The Crises of Lebanon and Iraq in Kuwait
Randa Takieddine Al-Hayat - 23/04/08//
The woman playing the guitar in the hall reserved for foreign ministers at the Sheraton Hotel in Kuwait yesterday lent an atmosphere of calm to the proceedings, in contrast to the two main topics that dominated side discussions among ministers on the sidelines of the conference of Iraq's neighbors and Lebanon's friends. The Saudi Foreign Minister, Saud al-Faisal, was on one side of the hall, holding discussions with his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Muttaki. On the other side, the UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, was meeting with Lebanese Foreign Minister Tareq Mitri and Mohammed Shatah, an adviser to Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Then, the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, joined Saud al-Faisal during his meeting with the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, while the Lebanese delegation took part in the discussions.
Kouchner had met in the morning with the Syrian foreign minister, far away from the soothing music of the hall. The atmosphere was surreal during the ministerial meetings. Everyone was discussing the text of the statement that would be issued by the friends of Lebanon. Everyone was aware that unfortunately, it would only express solidarity and support for a sovereign and independent Lebanon, and for the Siniora government. It would not involve a profound discussion of how to exit the crisis that, according to more than one observer, will not be solved any time soon. The United Nations was represented by Terje Roed-Larsen, who is tasked with following up the implementation of UN Security Resolution 1559. The Assistant US Secretary of State, David Welch, was also holding discussions with all sides, while the Iranian minister held side discussions with the foreign ministers of Turkey and Japan.
The upshot of discussions about the two items, Iraq and Lebanon, revolved around the wish of the international community, especially the friends of both countries, to see them defuse their respective crises. Both are dangerous for the entire region, due to the regional policies of Iran and Syria.
The female guitarist was not close-by when the dangers of the situation in Iraq and Lebanon were discussed. All of the discussions were aimed at finding solutions to the crises. However, everyone knew that this was not possible. Kouchner met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, knowing that there would be no great benefit derived from the conversation. The French minister held these meetings because he believes it is necessary to talk to all sides, and because he was discussing and thinking deeply about how to find a solution for Lebanon and help confront the prospect of a return of Syrian hegemony over the country in the long term if the situation does not change.
In France, there are those who believe that time is on the side of the parliamentary majority in Lebanon, and not Syria. However, others in France believe that the allies of Iran and Syria in Lebanon will benefit from the vacuum over the long term, and that the Lebanese state is gradually fading away, in favor of the "state of Hizbullah," with political cover from Michel Aoun. All of these analyses lead to a single conclusion: pessimism prevails with regard to the solution, and the international court for Lebanon is the key date with regard to this crisis. A sovereign and independent Lebanon suits some people, while others prefer the formula of the past, when Syria would appoint the Lebanese president, ministers and officials. Those concerned with the situation in Lebanon are asking: Where is the civil society in all of this? Why don't we hear its voice; why don't people demonstrate to demand sovereignty, independence and progress in the way out of the crisis, as they did when former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri was assassinated? The Lebanese have the right to strive for their independence and sovereignty. They have the right to have an embassy in Syria, and not see their president appointed by a foreign power. But things today are not headed in this direction. We are very far off from an imminent solution. Today, everyone believes that the election of a president has become practically impossible. The next important date on the calendar is the spring of 2009, namely a round of parliamentary elections. This is the prevailing position, despite all of the international meetings. The solidarity with Lebanon reflects the frustration of the international community, due to its failure in confronting Syria's rejection of implementing the Arab League initiative and dealing with French ideas about how to solve the crisis.
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