Mission Unaccomplished

The Opinion Journal ^ | August 21, 2006 | Wall Streeet Journal

[libstripper]

Most U.N. resolutions don't have the shelf-life of a gallon of milk, which isn't always a bad thing. But in the case of Resolution 1701--the cease-fire agreement for Lebanon and Israel adopted unanimously this month by the Security Council--things seem to be going sour even faster than that. And that is cause for serious unease.

On Thursday, Jacques Chirac confirmed a Le Monde report that his government was prepared to offer only some 200 combat engineers (in addition to the 200 French troops already in Lebanon) to what is supposed to be the resolution's centerpiece: A 15,000-man U.N. force that will help the Lebanese army patrol their southern border and ensure that Hezbollah will no longer use the area as a staging ground for future attacks against Israel.

[libstripper]

Well, duh. Who'da thunk it?

[DB]

More...

[dyed_in_the_wool]

I think it's impressive the French surrendered before they even committed troops.
At least they're getting more efficient.

[ClaireSolt]

Did you see the French engineers arriving in 2 rubber boats? Funny.

[DB]

"She also believed French promises, so it'd be good to know if she now feels she was lied to."

[Publius6961]

Resolutions based on the expectation that muslims are normal human beings, or that have the collective character of a carrot have consistently failed since the UN was created...

What's remarkable is that so many normal countries fail to act or respond accordingly.

[MNJohnnie]

So the French surrendered on their OWN resolution BEFORE it even took effect!!!! That has to be something of a record even for them.

[SampleMan]

If just 74 more countries pony up 200 troops each (after the French example) the force will be complete. Of course, have the force will have to be interpreters.

[Bahbah]

Did you see the French engineers arriving in 2 rubber boats?

It was hilarious. If you had a big needle, you could have sunk the entire landing force of two whole rubber rafts.

[libstripper]

The remarkable thing is that our posters on this issue have all held the view that this cease fire wasn't worth the paper it was written on, and for the reasons that are now developing. It's astounding that the allegedly normally intelligent double domes at the State Department, who supposedly have greater knowledge of these things than we mere peons, couldn't see this would inevitably happen.

[DB]

For too many of them politics is about today and not tomorrow.

[IncPen]

It's astounding that the allegedly normally intelligent double domes at the State Department, who supposedly have greater knowledge of these things than we mere peons, couldn't see this would inevitably happen.

I believe you make the erroneous assumption that the State Department is on our side.

The goal of the State Department is 1.) Undermine Bush and 2.) Undermine a strong US.

I for one would like to see that bunch of humps scattered to the 4 winds (but what president would have the cojones to do that?)

[cicero106]

Didn't the US support this cease-fire? It's easy to make fun of the french, but there wouldn't be any UN resolution without the US. As for making fun of other countries, I promise to make broad sweeping generalizations about americans when you elect President Hilary Clinton and speaker Nanci Pelosi.

[GLH3IL]

"It's astounding that the allegedly normally intelligent double domes at the State Department, who supposedly have greater knowledge of these things than we mere peons, couldn't see this would inevitably happen."

To the libs that infest the State Department the results don't matter, it's the good intentions that matter to them. Besides, I don't think Condi or Dubya really believed that the cease fire would hold for any significant period. They are looking at a long term strategy that extends well beyond the current strife.

While the cease fire clearly helps the Hezbo's, it also gives the IDF and Olmert a chance to evaluate their execution of their initial response to the terrorists aggression. Hopefully, Israel can learn from their errors and be more effective in the next round. The initial instinct to attack Hezbollah was absolutely the right decision, but they need to ditch the unreasonable reliance on air power. The combined force of air and ground attacks, if properly coordinated, will achieve a much better result that an over emphasis on air strikes and using ground troops as an after thought.

[Condor51]

Burkina Faso and Togo are both sending a Shaman, that's gotta count for something.

UN mocking ~~off~~

[dawn53]

I have a "tin foil hat" theory. We had to know the cease fire was doomed from the start (mainly because UN or Lebanon troops will not disarm Hezbollah.) However, what if the purpose of the ceasefire, was merely to have a ceasefire during the Aug. 22nd period, so that Iran could not have a "reason" for an attack on Israel (if that's what they're planning.)

[ItsForTheChildren]

Here's some more foil: Maybe this was a little strategery on the administration's part. Expose in a dramatic way, for all the world to see just how ineffectual the UN truly is and at the same time give Israel the cover it needs to continue, and eventually expand, its operations there.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

Didn't the US support this cease-fire? It's easy to make fun of the french, but there wouldn't be any UN resolution without the US.

True, but the US did not make a troop commitment that was part of the cease fire and then renege, as the French are doing.

As for making fun of other countries, I promise to make broad sweeping generalizations about americans when you elect President Hilary Clinton and speaker Nanci Pelosi.

Foreigners already ridicule the US due to Bush, I would not expect different should Hillary or Pelosi ascend. Also, French military prowess has been a topic of humor going on 80 years now, unless I missed some great exploits that haven't been circulated. Between the Greenpeace debacle, the fact that their only carrier isn't seaworthy, etc., I'm surprised someone would take umbrage. Are you French, by any chance?

[ClaireSolt]

You will be in good company here. "I promise to make broad sweeping generalizations about americans when you elect President Hilary Clinton and speaker Nanci Pelosi." So will we!