Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Italian Foreign Minister: Hizballah Must Disarm

The Italian Foreign Minister, Massimo D'Alema, penned an op-ed piece for the Wall Street Journal today. In it, the optimistic (almost giddy) D'Alema, tied Europe's commitment to Lebanon to a solution for the entire region.
Passing the difficult Lebanon test means creating a win-win situation for the Lebanese, the Israelis and the region as a whole. Realizing what is at stake, Italy is seriously committed to its solution -- with humanitarian assistance as well as with a generous offer of troops (3,000) for the new Unifil mission.
D'Alema then lists three conditions that are needed to pass "the Lebanese test".
First, of course, the Lebanese army and the international peacekeeping force, working together in a consistent and sustainable way, must be able to guarantee Lebanon's full sovereignty over its territory. [And just in case some might find some vagueness in that point, he goes on to say that] Hezballah will have to disband... .

The second related step, thus, will be making sure that Israel achieves enhanced security through political agreements with its neighbors... .

Thirdly, Hezbollah will have to evolve into a purely political and nonviolent movement... . Hassan Nasrallah's recent self-criticism about the consequences of the war demonstrates the limits of a strategy based on violence.
With regards to Syria, Mr. D'Alema wrote,
Syria, in particular must choose between being a cooperative stakeholder (by complying with Resolution 1701) or self-isolation.
He then goes on to elaborate on what he sees as Europe's new role in the region,
By offering 7,000 troops to the enhanced Unifil mission, Europe has spelled out its commitment. For the first time Europe takes full responsibility for a security role in the Middle East. After having long been a "payer" of economic assistance, the EU shows willingness to become a "player... ."

The implementation of Resolution 1701 will be a crucial test for all of us. If we succeed, this will create new momentum for seriously addressing the 60-year-old Palestinian issue -- the sooner the better, for all parties involved.
As I read through the piece I thought about Nasrallah's interview yesterday and how he said that he had no problem with the Unifil contingent so long as it did not try to disarm him. I also could not help but imagine a European base or military convoy obliterated by a suicide bomber - similar in magnitude to that which transpired in 1982.

What really matters now is how the presence of these troops will impact the Lebanese political scene, because ultimately the key to passing "the Lebanese test" (as Mr. D'Alema puts it) lies in that particular playground. Will the Europeans give March 14 the teeth that the Army could never offer them? Or will they just sit there and be forgotten? Time will tell.

13 comments:

Solomon2 said...

What really matters now is how the presence of these troops will impact the Lebanese political scene

How might Lebanese react to terrorist attacks against the peacekeepers, as in 1983?

Bad Vilbel said...

Raja,

I'm afraid Mr. D'Alema is being overly optimistic and choosing to view things through an overly simplistic lens.

If everyone was indeed well-intentioned, then yes, Mr. D'Alema's "Lebanon test" could lead the way to a more comprehensive peace. But the main flaw in his discourse is his lack of discussing the Syria/Iran angle.

Where he says that Syria has to either abide by 1701 or be isolated, he doesn't seem to realize that should Syria choose "isolation", it can very easily act as a destablizing force and torpedo the whole "Lebanon Test" with one suicide bombing (as you mention).

This plan is precarious as it is. What it needs is to be made full-proof against inevitable attempts at sabotaging it, rather than relying on the goodwill of all parties to implement it. That is something the Europeans have failed at understanding time and time again. Mr. D'Alema is no exception.

D.B. Shobrawy said...

This is a Trackback. The MIXER

Bad Vilbel said...

Hummbumm,

Sure, they'd use some unheard of extremist group name...The end result would be the same though: The tenuous cease-fire and the process around it would be torpedoed and sunk.

Bad Vilbel said...

Natalie,

I am Lebanese. And I am pro-Lebanon, not pro-Israeli.
I don't really know what world you're living in.
You seriously believe abducting soldiers in another country is in the interests of Lebanon? If so explain how.
You seriously think we were living "free and full of pride" before 7/12? If so, explain how.
Nasrallah sacrificed his son? So did countless other Lebanese who lost loved ones between 1975 and 1990, and in 1996, and last month. What gives Nasrallah the right to fight wars on behalf of the Lebanese? Is he the President? Is he the Prime Minister? Do we live in Hezbollahstan? or in Lebanon?
I'm not sure what country you live in, and in what fantasy world it exists, but it sure isn't the Lebanon that i know.

