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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Chinese Mideast Envoy Behind Arab Demands |
| 2006-08-09 |
| The mastermind behind the coordinated Arab demand for an immediate Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon is China's special envoy to the Middle East, Sun Bigan, who is currently visiting the region. Sun, who is a veteran diplomat and one of China's leading Arabists, called Monday for an immediate unconditional ceasefire in the war between Israel and the Lebanese proxy army of Beijing's non-Arab Islamist ally, Iran. "Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah should end hostilities immediately to avoid further deterioration of humanitarian crisis in Lebanon," Sun told a press conference in Damascus following a closed-door meeting with Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Shara. Sun expressed China's willingness to intensify "consultation and coordination" with Arab nations. As China Confidential reported on Sunday, Beijing is maneuvering to become a trusted intermediary--and maybe even a mediator--in the Middle East conflict. Sun is advancing the argument that the United States has lost credibility and influence in the region as a result of its steadfast support for Israel, and that a more neutral power--such as China-- is urgently needed to help end the fighting and reduce regional tensions. The real objective is to weaken the U.S. position--and ultimately drive the US from the region altogether. Toward this end, China has been a major arms supplier to Hezbollah's sponsor. In the context of energy deals, Beijing has sold Iran tanks, planes, artillery, and cruise, anti-tank, surface-to-surface and anti-aircraft missiles. Chinese-designed missiles--including some that have been upgraded and improved by North Korea--have found their way into Hezbollah's arsenal of aerial terror. China is also providing covert technical assistance to Iran's disputed nuclear development program--and supporting Iran diplomatically with a promise to block meaningful United Nations Security Council sanctions against the wannabe nuclear power. |
| Posted by:anonymous5089 |
| #5 Yeah. The Iranians were doing this long ago without any assistance. They may be getting assistance now and then, but they are calling the shots, not Moscow or Peking. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-08-09 19:20 |
| #4 You have peripheral dupes like Kimmie and Pervert in Pakland providing support, but is there any real doubt that the principals are China and Russia ? |
| Posted by: SOP35/Rat 2006-08-09 19:17 |
| #3 The mastermind behind the coordinated Arab demand for an immediate Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon is China's special envoy to the Middle East, Sun Bigan, who is currently visiting the region. Concerned about the ever-increasing blowback that will finally result in their biggest oil supply, namely Iran, being taken off line, is he? China has spent so much time pouring gasoline on regional fires (North Korea, for instance) that they well and truly need a solid object lesson in global manners. Choking off Iran's oil production would be an ideal demonstration of consequences. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-08-09 14:45 |
| #2 Interesting... Yesterday, I watched the Israeli ambassador and the Lebanon designee speak to the UN. Afterwards, the ChiCom ambassador was doing liplocks with the Lebanese delegation while the Israel group got zero attention from outside their own delegation. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2006-08-09 14:07 |
| #1 It reminds me of that Debka article : http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=156912&D=2006-06-22 |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-08-09 12:54 |