Monday, July 17, 2006

A New Beginning





Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unlikely sources. Several posts and essays on this blog were inspired by clever bloggers who challenged me to reconsider my beliefs. On the other hand, some bloggers were so shallow that I had to give them a piece of my mind.

Today I was struck by the ignorance of one critic who questioned my assertion that the Lebanese militia of Hezbollah is illegal. I wondered how many other people believe such nonsense and began to type away. This post is the end result…



The armed militia of Hezbollah is illegal by the terms of the Taif Accord which was signed by all of the surviving members of the Lebanese Parliament, ending 15 years of Civil War. These 62 deputies were the internationally recognized representatives of the Lebanese people.

The Accord specified that all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias should be disbanded. It also established Constitutional amendments and reforms that outlined the structure of the future Lebanese government.

Specifically, it stated that the militias’ weapons be delivered to the state “within a period of 6 months, beginning with the approval of the National Accord Charter” (the official name of the document). It was signed on October 22, 1989. As of this date all of the country’s militias complied with the Accord except for Hezbollah.

Not only is Hezbollah’s militia illegal under Lebanese law, but they are illegal under international law by the declaration of UN Resolution 1559. This document also “calls for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias”.

Hezbollah has recently won 23 seats in the Lebanese Parliament and several other important government posts. This proves that the militia has been treated in good faith by the Lebanese and yet they still maintain illegal arms.

The fact that they are funded and supported by the foreign powers of Iran and Syria casts further doubt on the legitimacy of Hezbollah’s militia. Given the fact that the UN determined that there is considerable evidence that Syria and the Lebanese Security Services (which had been infiltrated by the Syrians) were involved in the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri, this is especially disturbing. In the aftermath of the assassination Hezbollah actually organized protests in favor of the Syrian government!

Despite the partial collapse of the Syrian controlled Lebanese government, the influence of Damascus is still persisting in the country. In the last year assassinations of prominent anti-Syrian activists like Samir Kassir, Gebran Tueni and George Hawi have highlighted the danger that the Lebanese still face when criticizing Syria.

In the Lebanese government there have been some who have advocated allowing Hezbollah to illegally retain its arms. The most prominent of them is President Emile Lahoud. He has the distinction of securing Syrian support to illegally extend his term of office by three years. This has been a serious point of contention in Lebanese politics and has made him very unpopular. Such willingness to violate the laws of Lebanon leaves no doubt that Lahoud and Hezbollah are serious obstacles to the full restoration of Lebanese sovereignty.

With the establishment of a new Lebanese military there is no need for any private militias anymore. Former militia members from almost all factions were united into one force that was fully equipped by the US, Britain and France. The main priority of the Lebanese military is as follows:

“Facing the Israeli occupation and its perpetual aggression in South Lebanon and West Bekaa and supporting the steadfastness of Lebanese citizens to ensure the complete withdrawal of the Israeli forces to internationally recognized borders.”

So why does Hezbollah refuse to disarm? Clearly, the country’s military is committed to defending the sovereignty of Lebanese territory against Israel and they are capable of protecting it without Hezbollah’s militia. As a matter of fact they are more capable of protecting Lebanon because they are not as willing as Hezbollah to incite Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory.

The Lebanese Civil War nearly destroyed the country because most political groups formed their own private militias. Sectarian violence became uncontrollable as the different factions formed and switched alliances many times over during the course of the war. Hezbollah is now creating renewed instability and the only sensible solution is to permanently disband their militia. The Lebanese government must be allowed to assume full sovereignty over its own country. There will never be peace in Lebanon until this is accomplished.



The Hezbollah Militia displaying the Nazi salute. “It is an open war until the elimination of Israel and until the death of the last Jew on Earth.” Hezbollah Statement 1992

49 comments:

beakerkin said...

This dunce also is unaware that Hezbollah works directly for Syrian and Iranian intelligence. In actuality an attack on Israel by Hezbollah should be responded to by Israeli submarie based cruise missles hitting the holy city of Qom.

Freedomnow said...

My, you are in a bad mood this morning Beak. I didnt mean to get you riled up.

