About Lebanon

 

 

 

 

 

So the resolution is out. Each party is interpreting it in different ways. While I was very optimistic at first, I am now somewhat skeptical. I don’t think the parties are willing to make this work. I hope I am wrong and I hope this will work. I have highlighted some passages that I am concerned about. What worries me in this resolution is that it is not clear as to timeframes or obligations from each party. How soon must Hezbollah disarm? How soon must Israel withdraw? We need “efforts” to settle the issue of Lebanese prisoners but there is no requirement about it (although it calls for “unconditional release” of the Israeli soldiers). They request a proposal to deal with Shebaa farms “within 30 days” but does not require Israel to return this land. This resolution is good in the sense that it addresses all the important issues and concerns of each party. But it is poor because it does not provide precise and clear guidelines on how and when to go about it. Therefore, if the various parties are not willing, this could drag on forever and ever. The bottom line is this: Hezbollah will not disarm until Israel releases Lebanese prisoners and withdraws from Shebaa. Israel will not do the above anytime soon. Therefore, we are back to square one? Oh! And one last thing, the resolution is calling for the disarment of "all armed groups in Lebanon", but nobody has mentioned the Palestinians yet??? They continue to carry arms in their camps and around the country. Is anybody else concerned about that, or am I the only one???

 

The Security Council,

PP1. Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978), 520 (1982), 1559 (2004), 1655 (2006) 1680 (2006) and 1697 (2006), as well as the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon, in particular the statements of 18 June 2000 (S/PRST/2000/21), of 19 October 2004 (S/PRST/2004/36), of 4 May 2005 (S/PRST/2005/17) of 23 January 2006 (S/PRST/2006/3) and of 30 July 2006 (S/PRST/2006/35).

PP2. Expressing its utmost concern at the continuing escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and in Israel since Hizbollah’s attack on Israel on 12 July 2006, which has already caused hundreds of deaths and injuries on both sides, extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons.

PP3. Emphasizing the need for an end of violence, but at the same time emphasizing the need to address urgently the causes that have given rise to the current crisis, including by the unconditional release of the abducted Israeli soldiers.

PP4: Mindful of the sensitivity of the issue of prisoners and encouraging the efforts aimed at urgently settling the issue of the Lebanese prisoners detained in Israel.

 

PP5. Welcoming the efforts of the Lebanese Prime Minister and the commitment of the government of Lebanon, in its seven-point plan, to extend its authority over its territory, through its own legitimate armed forces, such that there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon, welcoming also its commitment to a UN force that is supplemented and enhanced in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operation, and bearing in mind its request in this plan for an immediate withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon,

PP6. Determined to act for this withdrawal to happen at the earliest,

PP7. Taking due note of the proposals made in the seven-point plan regarding the Shebaa farms area,

PP8. Welcoming the unanimous decision by the government of Lebanon on 7 August 2006 to deploy a Lebanese armed force of 15,000 troops in South Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws behind the Blue Line and to request the assistance of additional forces from UNIFIL as needed, to facilitate the entry of the Lebanese armed forces into the region and to restate its intention to strengthen the Lebanese armed forces with material as needed to enable it to perform its duties,

PP9. Aware of its responsibilities to help secure a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict,

PP10. Determining that the situation in Lebanon constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

OP1. Calls for a full cessation of hostilities based upon, in particular, the immediate cessation by Hizbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operations;

OP2. Upon full cessation of hostilities, calls upon the government of Lebanon and UNIFIL as authorized by paragraph 11 to deploy their forces together throughout the South and calls upon the government of Israel, as that deployment begins, to withdraw all of its forces from Southern Lebanon in parallel;

OP3. Emphasizes the importance of the extension of the control of the government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) and resolution 1680 (2006), and of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, for it to exercise its full sovereignty, so that there will be no weapons without the consent of the government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the government of Lebanon;

OP4. Reiterates its strong support for full respect for the Blue Line;

OP5. Also reiterates its strong support, as recalled in all its previous relevant resolutions, for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders, as contemplated by the Israeli-Lebanese General Armistice Agreement of 23 March 1949;

OP6. Calls on the international community to take immediate steps to extend its financial and humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people, including through facilitating the safe return of displaced

persons and, under the authority of the Government of Lebanon, reopening airports and harbours, consistent with paragraphs 14 and 15, and calls on it also to consider further assistance in the future to contribute to the reconstruction and development of Lebanon;

OP7. Affirms that all parties are responsible for ensuring that no action is taken contrary to paragraph 1 that might adversely affect the search for a long-term solution, humanitarian access to civilian populations, including safe passage for humanitarian convoys, or the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons, and calls on all parties to comply with this responsibility and to cooperate with the Security Council;

OP8. Calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution based on the following principles and elements:

- full respect for the Blue Line by both parties,

- security arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11, deployed in this area,

