A Lebanese government program initiated this week to eradicate drug crops in the Beqa' Valley prompted a mounting conflict between Hizbullah and the Lebanese government. Hizbullah, which considers itself the defender of drug farmers in the region, came out openly against the government plan and threatened violence if they try to implement it.
The Lebanese Government Position
A review conducted by Lebanese security apparatuses of the hashish fields in the Beqa' Valley estimated the area to be 45,000 square dunams.[1] Prompted by international pressure and fear that aid to Lebanon might be harmed, an emergency cabinet meeting was convened at 11:30pm, July 2, 2001, and attended by PM Rafiq Al-Hariri, Minister of Interior Michel Al-Murr, Minister of Justice Samir Al-Jisr, Minister of Defense Khalil Al-Harawi, and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Suheil Buji.
Following the meeting, an official statement was issued regarding the government's plan, as Interior Minister Michel Al-Murr explained: "We decided to devise a plan with the participation of all relevant government apparatuses to eradicate all drug crops. The difficult socio-economic situation of the farmers who raise these crops will be taken into consideration. However, uprooting these crops is important because they damage Lebanon's reputation.
Historically, we know that states who promised us aid to enhance alternative crops – when we previously discussed this matter – did not comply with their commitments, even though we have. We are not ready to starve the people just for the sake of appeasing someone. On the other hand, we are not ready to smear our county's reputation only to appease someone else. We will consider both issues in order to reach a solution."
"I wish to stress to the foreign media who has lately followed this subject, that there is a difference between a poor farmer who can't feed his children except by raising these crops, and drug dealers and distributors. In the last six months we have arrested more than 1,600 drug dealers. We employ harsh measures against drug dealers. Our prisons have filled up with these people and we are taking these mafia groups very seriously. On the other hand, a farmer is just a farmer and not a drug dealer or a mafia guy, and we must take his situation into consideration…"
Al-Murr was asked how the farmers could be protected: "The PM and the Minister of Agriculture will devise plans to support alternative crops in the region…"
Al-Murr added: "The foreign media prompted the action against the drug crops and we should not forget that behind it are political powers. Therefore, we have to take into consideration the donor countries and their promises while committing ourselves to the welfare of the farmers."[2]
However, sources close to the government said that there is no intention to pay any compensation for the eradication of the drug crops, rather, there will be government activities amongst international organizations to support alternative crops. Official sources said the eradication of the crops will be carried out within days and no later than harvest time in mid September.[3]
Senior Lebanese officials told Al-Nahar that Lebanon will not raise the issue with American envoy William Burns unless he raises it first, in which case Lebanon will demand compensation similar to that which was given to Turkey, Pakistan and Morocco in return for their fight against drugs.[4]
Hizbullah's Position
Following the Lebanese government statements, the head of Hizbullah's Planning Council, Hussein Musawi, declared that Hizbullah opposes the government position and suggested that the government buy the hash crops from the farmers: "We are ready to reach an agreement with the PM, the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Justice. I tell the state: "Go ahead, buy the hash, you don't need to use military means or helicopters. Our people deserve respect, not humiliation. We have to stand by these people, and we shall do so. Where was the state when the hash was planted? Why are they coming to eradicate it in June and not in February or March when the hash was planted? Send the choppers and the tanks to the south [i.e., against Israel] and not to the hash field."[5]
Musawi addressed the drug farmers as well: "Don't believe the state's promises, demand compensation for the hash before they uproot it. If any of them loses his senses and insists on uprooting it, fight him. Our women are warriors, our children are fighters. Block the roads with your bodies, but do not raise weapons against security men because they are our sons."[6]
Musawi further addressed the government of Lebanon: "Don't embarrass us by presenting us as drug defenders, for we can not see the bulldozers destroying the farmer's work every year."[7]
"The goal of the government's decision is to embarrass Hizbullah. But Hizbullah is too clever to allow anyone to embarrass it and knows when and how to protect its people."[8]
Lebanese parliament members representing the Ba'albec and Al-Haramil regions in the Northern Beqa' Valley convened to discuss the government decision and issued a statement condemning the policy for ignoring the region's problems. They demanded that the government devise an overall plan to rebuild the region's economy in cooperation with the international community and the donor countries similar to what was done in Turkey and Morocco, stressing that leaving the farmers with two options – hunger or drug farming – is unacceptable. They held the government responsible for encouraging farmers to raise drug crops by overlooking last year's and this year's drug planting and by cutting subsidies for sugar cane."[9]
Conclusion
This is not the first time Hizbullah has clashed with the Lebanese government over drugs. In March of 2001, the Lebanese government dropped leaflets warning farmers from growing drugs and demanding village leaders to report such activities. Hizbullah parliament members blamed the state of "using threats and repression of the poor people."[10]
*Yotam Feldner is MEMRI's Director of Media Analysis.
[1] Al-Mustaqbal, July 3, 2001.
[2] Al-Safeer, July 3, 2001.
[3] Al-Mustaqbal, July 3, 2001.
[4] Al-Nahar, July 4 2001.
[5] Al –Sharq Al-Awsat, July 4, 2001.
[6] Al-Anwar, July 3, 2001.
[7] Al-Anwar, July 3, 2001.
[8] Al-Nahar, July 4, 2001.
[9] Al –Sharq Al-Awsat, July 4, 2001.
[10] albawaba.com, July 4, 2001.
