Yes, I find the UN is best at adding legitimacy to agreements that parties already want. It's not good at imposing its will. And I doubt Hezbollah wants to be disarmed. Maybe someone has a list of all the UN Security Council resolutions that are currently being ignored. I bet that region has more than its fair share.
I can't imagine what countries would want to fill out that international force, either. France has historical ties to the area, but things have changed quite a bit recently. I sure wouldn't want the job.
11:12 AM, August 06, 2006
Let's hope it sticks. From the NYT: BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 5 — France and the United States reached agreement Saturday on a Security Council resolution to halt the fighting in Lebanon, even as Israel mounted a commando raid in Tyre and kept up heavy airstrikes, and as Hezbollah unleashed a flurry of deadly rocket fire into northern Israel. A draft of the resolution, which could not be voted on until at least 24 hours after it is formally introduced, calls for an immediate cessation of “all attacks” by Hezbollah and of “offensive military operations” by Israel.A buffer zone would then be set up in southern Lebanon, free of all but the Lebanese Army and United Nations-mandated forces, followed by negotiations for a lasting settlement that could include procedures for disarming Hezbollah and creating a new international force to patrol the south.I'm not optimistic after all that's happened, but I'm glad there's finally something on the table.
posted by Zachary Drake at 12:36 AM on Aug 6, 2006
"Finally"
2 Comments -
I remember hearing about a previous security Council Resolution that "mandated" the disarmament of Hezbollah. I hope this one is more successful.
10:49 AM, August 06, 2006
Thanks for stopping by, Alex.
Yes, I find the UN is best at adding legitimacy to agreements that parties already want. It's not good at imposing its will. And I doubt Hezbollah wants to be disarmed. Maybe someone has a list of all the UN Security Council resolutions that are currently being ignored. I bet that region has more than its fair share.
I can't imagine what countries would want to fill out that international force, either. France has historical ties to the area, but things have changed quite a bit recently. I sure wouldn't want the job.
11:12 AM, August 06, 2006