Posted on 03/15/2005 9:50:52 AM PST by Crackingham
President Bush on Tuesday left open the possibility that the militant Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah could be part of the political mainstream in Lebanon despite its terrorist past.
"We view Hezbollah as a terrorist organization," Bush said after an Oval Office meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah. "I would hope that Hezbollah would prove that they are not by laying down arms and not threatening peace."
Hezbollah has been involved in Lebanese politics for over a decade, with an extensive social welfare program and nine lawmakers in the current 128-seat parliament. But it has steered away from major decision-making in national politics as its guerrilla army — the most organized and best-armed faction in Lebanon — focused on fighting Israel. Lebanon considers Hezbollah a legitimate resistance movement that led the guerrilla war against Israel's 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon.
Lately, Hezbollah has been flexing its political muscle by organization two huge pro-Syrian rallies.
A U.N. Security Council resolution demands that Hezbollah disarm and that Syria, which has 14,000 troops in Lebanon and has enormous control over political affairs there, withdraw its soldiers. The United States has long listed the Iranian-founded, anti-Israeli Shiite Muslim group as a terrorist organization.
Some European leaders and some in Lebanon have been urging the United States to back moves to nudge Hezbollah into mainstream, legitimate political life in Lebanon. Bush appeared open that idea, emphasizing the chance for Hezbollah to change its ways even as he issued new warnings to the group.
"One of our concerns, the majesty and I discussed, is that Hezbollah may try to derail the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians," Bush said. "Hezbollah has been declared a terrorist organization by the United States because of terrorist activities in the past."
How could you tolerate other partys of your's is named "The Party of God"?
Huh?
Kerry's not the only one who flip flops.
Past? That's like saying Al Qaeda has a "terrorist past."
Has Bush been smoking crack?
I'm thinking the same way.
"Exactly. ....and Osama built day care centers." - Patty Murray
"We view Hezbollah as a terrorist organization," Bush said after an Oval Office meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah. "I would hope that Hezbollah would prove that they are not by laying down arms and not threatening peace."
it's not really what he said, but AP, needless to say, tweaked the headline to make it appear so.
IMO, fat chance.
I wonder if Al Qaeda gets the same deal.
"I would hope that Hezbollah would prove that they are not by laying down arms and not threatening peace."
I think he’s just being absurd for effect.
It’s almost like saying, “Of course France could be a world power, if they would prove it by not being a bunch of anti-freeze drinking, quick-surrendering pansies.”
It’s a fun, but goofily unrealistic, hypothetical.
Another example of deception from the MSM
I am SO surprised; are you? Check yes or no. :-)
I wonder if Al Qaeda gets the same deal.
I would imagine the same absurdist hypothetical applies there too.
Also note that he never stated that any individual was going to be absolved for any crimes against humanity.
After we kill and/or imprison all those who have committed crimes under the banner of Al Qaeda, the rest can lay down their arms, sit down at the bargaining table, and be ignored in peace.
This is just lip service on the President's part
W musta watched '24' last nite...
To add further context the Lebanese themselves have been holding signs indicating they represent the true voice of Lebanon, and asking Hezbollah to join them rather than attempt to intimidate with counter rallys. The President is taking the Lebanese peoples' lead here folks.
Perhaps to further make this understood, ba'athists were the arm of saddam. Releasing them all turned out to be a mistake. While Hezbollah may currently be a terrorist organization, it doesn't mean there are not members that could support reformation if the climate is different.
In the M.E. most people have had dealings with terrorists, if not involved in some terrorist activity themselves for survival. the future leaders of these countries will not all be unblemished saints. Time to accept reality that some of the key future figures will be people that once chose violence. It doesn't mean that is their future.
How is this a flip flop?
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