September 22, 2009

The President of the General Maronite Council former Minister Wadih el-Khazen sent a telegram to His Excellency Mr. Issam Fares to congratulate it for his upcoming honoring at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York during an annual dinner banquet, along with former US Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton.

‘We were very delighted to know that you will be the third figure to be honored among two former Presidents of the United States George Bush and Bill Clinton. The Crisis Group, this non-governmental institution in the United States, has realized the importance of the civilized achievements you have realized in the edifices of science and knowledge, namely in the top American universities that devoted a department carrying your name in appreciation of your contributions and the seminars you held for the top presidents and intellectual figures that had marked the events and left an impact in the lives of nations and populations.

While Russia had honored you from the highest spiritual and civilized forum, it is no wonder for America to honor you, thus completing the honor between the East and the West. Although you have been absent from your native country in the recent period, however your landmark achievements overseas stir our pride, and they affirm the reality of men and the patriotic roles to which loyal people like you have devoted themselves without egocentrism’