Cantwell, McGavick agree on some Lebanon issues

When it comes to the ongoing violence in Lebanon, there is much agreement between Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell and her likely Republican challenger in November, former insurance executive Mike McGavick.

Both lament the bloodshed and say Israel has a right to defend itself by launching airstrikes over Lebanese cities and ports. Lasting peace won't come, they say, until Lebanon rids itself of Hezbollah influence.

But they differ on whether the Bush administration has taken adequate diplomatic steps to avert the current strife, and Cantwell, unlike McGavick, stops short of declaring Israel's actions part of a global war on terrorism.

Cantwell visited Israel's northern border three years ago with a congressional delegation that included Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

"You understand the proximity and closeness and how missiles that have very short range can be effective," she said.

As the recent fighting escalated, Cantwell said, she has spoken with other senators about whether it was appropriate for Israel to attack certain civilian targets.

"I've read stuff in the paper with great concern and followed up with my colleagues," she said, learning that, in at least one instance, the Israelis had hit an area where they believed missiles had been launched.

McGavick said it wasn't his place to question Israeli tactics.

"Israel is a first friend of the United States and requires our support in her right of self-defense," he said. "I have to have faith in the Israelis in judging correctly what serves their defense."

Defeating Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, he said, would be a blow to world terrorism. "Just as they hate our Israeli allies, they hate us. It is part of the larger war on terror."

Cantwell said the situation isn't so easily defined.

"I think we should be even more discerning, which is, we can't have militias running security for a government," she said.

Hezbollah had been taking an increasingly active role in southern Lebanon in recent years.

In 2004, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution demanding that Hezbollah disarm and allow the Lebanese army to take back control of south Lebanon.

But, Cantwell said, the White House neglected to enforce the measure.

"The administration kind of dropped the ball," she said.

To bring peace, Cantwell said, the international community must put troops along the border until the Lebanese government can send its own army.

There should be a renewed diplomatic effort as well. Under President Clinton, there was continuous dialogue between players in the region, something that is lacking now, she said.

McGavick defended the president's actions.

"Those who would second-guess Bush to the advance of Clinton should remember that Clinton wasn't successful, either," he said. "Until we get a generation of people who teach peace, we're going to continue to see hate."

Alex Fryer: 206-464-8124 or afryer@seattletimes.com