Celebrations of liberation from terrorist networks that elevate the populous in their victory is mandatory and a place for USA Peacekeepers. When civilians are this successful it cannot be understated. All those that have perished before they can mark an anniversary of overcoming adversity of infiltration have a place within that celebration and live forever in the memory of their countrymen. But, it has to be right and correct for the people of that nation, not a propaganda campaign that will eventually be undone by 'the truth.' An example of such a dramatic return of 'the truth' is the overthrow of the Shah of Iran and the return of a minority religious lineage intended to promote the survival of the Shia.
By Scheherezade Faramarzi
ASSOCIATED PRESS
11:47 a.m. April 13, 2007
BEIRUT, Lebanon – The bullet-scarred bus sat rusting in the spring rain, on display for all to see what triggered Lebanon's 15-year civil war.
Christian gunmen ambushed the bus as it carried Palestinians on April 13, 1975, sparking reprisals that spiraled into warfare between Lebanon's Christians and Muslims, killing 150,000 people.
On Friday's anniversary of the war's start, the bus became the centerpiece of a commemoration ceremony. Someone had scribbled “No to civil war,” on a white board hung amid photos of the death and destruction. “I love Lebanon,” another contributor wrote.
Lebanon is as divided today as it was 32 years ago. Threats of another civil war loom over this small Mediterranean nation, home to 18 religious sects. The country has been paralyzed since November by a power struggle pitting Western-backed Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, who is supported by many Sunni Muslims, against the opposition, led by pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah.
Upholding international standards of peace and benevolence is not only mandated when the USA commits Peacekeepers to such efforts but only serves to stabilize the international venue of authority. An international authority that needs to be unshakeable in it's resolve to peace and nuclear disarmament with enforcement of The Non-Proliferation Treaty. There have been dearly few examples of failed international stabilizing efforts by the United Nations. Even the much maligned Iraq Oil for Food Program proved to be a substantial effort in the success of disarming a despot and genocidist that Saddam Hussein had proven to be.
Most First World countries have lent esteem to processes of trials and punishment rather than retribution through violence such as al Qaeda claims to be as a liberation tool. The appreciation of First World processes comes when a society can claim benevolence from such efforts achieved by Peacekeepers 'on the street.'
Top UN lawyer to push for Hariri tribunal on Lebanon visit
[JURIST] UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [official profile] announced [statement] Friday that he is dispatching UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs Nicholas Michel [official profile] to assist the Lebanese government and "the country's other political leaders to end their political impasse and set up a special tribunal as soon as possible" to bring the suspected plotters behind the high-profile assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri [JURIST news archive]. In February, the UN and Lebanon reached an agreement to establish the international Hariri tribunal [JURIST news archive], however, its implementation has been delayed in Lebanon's deeply fragmented parliament. Lebanon's pro-Syrian parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri [official profile] of the mostly Shi'a Amal Movement [party website, in Arabic] has refused to convene parliament, preventing the ratification of the agreement.
