Saturday, December 23, 2006
Another botched job!
The General Secretary of the Arab League's initiative is as good as dead. From the start it looked barren, and knowing the past records of Amro Moussa that perspective was reinforced. Meanwhile, a large stash of weapons was found in the premises of one of the opposition's parties.
I will start with the weapon stash. The Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) a pro-Syrian group, that does not believe in the finality of Lebanon as a free country, was caught red handed stashing a large cash of arms, explosive material and detonators. They claimed that these weapons were remnants from the civil war, but the latest reports indiquated that the explosives are relatively new.
I wonder what they have been doing with these explosives. Maybe killing March 14 leaders? I will let justice decide, but what I do not understand is how people are still defending this party, which all along Lebanon's history, has been involved in many assassinations (President Bahsir Gemayel for example)
Concerning the failure of Amrou Moussa's initiative, I can easily say that I was not surprised. The Arab League and its chief officer have been notoriously ineffective in most of its mediation throughout the Arab world, from the first Iraq war, to the second, to Sudan's Darfour genocide and finally Lebanon.
What's next? The opposition is promising further escalations after the holidays, speaking of closing roads, public institutions and service (they have a fetish about shutting down the airport and the port) Meanwhile 14 March are steadfast and adamant on passing the International Tribunal before making any concessions.
Finally, Amro Moussa warned all parties of any further escalation, but I do not think that any one will heed his call. The future look bleaker still, but at least we have these last couple of days to have fun and to bid this awful year a final goodbye, hoping that the next one will be better…
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(
Atom
)
14 comments :
You are absolutely right about Amro Moussa. Frankly he wasn't trying to find a solution but to gain some time for the current illegitimate government after the shock of the mass demonstrations organised by the opposition that proved that such a big chunk of the population was against it.
As for the SSNP it is one of the oldest Lebanese parties and one of the few secular ones. In a democracy they have the right to express themselves freely.
Sam, long time no see buddy.
Now, to touch on the SSNP for a second. They may be secular, but so is China, North Korea, Cuba, and Syria.
Secular status doesn't mean that one takes a blind eye to human rights.
Just because someone's going around thumping skulls in the name of the "State" instead of in the name of "God" doesn't make it any better.
As for that "chunk" of the population that the opposition organized in protest, can't help but think that those protesters were motivated by the paychecks they're receiving more than any particular political ideology. And that got me thinking...What does the opposition actually stand for (other than empty slogans)?
It's interesting you mentioned that Amro Moussa "wasn't trying to find a solution" because I still haven't heard a solution proposed by the opposition to how they'll fix things(other than the obvious two of keeping HA from being disarmed and blocking the upcoming Hariri Tribunals).
I might theorize that one of the main backdoor deals between HA and Auon is that Auon gets the north half of Lebanon, and since HA really only cares about insighting war with Israel, Nasrallah obviously takes the south. But this is hardly an arrangement that will do anything for the people.
"Since you seem to know so much, what's your brilliant solution", you say?
For starters, corruption has been a reality of governments of all flags and ideologies.
The whole reason for sending off parliamentarians, representatives, etc. to government capitals has been so they could represent their district to the larger, all incompassing, government body.
The problem that produces corruption is that these parliamentarians are far away from their districts, meaning they can make deals that those at home have no idea about unless they really follow politics. And even then, they're miles away from the reach of their constituents and enjoy a degree of autonomy living that "Swingin' Politician Lifestyle" in Beirut.
So, with the advances in technology through teleconferencing, webcams, SSL, https, etc. the parliamentarians need to be brought back to the districts they represent and they can carry out their responsibilities from local offices via the information highway just as easily as they could sitting all together in the Parliament building.
Because a politician would have to look his constituents in the face every day and would no longer enjoy the buffer zone created by being so far away from his or her district, corruption would be much harder to accomplish. And even when it is perpetrated, it would be met with immediate scrutiny and action by the surrounding represented population (Talk about laying siege, huh?).
This is how you quell mass corruption.
Now on to the impoverished Shia south of Lebanon. Yes, the Lebanese government should step in with funds for rebuilding and charitable projects, but it should set up business education courses available to all and business loans to those who graduate at the top of their class to begin rebuilding the local economy.
HA gets money from Iran to feed the people for March, April, May and then waits to receive the money to feed the people June, July, August.
This creates a "charity population" that is enslaved to the hand that feeds them. This is what makes up the "chunk" of the population that the opposition organizes for protests.
This alternative: Feed and educate them March, April, May, so they can go on to feed themselves June, July, August, is a far better course to take in restoring Southern Lebanon.
There is also a huge financial flaw in relying on HA & Syria.
