Connecting Some Of the Dots

This David Ignatius column is not important because it breaks any new ground on Lebanese politics; it does not. That is not a criticism -- after all, he is writing for a foreign audience. He mentions the plight of the hostages in the Phoenicia Hotel, a dependable and familiar embodiment of March 14's plight. He talks to Siniora, who says all the usual things. He seems to have a firm grasp of Lebanon's political terrain, and the stakes of the upcoming Presidential election.

To the extent that the average American think of Lebanon at all, I think that Ignatius reflects their beliefs: March 14 leaders have been assassinated because they dared to challenge Hezbollah and Syria. The opposition are proxy forces for Syria and Iran. Pro-Syrian newspapers blew America's gift of military aid out of proportion for its own propaganda purposes.

This set of beliefs, incidentally, is slowly graining wider international credibility. According to the New York Sun, a recent report by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon links Syria to Fatah al-Islam. The Secretary-General seems to be escalating his rhetoric; in a speech yesterday, he also announced that he possessed evidence "that appears to corroborate the allegation that Syria facilitates the flow of weapons and fighters across the Syrian-Lebanese border."

All of this is well and good. But let's return to Ignatius's parting words:

"Lebanon needs a president; it needs political consensus. It needs an end to this enfeebling stalemate. Lebanon has been a hostage too long."

What do Ignatius and Ban imagine a "consensus" looks like? Where is the meeting point between these two sides? Our international observers prescribe "consensus," without taking the trouble to work out the pesky details. Lebanon's political leaders might be able to agree on the characteristics the next President should embody -- but they are unable to attach a name to their wish-list. Lebanon must have its next President in less than a month. Until we leave the realm of empty platitudes, forgive me if I remain pessimistic.