Heads Up! Bush & Blair News Conference 12:30ET

Fox News | 7/28/2006 | staff

[kellynla]

Bush & Blair news conference 12:30ET

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Exactly.

I suspect what people are afraid of is that Bush will agree to something behind Israel's back and let something get through the security council to Israel's detriment.

I don't think that will happen on Bush's watch.

[rhombus]

A multinational force with real power can deflect the criticism of Israel and provide for its security. It is worth a shot.

I'm all for it, if it has real power. Have we ever seen that before? And what if a useful idiot is elected President? Will we just look away while a multinational force is corrupted...again? These are some of the questions I meant to imply but I'm all for giving it a shot.

[Sabramerican]

Yes, they want an international force to implement UN resolution 1559.

Therefore you must believe one of two very implausible propositions.

One, Hezbolla disarms voluntarily. Or.

Two. This International force goes to War against Hezbolla.

Neither will occur.

All that will occur under that scenario is a return to the status quo ante (an implied loss for Israel and the US) with International troops (which please God don't include Americans) stuck in where the UN is now- likely to be targets of some future conflict.

[kabar]

Ok, how will Hezbullah disarm?

By introducing a multinational force that will not permit Hezbullah to control south Lebanon and building up the Lebanese military to takeover the task and regain control over their country.

Do you actually believe this "force" will have the capability to keep this from happening permanently?

It all depends on how the force is structured and what its mission is including the ROE. Rembember both Israel and Lebanon must agree to this solution.

All we are doing is trying to tame the tail instead of cutting the head off and killing the beast.

Unless Israel is willing to commit genocide, there is no way that it can kill off Hezbullah militarily. The only way that Hezbullah can be defeated is through military and diplomatic means. If Israel continues to pursue just the current military strategy, it can't win. Initially, it had the upper hand being considered as the victim and justified in taking action against Hezbullah, but the longer it goes on, the less support Israel gets and the more Hezbullah becomes the victim. We can't allow that to happen.

[Pukin Dog]

I HAVE UPLOADED THE BLAIR ANSWER ON TERRORISM TO YOUTUBE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVkCCjWAleY

Enjoy.

[maica]

Thanks, she said while blushing

[OldFriend]

Missed the press conference but have been listening to news updates for several hours. Not a single word about the Bush/Blair press conference. That tells me that they both did VERY well.

Nothing to mock or ridicule so they pretend the conference never happened.

[kabar]

I'm all for it, if it has real power. Have we ever seen that before? And what if a useful idiot is elected President? Will we just look away while a multinational force is corrupted...again? These are some of the questions I meant to imply but I'm all for giving it a shot.

I agree that a number of items need to be nailed down before such a solution can be endorsed. I assume the Israelis will see to that with help from the US and UK. We don't want to return to the status quo ante. I think it is vital that there be a decidely Western participation and control over the multinational force. It seemed to work in the Sinai.

Many questions still need to be answered, but I see it as the best way to turn this war into an opportunity to introduce more Western influence into the region and give Lebanon a chance to build a democracy. We got Syrian troops out of the country, now we need to neutralize Hezbullah.

[Pukin Dog]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVkCCjWAleY

[Piranha]

Very good point, SA.

[kabar]

Therefore you must believe one of two very implausible propositions.One, Hezbolla disarms voluntarily. Or. Two. This International force goes to War against Hezbolla. Neither will occur.

The first objective is to eliminate Hezbullah from crossing into Israel and to stop any rocket attacks against Israel. Next, we need to build up the Lebanese military to counter the Hezbullah threat. I would hope that the multinational force is armed and empowered to use force against armed Hezbullah elements, at least those located in southern Lebanon.

All that will occur under that scenario is a return to the status quo ante (an implied loss for Israel and the US) with International troops (which please God don't include Americans) stuck in where the UN is now- likely to be targets of some future conflict.

I just don't see that happening as long as Israel has approval authority over whatever solution is proposed. There will not be US forces involved, but I wouldn't rule out UK and French forces being part of the military effort.

