Can Pats On The Back Make Any Difference?

Condolleeza Rice, Nicolas Sarkozi & the United Nations are all talking about supporting Lebanon. Do their actions measure up?

It seems natural for Prime Minister Seniora to feel all puffed up after meeting the American Secretary of State Condi Rice and having launch with the new French President Mr. Sarkozy. After all, it never hurts to hear that the international community “reiterates its support” (can you remember how many time you heard that expression before?) for the legitimate Lebanese Government.

Paris was also good politically for March14. Alhayat reported yesterday that Dr. Rice convinced Mr. Sarkozy to remain close to March14 and and stop treating all the Lebanese parties as equal. That lead to Sanioura’s comments which underplayed the significance of the Paris meeting between the Lebanese groups scheduled for mid-July. Ms Rice also convinced the French President of hardening France’s policy on Damascus.

The United Nation is also talking of “upgrading” the Lebanese border security system by spreading “international experts” along the borders.

Yet as much as support is important, the United Nations (or the French and Americans for the matter) have not mentioned any action to be taken in case Syria was offended by those experts and completely shut down the Lebanese-Syrian border. 

The Lebanese Government and the International community could do well by lobbying the Turks, the Iraqis and the Jordanians to credibly threaten closing their borders with Syria in case Syria takes that road. The World Trade Organization should also be involved in warning Syria from cutting off a member country. 

Those are all areas where the muscles of the International community could really come in Handy..