Article

2005-03-15 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Claudia Rosett on the Lebanese Demonstration

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Posted by Matt 2005-03-15 13:44|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 "Thank's Free World," (sic) said one poster, held high by a woman in a bright red jacket, Rawya Okal, who told me: "We thank Mr. Bush for his position." Overhearing this in the throng, a middle-aged man in a green baseball cap, Louis Nahanna, leaned over to say, "We love the American people" - adding, "Please don't let Bush forget us. Your support is very important."

Asking more people what they thought of Americans turned up the same refrain. From a young driver, Fadi Mrad, came the message: "We want to change. We need freedom. Please don't let Bush forget us." From a group of young men came not only the message "Our hope is America," and "We believe in democracy in the Middle East," but also praise for Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz. There was also an invitation from one of them, young Edgard Baradhy, for his heroine, Ms. Rice, to come to Beirut "and I am ready to take her for coffee."

Posted by Matt 2005-03-15 3:16:44 PM|| 2005-03-15 3:16:44 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Someone who understands the interplay of factions within Lebanon - please correct me where I'm wrong about motives, etc. or where they see major flaws.

I don't think I'm wrong to suggest that Hezbollah will not disarm and will try to grab as much power as their arms afford them. Civil war would suit them almost as much as total control, as that would suit the MM's - at least as a distraction from their looming UNSC confrontation and whatever other motives the assclowns in Iran see as in their interests.

They are paid thugs in the employ of the Iranian regime. They have no place else to go except Syria - which surely (from Assad's POV) has reservations about allowing an armed militia, no matter how "friendly" or currently motivated, to move in and augment those already in Syria.

I have no doubt there will be a bloody showdown with Nasrallah - very very soon - as he has no future and no sponsor to maintain his power unless he can bite off a chunk of Lebanon for his Masters and, if possible, sidetrack or derail this democracy thingy.

Ironically (is that an understatement, or what?), Israel may turn out to be the average Lebanese citizen's best friend - being both on the ground nearby in serious numbers and able to open a can of no-shit WhoopAss on Hezbollah anytime they perceive it to be in their interests. Now wouldn't it be interesting if there was a sudden convergence of interests and Israel was instrumental in helping free the Lebs from Hezbollah -- then go home peacefully -- allowing them to attain the free democratic Leb they demonstrated for in such impressive numbers?

Heh.

Interesting possibilities. Interesting times.

Posted by .com 2005-03-15 3:28:49 PM|| 2005-03-15 3:28:49 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 I hope for the best for them but I'm not optimistic about Hezabolla giving up their staging ground for attacks on Israel without a fight. If the Lebanese do get their freedom from Syria Hezbolla is pretty close to being finished. The Iranian Mad Mullahs have yet to play their hand.

Posted by Deacon Blues 2005-03-15 3:32:42 PM|| 2005-03-15 3:32:42 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 .com and DB, that's way above my head in terms of what little I know about the Lebanese situation, but I guess my general point of view would be that the Lebanese now have a chance whereas before they had none. Also, the Lebanese have shown a lot of ~~tits~~ courage over the last few days, and that's got to count for something. Who dares, wins.

Posted by Matt 2005-03-15 3:39:32 PM|| 2005-03-15 3:39:32 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 And the lady holding the signs responds!! Via The Corner

EMAIL FROM BEIRUT [Cliff May]

Thanks Claudia for your article on March 15, 2005: âMillion Lebanese Stage Massive retort to Terrorists,â NY Sun.

I am the woman who held high the poster âThankâs Free Worldâ (sic). Sorry for the spelling.

From all my heart please let me repeat this again and again:

âThanks Free Worldâ

âThanks Free Worldâ

âThanks Free Worldâ

âThanks Free Worldâ

âThanks Free Worldâ

âThanks Free Worldâ

Yours truly,

Rawya Okal

Lebanon

That is so cool!!

Posted by Sherry 2005-03-15 4:21:46 PM|| 2005-03-15 4:21:46 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 .com, the pot is really starting to boil right now and with all the cooks in the kitchen things could get rough. I really think the Syrians are through unless the French piss on everybody and do a deal with Assad. I'm not really knowledgeable enough about Syrian resources to know what and how much the Syrians have to offer the French. My guess is it's not a really big deal or they would have done a deal long ago. My guess is the French really don't see anything to gain for dealing with Assad except to counter and embarress the US and this time it may not be worth the effort for so little gain. At this point even the French may see it's in their best interests to be on our side this time, although I trust them about as far as I can throw my thumb.

Posted by Deacon Blues 2005-03-15 4:36:20 PM|| 2005-03-15 4:36:20 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Two more factors : Lebanon has been in the Francophile column for years and the French would like to keep it that way; the ex-PM that got killed was a personal friend of both Chirac and the House of Saud. Big time ME politics arguing for the French to go along with us, since it is in their naked interests to do so.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2005-03-15 6:09:40 PM|| 2005-03-15 6:09:40 PM|| Front Page Top

10:08 Hawk Eye
10:08 Hawk Eye
23:57 Kalle (kafir forever)
23:49 Sobiesky
23:48 3dc
23:44 Laurence of the Rats
23:44 Aris Katsaris
23:43 Sock Puppet 0â Doom
23:39 AzCat
23:16 dcreeper
22:57 Kalle (kafir forever)
22:49 mojo
22:48 Sock Puppet 0â Doom
22:43 Kalle (kafir forever)
22:43 trailing wife
22:40 Kalle (kafir forever)
22:38 Sobiesky
22:33 Bobby
22:30 trailing wife
22:30 Sock Puppet 0â Doom
22:29 SteveS
22:29 AzCat
22:28 anymouse
22:27 Bobby