What are the problems you have been having with Solidere?
KHOURY I have no problem with Solidere. I believe that Solidere is
a problem in itself for the country, for Beirut and for the people who
are concerned with their shares and rights. It is the state’s duty to resolve
the Solidere problem, to prevent it from further invading areas that do
not belong to it. The limit of Solidere stops on the street before the sea,
clearly avoiding the St. Georges. The old 1998 map avoids the St.
Georges, the yacht club, the hotel as well as the water. In 1999, without
grounds or legal references to any decrees, they included a triangular
area in front of the St. Georges in its territory.
Have you made any progress?
KHOURY There has been a committee formed of six ministries that has
clearly stated that Solidere has no rights in the marina. According to decree
7776, Solidere has no jurisdiction in sector five, the water sector. They have
tried to stop our commercial activities, specifically the marina and sea activities.
We have made progress in the sense that we stopped them when they
brought tugboat owners to block the entrance to the marina The police reacted
in our favor. They also tried to block our western exit with prefabricated
walls. That also was stopped. We believe that the law is prevailing and the
people’s rights are to some extent being respected.
Who Is showing support?
KHOURY Most of the government departments concerned, mainly the
ministries of transport and public works as well as the CDR, have been
extremely negative and slow. We are waiting for positive action from
the government so we can progress, but it has not been forthcoming.
I was expecting the current government to do a ·101 for the St. Georges.
It’s a shame that such an important historical landmark is stalled in the
interests of a private entity like Solidere.
If Hariri heads the new government, do you expect the problem to be
resolved In Solidere’s favor?
KHOURY Any government that respects itself should do what is right and legal.
It shouldn’t push against the St. Georges or favor Soljdere. We
are all under the law, and the law should prevail. We expect integrity, efficiency
and impartiality from governments, future or past.
How much has this problem cost you?
KHOURY This problem has cost us a lot of time and money. It has
been seven years that we’ve been fighting the administration. I would
say this certainly isn’t the best country to invest in considering the inefficiencies
of the administration, not to mention the bad faith that has
been shown towards the St. Georges. However, I am in my country and
no one will discourage me from continuing my efforts to improve the
situation of the St. Georges and the country.
How do you feel about going against a giant like Solidere?
KHOURY I feel extremely comfortable going against anyone who tries
to take my rights away. Under the law no one is a giant. We are all equal,
as we’ve heard our president tell us a number of times. In the end, rights
will prevail. I believe Solidere is illegal, and even though it might get
favors because of its financial strength, it cannot go beyond its limits
to the extent of taking our rights away.
Do you feel political pressure to keep this Issue low key?
KHO u RY I don’t think there are any political pressures. What makes the
issue sometimes appear in favor of Solidere is good advertising with large
means. Under the presidency of Mr. Lahoud there can’t be any pressures
made in favor of one entity against another if it is illegal. And most of the
actions of Solidere with respect to the St. Georges we believe are illegal.
Is there a compromise that you will accept?
KHOURY No government has asked us to compromise our rights. We
have made a lot of compromises with Solidere. Its presence around us is
due to our compromising and hasn’t proved healthy for us. There’s no more
room for compromises. Any further compromising would mean losing the
yacht club and the hotel.
