Sharon hints military action possible to prevent Lebanon diversion of Hatzbani River

[L@mplighterM]

Sep. 10, 2002
Report: Sharon hints military action possible to prevent Lebanon diversion of Hatzbani River
By THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF AND ASSOCIATED PRESS


Prime Minister Ariel Sharon hinted today he would weigh military action to prevent Lebanon from diverting a southern river which flows into Israel's main reservoir, Lake Kinneret, Army Radio reports.

Sharon told the cabinet that Lebanon's plan to divert the waters of the Hatzbani River are a "casus belli" for Israel, the report says.

Transportation Minister Ephraim Sneh said Sharon discussed the matter with top officers, adding, "this is a most serious thing and we have to find a good and enlightened way to put an end to it."

Lebanon has been under international pressure to drop the project as a threat to Israel's water supply, according to foreign reports.

After several years of drought, Israel and other nations in the region are facing a severe water shortage. Water is scarce in much of the desert-dominated Mideast in the best of circumstances.


http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...=1031666131673



I believe that diverting the course of a river without prior consultation with the country that it’s going to effect is paramount to an act of war.

[Layton]

I believe that diverting the course of a river without prior consultation with the country that it’s going to effect is paramount to an act of war.

Hard to say really. Lebanon needs the water just as much as Israel, so its understandable that they are going to use some of it before it goes into Israel.

And Im sure there are rivers going out of Israel and into other countries, does that mean Israel cant use the water in these rivers? I dont think so...

[L@mplighterM]

Originally posted by Layton


Hard to say really. Lebanon needs the water just as much as Israel, so its understandable that they are going to use some of it before it goes into Israel.

And Im sure there are rivers going out of Israel and into other countries, does that mean Israel cant use the water in these rivers? I dont think so...

I don’t think that Israel is enjoying undying support from the international community still this same body is pressuring Lebanon to change its mind. Why?

I still maintain that diverting a river translates into an act of war.

[I am David]

Originally posted by Manuel


Be careful of what you post around here, you'll be labelled an anti-Semite by this bunch of ignorant fools. If you want real discussion, not just a bunch of blind propaganda, I suggest you go to another board.

I'm sorry but we are neither ignorant or biased (generally speaking). We don't need baised or false inormation to prove the pro-Israelis side right because Israel is naturally right in this situation. Meaning the facts are in favor of Israel. Unfortunatly for them, this is not the case for Palesinian supporters.

Are we ignorant and baised simply because we disagree with you? Does that fact automatically prove us "wrong" and "ignorant"? Because judging from what you said, I think most here can agree that that is only what can logically be deduced from your post.

[Vic]

Originally posted by Layton
And Im sure there are rivers going out of Israel and into other countries, does that mean Israel cant use the water in these rivers? I dont think so...

Take a look at a detailed physical map. There are none.

[L@mplighterM]

snip:

Sep. 14, 2002
Lebanon says decision to divert water from shared river is final
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Despite Israeli military threats, Lebanon will pump water from a shared border river for its southern villages, President Emile Lahoud said Saturday.

"Lebanon's decision to benefit from the Wazzani River's waters to irrigate its parched land and villages in the south is final and irreversible," Lahoud said of the underway project to divert water from the Hazbani and Wazzani rivers, that flow from Lebanon into the Kineret.


http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...=1031666180149

[NewsGuy]

According to Israeli military and political sources, diverting the water was initiated by Hizbullah in an effort to "heat up" Israel's Northern border.

Syria is said to have given its full backing to Hizbullah and apparently has dictated the party line to the Lebanese puppet PM Lahoud.

[L@mplighterM]

According to the same article Israel handed over control of the water in May of 2002.

Wonder if some sort of treaty or agreement is in place that deals with this matter? The reason that I suspect this is because Israel appears to have support from the world community for their position.


Israel had full control over the Hazbani and Wazzani waters during its 18-year occupation of a southern Lebanon border zone that ended in May 2000. The rivers converge in a gorge on the Lebanese side of the border, but their waters flow into northern Israel and the Kineret, Israel's largest water reserir.


http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satell...d=1031666180149

[ibrodsky]

Originally posted by L@mplighterM
According to the same article Israel handed over control of the water in May of 2002.

Wonder if some sort of treaty or agreement is in place that deals with this matter? The reason that I suspect this is because Israel appears to have support from the world community for their position.

Yes, there is a treaty and the Lebanese puppet gov't has simply decided to violate it. They didn't make any attempt to discuss it, either.

Clearly, this is being done as a provocation--not because they suddenly realized that south Lebanon needs more water.

And even Israel's leading dove Shimon Peres agrees it is a provocation. That tells you there is no possible way to view it otherwise.

[Mr. Pumps]

If Turkey has water, but not enough to help herself as well, why not get water from Iceland. They has a neverending supply of water and are about as isolated as can get.