Both HA and Syria get their money from Iran, they're both blatant puppets. HA for obvious reasons and Syria because they run out of oil in '08 and their two closest chances at growing their economy (finance and tourism) are long shots given various international restrictions and an all around bad reputation as a corrupt state.
So you can see how the two are pretty closely latched on to the "Persian Teat."
Now the recent sanctions imposed by the UN on Iran are pretty water downed and since Iran has newly discovered uranium desposits within the center of its country, it has just about everything it needs to proceed with both its nuclear weapons and power programs without outside aid.
The "sticky wicket" of it all, is that the UN is now currently working to draft resolutions with possible sanctions against the Iranian Regime for massive Human Rights violations (The Mullah's Achilles' Heel).
Unlike Nuke sanctions, this Human Rights push by the UN is sure to get a rise out of the Iranian populace, leading to even more riots, protests, and unrest on a regular basis.
With the civilian discontent getting turned up to even higher levels, making the threat of internal regime change more imminent, Russia and China would probably make the calculation that it's easier to strike up oil contracts with the New Democratic Iranian Nation State than the failed authoritarian mullah run Iran, and back all the resolutions they've passed on until now.
So when the mullah's "Terror Incorporated" office goes under in a wave of democratic jubilation in downtown Tehran, what do you think will happen to its franchise in Beirut?
I say this only to help you save some face Sam, just trying to keep you from backing a losing horse, here.
Slavic Mike:
Thank you for this great answer,well said..
BOB,
nice blog and keep on writing..
Noura "Kamal's wife"
Unfortunately he is stranded somewhere with his friend faisal due to bad weather..
Give me liberty or give me death
I support Hezbollah!
You should support freedom fighters Mike they are the one who are always on the winning side.
As for the racist state of Israel that is fed and bankrolled with billions by the neo-con controlled US it is on its last throes, I am convinced it will not make it in our life time.
Sam,
Buddy, pal, you sure didn't waste much time flipping from your status as a non-partisan March 14th objecter to becoming full blown "Hezbolese"
And I do support Freedom Fighters, because that's what March 14th supporters are!
And thank you for acknowledging that we're on the winning side (sorry to hear about your full defection to the losing one).
And speaking of who will and won't be surviving, I'd look East towards your paymasters in Iran.
The fact that Israel and their mortal "cat & dog" enemy of Saudi Arabia have formed an alliance to bring down the mullahs would suggest ol' Nasrallah better start thinking about starting some bake sales and lemonade stands to begin the daunting task of having to raise money for HA all by himself.
Iran's regime has got a lifespan of about six months if things keep going the way they do with anti-Iranian people measures like paying millions to cover the salaries of a handfull of Palestinian Authority workers while ignoring the tens of thousands of government workers on official regime soil who've gone months and even years in some cases without being paid.
And speaking of the future, what is the opposition's platform, anyways? Can't seem to get an answer on this.
I know how heartbroken you were over March 14th betraying your trust and I would hate to see the same thing happen to you again with the opposition.
So to avoid seeing a political group piss in your cereal twice, I suggest you ask them the following questions:
Where do they stand on rebuilding Beirut and northern Lebanon from last summer's war? Is their enough Iranian blood money to cover the North half of Lebanon as well?
For all those projects not paid for by those wacky mullahs, would they use bond referendums? Tax increases? And if so, what's the income bracket breakdown of who will being paying the bulk of the costs?
What do they plan to do to revive tourism?
Will unmarried men and women still be allowed to fratenize? What of the dress code? Burka's for all?
Will they maintain Lebanon as a sovereign country or officially turn it into a province of Syria?
Will alcohol still be legal?
Where do they stand on maintaining public education standards to ensure students will be ready to enter the competitive and always changing global economy?
What of sharia law? Will that be the new way of Lebanon's courts?
I am not a member of Hezbollah (I'm not even shiite) but yes I totally support Hezbollah.
What you think about them has no importance whatsoever, what is important is what the Lebanese people think.
If you care about independance freedom well you know who in the middle east is the ONLY occupier of other peoples lands: the zionist entity.
As for Iran if you have a problem with them, attack them directly, you don't have to complain to me about them: I don't care I'm not Iranian.
Bob you are optimistic
justice
is there such a thing in Lebanon called justice
unless your willing to assisinate someone yourself
Sam
Well I for one consider all opinions, Lebanese or not, important.
Second no one asked you about your sect, that is a personal issue that should not have any effect on our discussion (sadly reality might be different, but I am trying to keep the ugliness of the current Lebanese political and even social arena, off my blog)
Third, wrong Iran is occupying several Arab territories (the island in the Hormuz strait) so Israel is not the only occupying country. Of course, I am not comparing the two occupations there is vast differences, but I am just correcting your statement in the absolute.