- full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of July 27, 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state,

- no foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its government,

- no sales or supply of arms and related materiel to Lebanon except as authorized by its government,

- provision to the United Nations of all remaining maps of land mines in Lebanon in Israel’s possession;

OP9. Invites the Secretary General to support efforts to secure as soon as possible agreements in principle from the Government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel to the principles and elements for a long-term solution as set forth in paragraph 8, and expresses its intention to be actively involved;

OP10. Requests the Secretary General to develop, in liaison with relevant international actors and the concerned parties, proposals to implement the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), including disarmament, and for delineation of the international borders of Lebanon, especially in those areas where the border is disputed or uncertain, including by dealing with the Shebaa farms area, and to present to the Security Council those proposals within thirty days;

OP11. Decides, in order to supplement and enhance the force in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operations, to authorize an increase in the force strength of UNIFIL to a maximum of 15,000 troops, and that the force shall, in addition to carrying out its mandate under resolutions 425 and 426 (1978):

a. Monitor the cessation of hostilities;
b. Accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the South, including along the Blue Line, as Israel withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon as provided in paragraph 2;
c. Coordinate its activities related to paragraph 11 (b) with the Government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel;
d. Extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons;
e. Assist the Lebanese armed forces in taking steps towards the establishment of the area as referred to in paragraph 8;
f. Assist the government of Lebanon, at its request, to implement paragraph 14;
OP12. Acting in support of a request from the government of Lebanon to deploy an international force to assist it to exercise its authority throughout the territory, authorizes UNIFIL to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind, to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council, and to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers, and, without prejudice to the responsibility of the government of Lebanon, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence;

OP13. Requests the Secretary General urgently to put in place measures to ensure UNIFIL is able to carry out the functions envisaged in this resolution, urges Member States to consider making appropriate contributions to UNIFIL and to respond positively to requests for assistance from the Force, and expresses its strong appreciation to those who have contributed to UNIFIL in the past;

OP14. Calls upon the Government of Lebanon to secure its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon without its consent of arms or related materiel and requests UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11 to assist the Government of Lebanon at its request;

OP15. Decides further that all states shall take the necessary measures to prevent, by their nationals or from their territories or using their flag vessels or aircraft,

(a) the sale or supply to any entity or individual in Lebanon of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, whether or not originating in their territories, and

(b) the provision to any entity or individual in Lebanon of any technical training or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the items listed in subparagraph (a) above,

except that these prohibitions shall not apply to arms, related material, training or assistance authorized by the Government of Lebanon or by UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11;

OP16. Decides to extend the mandate of UNIFIL until 31 August 2007, and expresses its intention to consider in a later resolution further enhancements to the mandate and other steps to contribute to the implementation of a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution;

OP17. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council within one week on the implementation of this resolution and subsequently on a regular basis;

OP18. Stresses the importance of, and the need to achieve, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all its relevant resolutions including its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;

OP19. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

 

 

That's me!

Sarcasm might be best to cope with the situation:

 

The UN council members are in disagreement on a resolution to end the Israeli aggression: Take your time guys, no hurry, it is not like every 1.4 hours one Israeli or one Lebanese die.

 

Israel destroyed the fuel tanks of the airport so as HA fighters don’t use the fuel: Yes HA uses Kerosene (which is used only by jets) for their cars, thus bombarding these tanks is justified. (Just in case you didn’t know, HA does NOT have planes)

 

Peaceful demo are all over the world: the last time I have seen a demo changed the decision of war was on …. mmmmmmmmmm I don’t know, I was not born yet. (that would’ve been the Vietnam war)

 

After their meeting, Rice and Perez had this “Common” view of the situation:

Rice: Cease fire will be reached in hours,

Perez: Cease fire will be reached in Days.

I guess Perez had jet lag, a BIG ONE since he is coming from Mars….

 

Israel declared many times that the war is not against Lebanon but it is against HA. Indeed, the people that are dying are not Lebanese, the airport, bridges, power plants, TV station, Cellular tours are all not for Lebanon.

 

Israel just did an operation in Baalbeck to get important files: The credit card statement of Hassan Nasrallah.

 

In response to Qana’s massacre: Israel we are sorry. Do you think the Jews in the world would accept an apology from Hitler? Why should the Lebanese?

 

Message from contractors of the Middle East: Thanks Israel for the Job/project creation, God bless you

 

There is a competition in claiming more casualties on both sides. This is simply to win the public opinion: WHO cares about the public opinion, when did the public opinion matter?

Of course Israel is winning the above mentioned competition: they are including in the casualties people who are treated for SHOCK.