[Txsleuth]

HEY YOU!!!

Where have you been? I have been missing you.

Did you go on vacation?

Yes..you are correct...there are no "soundbites" for CNN to use against them...LOL

[Sabramerican]

I would hope that the multinational force is armed and empowered to use force against armed Hezbullah elements,

Never happen.

If it does the participating nations are going to war. It will be much more serious then what is occurring now.

[NYC Republican]

Sage- you see, the Arabs DON'T want that solution. They want it as a perpetual issue. Every time they have internal issues, they rally their people around the Pali/Israeli issue (even though they don't give a rat's a$$ about the Palis, they're just a political tool)...

My proposal would be this... Negotiate an agreement on land, create a Pali state, and have America and GB OVERTLY support any attacks on Israel from that point on. Not just weapons, but the full force of the U.S./GB military might.

No one would dare touch them at that point, IMHO.

Does anyone think this idea is plain nuts?

[NYC Republican]

Would like your thoughts on #294. I consider myself a supporter of Israel, but probably not as much as you. I look after America's interests first (not saying you don't), and if Israeli interests are the same, great, if not, I don't blindly support their actions (again, not saying you don't here, but there are some that are so bellicose here, that it really disgusts me(one example was the Sabra/Shatilla incident, another is the U.S. going into Iran and/or Syria to fight there)...

Just my 2c.

[kabar]

Never happen. If it does the participating nations are going to war. It will be much more serious then what is occurring now.

It has nothing to do with going to "war." It has to do with the ability of the multinational forces to carry out their UN mandate and the right of self-defense. Hezbullah is a militia, not a nation state. As long as the Lebanese government supports the solution, I don't see the international reprecussions except from Syria and Iran.

[rollo tomasi]

"By introducing a multinational force that will not permit Hezbullah to control south Lebanon and building up the Lebanese military to takeover the task and regain control over their country."

So this force will be in southern Lebanon for the rest of eternity. Because that is what it will take if we take this route. If Lebenon can't control the area on their own then let Israel take control.

"It all depends on how the force is structured and what its mission is including the ROE. Remember both Israel and Lebanon must agree to this solution."

It all depends, spoken like someone who does not know what "Emulating Muhammad means". Israel will have several billion reasons why they will get snowed and restrained by the west again. What happens if a Dem dove gets to control foreign policy again, depends is Chamberlain speak for peace in our time as well as excuse if all goes wrong again.

"Unless Israel is willing to commit genocide,"

What kind of hyperbole is that? Going in militarily and wiping out your enemies all for the cause of self defense is genocide? You must be a sympathetic Arab by throwing out the genocide card. The Mullahs are for genocide, Israel is just trying to protect themselves. If that means killing people so be it.

"The only way that Hezbullah can be defeated is through military and diplomatic means."

BS. Who funds them Sherlock? Not the Syrians and Iranians, surly not. Oh my you are an astute one aren't you. You take out the Mullahs who go about brainwashing the masses and you will take out the Hezzies.

"We can't allow that to happen." (That Israel defend itself)

Your bias is showing again. Who the hell cares what CNNABCCBSNBC etc... thinks. Remember 911 and the ideology behind that, that is what Johnny six pack will be thinking when Israel and the west eradicates the Mullahs.


By the way Syria never left Lebanon, they are there by proxy through the Hezzies. You see how diplomacy works, one group leaves and is replaced by another name in it's place. It's all folly.

[Sabramerican]

If the victims of the "mandate" (Hezbolla)don't want to be disarmed, they will consider it aggression against them- war.

[Wolfstar]

Blair was brilliant - the best I've seen him since shortly after 9/11.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses. It's unfortunate that our Dubya's comparative communications skills are not ideal for a public figure. They certainly suffer by comparison with Blair's ease with public speaking. But what GWB lacks in public speaking ability, he more than makes up for with his tremendous courage and conviction.

The two men together have made an extraordinary team, and the world will be the worse for it when they leave the scene.

[kabar]

Who cares what Hezbullah thinks? They are an armed militia in contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 1559