World Takes Dim View of Lieberman in FM Post

[geek tragedy]

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1069708.html

No American official is likely to convene a press conference publicly condemning Lieberman's appointment. However, such a choice will almost certainly encourage the U.S. administration to keep its distance from Benjamin Netanyahu's government, as Washington will not want to take the flak absorbed by demonstrating closeness to a government whose public face is widely considered to be a racist. . . .

In Europe, too, officials are keeping quiet, but the matter has been widely discussed in the press.

"Avigdor Lieberman is an anti-diplomat," proclaimed an article in the French daily Le Figaro. "His divisive statements and his 'anti' attitude have helped him gain the image of a dangerous radical."

The German paper Suddeutsche Zeitung described Yisrael Beiteinu as an "anti-Arab" party, while the weekly Der Spiegel recalled on its web site that Lieberman had advocated using the same force in the Gaza Strip that Russia used in Chechnya.

How long does Bibi's Coalition last? I give it six months before it implodes spectacularly.

[bemildred]

1. Bibi wasn't much of a diplomat either, last time around.

He doesn't seem to be having much luck with "coalition building" either.

[geek tragedy]

2. I wish him all the success he deserves. n/t

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. perfect statement.

[LeftishBrit]

4. NOT suited to a foreign policy post, and that's putting it mildly...

And I hope Bibi's coalition implodes, and soon!

[geek tragedy]

5. I'd rather give it time so that it explodes/implodes

in such a grand fashion to reshape the political landscape.

[Alamuti Lotus]

6. Why not?

While generally repulsive, his positions seem to be a reflection of very popular views (both in Israel and around here)..