European FMs shill for Bush policy in Lebanon

The U.S. has increased its military aid to the Lebanese government to $270 million - a fivefold increase over just last year. Of course, this is purely military aid, not economic or humanitarian. That would be too much like dealing with the crisis. Bush's concern for Lebanon begins and ends with Hizbollah. If they weren't there, Lebanon could fester in civil war for eternity and Bush wouldn't be able to point out the country on a map.

Far from the noble objective of allowing the Lebanese government to stand on its own, the intention is instead to create an American client state that will support Israel and serve as a base from which to attack Syria.

After Spain and Italy withdrew from Iraq, the Bush Administration gave them the usual scowl. Spain and Italy are now under Bush pressure to increase not only their troop levels in Afghanistan, but to extend their role to a combat mission. Both Spain and Italy are among those countries that seem to never be able to do enough to satisfy the Decider. France seems to be getting a free pass on Afghanistan due to it's support for an air war against Iran.

Even as Bush derides the U.N. and expects it to pay for the rebuilding of Iraq, he tries to bypass it on the Iranian invasion issue. He tried to get the EU to support military strikes against Iran. No dice. He tried to get NATO to go along with his schemes. Sorry, no sale. Meanwhile, it is the U.N. that is carrying out the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon at the same time that Bush is setting the country up as a proxy in the next Middle East regional war. Will the U.N. get the tab to clean up that mess as well? Will Lebanese "sovereignty" end up defined in the same manner as Iraqi "sovereignty"? You are sovereign to the extent that you agree with Bush, that is.

story from Haartez

Last update - 18:53 20/10/2007
Spanish, Italian, French FMs visit UNIFIL, pledge support for troops
By The Associated Press

The foreign ministers of France, Italy and Spain - on a symbolic visit to southern Lebanon - pledged continued support for UN peacekeepers whose mandate is to oversee a truce along the Lebanese-Israeli border but who are increasingly threatened by al-Qaida-inspired militants and political instability in Beirut.

The visit by Bernard Kouchner of France, Massimo D'Alema of Italy and Miguel Angel Moratinos of Spain comes at a difficult political time for Lebanon. The three ministers are hoping to help mediate among the feuding Lebanese factions because the deep political crisis in Beirut could have serious implications on the UN mission in southern Lebanon.

Already, the UN peacekeeping force of 13,530 from some 28 countries have come under attack in southern Lebanon. In June, a car bombing killed six peacekeepers from the Spanish contingent. Other bombings recently have been thwarted by authorities.

No group has claimed responsibility for the June attack or another one that followed in July. But in a July videotape, Al-Qaida's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri blessed the first attack, fueling speculation that it was carried out by Al-Qaida-linked militants.

Further political instability in Beirut and resulting deterioration of security could reflect negatively on the peacekeeping force's ability to implement its mission of securing the border.

The three top diplomats flew by UN helicopter from Beirut to the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, in the fishing border town of Naqoura on the Mediterranean Sea for a briefing from Force Commander Maj. Gen. Claudio Graziano of Italy.

The ministers later flew to the bases of their respective troop contingents serving with UNIFIL.

In statements at Naquora, the Italian foreign minister said it was the first time that the three foreign ministers of the main Euro-Mediterranean countries, who are the main contributors to UNIFIL, were together in Lebanon.

"I want to stress how important is this message of commitment, engagement and unity. Our presence here is a testimony of our support ... and deep appreciation," D'Alema said.

Kouchner said the troika's visit to UNIFIL was to reinforce our support to the international community forces, and he pledged continued support.

"We are strongly determined to follow till the end. The end is what? Peace, unity, sovereignty of Lebanon and certainly also implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701," the French foreign minister said.

Moratinos said the three "came to salute our troops, to salute UNIFIL, this UN force that is working to stabilize the situation."

The reinforced UNIFIL deployed after the Second Lebanon War last summer between Israel and Hezbollah, a 34-day conflict that killed up to 1,200 Lebanese, and some 160 Israelis.

Under UN resolution 1701, it assists about 15,000 Lebanese troops maintain a weapons-free zone along the border.