President Bush says that you can have the day off today, with pay and he will cover your expenses too! Just be sure to turn in your black attache case with the nuclear bomb codes first.

Anyways, I would prefer that Israel stay focused on disarming Hezbollah. That would piss the Iranians off enough.

GUYK said...

Problem is that the U.N. says one thing and always then does something else. It has no real authority and what moral authority it ever had has gone with its continual excuses for the ARab terrorists and refusal to curb the terrorists. Of course the Iraq oil for food scam as well as atrocities committed by UN troops in Africa didn't help. However, I do believe that it is vital for the USA to stay in the UN..it is always good to have some inside info on what the enemy is planning. I read the NY Times on line for the same reason.

Freedomnow said...

Now thats a downright sensible philosophy. I'm not sure if you are ready to carry the black attache case yet, but you are getting close to it.

The one time the UN stood firm and did what it said was in the aftermath of Saddam's invasion of Kuwait. Otherwise they have been no better than the League of Nations.

American Crusader said...

I also commented on the United Nations Resolution 1559 which clearly called for the disarmament of Hezbollah. I wouldn't call Hezbollah a Lebanese militia though. They are mostly Shi'ite and act independently and often contentiously with Lebanon's government.

Cookie..... said...

I agree with Guyk...ceptin the way I see it is that the UN says one thing and then does nuthin.....

..over these last few years I have oft referred to the UN as the League of Nations due to its gross incompetance and inefficiency....

but then agin...I ain't no political pundit or astute student of these things so's I could be wrong.....

BTW...Freedomnow...got y'all inta my blogroll......you too Guyk....

Freedomnow said...

Thanks Cookie, I am even having a Famous Amos cookie in your honor. I hope you arent offended. I treat cookies with great kindness before I eat them.

Nice article on the League of Nations resolution AC.

Cookie..... said...

...no offense taken...Famous Amos are the greatest cookie's goin in my book...t'was close to a compliment it was...be tawkin atcha mate....

In Russet Shadows said...

Interesting post. I didn't know that Hezbollah had been declared illegal not only once but twice. (I'd also raise the point that if they weren't an "illegal Lebanese militia" before gaining seats in the parliment, the fact that they are a constituted party in Lebanon makes their militia illegal NOW).

WomanHonorThyself said...

United Nations Resolution 1559 which clearly called for the disarmament of Hezbollah...but heck u know they dont give squat about that ...great post!

Freedomnow said...

If it helps I will declare them illegal a third time. I am now reading them the Freedom Now Riot Act.

Hezbollah Disarm Now!!!!!!

nanc said...

and so forceful!

American Crusader said...

Russia has shown its true colors by condemning Israel and its response even though they have used even more drastic measures in Chechnya. Clearly Russia hopes to gain favor with radical Islam.

Freedomnow said...

Putin is a Puto!!!!!!!!!!!

You called him on that one, AC. The moron thinks that despite the fact that Jihadis are flocking to Chechnya that he can win the favor of Arab countries, which was lost when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

He is too proud to give anything more than lip service to the common goals that could have brought our countries together. Its just as well because his regime is just liberal fascism.

The man vainly seeks to hold on to his Tsarist/Soviet empire.

nanc said...

well, fern, he is former kgb and i've heard there's no such thing as FORMER kgb.

Always On Watch said...

So why does Hezbollah refuse to disarm?

Maybe because Hezbollah holds seats in the Lebanese Parliament?

About Russia....Perhaps sucking up for Iran's oil?

Freedomnow said...

All good points AOW.

Also consider that for years Hezbollah kept its arms because Lebanon was afraid to challenge a Syrian ally that is so willing to kill.

Intimidation has been a big factor. Something that the Lebanese have to consider. Do they want to continue to passively tolerate Hezbollah indefinitely? And do they think they will ever be free of Syrian influence without disarming Hezbollah's militia?

Hezbollah is never going to disarm unconditionally. Their illegal existence will continue until one of 3 things happens:

1. They replace the Lebanese army

2. They lose Syrian and Iranian support

3. Israel pulverizes them until they have to accept Lebanese sovereignty

Even if Israel was wiped out, Hezbollah would still keep their weapons. They want power most of all. Power that can only be won through the use of violence or threat of it.

nanc said...

power lies in who outsmarts the other and continuously i might add. how tiring.

