Bush has no patience for Bashar

I'm just going to paste this one without commentary. Blame my cold, or my own patience running out.

US President George W. Bush on Thursday ruled out direct talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying his "patience ran out" on the Syrian leader "a long time ago."

"So if he's listening, he doesn't need a phone call, he knows exactly what my position is," Bush said at a year-end press conference, after being asked whether he would talk to Assad to work on ending Lebanon's political crisis.

"My patience ran out on President Assad a long time ago, and the reason why is because he houses Hamas, he facilitates Hezbollah, suiciders go from his country into Iraq and he destabilizes Lebanon," said Bush.

The president said he was particularly vexed by what he said were Syria's continued alleged efforts to foment instability in Lebanon, despite having withdrawn troops from there in April 2005.

"It is very important that Lebanon's democracy succeed," Bush said.

"I worked with the French to get Syria out of Lebanon, and Syria needs to stay out of Lebanon. Syria needs to let the process in Lebanon work."...

"I appreciate the sides trying to work on a common ground for a president, but if they can't come for agreement, then the world ought to say this: that the March 14th coalition can run their candidate in their parliament, majority- plus one ought to determine who the president is, and when that happens, the world ought to embrace the president."

Comments

[danny]

I'll repeat what I had said before. No prez, no new cabinet until IT established. Once done if clAouny orangehead agrees than a new prez by 2/3, otherwise 50+1....I'll never give that up as I think that's the only option if March 14 does not want to capitulate...Unfortunately more bombings and assasinations will be in the offing!!

[Bad Vilbel]

Yeah, we've already heard that Bush and Sarkozy and a million other people have run out of patience with Bashar. Forgive me for being skeptical that this time is any different.

I don't expect the international community to fight our wars for us, mind you, but I'm tired of them threatening Bashar and then doing nothing about it. Just STFU already.

Didn't Sarkozy threaten to "reveal all" last weekend, if there was no election? Where's he now? Not a peep.

[Super Dude]

From the previous post:

"Something is cooking! Bush at a press ocnference said that he would support an election by 50+1. This sounds like a green light to M14 to go ahead and prepare for that eventuality."

Something is up? Really? NOT! The US has supported a 50% + 1 vote since the beginning. The US has never changed its position. Not once. Ever.

When does the great conspiracy end? There is no Lebanese President elected by 50% + 1 because M14 has been dicking around looking for some alternative way out and playing footsie with its French daddy.

Posted by: fubar | Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 08:27 PM

Yes, and these comments came during question period of the president's year-end conference. He was stating his position, not giving green lights or head nods to anyone.

The only thing cooking are the brain cells in the heads of the Lebanese.

Everything has to big a big 'conspirational tabkha'.

[Bad Vilbel]

yup. I am convinced the Lebanese are the most "conspiracy theory" driven people that ever existed on the face of the planet.

We LAUGH at all the JFK conspiracy theories! That's small potatoes compared to the stuff we cook up in our overheated brains.

[marillionlb]

What brain? The one that tell s you that it is OK to be in Gemayze so pissed drunk that you puke your guts outon the side walk? the one that tells you you should camp out in down town for more than a year and screw the business in the area? The brain that tells you to follow the Orange Demaneted General? Or the brain that tells you that you should put the veil on your wife and daughters (for a cash return) join a bunch fo thugs and shout "bil rouh bil dam nifdik ya bashar". Get real, WHAT BRAIN?

[Hazbani]

Gentlemen.
In all these politics there are some more important things. In the Journal of Medieval History 33 (2007)147-165. was published an article: The Italian quarters of Frnkish Tyre: mapping a medieval city.
Using old documents a schematic map of parts of medieval Tyre were plotted. Knowing medieval cities I am quite sure some of it is still there. Some body may have good time going there and trying to see what can be found. A group will do much better. Enjoy.

[Andre]

Bush has said if both sides in Lebanon cannot agree on the presidency, the majority could proceed to a majority-plus one vote to elect a new president who would then be recognized by the international community. This is not just stating his position but he is also insinuating that if everything else fails that the majority needs to consider 50+1...that is more like a signal to go ahead with it since it looks like everything else has failed. That is clear. The problem though is that M14 is not united around this formula nor does Patriarch Sfeir approve of it either so it does not seem likely to happen. Welch's visit may have sought to provide guarantees of support. Either way, this move will trigger a counter move by the opposition (Syria/Iran) which will not be in the interest of anyone and M14 knows it too well. This is called an impasse in the pure sense of the word!

[Bad Vilbel]

no. Andre. It is not called an impasse. It is called "majority rules". Which is the basic tenets of all democracies. It is also called "exercising the constitution", as opposed to drumming up bizarre alternative formulas that have no basis in law.

Let the opposition counter all they want. I don't see the problem there. It's not like there's anything left to lose. The opposition is blocking any sort of progress towards a functional state anyway.

[Bad Vilbel]

Well, someone finally came out and said it, without laying blame on foreign meddling, or conspiracy theories:

Lebanon's Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir said in his Christmas message on Friday that the Lebanese have destroyed their democratic system.

"We have destroyed our democratic system and the freedom that has been granted to us, (the freedom) that we cannot find in countries around us," Sfeir said.

"The presidency is lost and we have not been able to elect a head of state for the first time in the history of the republic, Parliament has been crippled for more than a year and the government is amputated with some (cabinet) ministers abstaining from carrying out their duties," he added.

(From YaLibnan)

[Andre]

Bad Vilbel,

I do not believe that M14 will call for majority plus one anytime soon despite the fact that it is in their rights to do so. There are too many factors that complicate this process and it is not a unanimous option for M14 at this time either. The only alternative that the majority is willing to try now is through the constitutional amendment process and it looks like Siniora will move in the direction of preparing an amendment to send to Berri...where will this lead to? You guessed it.

[danny]

BV,

You are right. Andre, March 14 will stop running around like a chicken with no head on...After IT is established you WILL see a prez with 50+1. This is democracy Andre not a pot luck dinner party. Call their bluff and let the HA segregate Shiites if they so wish. It's all bound to explode in their faces!!
We need a courageous few to make a decision. March 2008 seems to be the target date!!

[marillionlb]

Judging by all the dribble coming out of our dear M14 leaders, it sure seems to me that 50+1 is no longer even on the back burner; it is now safely tucked away somewhere far far away (in lalaland). Maybe everybody is waiting for more weapons to come so that if one day they find the courage to do so they will be more prepared to face the reaction of the Yellow and Orange wave of destruction.
As for Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, he always wakes up a tad too late. He would be better off taking care of the needy within his flock than dealing with politicians.

[Bad Vilbel]

Well, needless to say, I was correct in not holding my breath with regards to the "threats" from Paris and Washington....Heh.