So is George Bush’s strong and unwavering leadership responsible for this, too? Jittery Lebanese re-arm amid spree of bombings:
Pro-Syrian Christians have accused anti-Syrian Christians of planting the bombs to give the international community an opportunity to intervene.
As Lebanese watch their politicians bicker, they can’t help but remember where such squabbles have led before.
“Everybody is worried. Everybody can feel the tensions. We are living it day by day,” said Mohammed Barakat, 50, a shoe vendor in Beirut’s Shiite-dominated southern suburbs. “We want the politicians to make a solution. Nobody wants war, but we are worried because no solution is in sight.”
Although Lebanese overwhelmingly say they never want to fight again, there are some who remember the benefits of a war that brought employment for jobless young men, as well as lucrative business opportunities for militias in territories they controlled.
…
“All the Lebanese hate each other, you can be sure of that,” Jamous said. “Christian people can’t live with Muslims. This country was created for Christians, but Muslims, they want this country to be only for Muslim people. We cannot live together. We need a solution.”
Most Christians don’t take such an extreme view. But the United States’ support for UN Resolution 1559, which calls for the withdrawal of Syrian troops and for the disarmament of the Hezbollah militia, has convinced Jamous that America will support his goal.
“With George Bush, we have a chance,” he said.
That is precisely why Saleh, the Shiite grocer, decided he should take the precaution of buying a Kalashnikov. If America attempts to fill the vacuum left by the departing Syrians, Hezbollah will fight, he is sure.
“The opposition wants to replace Syria with America, and that will lead to conflict,” he said.
Ya can’t live with ‘em, and ya can’t live without ‘em. Eh. Pro-American supporters in countries like Lebanon might be a little too optimistic over what the Bush Administration can do for them — for all their grand ambitions, the Bushies are only human and (very clearly, as has been amply demonstrated) prone to folly.
Comments
29 March 2005
15:35
Terry
Hmm, nothing on the demonstration where 2% of the population of Taiwan protested the anti-secession law? Oh that’s right, they blacked out that news coverage of that where you live.
“A mass demonstration to be held in Taiwan could set back cross-strait ties, China’s media has warned.” And passing a law saying ‘we are gonna blow the fuck out of you if you don’t let us ruin your country’ is meant to be a friendly overture?
29 March 2005
16:41
TuTu
We can actually see Taiwan from Xiamen. Could hear the screams of protest!!!
I’ve actually been here (a few years ago) when they had their little war games and we could hear the missiles screaming overhead and out into the straights. Being in the aviation / military industry, our confidence in the guidance systems of the missiles the Chinese used was not in the high category!
30 March 2005
09:00
Andrea
I don’t really have much to say about the protests. I’ve always thought of China, Taiwan, and HK as separate countries, and think the status quo has served all sides well enough. The question is whether the US will come in with all guns blazing, as promised, and if China thinks they can deal with that and come out smiling. Both Beijing and Taipei will probably find something amidst all this to proclaim that their side has been vindicated and go back to business as usual. God willing.
30 March 2005
09:43
Terry
It is not just the US that would have serious problems if the mainland had a soldier fire even a single shot in anger on the island of Taiwan. Just about every major computer manufacturer in the world has a factory on Taiwan or depends on products from there. I would guess there are tens of trillions invested in Taiwan. If they invaded and there were no human casualties or property damage, the world economy would still go into freefall for at least 18 months. I guess it all depends on if the mainland leadership thinks that would be a good or a bad thing. :-\
30 March 2005
09:50
Terry
A quick review of the 1999 earthquake on Taiwan said damage was $14 billion USD.
31 March 2005
00:11
Terry
I do not think the mainland really wants to invade Taiwan, I think it is just a publicity stunt to get investors to think of put their money into the mainland to start with. Why invenst in Taiwan if it is just going to be taken over anyway?
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