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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Annan sez Hezbollah is big heat
2005-03-09
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United Nations must recognize Hezbollah as a force to be reckoned with in implementing the U.N. resolution calling for the withdrawal of all Syrian forces from Lebanon and the disarmament of the country's militias, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Tuesday.
In a technical, military sense I suppose that's true, as the Division S-2 will have to generate a plan.
He was responding to a question about the disarmament of Hezbollah. Annan said the world needs to accept that in every society different groups may hold different views. "Of course, we need to be careful of the forces at work in Lebanese society as we move forward," he said.
Remind me, Kofi, what part of Lebanon Hezbollah represents.
"But even the Hezbollah - if I read the message on the placards they are using - they are talking about non-interference by outsiders ... which is not entirely at odds with the Security Council resolution, that there should be withdrawal of Syrian troops," Annan told reporters. "But that having been said, we need to recognize that they are a force in society that one will have to factor in as we implement the resolution," he said.
Posted by:Steve White

#15  Phil, do you think the behaviour will change once the new, Shia-dominated government takes over in Iraq? or just the motivation?
Posted by: trailing wife   2005-03-09 10:18:59 PM  

#14  The Alawites are an offshoot of Shiia. Syria is currently the only shiia controlled Arab state despite its Sunni majority. This is mostly about Sunni/Shiia rivalry.
Posted by: phil_b   2005-03-09 4:44:42 PM  

#13  Hizbullah needs as much recognition in Lebanon 2005 as the Taliban got in Afghanistan 2001.

Ceterum censeo, Mecca delenda est.
Posted by: Kalle (kafir forever)   2005-03-09 12:28:34 PM  

#12  Hezbollah is all about dacing around and talking tough, but when confronted by even minimum force they scurry like the pig-dogs they are. They are nothing more than armes thugs on par with the Sicialian Mafia at the turn of the century. They have fear, no true loyalty from the population. Just look how they showed in the recent polls in Gaza and they have had huge rallies there too.
Posted by: Cyber Sarge   2005-03-09 12:21:25 PM  

#11  Jee-zuz, what an ass.
Posted by: mojo   2005-03-09 11:10:06 AM  

#10  I think the UN should have to move it's offices to the area where the Secretary General is from. Not just stay in New York. It would help the economy of every country it is set up in. Also we could amke sure we elect someone from the Middle East. See how they like Hezbullahs notion of justice, where blowing up places and maybe killing a diplomat is just collateral damage.
Or the Basque region, who have been fighting at least as long as Hezullah, should be reconized.
Kofi needs to wake up.
Posted by: plainslow   2005-03-09 10:58:36 AM  

#9  "...as we move forward..."
"...as we implement the resolution..."
We? How is Kofi moving forward on this? Just what exactly is he leading on this? The resolution demands the disarming of militias. What is he doing to implement the resolution? Anyone?
Posted by: Tom   2005-03-09 10:52:23 AM  

#8  Sorry (er, not really), but taking Goo-fi seriously is no longer worth the effort.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2005-03-09 10:26:01 AM  

#7  U.N. HEADQUARTERS NY.....This is one building that the Jahadis should be encouraged to light up!
Posted by: Groluck Ulutle8634   2005-03-09 9:38:29 AM  

#6  I don't know, Kofi. Better convene a meeting at Tavern on the Green and try to figure out your next move. Actually, make that a conference...or maybe even a seminar.
Posted by: tu3031   2005-03-09 9:17:01 AM  

#5  what part of Lebanon Hezbollah represents

Poor Shiites mainly - the same group that Sadr appeals to in Iraq. Except these guys aint suffered under a Saddam for 30 years, but at various points have lived uncomfortably under Israeli occupation and under a Maronite dominated govt. So dont expect them to be as friendly to the West as Iraqi, or Iranian, Shiites.

Hezb clearly remains an important force in that community - even if they pressured folks to show up, that shows how strong they are in shiite locales there. OTOH Shiites are a minority, albeit the largest in Lebanon (about 38% ive seen) and I doubt theyre completely united, despite the demo. Still, Im glad it wont be US troops going in there.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2005-03-09 9:08:59 AM  

#4  1. Probably there were fewer than 500,000.

2. A lot of attendees were coerced into attending - similar to pro Saddam rallies before 2003.

3. A lot of attendees were there simply for Shiite solidarity.
Posted by: mhw   2005-03-09 8:15:37 AM  

#3  Couldn't quit catch what was said(little hawk was running his mouth),but from what I could see/hear on Fox there were about 500k pro-Syria Hizb demonstrators in Lebenon yesterday.That was a hell of a big turn-out,caught me by surprise.
Posted by: raptor   2005-03-09 7:18:02 AM  

#2  Really? Hizbullah? Local boys yes, puppets of Syria and Iran YES. They should be required to turn over ever last bullet and weapon and lay bare the sources of their funding.

Kofi, STFU.
Posted by: FlameBait   2005-03-09 6:07:03 AM  

#1  Annan always misses the best opportunities to STFU - especially when he has nothing intelligent or of consequence to say. This is a classic example.

Stuff a sock in it, buttercup.
Posted by: .com   2005-03-09 12:37:37 AM  

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