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It's All In The Timing
8.5.2007
By Gerald A. Honigman, eKurd.net Contributing Writer
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May 8, 2007
I'm a reasonable sort of guy...really.
I'm all for logic, exchange of ideas, and so forth.
In fact, I'm often accused of being too
loquacious...if you know what I mean (my publishers
certainly do).
Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice was at Sharm
el-Sheikh on May 3rd attending an international
what-to-do-about-Iraq conference. The Syrians have
been pressing for better ties with the United
States--ties soured due to their murderous
shenanigans in Lebanon and Iraq contrary to
Washington's desires.
Notice I left out their actions involving Israel.
Not an accident...
Secretary Rice met with her Syrian counterpart,
Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, the first
high-level contact in a few years. This marked a
turnaround from the previous approach which required
a change in Syrian behavior first. |
Gerald A. Honigman is a Florida educator who has done extensive
doctoral studies in Middle Eastern Affairs. He has created and
conducted counter-Arab propaganda programs for college youth, has
lectured on numerous campuses and other platforms, and has publicly
debated many Arab spokesmen. His articles and op-eds have been
published in dozens of newspapers, magazines, academic journals and
websites all around the world. |
While this was recommended earlier by the
Baker-Hamilton Commission (see
http://www.britanniaradio.co.uk/?q=node/375 ),
it had largely been placed by the Bush
administration onto the backburner until a marked
change in Syrian behavior was forthcoming.
The Syrians or their local stooges have been
eliminating one Lebanese leader and patriot after
another who dared oppose Damascus's vision of
Lebanon as being merely its western province.
Additionally, good evidence points to Syria as being
the haven for both Saddam's missing WMDs and
"militants" crossing the border into Iraq..
So, Washington has good reason to be miffed.
But, as I said above, what's wrong with a chat?
In theory, perhaps nothing...
But in this case the logical outcome of such
dialogue is indeed a problem.
The mid-19th century British Prime Minister, Lord
Palmerston, once said something to the effect that
nations don't have permanent friends...just
interests. Keep this in mind.
The New York Times report about Rice's meeting
quoted American officials as stating that they do
not plan to trade away Lebanon for Syria's help in
Iraq. As State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack,
put it, "The Lebanese people have no better friend
than the United States."
Now, who could find fault with that statement?
Certainly not me.
But here's the problem...
The State Department has long known what carrot of
choice would be used at the proper moment--and it
ain't Lebanon.
As I had written much earlier, despite Syria's
deadly hegemonic attitudes and actions towards what
it sees as its Lebanese "province;" despite its
appalling treatment of Kurds, native Jews, and
others; despite its support for terrorists
undermining Iraq's attempt at democracy; despite the
great likelihood that many of Saddam's weapons of
mass destruction found their way to Syria; despite
Damascus' support of major terrorist organizations
whose aim is the destruction of the Israel and
giving safe haven to those organizations within its
own borders; despite its record as mass slaughterer
of any and all who decent, author of the infamous "Hama
Solution;" etc., etc., and so forth...America would
be squeezing the Jews right now--not the Syrians--
if circumstances were just a bit different.
You see, it's Israel--not Lebanon--who the Foggy
Folks have in mind as the main sacrificial offering.
Keep in mind that not long ago Israel had suggested,
itself, that it wanted to resume negotiations with
Syria--the nation which, along with Iran, used
Hizbullah last summer in a proxy war against
Jerusalem.
The Foggy Folks demanded that the Jews not do this.
The time was not yet ripe as far as America--or
least the State Department--was concerned.
To hell with what the Jews felt their own, on the
scene and in the bull's eye interests required.
But now, things have taken continuous turns for the
worse in Iraq--despite Washington's honorable
efforts. Any "progress" will most likely not survive
an American withdrawal.
So now, it's time to bring out the icing on the cake
as far as Syria is concerned...
Former Secretary of State James Baker III pledged to
Assad I, butcher of Damascus, during George I's
administration, a total Israeli withdrawal from the
Golan Heights.
