Annan Watch

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has referred to the killing of three (and what will most likely be four) UN personnel by an Israeli air strike as deliberate. Annan made this statement before any investigation had been carried out. Israeli reaction was quick and as one would expect: an apology for the accident and a vow to investigate what had happened.

So why does Annan rush to judgment? Allow me to point out two reasons. First, Annan is fishing. He's desperate. He wants to create a ceasefire so that a) Israel will not be able to destroy Hezbollah and so thatb) the "New Middle East", as described by U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice will not come into being.

Apparently, Annan likes the Middle East of Old. Annan's rush for a cease fire may be the result of misunderstanding his role. Ensuring quiet (which is quite different from Peace), Chamberlin-style, is not the same as ensuring peace. Promoting moral equivalency does not make people of the world more equal. It gives terrorists more footing.

A few days ago a UNIFL soldier in Southern Lebanon was shot and wounded. He was rushed to an Israeli hospital for treatment. I didn't hear anything from Annan about that one. Did any of you?


Photo source: http://focusonjerusalem.com/annan.jpg
Photo source:http://www.israel-wat.com/kofi.jpg