Apologies, in what should have stuck out like the very sore thumb that it most certainly is, an editorial from the Central Finnish newspaper, the Keskisuomalainen, almost slipped on by. Shame on the TT!
Under the highly ludicrous headline of “Arabiliitto rauhan ja sovinnon tiellä / The Arab League, on The Road of Peace And Reconciliation“, the KS’s editorial department -which is known for reusing old editorials over and over again- manages to show off its superficial knowledge of Middle-Eastern affairs once more.
According to the KS editorial dept:
“Lebanon’s difficult crisis has come to a close, with the negotiations in Doha Qatar offering hope that the sectarian violence between the different ethnic and religious groups has ended. After this month’s bloody street violence and take overs of different parts of the city, pessimistic observers are now speaking about returning, after 15 years of civil war. Now the future looks a lot brighter.“
Wait, full stop! In other words, Iran’s complete take over of Lebanon through its very well armed military proxy, Hezbollah, is something that the KS deems worthwhile congratulating the Arab League for. See how easy it is when you just focus on “ending violence”, for the sake of ending violence. It doesn’t matter to them (dedicated pacifists?) that what they are supporting, is in fact an organization that treats not only its own constituency like dirt, but anyone who is in opposition to their fascists intentions.
But wait, don’t take my word for it, read what experts on Lebanon are saying themselves. Prof.Barry Rubin -someone who the Finnish media bypasses time and again, in favor of those who like to paint pretty rosy pictures of Islamism- has this to say of the recent developments inside Lebanon:
May 21, 2008, is a date–like December 7 (1941) and September 11 (2001)–that should now live in infamy. Yet who will notice, mourn, or act the wiser for it?
On that day, the Beirut spring was buried under the reign of Hizballah.
Speaking on October 5, 1938, after Britain and France effectively turned Czechoslovakia over to Nazi Germany, Winston Churchill said, “What everybody would like to ignore or forget must nevertheless be stated, namely, that we have sustained a total and unmitigated defeat….”
In contrast, Assistant Secretary of State David Welch said that the agreement over Lebanon was, “A necessary and positive step.” At least when one sells out a country one should recognize this has happened rather than pretend otherwise. But this is precisely what took place at Munich, when the deal made was proclaimed as a concession that brought peace and resolved Germany’s last territorial demand in the region.
Churchill knew better and his words perfectly suit the situation in Lebanon today:
“The utmost [Western diplomacy] has been able to gain for Czechoslovakia…has been that the German dictator, instead of snatching the victuals from the table, has been content to have them served to him course by course.”
Yes, that’s it exactly. On every point, Hizballah, Iran, and Syria, got all they wanted from Lebanon’s government: its surrender of sovereignty. They have veto power over the government; one-third of the cabinet; election changes to ensure victory in the next balloting; and they will have their candidate installed as president.
The majority side is not giving up but is trying to comfort itself on small mercies. The best arguments it can come up with are that now everyone knows Hizballah is not patriotic, treats other Lebanese as enemies, and cannot seize areas held by Christian and Druze militias. It isn’t much to cheer about. More here.
