parliamentary majority their stance to reject the article on the resistance as adopted in the previous cabinet. However, Amal and Hizbullah refused to adopt any other proposal.
The sources said that during previous meetings of the policy statement drafting committee, the Christian team proposed three formulas that were rejected by the opposition.
As Safir newspaper said that Premier Saad Hariri and Minister Wael Abou Faour insisted on adopting the same article under former PM Fouad Saniora”s cabinet.
The seventh committee meeting will be held on Monday. Labor Minister Boutros Harb told An Nahar that the committee needs further time to discuss the economic as well as political chapters of the statement.
He expressed optimism on the committee”s ability to adopt a consensus formula. Harb refused, however, to set a date for the formulation of the final draft.
However, an opposition minister expected discussions on the policy statement to end on Monday-Tuesday.
Friday”s sixth session under Hariri discussed the economic policy and privatization issue. Committee sources told An Nahar that discussions were calm and constructive.
The newspaper said that the article on privatization will be redrafted so that it comes in conformity with the Paris 3 reform program.