Freedomnow said...

When dealing with terrorists its a game of persistence.

The state that is under attack has to have the will to fight. As soon as they lose that, they lose...

nanc said...

true.

Freedomnow said...

When you negotiate with terrorists they usually don’t have much to give back.

Therefore the victim winds up losing out in the deal.

So terrorists typically view completed negotiations as a victory and a vindication of their tactics.

This invariably leads them to the conclusion that they can achieve greater concessions from continued hostilities. For them peace gives them no opportunities.

You and most of the people that visit this blog understand this, but Leftists have no grasp of the concept because their rhetoric blinds them.

I am not saying don’t ever negotiate with terrorists. I am saying that a democracy should never be pressured into negotiations with a terrorist group because they will lose and the result will only encourage further violence.

Democracies should almost always band together against terrorism. All pressure needs to be brought against illegal terrorist groups - not internationally recognized sovereign nations.

Whatever the issues are, nothing justifies terrorism. If there is an injustice committed then there is already a non-violent template for resistance against oppression. Thanks to Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

Justin said...

Just found your site on AOW's site.

This is a great post Freedom however, I must tell you that you would never be let in the leftist circles because you have broken one of their cardinal rules for speech.

That is: never research and never, never present the true facts.

I think the hezbollah attacks on Israel show just how impotent the U.N is. Resolution 1559 has been in effect since the end of the civil war and Israels pull out but never enforced either by Lebanon or the U.N.

A little known fact is that the raid in which two Israeli soldiers were kidnapped and killed happened with-in 300 yards of a U.N. Peace keeping out post. This shows just how scared hezbollah is of the U.N.

Great post keep presenting the truth and the facts. There are those that do listen.

The Texas Rancher AKA Justin

Freedomnow said...

Thanks for your visit Justin,

Your comment about Leftists being antagonistic towards unbiased research is true because they are dedicated to revisionist history.

They say:

- the Jews have wronged the poor Muslims (who are actually trying to exterminate the Jews)

- the US committed the 9/11 attacks

- Saddam ruled a peaceful nation and the US brought bloodshed to his country,

- the holocaust was committed with the collusion of Zionists

etc...

The sad situation behind this story you are commenting on is that Hezbollah’s militia is illegal under Lebanese law as well as international law. Not only that, but there is no legitimate reason for the existence of their militia anyway.

MBD said...

Hey thanks for the comment on the "Everyone's Wrong" commentary. Honestly, i can't say that i disagree with anything you are saying; i'm just simultaneously trying to offer the valid aspects of each sides' argument (having intimently dealt with and examined both sides over the years).

On another topic - your blog - who said that quote about "death of the last Jew on Earth." Honestly i don't doubt it one bit; but who is the culprit? Nasrullaah? Just curious because i'd like to add it to a bunch of similar quotes from Ahmedinejad, Nasrullaah and others for a blog on how all of the above are anti-Jewish freaks of nature; contrary to their propaganda that they are only "against the Zionist Entity."

Peace out.

Freedomnow said...

MBD,

That’s mighty neighborly of you to drop by.

All the sources I have for the quote you are interested in just cite a Hezbollah statement, with no specific individual quoted.

http://www.nysun.com/article/10439

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/story/435412p-366888c.html

http://www.ajc.org/atf/cf/{42D75369-D582-4380-8395-D25925B85EAF}/Hizballah_052003.pdf

The statement comes from the Lebanese-based Islamic Jihad which was actually a group of terrorist organizations that Hezbollah belonged to and they consolidated all of these groups under Hezbollah control, but they still used the alias from time to time. So this is not the more popularly known Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

A great place for the type of quotes you are looking for is at:
http://memri.org/

nanc said...

fern - you really need to join in the fray at aow's duckttape article! oh, it's a good one.

Mad Zionist said...

The Lebanese government must be allowed to assume full sovereignty over its own country.

