Jerusalem Post, 19.6.00
(June 19) - Whether it's a warranted claim or merely political
petulance, Beirut's outright rejection of the United Nation's verification of
the IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon is cause for concern. Yet again, the
Arab world is displaying a dangerous game of fickleness when it comes to
international intervention. Last night, despite Russian foot-dragging, the UN
Security Council endorsed the verification.
On Friday, after weeks of work by UN cartographers, Secretary-General
Kofi Annan announced that "Israel has withdrawn from [Lebanon] in full
compliance with Security Council Resolution 425... It is a day of hope for the
Middle East as a whole." Neither Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Hoss nor
Hizbullah were convinced. Both expressed "regret" over what they
termed the UN's obvious pro-Israel bias, saying there is still territory to be
"liberated." With less delicate rhetoric, both implied armed attacks
on Israel will continue.
The idea of the UN favoring Israel is absurd, given the history of
"Zionism is racism"-style resolutions and the fact that Israel has
only just won representation in a regional UN caucus. More absurd is Lebanon's
demand for fair dealing. Officially, Beirut does not recognize Israel, so it
considers any border specious. And since the withdrawal Hizbullah has
vacillated from talk of securing southern Lebanon to bombastic calls for a
jihad to free all of "occupied Palestine." Having called so long for
the implementation of 425, Lebanon should now submit to the international
forum's terms of due process: Instead of making threats, it should appeal the
UN decision reasonably and respectfully.
But if it expects to be taken seriously by the world community, it must
adopt a more global approach to UN decision-making. First and foremost, it
should acknowledge Israel's right to exist, as does the UN, and rein in
Hizbullah.
Then, having had 425 satisfied, Lebanon should look to Resolution 520,
which requires that all foreign armies leave Lebanon. With Syria out Hizbullah
would lose its masters, and perhaps there will indeed be a "day of
hope" for a new Middle East of moderation and international rapprochement.