Spoetnik
28-04-05, 16:39
Rice: Syria must halt covert activity in Lebanon
By Nathan Guttman and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents, and News Agencies
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday that the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon is a positive step, but that Damascus must also cease all covert activity in Lebanon and comply with other demands made by the international community.
In an interview with NBC, the secretary of state said that Syria must fully comply with UN Resolution 1559 which calls for a full Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, "and I mean the declared forces as well as the covert forces, because in a state like Syria, there is always covert activity that must be taken care of."
Rice also called on Syria to exercise its influence to persuade Lebanese factions to avoid violence and to allow free elections. Rice said in the interview that "Syria must allow the Lebanese nation to determine its own path, without interference from Syria."
On Tuesday, the last soldiers and remnants of Syrian intelligence left Lebanon after a departure ceremony that took place in eastern Lebanon, marking the end of a 29-year military presence in Lebanon. Syria announced to the UN that the withdrawal was completed in accordance with Security Council resolution 1559.
Many Lebanese praised the withdrawal, and said that a new era was beginning in Lebanon. The Lebanese opposition said of the withdrawal, "This is an historic day that marks the end of a long period of mistakes and hegemony."
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that "with the completion of the withdrawal of Syrian military forces begins a new political era in regards to the relationship between the two states, which will be based on cooperation in all areas."
The Israeli defense establishment considered ending air force flights in Lebanese skies in light of the Syrian withdrawal. However, it was decided that the flights would continue due to their operational importance.
"Only if Hezbollah disarms will there be something to discuss," said a senior Israel Air Force official. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have consistently demanded an end to the flights, arguing that they violate Lebanese sovereignty.
In addition, Hezbollah is conducting a struggle against the IDF presence in Mount Dov and occasionally attacks IDF posts there, arguing that the land belongs to Lebanon, although the UN determined that the Israeli withdrawal was complete.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/570215.html
Naast alle andere eisen krijgt Syrie dus de volgende twee eisen voor de kiezen van Rice:
1) Stop op elke wijze met het beinvloeden van Libanon
2) Gebruik je invloed om groepen in Libanon te bewegen af te zien van geweld.
:maf:
Mind you, dat is de minister van buitenlandse zaken van het 'machtigste' land van de wereld. Ziet ze nou echt niet door hebben hoe tegenstrijdig haar woorden zijn?
Ook haar oproep dat Syrie alle undercover operaties in Libanon moet staken is vreemd, gezien het feit dat de Libanese regering heeft verklaard dat alle Syrische troepen inclusief de undercover zijn vertrokken.
By Nathan Guttman and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents, and News Agencies
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday that the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon is a positive step, but that Damascus must also cease all covert activity in Lebanon and comply with other demands made by the international community.
In an interview with NBC, the secretary of state said that Syria must fully comply with UN Resolution 1559 which calls for a full Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon, "and I mean the declared forces as well as the covert forces, because in a state like Syria, there is always covert activity that must be taken care of."
Rice also called on Syria to exercise its influence to persuade Lebanese factions to avoid violence and to allow free elections. Rice said in the interview that "Syria must allow the Lebanese nation to determine its own path, without interference from Syria."
On Tuesday, the last soldiers and remnants of Syrian intelligence left Lebanon after a departure ceremony that took place in eastern Lebanon, marking the end of a 29-year military presence in Lebanon. Syria announced to the UN that the withdrawal was completed in accordance with Security Council resolution 1559.
Many Lebanese praised the withdrawal, and said that a new era was beginning in Lebanon. The Lebanese opposition said of the withdrawal, "This is an historic day that marks the end of a long period of mistakes and hegemony."
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that "with the completion of the withdrawal of Syrian military forces begins a new political era in regards to the relationship between the two states, which will be based on cooperation in all areas."
The Israeli defense establishment considered ending air force flights in Lebanese skies in light of the Syrian withdrawal. However, it was decided that the flights would continue due to their operational importance.
"Only if Hezbollah disarms will there be something to discuss," said a senior Israel Air Force official. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have consistently demanded an end to the flights, arguing that they violate Lebanese sovereignty.
In addition, Hezbollah is conducting a struggle against the IDF presence in Mount Dov and occasionally attacks IDF posts there, arguing that the land belongs to Lebanon, although the UN determined that the Israeli withdrawal was complete.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/570215.html
Naast alle andere eisen krijgt Syrie dus de volgende twee eisen voor de kiezen van Rice:
1) Stop op elke wijze met het beinvloeden van Libanon
2) Gebruik je invloed om groepen in Libanon te bewegen af te zien van geweld.
:maf:
Mind you, dat is de minister van buitenlandse zaken van het 'machtigste' land van de wereld. Ziet ze nou echt niet door hebben hoe tegenstrijdig haar woorden zijn?
Ook haar oproep dat Syrie alle undercover operaties in Libanon moet staken is vreemd, gezien het feit dat de Libanese regering heeft verklaard dat alle Syrische troepen inclusief de undercover zijn vertrokken.