See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Smell No Evil…
…but the evil remains just the same:
Hizbullah will not hand over its weapons to the Lebanese government but rather refrain from exhibiting them publicly, according to a new compromise that is reportedly brewing between Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Seniora and Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The UN cease-fire resolution specifically demands the demilitarization of the area south of the Litani river. The resolution was approved by the Lebanese cabinet.
In a televised address on Monday night, Nasrallah declared that now was not the time to debate the disarmament of his guerrilla fighters, saying the issue should be done in secret sessions of the government to avoid serving Israeli interests.
“This is immoral, incorrect and inappropriate,” he said. “It is wrong timing on the psychological and moral level particularly before the cease-fire,” he said in reference to calls from critics for the guerrillas to disarm.
According to Lebanon’s defense minister, Elias Murr, “There will be no other weapons or military presence other than the army” after Lebanese troops move south of the Litani. However, he then contradicted himself by saying the army would not ask Hizbullah to hand over its weapons.
Pure, unadulterated cowardice. Hundreds of people died for absolutely nothing. Olmert should be forced from office, and Condi Rice called on the carpet for agreeing to this garbage. What a waste of lives, and you can bet it ain’t over yet by a long shot…
Ok, now this cease fire is officially a disaster.
Hey Mark,
I am not sure Rice agreed to it, but I had the same response to the news. It seems that Olmert did not have the will to really go all in on Hezbollah. From what some commentators are saying (saw this on the RCP blog) the Israelis stunned the Americans in their lack of effort. Cannot blame Rice or Bush if they gave Olmert the opportunity and he backed away. As they say, you can lead a horse to water..
Cheers, AJStrata
While the US may have been seen as the cheerleader, I doubt they played a role as coach. The decison to throw in the towel is all Israel, and pretty much states what how far they are willing to go.
I do think that the situation has changed in that this brief conflict served as a interogative action. Hizbollah remains our enemy and we have had a chance to see how they would respond when threatened in Lebanon. IF, a second conflict were to arise our intel network is now vastly superior on where targetting should occur. They will likely follow the same strategy that has brought them so much success and change very little.
It is telling that the Israeli intel was simply dreadful. Their inability to specifically target the katushya sites, before they actually were used would suggest that their decision not to proceed was a wise one. Finding the katushya sites will likely be easier, now that a large amount of transportation logistics must be used to resupply the various sites. Limiting their means of receiving weapons, by the bombing of the bridges will make it that much easier to track the resupply effort.
This pause..and it is a pause, allows the Israelis to get their act together. Regardless of the actual size of the UN presense, Koffi is working under a plan of boots on the ground. If the situation deteriorates, again, he will have two choices-increase troops, or remove them.
It also will give the people of lebanon a chance to examine their relationship with Hezbollah. Yes they hate the Israelis and will love the people that kill them, but their desire for a peaceful existence will remain challenged so long as Hezbollah uses them in their war. While the conflict continued, the Lebanese would lose sight of the fact that while Hezbollah is active, their country is in jeapordy. This pause allows for that assessment.
The most dramatic change in Lebanon came not from Israeli intervention, but from the Syrian assasination of Hariri. While lebanese will continue to hate Israel, they cannot help but see themselves as pawns of Hizbollah actions. An Israel occupation is unthinkable for the Lebanese, but now they may perceive Hizbollah as the only occupying force left.
You might enjoy this conspiracy site. It’s pretty funny if you have a sick sense of humor (like me). I read this “article” the other day which touched on the Litani River. It sort of relates to what I was saying in a broader context than the Shebaa Farms “myth” regarding drinkable water, etc. I know what you feel about the Shebaa Farms “myth” but have you any opinion regarding the politics regarding the drinking water in the area? It’s just an interesting facet I never really considered prior to a few weeks ago, but thought it might hold some…water…
The article has a link to this book, which I have not read, but might just to kill some time.
Mike, even if Israel totally left the Shebaa Farms territory, Hezbollah would not lay down their arms. Their goal is not water, or some piece of land; it is the destruction of Israel…
Or have you not noticed that UN resolutions apply to Israel, but not its enemies? Who’s doing a damn thing about disarming Hezbollah?
Nobody, that’s who – and that’s why Olmert is a dead man walking, politically…
Mikey continues with his never – ending quest to somehow find a way to blame the Lebanon situation on Israel – this time, it’s the water (of course! Why didn’t anyone else think of that? Brilliant!). If called on to explain his thinly – veiled bigotry, he’ll no doubt respond: “Whaaa? What’d I say? I mean, Whaaa?”
Libano: vincitori e vinti
Hezbollah non consegnerà le proprie armi al governo libanese, ma si limiterà a non esibirle in pubblico. Se questo è il compromesso raggiunto tra il primo ministro Fuad Siniora e il leader dei terroristi, Hassan Nasrallah, ha probabilmente ragione Bi…
I would buy stock in landmines about now.
I have a feeling Israel may adopt a more ‘aggressive’ defense.