We are not “there” yet

It has been nine years since Information International was founded, two years since the launching of “Ii Monthly” in English and eight months since its launching in Arabic. The company’s ‘Facts’ series of publications over the years include a look at Parliament from 1920–2000, a review of Lebanon’s public seaside properties and salaries and remunerations in the public sector. We have achieved a great deal in the areas of research, public awareness and publishing, and yet we still have a long way to go.

The encouraging words of our readers, their criticism and praise make it incumbent on all of us at Ii to develop further. May challenges lay ahead in regionalizing the company to cover North Africa and Iraq, establishing its board of advisors and expanding its publication to cover the region and serve as a podium for independent writers and scholars, and feature in-depth analysis of the issues. Our brochure published in 1995 quoted a phrase from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: “the tracks of quality lead you to solutions”; being ISO 9001:2000 certified is one step along that path.

Finally, the organization and its work should be strengthened to lay the groundwork for an institution that survives its founders...Until that is accomplished, we are not there yet.

Jawad Adra
Managing Partner

* Part 4 of the editorial series “Us” and “Them” will appear in the next issue

  Current Statistics

The Arab Institute in Paris

• LBP 2,695 million ($1.79 million) in late fees were disbursed by Lebanon to pay for its share of the budget to equip and finance the work of the Arab Institute in Paris for the years 1989–2003.

Meeting of Arab electricity ministers

• LBP 400 million ($265,400) were the expenses Lebanon incurred during the visit of the Council of Arab Ministers in charge of electricity.

Aid

• LBP 146 million ($97,000) in transportation and packaging costs were incurred in the effort to aid earthquake victims in Morocco in early 2004. The Lebanese government had been sending aid through the Higher Association for Aid.

Demining in Mount Lebanon

• LBP 3.5 billion ($2.3 million) was spent by the Lebanese government on a Pakistani demining unit working in Mount Lebanon.

Cellular arbitration expenses

• LBP 70 million ($46,000) in expenses were incurred by the Lebanese government for attending court proceedings in Geneva, Switzerland to hear charges and verdicts in the cellular conflict.