NationStates Jolt Archive

St. Petersburg --17 July 2006-- British Prime Minister Tony Blair says an international force is needed to end Israeli and Hezbollah attacks across the Lebanese border.The prime minister met with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Prime Minister Tony Blair says the situation in the Middle East is obviously critical. And while he thanked fellow Group of Eight leaders for calling for an end to hostilities across the Lebanese border, Mr. Blair said Monday that will only happen with the deployment of foreign troops.
source: Voice of America.
OcceanNEWS©2006

my2cents: I say Lebanon will welcome these with dances and flowers..

bout time

WHAT?!? He want's the UN to do it's JOB?!?

Crazy-talk I tell you.

Oh right.

Let's hope they'll be more effective than the last time they entered this region with exactly the same purpose. :rolleyes:

It's one thing to say that troops are needed along the border.

It's another to precisely identify where that border is in a manner that both sides will agree with.

Oh right.

Let's hope they'll be more effective than the last time they entered this region with exactly the same purpose. :rolleyes:
Maybe this time they'll let them use their guns. What do you think? A concept?

It might work...although the make up of the international force would be pretty key and I don't it will be in any time less than a month even if people started mobilising now. To many UN fingers in too many pies and peacekeeping isn't exactly getting a good rep these days.

Israel rejected the calls for intervention saying that it was too early to consider a new force. I've been trying to work out what Israel's strategic motives are (you think they would be over the moon with the idea of UN troops coming in to help move Hezbollah out and to help find their men)...

Hmm, having thought on, I suspect he wants to try out the British Army (and navy and Air Force) in a conventional war. We need to justify Eurofighter one way or another and sticking it in the Red Arrows won't cut it...

It's one thing to say that troops are needed along the border.

It's another to precisely identify where that border is in a manner that both sides will agree with.
Well I am pretty sure Lebanon is a defined country...

Hmm, having thought on, I suspect he wants to try out the British Army (and navy and Air Force) in a conventional war. We need to justify Eurofighter one way or another and sticking it in the Red Arrows won't cut it...

they already have a warship and an aircraft carrier down there, and dont forget the bases on Cyprus

Oh goody, another oil embargo.:rolleyes:

Serriously, though, I just hope Mr. Blare doesn’t want US troops to be included in the operation. If he does, he is seriously lacking understanding of the current political climate in this country. One American soldier is killed by any regular forces of any country in the world, and within twenty-four hours the US is at war with that country. I guarantee it.

they already have a warship and an aircraft carrier down there, and dont forget the bases on Cyprus

I know. They're meant to be to help get Brits out of the area. Our aircraft carriers are not something I'd want to see at war. AFAIK we're still running Sea Harriers off them and they could hardly take the Argies in the Falklands War, forget the Israeli Air Force.

One American soldier is killed by any regular forces of any country in the world, and within twenty-four hours the US is at war with that country. I guarantee it.

Not if it is the IDF that kill them.

Check out the USS Liberty.
http://www.ussliberty.org/
I watched a program on it on the day of its anniversary a few years ago. It is scary to think that nuclear bombers were in the air and not too far from dropping on Cairo when they were recalled.

Really, really scary stuff.:(

That's a good sign; hopefully, the situation will continue to defuse and we'll be able to broker a cease-fire between the two sides.

Easy for him to say, he has none to send.

Maybe this time they'll let them use their guns. What do you think? A concept?

That might work. The US might suddenly be inclined to join in even :p .

Not if it is the IDF that kill them.
Ah, true that.
I wonder, when they drag us to war, and our men and women die, will enough Americans be disgusted with their behavior that the politicians will cease their support of that rouge nation, or will the lies prevail?

Oh Lester B. Pearson of the 21st century, where art thou?

I wonder, when they drag us to war, and our men and women die, will enough Americans be disgusted with their behavior that the politicians will cease their support of that rouge nation, or will the lies prevail?

I'd cease supporting any nation with military aid if I were in charge. If they want US equipment, they should have to buy it off of US defense contractors and weapons manufacturers rather than get it for free as part of an aid package.

Israel should be able to stand on its own without US support; they're a well-established sovreign nation and therefore should have to supply their troops with their own money, not billions in US aid. No nation should have the freedom to do what it wants militarily if that freedom comes at the expense of US taxpayers, and that's pretty much what we're doing with Israel.

I'd cease supporting any nation with military aid if I were in charge. If they want US equipment, they should have to buy it off of US defense contractors and weapons manufacturers rather than get it for free as part of an aid package.

Israel should be able to stand on its own without US support; they're a well-established sovreign nation and therefore should have to supply their troops with their own money, not billions in US aid. No nation should have the freedom to do what it wants militarily if that freedom comes at the expense of US taxpayers, and that's pretty much what we're doing with Israel.
Agreed 100%.

Easy for him to say, he has none to send.
He would do, if NATO did its job properly and gave us more support in Afghanistan.

