Beirut asks: "What is terrorism?"

[the populist]

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/854F5DE3-FC2D-4059-8907-7954937F4B6C.htm

Beirut wants 'terrorism' defined


Monday 12 January 2004, 21:51 Makka Time, 18:51 GMT


Lahoud (R) says it's unacceptable for superpowers to impose their




Lebanese President Emile Lahoud has called for an international definition of terrorism, extending beyond that given to it by the United States.



"It is not enough to declare war on what one deems terrorism without giving a precise and exact definition," Lahoud said in a meeting with foreign diplomats on Monday.

He also said it was unacceptable for states to offer their own definition in the absence of an international interpretation, alluding to the United States, which has accused Lebanon of harbouring terrorists.

"It is likewise unacceptable for the world's big powers to impose their concepts and definitions of this term on weaker countries," added the president.

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has reportedly raised the possibility of sending special forces to the Syrian-controlled Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon "to apprehend terrorists."

Washington regards the Lebanese resistance group Hizb Allah, which spearheaded efforts to oust Israeli forces from south Lebanon following a 22-year occupation in May 2000, as a "terrorist" group. The group rejects the accusation.

Double standards

The Lebanese president also criticised "the application of double standards" in the Middle East.

"Israel occupies Arab territory, kills and massacres, and increases the number of its settlements ... possesses weapons of mass destruction and rejects all resolutions drawn up under international law.

"And, moreover, it has the audacity to claim it is fighting what it calls Palestinian terror, while the international community says nothing," said Lahoud.

Syria, the main power-broker in Lebanon, called last year for an international conference on terrorism to define the term.

[DuctapeFatwa]

1. terrorism is any resistance or opposition to the bush or sharon regimes

[the populist]

3. That's what it looks like. n/t

[Muddleoftheroad]

2. True terror

Is Syria trying to define what terror really means.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

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[Jackie97]

8. Oh good, Muddle....

Since it's true terror for Syria to define what terror really means, then it must also be true terror for the US and Israel to define it by their own terms.

[Muddleoftheroad]

10. Not anywhere close

But thanks for playing.

[sushi]

5. How can one disagree

with President Lahoud of Lebanon? One would be a total idiot not to know that double standards apply. It's ridiculous that some leaders in the west expect the world to agree with their definition of terrorism.

[Muddleoftheroad]

6. LOL

I would disagree with the Syrian puppet in Lebanon if he told me the sky was blue.

[sushi]

9. That doesn't surprise me at all,

coming from you! If Hamid Karzai, the other puppet speaks, you'd agree, I'm sure, with whatever he says.

[Muddleoftheroad]

11. I never agree with anyone 100%

Disagreeing is much more straightforward.

Frankly, I doubt if I agree with myself 100%.

[sushi]

12. I might not agree with

something else President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon has said, but in this case I do.

[JohnLocke]

13. Well said!

[dudeness]

7. two forms

1. terrorism...atrocities such as sucide bombers

2. terrorism..state sanctioned..nicaragua..east timor..afghanistan ..etc etc..

each type feeds the other..