(Japanese Version)
(Arabic Version)
Sept.,
2021
Beirut was not heaven but hell: In case of Carlos
Ghosn
1.
Runaway
to Heaven
It's been nearly two years since
former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn fled to Beirut in December 2019. The technique
of his escape was so vivid that it attracted the attention of the world.
Beirut was once a French colony and is called ‘Paris
of the Middle East’ because of its scenic nature and swanky streets. Nowadays
it is not as busy as it used to be due to the frequent civil wars. But Beirut
is still a popular destination for European tourist.
Ghosn illegally departed from Kansai International
Airport in Japan on a Turkish private jet. He arrived in Beirut via Istanbul on
New Year's Eve in 2019. He entered into Lebanon with his official passport
although his passport was taken by Japanese court. He reportedly entered the
country with a French passport and Lebanese ID.
Ghosn was born in Brazil and brought up in
Beirut. The Lebanese are good in business. They enjoyed
reputation as Phoenician merchants, and travelled all over the world. Ghosn's
grandfather also migrated to Brazil, where Ghosn was born. After graduating
from a French university, he joined Michelin, French tire manufacturing
company. He made his figure at its Brazilian factory. In 1966, Renault, French
car manufacturer, headhunted him as senior vice president. These experiences
gave him three nationalities and passports of Lebanon, Brazil and France.
The reason why he decided Beirut as his
destination was not only that Lebanon was his native country but also there was
no extradition treaty between Lebanon and Japan. France and Brazil have such
treaties with Japan. In addition, it would be worthy to point out that Ghosn
enjoyed the reputation of young Lebanese as the world business tycoon.
He and his wife moved to a tightly guarded residence
in Beirut. The residence was originally lent to him by Nissan during his tenure
as CEO. The company had requested him to evacuate from the residence as series
of his fraudulent activities. However, the judiciary of Japan could not reach the
property in Lebanon.
Powerful Ghosn met with President Michel Aoun
just after he returned to Lebanon. It is said that the President gave him a warm
word (however, the President Office has denied the fact of his visit)[1].
He then claimed his innocence and justify his runaway. He complained about how
inhumane his treatment was in Japan under harsh interrogation by Japanese
prosecutors and the inability to meet his wife. It is reported by overseas
media that the treatment of suspects in Japan is too harsh. He took advantage
of it and appealed to the Lebanese people. After that he started new business.
He announced that an executive training course would be introduced to revive
the deteriorating Lebanese economy[2].
2.
But
Beirut was a hell on earth ----
However, the cloud overshadowed Ghosn
gradually. Turkish pilots of a private jet who sent him from Japan to Beirut
was brought to court for trial in Turkey[3].
In addition, an American ex-soldier of Green Beret member and his son who
supported Ghosn’s escape was handed over from the United States to Japan. They
are now in trial. The French government has also sent an interrogator to Beirut
on suspicion of misappropriating company’s money for his wedding at the Palace
of Versailles[4].
In addition to Ghosn's own problems, Lebanon
had big problems. Political dysfunction and the COVID-19 fell the country into
a serious economic crisis. Traditionally Lebanon is a complex mosaic nation where
Christianity, Islamic Sunnis and Shiites oppose each other. At the time of
independence, an agreement was signed to share the power by three parties to
avoid the conflict. The president, the Prime Minister and the speaker of
Parliament are assigned to Christianity (Maronite), Islamic Sunni sect and
Shiite sect respectively. However, as a result, each sect had monopolized interests
of each post. Nepotism and corruption were prevailing. Politics was always in
confusion. Hezbollah, Islamic extremist supported by Iran, gained power.
Hezbollah continued battle with Israel. When the domestic economy was healthy, they
were in delicate balance.
But economic balance in Lebanon
was corrupted at the beginning of last year by COVID-19. Two pillars of the
Lebanese economy – tourism and remittances by overseas migrant workers – were
hit seriously. Furthermore, explosion by the ammonium nitrate took place in the
warehouse at Beirut Port in August last year. It was an unprecedented tragedy
with more than 200 dead, thousands of injured, and the collapse of numerous
buildings and houses. They believed that the accident was caused by political
inaction.
Then Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned after
the accident. Two candidates for new prime minister nominated by the president
failed to form a cabinet one by one due to not only power struggle within political
parties but also the intervention by the President. After fruitless effort of a
year, new cabinet was finally formed in September 2021[5].
However, as shown in the past history, it is doubtful whether new Prime
Minister can improve the political and economic instability. Lebanon is now
called ‘Venezuela of the Mediterranean’[6].
Lebanese economy is getting worse due to political dysfunction and COVID-19. People
laments hyperinflation. Due to a shortage of dollars, government cannot procure
the fuel for power generation. It is common that power cut in Beirut is 22
hours a day[7].
The unemployment rate is rising day by day. Many young Lebanese left the
country[8].
How Carlos Ghosn tackles these problems? Needless
to say, he lives in a villas tightly guarded. He has a lot of money. He might
not anxious about power shortage because he must have his own power generator
in his house. But he is unable to go to restaurant or shops in the downtown.
His plan to resume his business was missed so far.
Ghosn had to convince that he has returned to
heaven in Beirut from hell in Japan. However, ironically, the days of hell have
returned to him. He may want to flee abroad again. But when he goes to France
or Brazil, he will face the request for extradition by the Japanese government.
If he wants comeback in international arena there will be no choice to stay
Lebanon or to emigrate other countries. In latter case, Ghosn might offer his
money to a dictator of any country as deposit for his safety. However, if the
dictator steps down, it will no longer be a safe haven. Now he may be
frustrated at his villas in Beirut, remembering his glorious old days.
By Areha Kazuya
E-mail: Arehakazuya1@gmail.com
