UN Resolution - 1701

On August 12, 2006, having no paint to watch dry, I chose to watch the UN fifteen member council talk about their respective positions regarding their vote to stop the fighting between Israel and Hizbollah in Lebanon. The Ambassador from Israel was allowd to sit at the left tip of the horseshoe table, while the Lebanese Minister took the seat on the right.

The effort was like watching grass grow in a draught but I persevered. It was no surprise to me but still and all rather shocking to hear so many of the nations' ministers condemn Israel. Greece really surprised me.

In a quick review, I found 7 UN Resolutions on Lebanon going back to 1978 through 2006. The eighth one is 1701 agreed to Aug, 12, 2006. In point of fact, these resolutions have no teeth and they are not designed to have any teeth to protect the Israeli people.

One aspect of 1701 calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent cease-fire (recall Israel and Lebanon were not fighting each other) and a long-term solution based on the following principles and elements....security arrangements, including establishment between Blue Line and Litani River of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL as authorized...(all well and good so far then...no foreign forces in Lebanon without consent of its government, right? Problem there is that many in Hezbollah are considered Lebanese. Does that create a problem?

I take that to read that the guns, weapons, Hezbollah forces can stay if wanted by Lebanon.

I have heard the statements of Kofi Annan. To me he seems anti-Israel. There were no or few words about rebuilding the destroyed homes and buildings in Israel. The following is included because it is the best I can find at the moment on the expectations that UN troops are indeed expected to engage in de-arming militant factions in Lebanon.

"LEBANON. DI PAOLA: U.N. TROOPS CAN TAKE POSSESSION OF WEAPONS
(AGI) - Pristina (Kosovo), Sept.1 - "Resolution 1701 clearly states that UN troops must help the Lebanese armed forces to make sure that no other weapons be present in southern Lebanon other than those of the Lebanese and UNIFIL troops. Consequently, within this framework, UN troops must intervene, jointly with Lebanese forces, to prevent that this happens, and possibly take possession of these weapons", said Italian Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, who added that UN troops must dialogue with all members of the Lebanese people, including the Hezbollah. The landing will begin tomorrow, and last two days: about 1000 troops will land. The 2,500-people contingent will be operational in 60-70 days, namely, the end of October. (AGI) -
011945 SET 06"

Based on the past efforts of the UN, I would not hold out success for Israel. The UN has an anti-Semite agenda and sits at cross purposes with a secure Israel in the Middle East. We must keep an eye out on this issue and share information as quickly as we get it regarding the non-enforcement of 1701. We know the earlier 7 resolutions weren't enforced.

Our eyes are open, we are on the case, and we are a small band of brothers and sisters.

For my part over the years I have seen little good come from the UN unless it is the distribution of food from free-world nations unapproprately repackaged in UN stamped bags and boxes.

If there is any good to come from the UN, perhaps our combined efforts can have a say in the matter.