Israel seeks force of up to 20,000 for Lebanon (peacekeepers)

[uppityperson]

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-07-25T143523Z_01_L25346734_RTRUKOT_0_TEXT0.xml

Israel believes a force of up to 20,000 peacekeepers is needed to take over southern Lebanon and that a force could be deployed within two weeks of approval by Western powers, senior Israeli officials said on Tuesday.

The estimate of 20,000 would be nearly double the size of the multilateral force being discussed by European powers.

"We're looking for a very large force. Between 10,000 and 20,000," a senior Israeli official told Reuters. "The force can be deployed in stages. It can be done in one to two weeks."

"Peacekeepers"? Do they mean international or Israeli?

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. They want international

They want the rest of the world to do it. It's not clear what the Lebanese government thinks about having an international 'peacekeeping' force in the lower part of the country indefinitely.

[uppityperson]

3. That is good. Was worried they meant Israeli "peacekeepers"

international would be better.

[Norquist Nemesis]

5. Israel doesn't want to be bogged down for another 15 years

in Lebanon.

[kenny blankenship]

10. So they invite us to start another Iraq debacle for their benefit

Because things are going so well in Iraq.

[Norquist Nemesis]

12. I'm pretty sure they knew an invitation wasn't necessary n/t

[ShortnFiery]

2. I wish that Our Congress were respectable enough to TELL Israel

"You blew it up, YOU fix it up!" :nuke:

They should be on their own or humbly ask Syria for help.

Imperial ARROGANCE will not allow for true negotiations and any real diplomatic efforts. :(

[hack89]

7. How do you fix Hezbolah?

And what does Syria have to do with it - Hezbolah is Iran's proxy. Are you saying that Lebanon is not truly sovereign and has no real control over its territory? If Syria can stop Hezobolah does that mean they bear some responsibility for the present violence?

[ShortnFiery]

14. You have my understanding - a.k.a. empathy

What has been a problem is not realizing the fact that Hezbollah was formed to counter Israel's last occupation of Lebanon. Sure, they do terrible things by killing civilians ... some of them. There are other parts of Hezbollah who truly care for the people in their neighborhood. They help keep fresh water, give money for schools and hospitals.

Regardless of WHERE (Iran?) this social support services are coming from, we must acknowledge the fact that Hezbollah is NOT going to be eradicated. Plus the people who partake in the Humanitarian Side (Doctors/Nurses) are NOT evil.

We must disarm Hezbollah, like the Brits NEGOTIATED with the IRA to make them CHOOSE to focus on the Political Power vice the coercive terrorism.

You can't label an entire network of Political, Social and Militant elements TOTALLY EVIL. The forgoing is a non-starter for meaningful negotiations.

The USA and Israel should be having open dialog with Syria. If like Dear Leader blurted out, "Get Syria to have them stop this shit." Yes, that's pretty damn sound.

Talking with your enemy's leaders is not an admission of defeat. It's a genuine attempt to work out your differences and attempt to understand why they want what they want.

Brut force has not ever brought about a SUSTAINABLE peace. And the more killing of civilians, either side, will make negotiations THAT much harder. :(

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. Funny how our tax dollars are paying for bombs to Israel and aid

to Lebanon. Seems to me that $30 or $40 million in aid should have a little paygo implemented. :shrug:

[ShortnFiery]

16. Our country is getting bankrupted by the USA bomb makers and

the so called construction Cronies (Halliburton).

The American Taxpayer is getting SCREWED on both ends, i.e., blowing things up and building them back WE PAY DEARLY.

It should be CRIMINAL!

[kenny blankenship]

4. Getting us to pay for their occupation--that's what it means

[wakeme2008]

6. Sorry Israel... US forces are all used up

Maybe there are some Polish troops avaliable....

[Kagemusha]

9. Israel's dreaming.

The only country that has the capacity and will to send 20,000 troops there might be... hmm...

SYRIA.

According to this article

http://fairuse.100webcustomers.com/sf/nyt7_25_06_2.htm

the only NATO option that might work is a mixture of French and Turkish troops, and the Turks have the Kurds to worry about, and besides, they both used to run Lebanon. And it ended up not fun for either of them.

[goforit]

11. Trying to plead with the world to justify their actions.

[gratuitous]

13. Why not?

It's always worked so well for their sponsors in the Bush Family and the Neocon Gang. Someone else always cleans up after them, and they take their profits and invest in another mess.

[saigon68]

15. The NeoCon Money machine keeps going

Hey Dick Cheney-- pass the Dom Perignon

[adriennui]

21. israel doesn't plead

n/t

[daleo]

17. The demilitarized zone should extend equally into Israel and Lebanon

That would be the fair way to arrange things, although I doubt that will matter.

[anotherdrew]

18. those peacekeepers need to come in and roll Israel back to the green line

that would be how to keep the peace.

[leesa]

19. More target practice?

[HuffleClaw]

20. this is TRAVISHAMOCKERY

why should ANYONE do their work for them? israel STEALS lebanese territory then decides its the job of the international community to police it? its a tragic joke.