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2005-06-13 Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Aoun headed for win in Lebanon vote
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Posted by Fred 2005-06-13 00:01|| || Front Page|| [7 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#1 I haven't followed this enough - so I probably shouldn't comment - but I kind of hope this guy gets a seat. It doesn't seem like he can consolidate enough power to become a tyrant - and he's really the only one with any fighting spirit against the Syrians. The others Jumblatt, etc. just strike me as the type that will get cozy with Syria while claiming to be For The People (TM). They will all wink and nod, and issue a document after lunch that said that progress will take place...soon.

This guy will be a real thorn in their side because he will actually be Against Syria. The people might benefit from him questioning their anti-Syrian credentials.
Posted by 2b 2005-06-13 08:05||   2005-06-13 08:05|| Front Page Top

#2 boy, does Aoun ever have guys around here taken. From what Ive seen, this guy turned and cut a deal with the pro-Syrian groups, and deliberately divided the opposition - note he went against Gemayel, Geagea, Hariri (the son) as well as Jumblatt. Aoun fought the Syrians in '89 - with the backing of none other than Saddam Hussein. Y'all may not like Wally cause of antiUS things he said and did back in the '80s, but I think thats leading us to misjudge Lebanese politics.


We'll see.
Posted by liberalhawk 2005-06-13 09:20||   2005-06-13 09:20|| Front Page Top

#3 I wish I understood all of the underlying connections, loyalties, rivalries, et al, but I don't.

Personally, I don't trust any of the players who've been around long enough to remember pre-Syrian Lebanon. Warlord Wally and Aoun both strike me as an almost guaranteed return to the old chaos. Hariri - or somebody new on the political scene who isn't an Iranian toady or a Syrian toady (same thing, prolly) and hasn't made his bones by killing members of the other factions is needed. Someone who can put the past behind and pull the Lebanese together - and convince them to throw off all of the ancient baggage.

Of course, assuming Hariri was something along that line or near enough, anyway, there's no wonder he was killed.

Can it still be done? I don't know. Is there anyone left who could do it if it were possible? I don't know. The ethnic, religious, tribal, yadda3 differences, all trivial and pointless in reality, are insanely magnified by certain societies. Lebanon is doomed until someone can pull it off. This is truly sad. A golden opportunity will likely be missed here.
Posted by .com 2005-06-13 10:21||   2005-06-13 10:21|| Front Page Top

#4 Lebanons the ME of the ME. They factions within bathrooms.
Posted by Shipman 2005-06-13 16:06||   2005-06-13 16:06|| Front Page Top

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