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Fear and loathing across the Middle East
Hasan Abu Nimah & Ali Abunimah, The Electronic Intifada, 16 March 2005
A Palestinian demonstrator bangs a rock against the gates of the headquarters of Palestinian leader Mahmuod Abbas during a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, 14 March 2005. Palestinians were angry that Annan did not go to see Israel's West Bank Barrier. (Photo: EFE/Atef Safadi)
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The Bush administration is eager to weave recent events in Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon into a narrative that "democracy is on the march" across the region. Even some of Bush's critics seem impressed lately. Underlying the turmoil, however, is a heavy dose of old-fashioned power politics and manipulation rather than the outburst of "people power" that the US media is revelling in. And where people power is strongest, it isn't marching in the direction Bush wants.
UN Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen left Aleppo last weekend satisfied with the timetable he received from President Bashar Assad for a complete Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon. In a clear attempt to intimidate the Syrians before Roed-Larsen's arrival, The Washington Post, in an article based on briefings from US and UN officials, reported that "Roed-Larsen plans to inform Syria that the international community is united in insisting that Damascus comply with U.N. Resolution 1559 -- and is prepared to impose wide punitive sanctions if it does not act quickly."
No one should object if Syria is asked to leave Lebanon in accordance with the Taif accord -- indeed an end to its heavy-handed intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs is overdue. Syria should never have been so complacent as to allow the current situation to arise. Nor should anyone worry if UN resolutions calling for foreign troops to go home are implemented -- as that has always been the unheeded demand of people in this region.
But the unbalanced approach towards Syria is unlikely to guarantee Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence, though it may clear the way for more US interference in the region and strengthen the hand of an intransigent Israel. Roed-Larsen's mission was not a principled demonstration of international resolve to implement lawful decisions, but another example of the double standards that are fuelling growing resentment and anger across the region.
In contrast with this sudden haste with respect to resolution 1559, it took 22 years for Security Council resolution 425 of 1978, which demanded Israel "withdraw forthwith its forces from all Lebanese territory" to be implemented. When Israel left most of southern Lebanon in 2000 it was entirely due to the fierce Lebanese resistance that defeated Israel on the battlefield. Neither have we seen any action from the UN or the other governments to pressure Israel to accept Syria's repeated invitations to resume peace negotiations in which a global settlement including Lebanon would be up for discussion.
This week, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also undertook a new foray to the region, starting with a visit to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem. Mr Annan reportedly expressed "admiration" for Sharon's Gaza "disengagement" plan even as Sharon lectured him about all the reasons why Israel still refuses to start serious peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Unlike Roed-Larsen in Syria, Annan did not present Sharon with any ultimatums or demand a timetable for dismantling Israel's illegal settlements and the separation wall in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, the July 2004 ruling of the International Court of Justice or even the Road Map. However, according to Ha'aretz, "Annan told Sharon that the UN would not stand for a partial withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and is insisting all forces be evacuated as soon as possible."
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The Bush administration is eager to weave recent events in Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon into a narrative that "democracy is on the march" across the region. Even some of Bush's critics seem impressed lately. Underlying the turmoil, however, is a heavy dose of old-fashioned power politics and manipulation rather than the outburst of "people power" that the US media is revelling in. And where people power is strongest, it isn't marching in the direction Bush wants.
UN Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen left Aleppo last weekend satisfied with the timetable he received from President Bashar Assad for a complete Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon. In a clear attempt to intimidate the Syrians before Roed-Larsen's arrival, The Washington Post, in an article based on briefings from US and UN officials, reported that "Roed-Larsen plans to inform Syria that the international community is united in insisting that Damascus comply with U.N. Resolution 1559 -- and is prepared to impose wide punitive sanctions if it does not act quickly."
No one should object if Syria is asked to leave Lebanon in accordance with the Taif accord -- indeed an end to its heavy-handed intervention in Lebanon's internal affairs is overdue. Syria should never have been so complacent as to allow the current situation to arise. Nor should anyone worry if UN resolutions calling for foreign troops to go home are implemented -- as that has always been the unheeded demand of people in this region.
But the unbalanced approach towards Syria is unlikely to guarantee Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence, though it may clear the way for more US interference in the region and strengthen the hand of an intransigent Israel. Roed-Larsen's mission was not a principled demonstration of international resolve to implement lawful decisions, but another example of the double standards that are fuelling growing resentment and anger across the region.
In contrast with this sudden haste with respect to resolution 1559, it took 22 years for Security Council resolution 425 of 1978, which demanded Israel "withdraw forthwith its forces from all Lebanese territory" to be implemented. When Israel left most of southern Lebanon in 2000 it was entirely due to the fierce Lebanese resistance that defeated Israel on the battlefield. Neither have we seen any action from the UN or the other governments to pressure Israel to accept Syria's repeated invitations to resume peace negotiations in which a global settlement including Lebanon would be up for discussion.
This week, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also undertook a new foray to the region, starting with a visit to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem. Mr Annan reportedly expressed "admiration" for Sharon's Gaza "disengagement" plan even as Sharon lectured him about all the reasons why Israel still refuses to start serious peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Unlike Roed-Larsen in Syria, Annan did not present Sharon with any ultimatums or demand a timetable for dismantling Israel's illegal settlements and the separation wall in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, the July 2004 ruling of the International Court of Justice or even the Road Map. However, according to Ha'aretz, "Annan told Sharon that the UN would not stand for a partial withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and is insisting all forces be evacuated as soon as possible."
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