Seems like Tony should inform himself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNIFIL
UNIFIL is currently primarily deployed along the U.N. drawn Blue Line dividing Israel (and the Israeli Golan Heights) and southern Lebanon. Its activities have centred around monitoring military activity between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) with the aim of reducing tensions and allaying continuing low-level armed conflict, at which they have of course been remarkably successful. UNIFIL has also played an important role in clearing landmines, assisting displaced persons, and providing humanitarian assistance in this underdeveloped region.

UNIFIL forces have fallen out of favour in Israel and claims that little regard has been given to their safety by the IDF [1] following accusations that it was complicit in a fatal abduction of IDF soldiers in October 2000. Suspicions persist although the UN has published a report denying complicity[2], though they have yet to explain why they lied to Israel about the existence of video recording the kidnapping. Israel is lobbying for UNIFIL to either take a more active role vis-a-vis Hezbollah (for example, preventing Hezbollah from setting up military posts adjacent to UNIFIL's in the hope this will deter Israel from attacking them), or to step out of the region (thereby voiding the Lebanese government's excuse for not deploying its army along the border) [3].

UNIFIL currently employs some 2000 soldiers, 50 UNTSO observers and 400 civilians [4]. The force includes troops from Ghana, Poland, India, France, Ukraine, Italy and Ireland. Its annual budget is about US$100 million. UNIFIL is led by French Major General Alain Pellegrini, formerly French military attache in Beirut and head of the mideast division of the French military intelligence.

To date UNIFIL has suffered over 250 fatalities during the course of its deployment.

Seems like Tony should inform himself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNIFIL
I think he means more like a battle-group.

Comprised of what or who is another issue.

Would be a good idea, as long as those troops are authorized to tack action (use of force) against any aggressors, as well as being allowed to disarm (by force if necessary) the terrorist groups.

I also want to see what nation would be willing to send soldiers to get involved in the conflict.

I think he means more like a battle-group.
Forget it. They wouldn't have anyone to fight, so they wouldn't send a fighting force.

And besides, UNIFIL has a fully equipped, fully trained Indian infantry batallion. That's around 1000 soldiers.
http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/26/stories/2006032601251500.htm

Unless you're going to fight either Hezbollah or the IDF, what more do you need?

The point is that someone has to change the mission of UNIFIL. But even that is only going to work with a bit of diplomacy. Or in the words of Bush: "What they [referring probably to the UN] need to do is to get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5188340.stm

Forget it. They wouldn't have anyone to fight, so they wouldn't send a fighting force.
I assume he meant to keep Hezb'allah in check.

And besides, UNIFIL has a fully equipped, fully trained Indian infantry batallion. That's around 1000 soldiers.


I know. My father was there for many years. ;)


The point is that someone has to change the mission of UNIFIL. But even that is only going to work with a bit of diplomacy
With the UN peacekeepers becoming peace enforcers (like in Haiti) I feel they should be allowed to be more aggressive and be allowed to take the initiative- however, they have more to them than mere fighting. They have important secondary, humanitarian and conflict avoidance work to be done.

The shit work that 'soldiers' hate.

WHAT?!? He want's the UN to do it's JOB?!?

Crazy-talk I tell you.

NOTICE HE DID NOT SAY UN ...He said foriegn troops..REAL SOLDIERS not blueberrys .

REAL SOLDIERS not blueberrys .
:rolleyes:

They are real soldiers. They just don't have war-type rules of engagement.

http://www.foodsubs.com/Photos/clam-quahog.jpg

:rolleyes:

They are real soldiers. They just don't have war-type rules of engagement.

ALL THE MORE REASON NOT TO SEND THEM . send a bunch a guys with knives to a gun fight..typical UN bull .

There are plenty of targets already .

Either let them fight or send them home ! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Real soldiers dont sit on their hands and watch ...potential hostages and targets do .

:rolleyes:

They are real soldiers. They just don't have war-type rules of engagement.

Yes they are real solders, I agree on that 100%, and I also agree that they are given such stringent ROE (rules of engagement) that there hands are tied. They are not allowed to tack any sort of action unless they are directly attacked. If they were allowed to tack direct action to defend civilians and disarm terrorists they could do some good, but if not they are just big targets with blue helmets.

Real soldiers dont sit on their hands and watch ...potential hostages and targets do .
So...what are they supposed to do? Their mission was and still is to make sure that Israel respects the Lebanese border, and the same goes for the other side.

Hezbollah organised the kidnapping for five months, then did it. The rest is history.

What should they have done, according to you? It's of absolutely no importance where they're from for this, it might as well have been US troops.

Also, read this: http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,427043,00.html

So...what are they supposed to do? Their mission was and still is to make sure that Israel respects the Lebanese border, and the same goes for the other side.

Hezbollah organised the kidnapping for five months, then did it. The rest is history.

What should they have done, according to you? It's of absolutely no importance where they're from for this, it might as well have been US troops.

Also, read this: http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,427043,00.html


I guess they are a collosal failure then are they not ..given the results ?

I guess they are a collosal failure then are they not ..given the results ?
Until a week or so ago, they were doing fine. Then events overtook them, yes, just like they overtook everyone else.

