Posted on 08/13/2006 12:00:51 AM PDT by FARS
I must admit that I did not know the Lebanese "army" could field 15,000 people and was under the impression that their military was less than 10,000 "fighting" personnel.
Thus when they offered 15,000 individuals to the UN as part of the monitoring force, my mind wondered whether this would include several thousand Hezbollah (or even Syrian or Iranian fighters) being given Lebanese military uniforms and thus have free movement back and forth and "at will" access into the "off limits" or restricted areas of South Lebanon.
Similary, if the Lebanese military arrives with a thousand extra uniforms, they can dress any Hezbollah trapped in the restricted zone and get them out witout anyone noticing.
Am I maliciously maligning the Lebanese? Not at all. Remember the Lebanese military were ready to fight alongside Hezbollah so their sympathies are not with seeing justice done and the UN resolution correctly implemented. In reality, they have a totally opposite mind set.
In both scenarios, the disguised Hezbollah, Syrians or Iranians would be free to carry and transport weapons, ammunition, supplies etc., as they travel in both directions under cover of Lebanese uniforms and Lebanese identity documents.
The UN forces foreign nationals, French, other European or whatever, who might be tasked with preventing Hezbollah activity, would not be able to distinguish between "genuine" Lebanese soldiers and disguised Hezbollah. And if there were any Arab countries in the UN forces, who might - with emphasis on "might" - be able to spot a difference, would they actually arrest a Hezbollah member? To benefit or protect Israeli interests?
To take this one step further, ostensibly Lebanese troops given duties, which include interdiction of Hezbollah activity, could in fact be "disguised" Hezbollah - resulting in the fox watching the hen house. Who - other than the Lebanese military themselves - and they will not tell - would know or could know the difference?
Arms and amunition that was consequently moved to re-arm and re-supply the Hezbollah in the area would pass as Lebanese army requirements and who would be expert enough to tell the difference?
What will happen if the Israeli forces spot this happening and a firefight ensues between the Israelis and some men in Lebanese military uniforms? How will Israel prove that the dead are Hezbollah? Almost certainly the disuised men will have been issued forged ID by sympathetic, senior Lebanese military officials. Or will have these created after the fact.
The only way I can think of to prevent this certain problem is to deny the Lebanese forces from deploying and becoming the stlking horse used by Hezbolah or other anti-Israel fighters and run into bogus sovereignty complaints by Lebanon rather than clearly creating a huge loophole in the intent of the UN resolution.
If the Lebanese are genuine in their concern and desire for Israel to leave South Lebanon, then they should not object to such an obvious and logical problem that they would create.
As in everything I write, I try to also provide a workable solution not always simply describe the challenge - unless my analytical and experienced mind cannot come up with anything. Admittedly I do not let political correctness or emotion override pragmatic, useful solutions and bow to hust feelings - in this case of the Lebanese government - which cannot ensure the loyalty of their 15,000 men to the UN Resolution or intentions rather than loyalty to the Hezbollah against whom it has been designed.
*********************************************
I received this from a friend of mine in the USA.
Living in the Detroit area I can concur with this, we have more Muslims in our neighborhood every month and they are very active in the schools, preaching all the time about their "rights" and how tolerant we should be of their faith.
However toleration is a one way street with them.
We are to learn about Ramadan, etc. but they are not to learn about Easter or Christmas. What is below is very true.
"In God We Trust"
The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the United States, especially in the minority races!
"Allah or Jesus"? by Rick Mathes.
Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their beliefs.
I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say.
The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.
When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked: "Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven.
If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"
There was no disagreement with my statements and without hesitation , he replied, "Non-believers!"
I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?"
He sheepishly replied, "Yes."
I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!"
The Imam was said nothing.
I continued, "I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and He wants you to be with me?"
You could have heard a pin drop.
Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the "Diversification" training seminar were not happy with Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic Imam and exposing the truth about the Muslim's beliefs.
I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with the liberal justice system, liberal media, and the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized.
Believe the Muslims when they speak. They very honestly will tell you the aims of their religion and how they feel about infidels. They aren't tolerant, but they are often honest.
Just as Ahmadi-Nejad means what he says when he states the problems of Islam would be gone if Israel were wiped off the face of the the world map. And shows every intention of making this happen in the immediate future. Like the Imam, he is not lying. Believe him - and stop him.
From your lips to God's ears! I'm more than hanging, trying to help it happen.
Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader, said his group would abide by the resolution but would continue fighting as long as Israeli troops remained in southern Lebanon. Speaking on Hezbollah's al-Manar television channel, he called resistance to the offensive "our natural right" but said the guerrillas would co-operate with Lebanese soldiers and UN troops due to be deployed in the border region
"Will the Lebanese Army Sent to the South Include Hezbollah Fighters in Disguise?"
they won't need a disguise!
This story has been around for months.
Its been around for months but in 24 hours it will become a reality.
Nothing is being done to prevent Hezbollah units to meld into the Lebanese Army.
The situation - fighting in Lebanon - has not been around for months. the UN Resolution is effective Monday (tommorow or today depending on time zone).
Much too flip. Not that I mind.
The story about the three clerics at the meeting is what I was talking about. I read the same story months ago. No one is being flip.
No shit Sherlock.
GW Bush has setup the UN, France and Lebanon. If the cease fire fails, GW says, "Look, we did all we could to provide the world an opportunity to bring peace to Lebanon, while insuring Israeli security. You failed. Now the IDF/IAF will take care of the local problem, and the USA will take care of Syria and Iran. Let's look at this in another three months or so. The coin is turning.
Of course there will be hezzies.
But they will be under orders. They will likely disobey orders.
And Nasarallah will violate the ceasefire agreement.
No change in either of these facts, except: they will be disobeying orders and violating their agreement.
More justification for Israel.
And that's something at least.
(*I categorize at the very least, post 1 is a must read)!
It almost happened with the airline industry, and Mackinac bridge in Northern Michigan which both were planned for around August 16/17, but who knows what else is planned?
I shutter just thinking about it.
The UN Resolution is effective Monday.
I wander what is the under/over, date/time for Hezbollah firing their first rocket into Israel. Breaking this so called "cease fire".
Maybe somebody will start a thread and the Freepers can put in their prognostications.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.