George II made Baker, Bush close family friend and
quail hunting partner (whose law firm represents the
Saudis and other Arabs as well), his Special Middle
East Envoy. Baker has worked behind the scenes for
decades--among other things, taking good care of all
of his and his buddies' lucrative Arab petrodollar
connections (Condi even has an oil tanker named for
her in the Chevron fleet). Additionaly, Baker has a
most definite Jew problem as well (not that he's
unique--especially in the circles he hangs out in).
See
http://www.paktoday.com/honig9.htm for a
bit more about this.
Note that upon the breakup of the Ottoman Turkish
Empire after World War I, the Golan was part of the
original 1920 Mandate of Palestine until Britain and
France did some imperial trading. The territory had
changed hands often throughout the centuries. Jews
also had a long history here.
Recall how Syria used the Heights to rain death and
terror on Israelis below prior to the 1967
War--which it also largely instigated. And, in 1973,
Israel was attacked on its holiest day,Yom Kippur,
from the Syrian side of the Heights as well. This
time, the combined Arab assault almost succeeded in
Israel's destruction. Today, the Syrians have even
better weaponry and the same murderous intentions as
far as Jews are concerned.
Not long ago, an Israeli Prime Minister offered, as
was done after 1967, an almost complete return of
the Heights in exchange for true peace. The
exception would cover a tiny stretch of land
protecting Israel's water sources.
Think about what usually happens to such land when
others are attacked from it. Are the victims that
generous and understanding in the aftermath of wars
launched from those territories aimed at their very
destruction?
Think about how much territory--including land
acquired by the United States far away from
home--has changed hands this way...
Israel currently controls the passes Syrian tanks
would use to roll down hill to kill Jews. From the
Heights, Israeli artillery can send Assad II and
friends a calling card if need be. Right now Syrian
artillery and gunners can't do this anymore to Jews.
And right now Israel is assured that an enemy sworn
to its death will not be in control of its water
supply.
That's what's at stake with America's forthcoming
new approach with Syria.
What would America do with such an enemy (need I
ask)?
A key element in Baker's recent Commission's plan
involved the resurrection of his old idea to appease
Arab dictators--in this case Syrian ones--at the
Jews' expense.
Numerous politicians and military experts who have
visited the Golan and have seen what Israel is up
against have said that a complete Israeli withdawal
from an area so vital to its security--given the
nature of the enemy it faces, in particular--is both
unreasonable and suicidal.
Those who hold that a return of the Golan to Syria
will bring peace are the fools' fools.
But, in the State Departments's case, foolishness
has nothing to do with it.
The Foggy Folks know the Syrians very well. So, it's
even worse.
No friends...just interests.
The ball is now in Israel's court.
Olmert and his suicidal gang must go.
New elections are a must, and Israel must,
unfortunately, once again learn how to say "no" when
its own vital interests are at stake...even if it
must say it to its best friend.
Too bad another American President has allowed it to
come to this point.
Others, like Ronald Reagan, understood that U. N.
Security Council Resolution 242 did not expect
Israel to withdraw to its 1949 Auschwitz/armistice
lines and was entitled to secure and defensible
borders. Reasonable compromise was the ticket.
Unfortunately, George II, by apparently allowing the
State Department (which opposed Israel's rebirth in
the first place) to once again have its way with the
Jew of the Nations--is proving Lord Palmerston right
once again.
He had many of us fooled.
Copyright by Gerald A. Honigman, honigman6 (at) msn.com .
Gerald A. Honigman is a Florida educator who has
done extensive doctoral studies in Middle Eastern
Affairs. He has created and conducted counter-Arab
propaganda programs for college youth, has lectured
on numerous campuses and other platforms, and has
publicly debated many Arab spokesmen. His articles
and op-eds have been published in dozens of
newspapers, magazines, academic journals and
websites all around the world. Visit his
website at
http://www.geraldahonigman.com/
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