Rice to Start Economic Diplomacy Prior to Cease Fire?

CNN reported U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice will convene an economic diplomatic group to discuss the rebuilding of Lebanon. That this occurs prior to a cease fire is odd. Does the Bush administration value commerce over life?

My take on the economic meeting finds it to be a blatant bribe. Likely large sums of money will be dangled before the Lebanese government to appease their now deep seated hatred for the United States and Israel. As an American citizen, I want none of my tax money spent to repair what Israel destroyed with U.S. funded weapons and military equipment. Israel needs to fund the recovery of Lebanon, all on its own. If that doesn’t happen, then it will be even more crystal clear Bush and Company approved the mission.