Arafat aide praises Ramon as 'courageous'

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 2 February 2003 | Lamia Lahoud

[anotherview]

Feb. 2, 2003
Arafat aide praises Ramon as 'courageous'
By LAMIA LAHOUD

The Palestinian Authority praised Israeli astronaut Col. Ilan Ramon on Saturday as "a courageous man" and offered condolences to his family.

The condolences were conveyed in a statement issued by Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

In a separate interview with The Jerusalem Post, Bassam Abu-Sharif, an adviser to Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, called the disaster "very sad."

He went on to describe Ramon as "a courageous man who dedicated his life for the prosperity of mankind."

"Anyone who dedicates his life for better life for human beings is dedicated to peace," Abu-Sharif added.

Abu-Sharif noted the personal tragedy suffered by the astronauts' families, who came so close to seeing their loved ones return from space.

But, in addition, he noted the "great setback" for science.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Why would ignorant Palestinians cheering over the Columbia tragedy be relevant to anything? What contributions have they made to science? What horrific acts of sabotage have they done to NASA? Why would it even show up on the media's radar? Was the media asking for opinion on the Arab Street when Clonaid announced cloning? It is a non-event. And, even though we have around-the-clock news, when there are so many other significant and related news items to report on, regarding Columbia, which reporter would be looking to air this type of scenario? None! I mean, have you heard Steve Harrigan quoting what Karzai said about Columbia today? More heartwarming, I am sure, but also, irrelevant.

[Taiwan Bocks]

Some day soon Arafat will be gunned down by an Islamisist.

Any day. He's finished.

[Marines981]

"The Palestinian Authority praised Israeli astronaut Col. Ilan Ramon on Saturday as "a courageous man" and offered condolences to his family. "

Arafat you two-faced, anti-israeli, s.o.b. What do you know about peace?

[DoughtyOne]

Bad is bad, good is good. Don't get the two confused folks.

This man said something decent. Reinforce it. Don't damn it.

You folks are walking through a desert, have found the oasis and are now cursing the man who dug the well for not doing it everywhere.

Drink up, or go thirsty.

[JAWs]

And how would you describe an apparent act of decency motivated to help wickedness? Arafat does not want another fiasco like the post-9/11 jubilation. So he's putting sorrowful words on his forked tongue.

The phrase, 'fruit of the poisonous tree' springs to mind.

[Petronski]

Yassir Arafat is no more a diplomat or statesman than is the crusty big toe on my left foot.

Any admiration Arafat voices for ANY Israeli, no matter the extraordinarily devastating circumstances, is pure diplomatalk.

[davidtalker]

This is nothing but CYA. If there was a successful mission and there was a public ceremony honoring the Israeli astronaut Arafat would be sending his creeps in to blow up as many as possible including Ramon.

[nicollo]

Was the statement released in Arabic, as well?

Didn't think so.

[bootless]

David, I think you've got it. However, he didn't compound his already untenable stance with words that would be sure to end in a lot of accelerated lead poisoning. Arafat really had no choice. I doubt very much that he means it.

That said, the Iraqis (including the car mechanic, aka "karma-chanic") don't know that when you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you do is stop digging.

Good show tonight (what I heard of it, shuttling two kids back from the Giants pre-season fest).

[Thane_Banquo]

The Palestinian Authority praised Israeli astronaut Col. Ilan Ramon on Saturday as "a courageous man" and offered condolences to his family.

Everything the PA isn't.

[davidtalker]

Thanks bootless. Don't miss tomorrow.

[EternalVigilance]

He went on to describe Ramon as "a courageous man who dedicated his life for the prosperity of mankind."

Then quit killing the man's brethren.

[Mr. Mojo]

I am so sick of CNN....3 times in a half hour talking about Arafat's statement of condolence...Anderson Cooper "Any response from the White House on this??"

CNN must've shown the video of Arafat giving blood after 9/11 every day for at least a month afterward. The Commie News Network adores Nobel Peace Prize winners --- Arafat, Carter, Mandela, Annan. (Next winner of the Prize: Robert Mugabe).

[DoughtyOne]

So you're saying you'd rather see them dancing in the streets. Okay. I disagree.

[bootless]

I won't! BTW, I checked that "Curse" thread on your site - gee whiz, some of the paste-eaters don't listen, do they?