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Arslan meets with Saddam to show Lebanese support
Saddam Hussein denounced the âlazinessâ of the Arab world in confronting a possible US-led attack against Iraq during talks with Lebanese Minister of State Talal Arslan over the weekend. Arslan, the president of the Lebanese Democratic Party, conveyed to the Iraqi president Lebanonâs âsolidarity with Iraq in standing up against the American-Israeli attack,â as well as regards from President Emile Lahoud, according to a statement from the party Sunday.Always nice to know who your friends are... Hussein chastized the âlazinessâ of Arabs in defending Iraq, saying that if the âArab nation gives up its human role, it would have failed humanity.â âAny true patriotic and nationalistic person would believe in the right of the nation, in sovereignty and independence, and would realize the dangers facing the nation,â Hussein said. âOtherwise, there would be something wrong with his patriotism and national belonging.â "If you guys don't watch out for me, there must be something wrong with you..." Arslanâs visit to Baghdad followed an earlier one by Maan Bashour, the head of the Association of Leagues and Committees, who visited the Iraqi president for the first time since he and Minister of State Beshara Merhej broke away from the Iraqi Baath Party 30 years ago. Bashour told The Daily Star that Hussein thinks Israel is involving the US in a war that will end its influence in the world, as it did in the past with Great Britain and France. âIn the 1950s Israel led Britain and France against (former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel) Nasser, and that war proved to be the beginning of the end for the European powersâ influence,â Bashour quoted Hussein as saying. Saddam said that the 1956 war ended an era in the history of the world. âNow Israel is doing the same with the United States. This war against Iraq will end Americaâs influence in the world; therefore both the Iraqis and the Americans will be victims of a war planned by the Zionists,â Hussein said. That's what he's hoping. Possibly, he's right. Taking on the entire terror machine and its enablers is a damned dangerous game — more dangerous, I think, thank many people realize. But Sammy's not going to be around to see it, so he'll never know, will he? Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-02-25 |
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