Posted on 08/18/2006 3:12:18 PM PDT by John Carey
The United Nations appealed to European countries Friday to contribute to an expanded peacekeeping force in Lebanon that would have a balance of European and Muslim troops so that Israel and Lebanon will view it as legitimate.
Italy endorsed sending troops to Lebanon but did not commit itself to specific numbers. Finland decided to send up to 250 peacekeepers to Lebanon, but said they would not be deployed until November..... Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown said the news was promising but more European soldiers are needed for a vanguard force of 3,500 troops that the U.N. wants on the ground by Aug. 27 to enforce a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah militants, who are part of the Lebanese government.
"It's very important that Europe now steps forward," he said. "We want this force that we deploy to have a kind of multinational, multilateral character so that it enjoys the confidence of both sides," he said.
The United Nations has been seeking "a Muslim-European or European-Muslim force" because the combination provides "a legitimacy that satisfies both sides," he said.
At a meeting of 49 nations on Thursday, the only countries to offer mechanized infantry battalions, which will be the front line of the expanded force, were three predominantly Muslim countries _ Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia _ and Nepal, which is predominantly Hindu.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Anybody asked the Irish to help..? After all their years of attention taking, it might be nice for 'em to return the favor.
I was thinking of the Basques.
France should contribute at least 50% of European peacekeepers.
Well, not our problem anyway. As long as there are ZERO American troops in Lebanon.
You'd think the U.N. would have worked out the logistics
before handing down a resolution.
Germany I can understand being leery of this little job.
On the other hand, this might be some legitimate restitution that's worth something. Your people slaughtered their people for no good reason. You can make it up to them by protecting them from people who want to do the same.
Not likely, I know, but it might actually be a good excercise if they actually did participate and have intentions of at least pretending to enforce the resolution.
French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie defended the country's decision to send just 200 additional troops.
"I can't let it be said or implied that France is not doing its duty in the Lebanese crisis," Alliot-Marie said.
She noted that France was willing to continue leading the force, while Denis Simonneau, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, reiterated that France could always send more troops."
Not only is France not doing its duty in the Lebanese crisis, Michele, France helped create the crisis! There-I said it.
EU: super power
Because Germany is part of original the reason we're having this little adventure. Remember that whole slaughtering millions of Jews for no other reason than the fact that they were Jews thing?
It puts them in an awkward position in this deal since we're basically reliving the most horrific and embarassing part of Germany's history right now. Same game, just different players.
I should probably clarify what I'm saying....Germany is the reason a state was created for Israel.
Last I heard France committed 200 - but would be in charge of all the forces.
The islamists have it so easy - they must be rolling on the floor laughing at this pathetic spectacle.
They figure, their plan to take over the world is waaaay ahead of schedule.
Last I checked there are 5 members to the UN security council. If they want to keep their seats, deamnd that they pay up by sending troops. Hello, France, China, Russia? Isn't it about time that you paid your bills?
This is so funny. No one, it appears, wants to support the worthless U.N.
That means no Russian troops, either.
Just because Germany were guilty in the Holocaust doesn't mean they can't do the right thing this time. They can help to prevent the second holocaust.
Germany were a great help in building submarines for the Israelis. They can help out with the peacekeeping as well.
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.