February 15, 2005
HOW MANY NYLONS AND CHOCOLATE BARS COULD HE COST?:
Finger-pointing begins as nations ask, 'Who?' (Brian Knowlton, February 15, 2005, International Herald Tribune)
The United States will consult with other governments "about measures that can be taken to punish those responsible for this terrorist attack," and "to restore Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and democracy by freeing it from foreign occupation," the White House press secretary, Scott McClellan, said.President Jacques Chirac of France, a close friend of Hariri, condemned the attack, and said Hariri represented "the indefatigable will of independence, freedom and democracy" for Lebanon.
Other government leaders around the world deplored the attack and expressed concern about the stability of Lebanon and its neighbors.
While saying that "we do not know who was responsible for the attack at this point," McClellan clearly implied that U.S. suspicions pointed to Syria, which has 14,000 troops in Lebanon, and that more than condemnation might be under consideration, in concert with other countries.
Just pay Chirac off and have him blame Syria. Posted by Orrin Judd at February 15, 2005 6:28 AM
Offer TotalElfFina a chance to get back in on Iraqi oil contracts and that shouldn't be hard to do.
Posted by: John at February 15, 2005 7:48 AMChirac, whose political base includes a significant bloc of people concerned about protecting Francophone Lebanese Maronites, is compelled to take a tough stand on Lebanon and at least pose on our side for the nonce.
The interesting thing will be who opposes us at the UN since the French cannot and the PRC needs the bucks from Western trade and the British won't, because Blair is tied to the WOT. That leaves Russia and it is intriguing to wonder just how suicidal and/or delusional Putin may actually have become.
Posted by: Bart at February 15, 2005 7:49 AMWhy ask the UN and give Putin the chance?
Posted by: Luciferous at February 15, 2005 2:49 PM