A Favorable First Impression

In Lebanon, politics is a family affair, and the Gemayel clan has been prominent on the national scene for half a century. Pierre Gemayel, now 72, founded the Christian Phalangist Party in the 1930s, and he raised his two sons to carry on the family role in politics. So when President-elect Bashir Gemayel was assassinated last September only nine days before he was to have been inaugurated, it came as no surprise that his brother Amin promptly declared his own candidacy. By a nearly unanimous vote in parliament, Amin was elected to a six-year term. At first, no one quite knew what to expect of Amin. Though he had been a member of parliament for twelve years, he was all but overshadowed by his brasher young brother. Their

personalities could hardly have been more different. Bashir, 34, was charismatic but tough, a military man whose favorite pastime was hanging out with members of the private militia he led. Amin, 40, was quiet and intellectual, a lawyer and businessman who kept out of the limelight to pursue his private life. Bashir felt comfortable in fatigues or at the wheel of a Jeep; Amin has always had an eye for fine tailoring and limousines. While Bashir evoked strong emotions of loyalty or hatred, Amin was regarded as a

conciliator, the "human face of the Phalange," as some Lebanese put it. Above all, Bashir was closely identified with Israel, which had helped finance and train his militia. Amin had always maintained good contacts with Arab states and opposition groups inside Lebanon. Following the 1975-76 civil war, which divided Beirut into Christian and Muslim sectors, he visited West Beirut regularly to talk with his Muslim counterparts. During negotiations for the evacuation of the Palestine Liberation Organization from West Beirut last summer, Amin met quietly with Abu Iyad, the P.L.O.'s military commander. Born in the predominantly Christian village of Bikfaya, in the mountains east of Beirut, Amin was groomed from boyhood to become a political leader. He attended Jesuit-run elementary and secondary schools, and went on to receive a law degree in 1965 from the St. Joseph University in Beirut. When

Amin's uncle, Maurice Gemayel, a member of parliament, died

in 1970, Amin was elected to fill the vacant seat. He subsequently earned a reputation in his own right as an active and thoughtful legislator. He is an eloquent speaker, something highly prized in Arab politics, and is fluent in French and English, as well as in Arabic. In addition to running prosperous family shipping and insurance interests, he founded a conservative French-language newspaper, Le Reveil, located in Beirut. Says Pierre: "Amin has his weaknesses. I know; I raised him. But he is also a person of character, of strong values, and I know that he will use them strongly to defend Lebanon and its unique heritage." In its initial assessment of Amin, the Reagan Administration had viewed him as somewhat of a

pliant, indecisive playboy who preferred the French Riviera to Beirut, though that was not his reputation in Lebanon. However, White House aides noted approvingly last week that Gemayel had come to his meeting with President Reagan well prepared, with his points outlined on index cards. Said a senior State Department official: "He knows what he wants, he knows he needs help and he is under

no illusions." Back home, Amin Gemayel's trip, especially his speech before the U.N., was viewed as a success. From the right-wing Phalange newspaper al-Amal, to the Communist an-Nida, the press paid handsome tribute to the way the new President had put his country's case before the world community. At a time when Lebanon needs a little peace and stability, Amin's vigor, coupled with his

sensitivity to the aspirations of both Muslim and Christian factions, is proving a healthy antidote to the tensions of the last few months.

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