"Well, we are not aware that there was any U.S. equipment used during the incident. We do have training programs with Lebanon. It’s hard to say whether those who were directly involved in this incident were a part of any training program under IMET. But we have an extensive military cooperation program with Lebanon, because it’s in our interest to have that program. It offers – it allows the Government of Lebanon to expand its sovereignty. We think that is in the interest of both of our countries and regional stability as a whole. I don’t believe that we are planning to reevaluate our current military cooperation with Lebanon in light of this incident."
http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2010/August/20100809190802su0.4156872.html?CP.rss=true
No U.S. equipment involved? Really? Have a look at the AP picture of the Lebanese soldier pointing his automatic rifle across the border at the Israelis removing the tree (http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-lawmakers-block-money-for-lebanon-s-army-after-border-clash-1.307102?localLinksEnabled=false). I'll give you one guess where that rifle was manufactured.
Is Philip Crowley blind? Yes, as is the entire Obama administration, and this lack of vision extends far beyond last week's border incident. Owing to a Middle East power vacuum created by the Obama administration, Lebanon is being sucked back into the Iranian-Syrian fold, as amply illustrated by recent declarations of obeisance from Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt (see: http://jgcaesarea.blogspot.com/2010/08/lebanon-war-waiting-to-happen-and-yes.html).
Thank goodness U.S. Representatives Nita Lowey and Howard Berman had the common sense to block, on Monday, $100 million in military aid that had been approved for the Lebanese Army.
Observe the common thread between the Lebanese Army sniper attack last Tuesday and the sinking of a South Korean naval vessel by a North Korean submarine in March: In both instances the Obama administration pretended that nothing of significance occurred, so as to avoid any semblance of discord or confrontation.
At the same briefing http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2010/08/145819.htm
ReplyDeleteP.J. Crowley also said this:
"MR. CROWLEY: [Imam Rauf] is a distinguished Muslim cleric. We do have a program whereby through our Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau here at the State Department, we send people from Muslim communities here in this country around the world to help people overseas understand our society and the role of religion within our society. I think we are in the process of arranging for him to travel as part of this program. And it is to foster a greater understanding and outreach around the world among Muslim majority communities. But there are strict procedures as to the kind of activity that occurs during the course of this travel. I think this is exactly what we’ve presented it as. And we’ve done this many, many times with many leading figures since – over the past few years."
[Rauf's junket includes Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, and Kuwait as P.J. Crowley should already know]
[and this:]
"MR. CROWLEY:...We value our relationship with the Palestinian Authority. We are intensively working with the Palestinian Authority not only get into direct negotiations, but also with Prime Minister Fayyad and others to build up the capacity of the Palestinian Authority to be ready, willing, and able to assume the responsibilities of an effective government if direct negotiations – if and when they begin – are successful. We are committed to finding a solution to this challenge and to ending the conflict once and for all."
[ONCE AND FOR ALL? How about ending the U.S. led U.N. conflict with North Korea ONCE AND FOR ALL?]
K2K