Either you're a 12 year old with very little grasp on the reality of Lebanese politics, and history, or you're just trolling.

(Sorry for the rant, everyone else)

Unknown said...

So, it's the Italian prime minister who decides for Lebanon now !?

Solomon2 said...

Nonsense! If Israel invades Lebanon, that must mean Italy just won the World Cup! Any other form of thinking is delusion! :)

Solomon2 said...

I've read 1701 carefully and Israel is not defying it. Even Annan acknowledges that the resolution does NOT call for Israel to end its "blockade", for Annan only refers to it as Lebanon's "humiliation".

Well he should. Lebanon has a lot to be humiliated about and I'm not convinced that hiding this issue helps.

Solomon2 said...

People are not stupid. They know that when Israel tries to kill them, they should hate Israel, not the group risking their lives to defend the country from Israeli aggression.

Consider a locomotive represents the IDF, its railroad is the path of war, a kidnapper is Hezbollah, and a beautiful girl is Lebanon. So when the victim is tied to the railroad tracks, she should hate the train that runs over her, rather than the kidnapper?

Bad Vilbel said...

Shittygirl or whatever your name is...You have proven to be a troll. This will be my last response to you.

Carry on believing whatever you will. Your brand of patriotism is destroying our country, pure and simple. I'm sorry you feel the way you do, and I'm sorry you choose to misread everything i wrote.

1. I didn't "express concern" for the Israeli soldiers. I stated a fact: They were kidnapped, across the border, by a non-governmental organization. As far as I'm concerned, that is a criminal act.

2. I don't know about you, but i wasn't living "free and proud" when I had to stop my car at a checkpoint manned by a SYRIAN guy, with pictures of Hafez or Bashar Assad and a Syrian flag plastered there. You conside that Free and Proud? Are you Syrian? I'm Lebanese.

3. I didn't kiss anyone's ass, Lebanese or American or whoever else. I am proud to be Lebanese. I will be even prouder when the flag flying over every inch of my country is LEBANESE (not Iranian, Hezbollah, Syrian or Israeli).

Thanks for playing.

Raja said...

Sherri, allow me to interject here, because Ghassan bin Jiddo ran a show on al Jazeera that focused on the aftermath of the war.

During the show, a proud Hizballahi showed him around the South, and pointed to military infrastructure that was left untouched by the Israeli offensive.

And, yes, you guessed it... the Hizballahi took him into a couple of houses that had tunnel entrances in them as well.

Surprized? Well I was, at first. But what do you think Nasrallah means when he says his agenda is to create a "culture of resistance"? You think that's empty talk?

It is for this reason I always think twice before whole-heartedly supporting those absolute moralists who scathe the Israelis for their "atrocities."

We have to admit, as Lebanese, that when the Israelis claim Hizballah hides behind civilians, they have a point! And no, saying so does not mean we are "traitors" because evidence on the ground proves otherwise.

Lirun said...

raja

at the risk of being called a "self-hating israeli"

(which sherri can testify that i am certainly not given my vehement comments protesting israel's point of view)

i must say that on this side of the border - we owe it to ourselves to closely and objectively examin the veracity of claims against us as well..

im not even going near what is justified and what is not.. these are matters that only future outcomes can truly settle..

but as a democratic country with elaborate taxation and a thick claim for moral high ground.. i want it audited.. i want the truth..

i want things explained to me..

must add.. raja.. as i discussed earlier today with (blogger known as) deem.. the ability that you have to look at the other side's persepctive is an asset for mediation and alternative dispute resolution.. certainly praise worthy.. we need to all learn a bit more from you..

wishing peace to us all..

lirun
telaviv
www.emspeace.blogspot.com

Bad Vilbel said...

They've been insulting the Lebanese population for over 30 years now, Chuck. And some idiots continue to fall for it, amazingly enough.

It would be hilarious if it wasn't so ferakin sad.