[tw]

One would be daft to not understand why Lebanese prime minister Fouad Siniora said his words in English. He told Condi Rice to not even bother coming until the US demands (and therefore forces) an unconditional ceasefire on Israel. Look beyond all the pretty diplomatic language. The US said to Israel to eliminate Hezbollah. And Israel found out that the force created to protect Lebanon from Israelis is tough.

Meanwhile, Israel says those leaflets telling Lebanese to make themselves homeless is total justification for bombing anything that might be an observation tower or bunker. 60+ civilians killed by a bunker buster type bomb should be blamed for their own death. Same strategy also shelled a UN observation post (installed since 1948) about ten separate times and then later (and finally) bombed by a bunker buster bomb. I believe dead are a Chinese, an Austrian, a Canadian, and someone else. Israelis tried repeatedly to kill Indian troops sent to rescue those UN troops. Oh ... but it was an accident - just like the USS Liberty - 52 murdered Americans - was an accident.

Decent people demand a smoking gun to justify war. Hezbollah raid on an Israeli guard post is worse that 200 Americans ships sunk by Germans off the US east coast? 200 torpedoed ships are not a smoking gun. Either is a Hezbollah attack. But we are not talking about decent people here. Send in planes routinely to attack innocents? Such attacks routinely by Israeli are justified? We are talking about the enemies of mankind - extremists - ones who started this war by creating what could be a smoking gun. An unprovoked attack on Beirut.

Israel (actually George Jr administration) will never get a Lebanese Army to replace Hezbollah. Even Maronites (Christians) strongly favor Hezbollah and their defense of Lebanon. Only an idiot would not expect that response.

This can easily get nasty just like in 1970s. George Wills made valid comparisons to 1914 Europe. Events are spinning out of control because that is what your American administration wants - more violence so as to terminate Hezbollah. More violence - as if using even nuclear bombers (with conventional weapons) would force N Vietnam to peace talks. Same mentality from a White House that again demonstrates no grasp of Military Science 101.

What nation in this world would be so stupid as to put their armed forces between Israel and Lebanon now? And yet this administration is still talking about an international peace force - as if Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. Mental midgetry is alive and well in Washington DC which is why the Lebanese Prime Minister spoke his words in English. In English so you might hear who he defines as the obstacle to peace. "Unconditional Ceasefire" will only happen when your president (Cheney) says so.

Fouad Siniora has just thrown down a gauntlet that is clearly pointed at the US. He might be foolish to believe Americans even heard him. But his comments were directed at you and your president - in English. "Unconditional Ceasefire".