Slaughter of Civilians Continues

It is clear that before the UN plan (now being hammered out) is implemented the relentless attacks by Israelis will continue as will retaliation by the Hezbollah. The civilians on both sides of the border are like sacrificial goats in this "proxy war". President Bush, vacationing in Crawford, and his Secretary of State are engaged in taking advantage of the crisis to gain ground against Syria and Iran. In their world, the mounting casualties mean nothing. Michael Fletcher in the Post: CRAWFORD, Tex., Aug. 6 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pressed Sunday for approval of a draft U.N. resolution calling for a "cessation of hostilities" between Israel and Hezbollah, saying it is a crucial "first step" toward resolving the conflict.
  • Acknowledging that passage of the resolution would not immediately end the fighting that has raged for most of the past month, Rice said that it nonetheless offers a framework that would not only eventually end the hostilities but also stabilize the area going forward.
Are the Lebanese being pressured to accept unjust terms? Such tactics are likely to fail in achieving the long-term objective of the major powers. A report in the Guardian states:
  • Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, piled pressure on Hizbullah to comply with the proposed UN call for a truce yesterday, reiterating Washington's insistence that a cessation of hostilities would be the first step towards a longer-term settlement. "We're trying to deal with a problem that has been festering and brewing in Lebanon now for years and years and years," she said.
  • But Nabih Berri, the speaker of the Lebanese parliament, rejected the 6,500-word text thrashed out by Washington and Paris. Mr Berri, who has been negotiating on behalf of Hizbullah, said the draft resolution legitimised Israel's occupation, adding that it would "open the door to never-ending war". Philippe Douste-Blazy, France's foreign minister, said obtaining Lebanese and Arab support for the plan was his government's priority.
In the meantime, air attacks have killed more civilians in Lebanon. The Washington Post: BEIRUT, Aug. 7 -- A tearful Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora told visiting foreign ministers that 40* people were killed in Israeli airstrikes early Monday, one day after intensified attacks on both sides left more than two dozen soldiers and civilians dead."

State Terrorism ?
  • "An hour ago, there was a horrific massacre in the village of Houla," Siniora said, calling the bombing "deliberate" and the people who died "martyrs." He interrupted his remarks several times to choke back tears and wipe his eyes, wire services reported. The ministers broke into applause.
  • "If these horrific actions are not state terrorism," Siniora asked rhetorically, "then what is state terrorism?"
*Note: The number of dead was subsequently reported to be incorrect, and reduced.


Comments

Anonymous — 2006-08-07
if siniora had had the guts to stand up to the religious zealot, iran supported terrorist group hezbollah in the first place, and not let them grow and stockpile at the border, he would not need to shed a single tear today. make no mistake - he is directly responsible for the warring state, and while he cries for the tv crews, he could have stopped the atrocities from both side on day one, and he still can - forcing the hezbollah to return the kidnapped soldiers, and bringing in the lebanese military to the southern border and squelch the indiscriminate missile firing towards israel.
Unknown — 2006-08-07
@tsella, if Israel had withdrawed its troops from Shabaa farms - the Lebanes land occupied by Israel- and had set the Lebanese prisoners in its prisons free, Hezbolla wouldn't have initiated the war on them. Believe me, Senyora may cry after seeing the barbaric attack the IDF makes on children and innocent civilians, but Lebanon will never give up.
Anonymous — 2006-08-07
@tarek, shabaa? you must mean mount dov.. so you're saying lebanon is now fighting for syria? nice. that's what we're saying, but the cowards in syria are afraid to speak up.

anyway, you know this is bullcrap. when the people behind hezbollah (iran if you're unsure) go all out saying israel should not exist, we both know hezbollah would have found whatever reason to declare holy jihad on israel.

prisoners? you mean cold-blooded-by-his-own-confession samir kuntar? in any arab country he would have faced capital punishment (i.e. death sentense), but we're too civilized for that. he's serving life in prison, and i hope he rots in there alive for a hundred years more.

regardless, bottom line, you're condoning terrorism - you're condoning warring state. there is no dialog with terrorists.

i hope lebanon will be wiser than you.