Even the Israelis aren't really sure what they want.

Some commentators already fear that the Jewish state may have stretched itself to capacity with its recent military offensive. "Is Israel capable of fighting on two fronts?" wrote Israeli daily Yediot Acharonot. And what would happen if Syria opened a third front? For the time being, at least, Olmert's cabinet stands behind the military offensive. Only Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres dared voice his concerns over the price of Israel's massive retaliatory operation. In the first cabinet meeting following the Hezbollah attack, Peres advised military restraint and questioned the plans of Dan Halutz, the chief of staff of Israeli forces. "I understand your first step and your second step," Peres said, "but I don't really understand what the third and fourth steps will be." An irritated Halutz deflected the comment by saying: "The third step depends on the second one, and the fourth step depends on the third." It didn't exactly sound like a carefully considered strategy.

Until a week or so ago, they were doing fine. Then events overtook them, yes, just like they overtook everyone else.

Even the Israelis aren't really sure what they want.

Be carefull if Israel mobilizes ...then its truly duck and cover time. theey have sufficient forces to deal with southern Lebenon and Gaza..if they decide Syria is a threat ..GOD help the middle East...at least we wont have to worry about Syria and Lebenon for a while..just Iran...hmmm seems we have troops on two of Irans borders...maybe they want to get in the game ?


I suspect Syria wants NOTHING to do with Israel..they cant take ANOTHER beating . By the time the UN gets done dicking around Israel should be in South Lebenon mopping up Hezbolla and it should be safe to send some blueberrys in for a while .

Hamas on the other hand is soooo screwed...I hope the arabs have DEEP pockets..because they are going to need to feed and take care of a bunch of Palestinians. hamas will be too busy digging deeper holes or running for Syria or Iran .

By the time the UN gets done dicking around Israel should be in South Lebenon mopping up Hezbolla and it should be safe to send some blueberrys in for a while .
I doubt hezb'allah will be going anywhere anytime soon, regardless of the IDF's actions. In fact, IDFs actions have probably caused a jump in recruitment for Hezb'allah.

I hope the arabs have DEEP pockets
Considering they control most of the world's oil supply, yes. Yes I think those pockets are rather deep.

St. Petersburg --17 July 2006-- British Prime Minister Tony Blair says an international force is needed to end Israeli and Hezbollah attacks across the Lebanese border.The prime minister met with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Prime Minister Tony Blair says the situation in the Middle East is obviously critical. And while he thanked fellow Group of Eight leaders for calling for an end to hostilities across the Lebanese border, Mr. Blair said Monday that will only happen with the deployment of foreign troops.
source: Voice of America.
OcceanNEWS©2006

my2cents: I say Lebanon will welcome these with dances and flowers..
IMHO, that's a prescription for getting lots of "nternational force" people killed.

Sooo, if the attacks don't stop is said international force going to be found liable for damages? I doubt it.

NOTICE HE DID NOT SAY UN ...He said foriegn troops...I noticed that..
they are not mentionung the words "Blue Helmet" soldiers..

Words they are using:
"Foreign troops"
or
"Stabilization force"

Be carefull if Israel mobilizes ...
That must be the most pointless post I have ever seen.

a) I'm not Hezbollah, your tough talk doesn't change anything.
b) It's Israel that has to send its kids away to fight, and pay for it. That's why they're wondering whether it's worth it to let this escalate.
c) This isn't the Seventies anymore. Iran's military machine can hurt Israel, even if it has to do so through Syria.
d) Have you actually responded to my post?

With the UN peacekeepers becoming peace enforcers (like in Haiti) I feel they should be allowed to be more aggressive and be allowed to take the initiative- however, they have more to them than mere fighting. They have important secondary, humanitarian and conflict avoidance work to be done.

The shit work that 'soldiers' hate.
Let's just hope they would do a better job then they've done in the past.... Operation like that in Sierra Leone, not even able to hold on to gains or ensure at least some level of the civilian security made by others. *cougheocough*

Let's just hope they would do a better job then they've done in the past.... Operation like that in Sierra Leone, not even able to hold on to gains or ensure at least some level of the civilian security made by others. *cougheocough*
*shrug*

You can only work with the troops you have. You have shit troops on the ground, you get shit results.

It was only until the British went in did the situation properly stabilise.

What do you expect with troops from Bangladesh, Bolivia, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Slovakia, Sweden, Tanzania, Ukraine amongst others.

St. Petersburg --17 July 2006-- British Prime Minister Tony Blair says an international force is needed to end Israeli and Hezbollah attacks across the Lebanese border.The prime minister met with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Prime Minister Tony Blair says the situation in the Middle East is obviously critical. And while he thanked fellow Group of Eight leaders for calling for an end to hostilities across the Lebanese border, Mr. Blair said Monday that will only happen with the deployment of foreign troops.
source: Voice of America.
OcceanNEWS©2006

my2cents: I say Lebanon will welcome these with dances and flowers..

I agree with PM Blair.