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Message from the President to the Community Regarding the Present
Situation
July 20, 2006
Dear
Friends,
As you
may know, Sarah and I left Beirut about ten days ago, happy that we had
completed another successful academic year at AUB. The events since then
have been devastating to Lebanon and to the University.
Chairman Morris, all the trustees, and I personally admire the courage you
have all displayed in carrying on in these terrible circumstances. I want to
salute the senior management team, led by Acting President Heath, for the
superb effort they have made to facilitate the departure of those compelled
to leave and to bring on campus the essential personnel who keep the
university and the hospital running.
I urge
all of who are able to heed the appeal of Acting President Heath to
volunteer to help in whatever way you can the civilian victims of the
military action in the south and in the southern suburbs of Beirut. This is
by no means the first time in the university's history when it has been
called upon to serve the greater community in a time of dire need.
For my
part, and also on the part of Chairman Morris and several trustees, we are
working as best we can to urge the US administration to insure that vital
supplies, particularly fuel and medical supplies, reach all medical
establishments in Lebanon so that they can meet the horrific challenges
facing them in these days.
It is
enormously frustrating and saddening to me not to be with you at this time.
I intend to return to Beirut as soon as feasible. Have no doubt:
Lebanon and AUB will rise out of this conflagration and carry on their
missions. We have worked too hard over the past fifteen years to do other
than push forward.
John Waterbury
President |