 

Anderson Cooper from CNN, showed some barbaric damages done by Hezbollah: a bench in Kiryat Shmouna that had some small uniform holes, and Hezbollah’s katiyusha made the holes bigger. I personally condemn these atrocities and this should be classified as terrorism

 

 

Israel’s war objectives (declared versus achieved:

 

 

 

Day 1 – destroy Hezbollah  

                                                Day 10 – push Hezbollah to the Litani River

Day 22- push Hezbollah outside a security zone (6KM wide)

Israel’s achieved objectives:      Day 1 – Destroyed chances of Peace

Day 10 – Pushed Lebanon 50 years behind (Hezbollah remain intact)

Day 22 – Pushed all civilians to the north of Beirut

Keep up the good work!

 

Why should I believe the apology of the Israeli government that killed 57 innocent and not believe Mel Gibson’s apology for an anti-Jew statement he made while he was drunk?

 

CNN: The death toll of Qana might be less than what previously thought (56 versus 28): So Israel is not such a bad guy after all, are we supposed to apologize now?

 

 

Rule # 1 : In the Middle East, it is always the Arabs that attack first, and it’s always Israel who defends itself. This is called “retaliation”.

 Rule # 2: The Arabs, whether Palestinians or Lebanese, are not allowed to kill Israelis. This is called “terrorism”/

 Rule # 3: Israel has the right to kill Arab civilians, this is called “self-defense”, or these days “collateral damage”.

Rule # 4: When Israel kills too many civilians. The Western world calls for restraint. This is called the “reaction of the international community”.

 Rule # 5: Palestinians and Lebanese do not have the right to capture Israeli military, not even a limited number, not even 1 or 2.

 Rule # 6: Israel has the right to capture as many Palestinians as they want (Palestinians: around 10000 to date, 300 of which are children, Lebanese: 1000s to date, being held without trial). There is no limit; there is no need for proof of guilt or trial. All that is needed is the magic word: “terrorism”

Rule # 7: When you say “Hezbollah”, always be sure to add “supported by Syria and Iran”

Rule # 8: When you say “Israel”, never say “supported by the USA, the UK and other European countries”, for people (God forbid) might believe this is not an equal conflict.

Rule # 9: When it comes to Israel, don’t mention the words “occupied territories”, “UN resolutions”,  “Geneva conventions”. This could distress the audience of Fox.

Rule # 10: Israelis speak better English than Arabs. This is why we let them speak out as much as possible, so that they can explain rules 1 through 9. This is called “neutral journalism”.

 Rule # 11: If you don’t agree with these rules or if you favor the Arab side over the Israeli side, you must be a very dangerous anti-Semite. You may even have to make a public apology if you express your honest opinion (isn’t democracy wonderful?)

 

Traduction Française.

Les règles de savoir-vivre lorsqu'il sagit du conflit Israelo-Arabe

Règle numéro 1 : Au Proche Orient, ce sont toujours les arabes qui attaquent les premiers et c’est toujours Israël qui se défend. Cela s’appelle des représailles.

Règle numéro 2 : Les arabes, Palestiniens ou Libanais n’ont pas le droit de tuer des civils de l’autre camp. Cela s’appelle du terrorisme.

Règle numéro 3 : Israël a le droit de tuer les civils arabes. Cela s’appelle de la légitime défense.

Règle numéro 4 : Quand Israël tue trop de civils, les puissances occidentales l’appellent à la retenue. Cela s’appelle la réaction de la communauté internationale.

Règle numéro 5 : Les Palestiniens et les libanais n’ont pas le droit de capturer des militaires israéliens, même si leur nombre est très limité et ne dépassent pas trois soldats.

Règle numéro 6 : Les israéliens ont le droit d’enlever autant de palestiniens qu’ils le souhaitent (environ 10000 prisonniers à ce jours dont près de 300 enfants). Il n’y a aucune limite et n’ont besoin d’apporter aucune preuve de la culpabilité des personnes enlevées. Il suffit juste de dire le mot magique "terroriste".

Règle numéro 7 : Quand vous dites "Hezbollah", il faut toujours rajouter l’expression « soutenu par la Syrie et l’Iran ».

Règle numéro 8 : Quand vous dites "Israël", Il ne faut surtout pas rajouter après : « soutenu par les Etats-Unis, la France et l’Europe », car on pourrait croire qu’il s’agit d’un conflit déséquilibré.

Règle numéro 9 : Ne jamais parler de "Territoires occupés ", ni de résolutions de l’ONU, ni de violations du droit international, ni des conventions de Genève. Cela risque de perturber le téléspectateur et l’auditeur de France Info.

Règle numéro 10 : Les israéliens parlent mieux le français que les arabes. C’est ce qui explique qu’on leur donne, ainsi qu’à leurs partisans, aussi souvent que possible la parole. Ainsi, ils peuvent nous expliquer les règles précédentes (de 1 à 9). Cela s’appelle de la neutralité journalistique.

Règle numéro 11 : Si vous n’êtes pas d’accord avec ses règles ou si vous trouvez qu’elles favorisent une partie dans le conflit contre une autre, c’est que vous êtes un dangereux antisémite.

