Mechanics of a Ceasefire
Mechanics of a Ceasefire
Israel just announced yesterday (July 31) and re-neged a 48 hour aerial attack ceasefire. Under the laws of war a ceasefire when negotiated -- as a truce- - cannot be used for miltary advantage (other then as a respite) - -in the classic form: to fire on combatants or non-combantats waiving a flag of truce is a war crime.
Israel's aerial curteillage was unilateral. Unfortunately, Israel curtailed it when a tank was attacked by Lebanese [Hezbollah are referenced as Lebanese as well here] and the aerial ceasefire ended.
It was a small start -- and ceasefires can begin with such military steps ; eventually reaching a status quo ante-bellum. Air attacks can cease; joined by cessations of sea attacks and blockades; major reliefs can begin for civilians; ground attacks can be localized and reduced; then halted.
Israel! - for peace -- just to do it.
Instead with Anglo-American encouragaement -imputed by inaction & arms supply - Israel has hypothesized a safer ploy of attacking and attaining ground -- which she intends to deliver in relief to a United Nations peace-keeping force. The Anglo-American wait (despite Tony Blair's recent call for a UN ceasefire resolution [move one for Gods sake British!!] -- may well be collusive with Israel's approach. As Israelis know - the ground taken and yielded is never Israeli territory.
Only a peacetime investigation can determine this .. and political heads will roll if true.
Lastly, as moralists and honest analysts will note -- over-reactivity and militarism start wars, not border skirmishes. Due to the itchy Israeli trigger finger - - the DMZ -- and a no-fly zone must lie equilaterally across the Israeli-Lebanon border.
Syria is again commended for her restraint-and refuguees magnanimity. It would be a shallow tactic to bait her into war rather than improve relations by diplomacy.
CEASEFIRE to save lives .. diplomacy would follow to keep a peace.
A CEASEFIRE is an ARMISTICE -- not a diplomatic political peace.
Reading the Israeli position as favorable to the Republican party in Congress or President Bush in the fall's American elections would be de wrong at this time. Most committed voters are educated and see the war-course as wrong -- and Bush doesn't need the saddle of the Israeli war and its camp with the unresolved Iraqi re-construction. Voter sympathies are with killed and injured Lebanese and the Lebanese nation --as well as with the war-decieved Israeli voting electorate.
---- about this blogger -- my profile is posted here at the blog -- my background includes an undergraduate and graduate education in international relations as well as a degree in law.
Israel just announced yesterday (July 31) and re-neged a 48 hour aerial attack ceasefire. Under the laws of war a ceasefire when negotiated -- as a truce- - cannot be used for miltary advantage (other then as a respite) - -in the classic form: to fire on combatants or non-combantats waiving a flag of truce is a war crime.
Israel's aerial curteillage was unilateral. Unfortunately, Israel curtailed it when a tank was attacked by Lebanese [Hezbollah are referenced as Lebanese as well here] and the aerial ceasefire ended.
It was a small start -- and ceasefires can begin with such military steps ; eventually reaching a status quo ante-bellum. Air attacks can cease; joined by cessations of sea attacks and blockades; major reliefs can begin for civilians; ground attacks can be localized and reduced; then halted.
Israel! - for peace -- just to do it.
Instead with Anglo-American encouragaement -imputed by inaction & arms supply - Israel has hypothesized a safer ploy of attacking and attaining ground -- which she intends to deliver in relief to a United Nations peace-keeping force. The Anglo-American wait (despite Tony Blair's recent call for a UN ceasefire resolution [move one for Gods sake British!!] -- may well be collusive with Israel's approach. As Israelis know - the ground taken and yielded is never Israeli territory.
Only a peacetime investigation can determine this .. and political heads will roll if true.
Lastly, as moralists and honest analysts will note -- over-reactivity and militarism start wars, not border skirmishes. Due to the itchy Israeli trigger finger - - the DMZ -- and a no-fly zone must lie equilaterally across the Israeli-Lebanon border.
Syria is again commended for her restraint-and refuguees magnanimity. It would be a shallow tactic to bait her into war rather than improve relations by diplomacy.
CEASEFIRE to save lives .. diplomacy would follow to keep a peace.
A CEASEFIRE is an ARMISTICE -- not a diplomatic political peace.
Reading the Israeli position as favorable to the Republican party in Congress or President Bush in the fall's American elections would be de wrong at this time. Most committed voters are educated and see the war-course as wrong -- and Bush doesn't need the saddle of the Israeli war and its camp with the unresolved Iraqi re-construction. Voter sympathies are with killed and injured Lebanese and the Lebanese nation --as well as with the war-decieved Israeli voting electorate.
---- about this blogger -- my profile is posted here at the blog -- my background includes an undergraduate and graduate education in international relations as well as a degree in law.
posted by scotty of course at 11:43 PM
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