[L@mplighterM]

Originally posted by ibrodsky


Yes, there is a treaty and the Lebanese puppet gov't has simply decided to violate it. They didn't make any attempt to discuss it, either.

Clearly, this is being done as a provocation--not because they suddenly realized that south Lebanon needs more water.

And even Israel's leading dove Shimon Peres agrees it is a provocation. That tells you there is no possible way to view it otherwise.

The second that they divert the water it becomes an act of war. A few months ago I read that Israel had been ready to attack Syria but had backed off at the insistence of the US.

It now appears that Syria has spurred Hizbullah on to dictate orders to the Lebanese Government to divert the water.

We all know that Hama, Tanzim, Hizbullah, etc are the same fellows just different names. I wonder how much Iraq is behind this game?

It would certainly be in Iraq’s interest to get Israel and Lebanon in a confrontation because it would definitely equate to more support for Iraq from the Arab/Muslim world.

During the Gulf war scuds were launched into Israel from Iraq as an attempt to provoke Israel so it would join the war. The purpose of Iraq’s action was to initiate a Jihad by the whole Arab/Muslim world against Israel and NATO/US.

So this water diversion could be viewed as a preemptive action initiated by Iraq to further erode support for the US proposed action against that country.

[L@mplighterM]

Originally posted by Mr. Pumps
If Turkey has water, but not enough to help herself as well, why not get water from Iceland. They has a neverending supply of water and are about as isolated as can get.

How do you propose getting the water from Iceland to Israel?

In any event Iceland isn't an iceberg somewhere in the North Atlantic.

[ibrodsky]

Originally posted by L@mplighterM

The second that they divert the water it becomes an act of war. A few months ago I read that Israel had been ready to attack Syria but had backed off at the insistence of the US.

It now appears that Syria has spurred Hizbullah on to dictate orders to the Lebanese Government to divert the water.

We all know that Hama, Tanzim, Hizbullah, etc are the same fellows just different names. I wonder how much Iraq is behind this game?

It would certainly be in Iraq’s interest to get Israel and Lebanon in a confrontation because it would definitely equate to more support for Iraq from the Arab/Muslim world.

During the Gulf war scuds were launched into Israel from Iraq as an attempt to provoke Israel so it would join the war. The purpose of Iraq’s action was to initiate a Jihad by the whole Arab/Muslim world against Israel and NATO/US.

So this water diversion could be viewed as a preemptive action initiated by Iraq to further erode support for the US proposed action against that country.

This touches on one of my frustrations re: the War on Terrorism. The U.S. and Britain could easily defeat the entire Arab terrorist world as long as sufficient resources were mustered. We should not let them intimidate us for one second by their threats of regional war. (Like their idol Hitler, they yearn for "total war.") It will bring total disaster down on their heads, and they know it.

Sooner or later, the U.S. has to go after Hezbollah. Personally, I think it might be wiser to land 50,000 troops in Lebanon, set up bases, and proceed to do away with Hezbollah and their Syrian Axis of Evil friends. Syria is a known state sponsor of terrorism, and occupies Lebanon illegally.

From there, it would be easy to go after Iraq. The only downside is that if Iraq is anywhere near having nukes, this would all have to be done very quickly. A quick knockout of two of the most sinister Arab regimes would quickly demoralize all Arab terrorists, and perhaps even create a backlash against them.

[L@mplighterM]

The first time that the weapons inspectors entered Iraq they were surprised to find that it was so technologically advanced in the production of weapons of mass production.

I'm certain that the Iraqis know how didn't go poof.

Sometimes early this year Iraq had purchased a substantial number (I think it was in the 1000's) of game modules speculations were that they were going to build a supercomputer. Computer technicians stated that it couldn't be done because the chips were the wrong kind. A supercomputer is required to simulate nuclear explosions.

Lately the news indicated that Iraq had attempted to purchase aluminum tubes that were to be used for centrifuges a component required to make a nuclear bomb.

The US can't be absolutely certain that Iraq hasn't acquired nuclear capability.

I favor action similar to that taken in Kosovo/Serbia and Afghanistan followed by ground troops.

As far as the damming/pumping of the water goes bomb the equipment.

[L@mplighterM]

Snip:

Oct. 6, 2002
Lebanon to start diverting Wazzani River Sunday
By DAVID RUDGE

Lebanon is reportedly set to start pumping water from the Wazzani River from Sunday on an experimental basis, prior to the scheduled inauguration of the controversial diversion project next Wednesday.

Reports in the Lebanese press yesterday said operations are expected to begin tomorrow to test the pumping apparatus and the pipeline, which is slated to convey the water to several towns and villages in southern Lebanon.

Work on the project has continued apace despite Israel's warnings not to upset the status quo warnings that were underlined by what Lebanese newspapers described as a heavy series of flights by IAF warplanes over Lebanon last Tuesday.


http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...=1033853393999