Wednesday July 26, 200

• Brazil, Rio de Janeiro - (14:00) with concentration at Republica do Líbano Street, downtown Rio.
• Canada, Vancouver - (5:30PM) 5:30pm StopWar meeting at the Maritime Labour Centre (1880 Triumph Street - Off Victoria from Hastings)
• Egypt, Cairo (6 PM) Tahrir square
• France, Paris - (18h à 21h) Place de Trocadéro : Rassemblement tous les jours.
• France, Toulouse - (7h30 tp9:00 PM) Sit-in every day. Place du Capitole
• Italy, Ferrara (8:30 PM) Center of the city
• Portugal, Lisboa - (6:30 PM) In front of the Isareli embassy
• Portugal, Porto - (6:30pm) Praca da Batulha
  
• USA, Boston - (5 PM) Copley Square

Thursday July 27, 2006

• Canada, Vancouver - (12:30PM) demonstration at Canadian Immigration Detention Centre / 808-300 West Georgia Street, Downtown Vancouver
• France, Paris - (18h30) en face du SENAT (Place Paul Claudel, 75006 Paris)
• France, Toulouse - (7h30 tp9:00 PM) Sit-in every day. Place du Capitole
• Italy, Milano - (9 PM) Piazza San Babila
• Italy, Rome - (17.30) DEMONSTRATION from Piazza della Repubblica
• UK, Manchester - (7:30pm) Chorlton Central Church (Edge Lane/Barlow Moor Rd): speakers, eye witness report from the LebanonAmin Khosravi, Action IranRae Street, ex President CNDRichard Searle, Stop the War Coalition
• USA, NY - (6:30pm) SILENT CANDLELIGHT VIGIL at South side of Union Square Park, New York City

Friday July 28, 2006

• Austria, Vienna - (17:00h) The protest-march will start from the center of vienna "Stephansplatz" and will go to the US-Embassy.
• France, Paris - (18h à 21h) Place de Trocadéro : Rassemblement tous les jours.
• France, Toulouse - (7h30 tp9:00 PM) Sit-in every day. Place du Capitole
• USA, Boston - (5 PM) Copley Square
• USA, Philadelphia - at Israeli Consulate, 15th & Locust, support weekly demonstration from noon - 1:30pm; continue protests from 1:30pm - 6:pm on consulate side of street.
  

Saturday July 29, 2006

• France, Paris - DEMOSNTRATION, SOLIDARITÉ AVEC LE LIBAN
• USA, NY - (2 PM) MARCH ACROSS THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE. Meet Location: TBA
• UK, Leeds - Demonstration (details to follow)

Saturday July 22th 2006- INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST ISRAELI AGGRESSION (You too can say something against what is happening to Lebanon)

In London: Whitehall Place, SW1, (12 Noon), Contact: office@stopwar.org.uk Tel 020 7278 6694, go to: www.stopwar.org.uk
In France, Dijon - Place Darcy (13h30)
In Australia, Adelaide - (12PM) at Parliament house in Adelaide
In Australia, Melbourne - (1PM) at the state Library in the city on Swanston Street
In Australia, Canberra - (12:30PM) at the Garema Place
In Canada, Ottawa - (11AM) in front of the parliament in Ottawa
In Canada / London - (12noon) in front of the John Labbatt Centre on King Street
In France, Dijon - (13:30) Place Darcy
In Germany, Munich - (3:30 PM) Kalsplatz
In Germany / Munich - (15:30-17:30) rally from Stachus to Rindermarkt
In Germany, Frankfurt - (2 PM) - Homburger Landstrasse/Ecke Friedberger Warte (contact: Tel.: 0172 519 84 13 , 0152 051 251 25, 0162 932 83 04 )
In Hong Kong - (11:00 AM) in central station Hong Kong
In Palo Alto - Vigil, 7pm, University Avenue Square
In USA Columbus, Ohio - (6-8PM) 15th and High Street
Across the UK
In Birmingham: 1-3pm, outside Waterstones at the entrance to the Bullring.
In Exeter 11am-1pm at Bedford Square on Exeter High Street
In Edinburgh: Assemble 2pm: The Mound precinct, Princes Street.
In Glasgow: Assemble 12 noon: George Square
In Kirkcaldy: Assemble 12 Noon outside Kirkcaldy Town House
In Manchester: Assemble 1.00pm: Outside the BBC. Oxford Road.
Contact: info@mancsagainsttanks.org Tel: 07760 224 580
In Newcastle: Assemble Grey's Monument 1pm Nearest Metro: In Monument, Contact 07914 606 452
In Norwich: From 1pm. The Haymarket, Norwich city centre.
In Sheffield: Noon. Town Hall.
In York: 1.00pm. St Sampsons Square