Fourth,
Iran is interfering directly in Lebanese politics, so it became our problem not someone else.
Peace
Sam,
You would have to pretty much be born into HA to actually be a member. It's a lot like the mafia. The fact that you recide outside of Lebanon wouldn't make that possible.
But, you've made your position clear, and so the debate shall continue in regards to that fact.
As for the importance of my comments, they are important to me, and that's all that really matters, ultimately.
And you should take note that they are MY comments and not a rereading of the same ol' status quo paragraph long statement about "Zionism" that's been voiced for the last 60 some odd years.
Your use of the word "occupation" is a bit ironic given what the opposition is doing right now in downtown Beirut.
As for my Iran comments, Bob pretty much nailed it.
And you need to realize that when the bossman gives you a paycheck, you pretty much have to do what your told.
Upon invading Romania, the Soviets didn't establish a bastion of capitalism. They extended the same oppressive way of life they had in Moscow to the quaint eastern european country whose name meant "Full Blood" in the gypsy language of its people (fun random fact).
Whether or not capitalism is the tune you dance to, you gotta know that the one who writes the checks will always get you to do what they want, or they'll replace you with someone who will.
Re: James - Sydney
A little optimism is always in order.
Earlier into WWII, it was a small joint naval task force made up of the Australians, British, and a few Americans that stopped the onslaught of the Imperial Japanese Navy from invading a key island off the northeast coast of Australia that would have been the base for the invasion of greater Aus.
Outnumbered and outgunned, the ally contingent fought the Japanese to a draw sinking a few of their key ships forcing the Imperial withdrawal. It was the farthest the invaders ever got. The battle proved Tokyo's fleet was not invincible and could be defeated.
These plucky March 14th'ers might just be able to do the very same without the need for violence.
Bob
I did not say that a non Lebanese opinion is not important in the absolute I said it is not important in the realm of Lebanese politics for a simple reason: I vote he doesn't.
Second I did not tell you my sect, you don't know it, and I have no intention of telling you about it. That said I have the total right to say it if I wanted.
Third, Iran has a territorial dispute with its neigbour over one island that is not occupation that is a territorial dispute. I'm glad you are not trying to compare it to Israel's occupations, but I am just correcting your statement in the absolute. Here let me mention that the only non Middle Eastern occupying countries in the Middle East are the US and its allies (former colonial power britain...)
Fourth, I didn't see Iran interfering directly in Lebanese politics.
No justice no peace
Sam
First, u said this "Why don't you go back to Czechoslovakia and leave the Lebanese alone?"
and i concluded that you do not care about Mike's opinion. However i do, and many other reader too!
So bringing up the subject of Mike origin again and again is becoming tedious and borderline insulting, leave it alone. You do not agree with his views discuss them not him!!!! Discuss his ideas not his origin!!!!!!!
Second one territorial dispute is occupation for another country. And bytheway Sheeba farms is a classic territorial dispute!
Three, the sect issue was a response to your comment “I am not even a Shiite” I made myself clear I am trying to keep sectarianism to a minimum on my blog. However if you feel that you have to declare your sect or to what sect you do not belong, feel free. I was just trying to keep of this ugly subject!
Now about your claim that Iran do not interfere in Lebanon, I will just ask one question who pays for Hezbollah’s arms, training, food, housing, and even pocket money???? If you do not call the hundred millions of dollars interference I don not know what is!
What? Shebaa farm is a territorial dispute?
Lebanon says it is Lebanese, Syria says it is Lebanese and even the zionist entity says it is not theirs!!
As for the Iranians helping Hezbollah I don't call that interfering in Lebanese politics for a simple reason: I see the
Hezbollah decision making as independent. Having an alliance and a common interest at a particular time does not mean you are beholden to them all the time. Hence, Bashir Gemayel received money and weapons from Israel as the head of the LF, he was elected on an "Israeli tank" and YET his decision making was independant and he proved it (he didn't accept Israeli conditions and diktat on Lebanon).
It is easy to accuse Hassan Nasrallah of this and that but for know he is one of the few (if not the only) Lebanese leader that never attacked another Lebanese because he was from a different sect.
--Look for additional comments by Slavic Mike on newer threads, I will no longer post comments under this subject--
It's difficult to keep track of arguments on multiple threads so I'm going to post comments/replies on the most recent ones.
Just trying to keep it all relevant and cohesive.
No more comments on this post, if you still have anything to add please publish them on the latest posts.
Thank you, and sorry for any inconvenience.
Post a Comment