If There Weren't An Impossible-To-Follow Conspiracy Theory, It Wouldn't Be Lebanon

Tim Cavanaugh | March 2, 2005

Our pals at the National Review will be pleased though unsurprised to learn that Rafiq Hariri was actually done in by our oldest enemy! From the article "Why France killed al-Hariri":

Accordingly the French tried to establish a strong opposition to both Hariri and Lahoud with its own man in France, Michel Aoun. But on Wednesday, February 9th, the exiled former army commander was informed that he would not be allowed back into Lebanon until May - after the parliamentary elections. Thus the delay of his trial by the Lebanese government was a deliberate ploy by the U.S. to thwart any potential French aspirations. This also came when after only a few days prior Aoun had held talks with the Beirut candidate and member of the Christian opposition Qornet Shehwan and the Gathering's Gebran Tueni to discuss opposition alliances for the elections. Stated Aoun, "We are definitely making efforts to have a joint opposition list in Achrafieh, Beirut, with Tueni, in addition to nationwide lists with all the opposition." Thus it was apparent that the French were planning a serious attempt at retrieving some influence within Lebanon. In an indirect response to this attempt Condoleeza Rice commented during a Paris News conference on Saturday February 12th, "It is not acceptable that Syria would continue to be a place from which terrorists are funded and helped to destroy the very fragile peace process in the Middle East or to change the dynamics of events in Lebanon." The latter part of this comment was a clear warning to the French not to interfere within Lebanon's internal situation...but the French had other ideas.

Al-Hariri's assassination by France was aimed at preventing the American plans for a U.S. loyal opposition group and instead paving the way forward for a French faction to take the lead in the fight against the U.S. Lahoud government. Only days after the assassination former prime minister Gen. Michel Aoun audaciously announced from France, that he would return from exile before the parliamentary elections to launch his own candidacy. Even on the day of the assassination Jaques Chirac instantly called for an international investigation swiftly before the U.S. or the U.N had made any official comment. It was apparent that the French desperately wanted to internationalize the situation thus focusing on the remaining opposition groups in Lebanon (who still have strong links to the French) and the sectarian rifts within Lebanon. In response the U.S. tried hard not to make any official accusations and played down the 'international investigation' by referring the matter to the United Nations knowing that making the issue boil over would only re-emerge sectarian differences the U.S. had tried so hard to resolve.

Whole article here, and while I don't recommend it, it did bring up two interesting questions: What's up with good ol' General Aoun, and when can we expect some word from the murder investigation?

Comments

|3.2.05 @ 8:08PM|#

Too bad Jean Bart isn't here. He'd leap to the defense of France, no doubt.

|3.2.05 @ 8:38PM|#

Investigation? It looks as though they haven't even finished pulling bodies from the rubble.

|3.2.05 @ 8:59PM|#

According to this article the UN team was finally visiting the site.

"The body was discovered as a newly arrived UN fact-finding team taking part in the investigation was visiting the site."

|3.2.05 @ 9:03PM|#

thoreau,

Well, the FSN Var is on its way to Lebanon.

|3.2.05 @ 9:08PM|#

Worry not, thoreau, I'm sure Jean Bart is still with us in one way or another...

*ahem*

|3.2.05 @ 9:09PM|#

BTW, instead of making these articles blog entries, why not just make them articles?

|3.2.05 @ 9:10PM|#

crimethhink,

As is that theocrat-wannabe crimethink (unfortunately).

|3.2.05 @ 9:29PM|#

*crap*

crimethhink,

As is also true of that theocrat-wannabe crimethink (unfortunately).

|3.2.05 @ 9:52PM|#

Mr. Crimethhhhhink, tear down this church wall!

|3.2.05 @ 9:59PM|#

Why are there quotation marks around 'Israel' throughout the article?

|3.2.05 @ 10:00PM|#

Ronald Reagunnels,

Shit, if I could just get them to stop taking my money via government taxation to spread their cause I'd be happy. :)

|3.3.05 @ 1:45AM|#

Worry not, thoreau, I'm sure Jean Bart is still with us in one way or another...

As is Unborn Angel, no doubt ;->

And Rick Santorum. Right Rick?

Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)|3.3.05 @ 1:46AM|#

You betcha!

|3.3.05 @ 2:38AM|#

thoreau,

Well, we know that you're not still with us. Your doppelganger having bumped you off and all.

|3.3.05 @ 3:54AM|#

Tim,

BTW, did you notice that Hal Lindsey is writing for "World Net Daily?"

You got to read his article! He predicted - in 1969 - greater European integration! :)


Did you ever see the episode of Bullshit that feature this asshole? :)

|3.3.05 @ 3:58AM|#

Somehow the idea of a Lebanon secretly controlled by France...doesn't bother me at all.

I read the H&R post, and it didn't make any sense to me. I read the comments, and they make less sense. I might try the links tomorrow...maybe not.

|3.3.05 @ 5:49AM|#

The latter part of this comment was a clear warning to the French not to interfere within Lebanon's internal situation...

I don't see the connection.

|3.3.05 @ 6:22AM|#

Gary Gunnels,

What, pray tell, did my post have to do with you? ;-)

|3.3.05 @ 6:48AM|#

crimethink,

Didn't you know? I always give a shout out to mye theopcrat wannabe friends. ;-)

|3.3.05 @ 7:29AM|#

GG,

You may just want to consider using Spell Check today - looks like you're having a spot of trouble.

|3.3.05 @ 7:55AM|#

thoreau,

Didn't you hear the happy news? Unborn Angel is now Born Angel!

|3.3.05 @ 8:00AM|#

Solitudinarian,

I am writing a forty page draft, a ten page draft, reading Heidegger (again!), working on a direct and re-direct of an expert witness and blogging. That, and I am trying to finish the last season of Angel; Spike is kicking that ponce Angel's ass. :)

Anyway, something has to give man. :)

|3.3.05 @ 8:03AM|#

Unborn Angel?

Solitudinarian,

I do love my wireless keyboard though. :)

|3.3.05 @ 8:20AM|#

Spike is kicking that ponce Angel's ass. :) - G.G.

OK, so we've namechecked Unborn Angel, Born Angel and Undead Angel!

Kevin