Posted on 08/10/2006 11:27:49 AM PDT by mojito
US, French diplomats working on new formula that would lead to ceasefire in North; new proposal may be submitted to UN by Friday; sources say agreement based on French military deployment on northern border. Senior Israeli official: Revised UN Resolution will stop short of requiring peacekeepers to disarm Hizbullah
Getting close to ceasefire? While the IDF is preparing to expand military operations, a French-American proposal for a cease-fire is being formulated Thursday evening and may be presented to the United Nations Security Council by Friday.
According to various reports, the agreement is based on the deployment of French troops on the northern border along with UNIFIL and Lebanese army forces. UN officials expressed optimism regarding the plan but are still waiting for approval from Jerusalem and Beirut.
According to sources in Jerusalem, the new formula is premised on four components:
1. The deployment of a genuine military forces, apparently French and German, in southern Lebanon 2. The implementation of Resolution 1559 3. Negotiations on a prisoner swap 4. The establishment of a mechanism for future Israeli-Lebanese dealings
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said that an agreement on a Security Council proposal for an end to the fighting in Lebanon will be worked out shortly. According to the French minister, "things started moving in New York."
The American-French draft resolution has been forwarded to both Israel and Lebanon for approval. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Gillerman said the new proposal envisions the IDF staying in Lebanon until it is replaced by a multinational force. Israel hopes such force would have a mandate to deploy across the region and prevent the transfer of weapons from Iran and Syria.
The proposal being formulated followed a meeting Thursday morning between the American and French UN ambassadors, and still needs to be approved by Britain, Russia and China before being presented to the Security Council. American officials again stressed the need to avoid a gap between words and deeds on the ground, in order to avoid a return to the reality that prevailed before July 12.
'This decision is difficult'
According to various reports, the multinational forces being designed for this end includes Lebanese troops, UNIFIL forces, and several thousand French soldiers who are already in the region and can be deployed quickly, at least temporarily, until a more efficient and powerful international force is created. French soldiers are slated to play a major role in such force as well.
According to estimates, Hizbullah will be interested in a ceasefire and will end its rocket fire once a truce is declared, while continuing to fight against IDF forces in Lebanon.
A senior Israeli official said the revised UN Resolution will stop short of requiring peacekeepers to disarm Hizbullah but will call for an embargo to prevent the group from bringing in arms from Iran and Syria.
Kadima Knesset Member Otniel Otniel Schneller met with Prime Minister Ehuld Olmert, who told him that "at this time, a new diplomatic formula with positive implications that could end the fighting is being formulated. If it isn't accepted, Israel will take off the gloves."
Schneller said that he left the meeting with a good feeling and was impressed that the prime minister is decisive.
"At this time there's an attempt to produce a new diplomatic draft, and if what I saw will indeed materialize it would be fabulous. It would prevent Israeli victims," he said.
Schneller added that during the meeting, Olmert received a letter from one of the families who lost their loved ones in Lebanon.
"The letter only strengthened the prime minister, but I also saw dampness in his eyes – this is in fact the dilemma, bringing about a diplomatic agreement or continuing the battle. This decision is difficult both rationally and emotionally," Schneller concluded.
Pysop.
I hope anyway.
Who will the French surrender to first? The Israelis or Hezbollah? Or maybe they'll just go ahead and surrender to the Germans. They've had lots of experience with that.
You are absolutely right. The French acting as a military buffer? Get real. What did the French run out of rape opportunities in the Congo? The French troops will do nothing to stop Hezbollah attacks on Israel nor to disarm them. Iran won. Good job Condi.
The international force was never meant to disarm Hizballah not in this resolution and not in the previous one that failed. I do not know what exactly changed from the previous resolution rejected by Lebanon and Hizballah and this second resolution, they look very similar.
the IDF already said it would take a couple days to logistically prepare the hammer to strike. this is likely just a coverage to them. psy-ops somebody else posted. yep.
If true, this is bad. Hezbollah must be destroyed, and a better opportunity wil not come.
Genuine French military forces? Did Napolean come back from the grave?..........
Hez-Ebola will be called the victor and they will soon rule Lebanon with an iron fist
If true, we deserve the fate that Islam brings.
That's my take as well, but remember that Rice is not implementing her agenda. And when you realize what that means, it really sucks!
The Israeli leadership is getting soft. If they buy this deal, they sell out their own country and citizens.
I've been thinking/hoping that it's psyop too.
Many of the Arab govt's want the Hezzies destroyed too (the old Sunni-vs-Shiite, Arab-vs-Persian stuff), and I would hope by now that many of the Euroweenies have figured out the same thing... but they're both too chicken$#1+ of their islamists to do anything except play the good-cop role.
I certainly hope it's psy-games on the US side. And I hope against hope the Frogs & Arabs are playing along too.
Israel is winning at this point. They would be wholly insane to stop at the very doorstep of final victory. Whatever deal the diplomats have cooked up, let's hope that either one or both sides (yes, I know there are 3 sides in this) dismiss it out of hand...........
If the French Foreign Legion is sent in, they will straighten out the situation in a flash. You don't screw with them.
Yep, this is logistic cover. Olmert has already said Israel will not accept anything that doesn't improve on what UNIFIL hasn't done in Southern Lebanon over the last 18 years. Hizbullah knows its days are numbered, so they will step up pressure on their "useful idiots." When the Israeli offensive begins, the weeping and moaning from the Western Media will be something to behold.
(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)
Wait til the IDF gets to the Bekaa valley and maybe finds some of dose WMD's dere. The howling from the left ....
If it says the implemetation of resolution 1559 is part of it, then that means disarming Hezbollah.
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