U.S. to help train, equip Lebanon army

[bigtree]

Thu, Aug. 03, 2006

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The United States plans to help train and equip the Lebanese army so it can take control of all of its territory when the warfare between Israel and Hezbollah eases, the State Department said Thursday.

The program was approved by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to take effect "once we have conditions on the ground permitting," said department spokesman Sean McCormack.

Other nations in the international community will help out as well, McCormack said, as American diplomats continued consultations with French and other officials to work out a U.N. resolution for a cease-fire in Lebanon.

"There's still some diplomacy that needs to be done," he said. It is "going to take some time," McCormack added, while also holding out the possibility of working out the terms by Friday.


http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/15190371.htm

[The Magistrate]

1. Any Long Term Solution, Sir

Is going to have to include the government of Lebanon being the sole bearer of arms in that country. How this is cemented matters little.

[bigtree]

6. I'm not against the cooperation. I welcome it. I'm a bit surprised

All the same, the diplomacy has to be consistent and concurrent with any exercise of force. I can't help but be wary of our State Dept.'s intentions and commitment to that.

Also I believe that Israel is busy mucking that up with their strident campaign which has included targeting those very Lebanese forces we intend to equip.

[pooja]

2. by that time all of lebannon will be ready to arm against israel itself

[patdem]

3. I reckon we can use our success in Iraq as an example to teach?

Not to say our military cannot Fight a war..but an insurgency and/or a civil war? Maybe we can show them how NOT to put ALL the military in a barracks un-guarded?

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Ermmm aren't we equipping Israel too?

[Bretttido]

12. Yep

The US is supplying medical aid to Lebanon and supplying military equipment to Israel. Now we're supplying military equipment to Lebanon. All we need to do next is supply medical aid to Israel and we'll have created an endless war that sustains itself!!! :puke:

[bigtree]

16. that pretty much defines our country's relationship with the world

It's hard to look at all of this and not be dismayed at all of the bottom-feeders and militarists with industry connections who perpetuate the divisions with their direction of our forces and foreign policy. To unravel it all will take my children's efforts, and possibly, theirs as well.

[ShortnFiery]

5. Yeah, let's see how many Americans send their kids over to

Lebanon? :thumbsdown: I think it will be a very small contingent of senior enlisted and officers - Military Advisors.

[bigtree]

7. I think this could be a major development

perceptions and all, this should change the nature of the debate about the peacekeeping force, at least with those who advocate some sort of muckraking force as opposed to a peacekeeping one.

Give it up. What about it?

[Nikki Stone 1]

8. It's a way of getting US troops on the ground there

Wonder how long the training will take? Years?

[bigtree]

9. possibly. that's their mo.

they have said that no U.S. troops will be used, but this training will take US soldiers on the ground unless they train them off site like the Iraqi forces.

I wouldn't advocate any heavy-hand. I think the U.S. should be more concerned with the diplomacy than with more militarism. Yet, any relationship with the Lebanese would tip our perceived influence away from being so Israel-centered. That can't hurt, at least as a perception, in any diplomatic effort.

If it works, if the forces succeed as a buffer and a check on Hizbollah, I think folks could endure the long-hard peace that could result.

[Nikki Stone 1]

10. Long hard peace is right

I'd prefer to see UN troops though

[bigtree]

13. the article mentions other countries participating

France was mentioned because of their evolving counter-proposal, I suppose.

But, you're right. We don't need to put our boots on the ground to effect this, and shouldn't.

[Nikki Stone 1]

14. This is one place where we need the UN, oif Bolton hasn't destroyed it

already

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. Why not? It's working so well in Iraq.

Why, just look at how well the mortician and gravedigger business has picked up.

[bigtree]

15. I think many Lebanese would welcome this. Not so with the Iraqis

It's not a proposal for U.S. troop deployment. It's a proposal to increase the aid we already give the Lebanese military. If it succeeds, along with diplomacy, in neutralizing the threat to Israel from Hizbollah then it may be the best choice yet to emerge from this mess. It's not such a divergence from our present relationship with Lebanon, but it has to be a part of a serious diplomatic effort which includes every party, directly or by proxy.

But, don't think for a moment that there aren't a myriad of complications to this, many from our own ineffective and disruptive approach to the region. Serious proposals that have a glimmer of hope for resolving this conflict and saving lives should be considered, encouraged, and explored.