The islam always seems to get in the way, though, doesn't it?

Freedomnow said...

Well Islamists like Hezbollah recognize no other authority except for Allah.

How can they be expected to recognize the state of Israel, let alone Lebanon?

The answer is force. Not necessarily military, but diplomatic would work too. A combination of the two is best.

20 years of negotiations and diplomacy have failed and its time to change strategies.

I hope Hezbollah loses this battle, but I'm not sure a lot of Westerners want that to happen as well.

nanc said...

fern - o.t. - please go to brooke's at neoconcommand center and see her latest story. bring a hanky.

and thank you for b.d. wishes.

Freedomnow said...

You are the best blog librarian that money cant buy so I'd better get my bday wishes out to ya.

I hope you had a good one...

nanc said...

that's only because there isn't enough money!

it was good but we may not get to go home until tomorrow - ratz!

nanc said...

fern - have you seen this yet?:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003159826_webbelltown28.html

Freedomnow said...

Well the details have come out on that story and it isnt pretty.

Once again the outrage will be muted, but if someone who was pro-Israeli had committed such an act we would never hear the end of it...

nanc said...

good, you're back from your secret mission.

i DO NOT want ANY of the details. keep them to yourself this time - it took a week to shake the tail last time!

nanc said...

fern - here's some great news to start your day:

http://www.theotheriraq.com/

enjoy!

Freedomnow said...

How is it supposed to be a secret if you announce it like that?

Geez, its hard to be a secret agent these days.

As soon as my mission is declassified I will publish the juicy details. Hopefully the NY Times wont publish it first.

nanc said...

i've found the best way to handle these things is overtly. cards on the table. in plain sight. that way, NOBODY believes it! NOBODY!

Always On Watch said...

I don't see any hope of true negotiation with Hezbollah or Hamas. All they'll agree to is a hudna, which will allow for regrouping.

Freedomnow said...

Just because they are genocidal maniacs doesnt mean that we can't completely capitulate to ALL of their demands.

That is the leftwing model for negotiations...

nanc said...

i visited greg's yesterday and i see you are listed as a kosher blog at his site!

Freedomnow said...

I was blessed by a rabbi when I sneezed.

The feud between him and MZ doesnt make any sense to me, but I understand both of their points.

They just wont back down an inch. Just when I think that they agree to disagree it starts all over again.

nanc said...

one thing - greg is fickle and madze is not. and madze is not a whiner - i like that in a man. no whiners (men or women) in nanchouse!

um, fern? rabbis don't bless things, catholic priests do! actually, it's God's job and the priests decided to take it over because God wasn't doing all that great a job of it - same way they hijacked the ten commandments...please don't tell my leftist irish catholic family OR rightminded or i'll have everybody mad at me.

Freedomnow said...

Hmmmm.... I will have to stay out of the religious debates because I have no investment in it.

This bodes well for you because it makes it easier for me to keep my big mouth shut.

FLORIAN said...

FN: Have you stopped blogging? Nothing new in about 3 weeks?

Freedomnow said...

I guess you can say that I've stopped blogging for 3 weeks!

Sorry, I've been busy lately.

There will be a post within the next couple of days. I really should cut down the time that I spend composing my posts because I am way too detail-oriented.

This would mean smaller posts, which I am not too fond of. So thats not gonna happen in the near future. If I cant get the free time that I need, I may be forced to change the format.

I actually have 3 stories that are partially completed (two of which have been backlogged for over a month). I wind up putting them down when I get busy and then later on I get inspired on another subject. Its a vicious circle.

Oi Vey!!!!!!!!!!!

nanc said...

i wish you'd have just said it was a woman! settle down have kids and then try and get on the computer - eeeeeek!

i've made a small post this week and much thought and detail were put into it...just not mine...

Freedomnow said...

Maybe your kids should start their own blogs.

nanc said...

oh, kev - you have no idea what happened when the guy that put the whuppass in the can let loose...it hasn't been pretty in a couple of places...think i'll lay low for a decade or two...which ought to put me wide awake about in time to attend my own funeral! ha!

nanc said...

don't encourage my kids, fern...