Jordanian Magazine Says Arafat To Step Down Soon

UPI ^ | 8 July 2002 | UPI

[Asmodeus]

AMMAN, Jordan, July 8 (UPI) -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is expected to step down in the coming weeks through an agreement between the United States, Israel and certain Palestinian and Arab parties, a Jordanian magazine said Monday.

The opposition periodical, Al-Majd, which is considered close to Syria, quoted unidentified high-ranking Palestinian sources as saying the president of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Ahmad Qurai, known as Abu Alaa, is Arafat's most likely successor.

They said Abu Alaa has the upper hand over another favored candidate, Mahmud Abbas, who goes by the name of Abu Mazen and is secretary-general of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

The sources said Arafat was almost acquiescent about stepping down willingly after being briefed about a U.S. and Israeli request to replace him as a condition for restarting peace negotiations and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

They said Arafat was granted a last chance to think about the best way to step down, and that if he did so, he would most likely choose to retire to a home in territories under the control of the Palestinian Authority, rather than go into exile in Egypt, Jordan or Tunisia.

The reports about Arafat's projected departure coincided with denials by Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt that they were involved in contacts aimed at ousting him.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Arafat's adult life has been spent killing as many innocent Jews as possible and I wouldn't expect him to change his ways even if he "stepped down".

[sam_paine]

I hope Abu Alaa or Mahmud Abbas don't prefer blue turbans.

[Catspaw]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[LarryM]

Does anyone really believe this? If so, why is Arafat replacing the leaders of his security (terror) agencies with his own loyalists? It looks more like he is circling the wagons.

[RightWhale]

Arafat to step down? How is he going to sleep nights without the constant sound of bombs and helicopters?

[My2Cents]

I don't believe it...When has the Arab press ever printed anything close to true?

[Dog Gone]

I think this is entirely possible. When Bush called for new leadership and new elections, he wasn't going to let Arafat run and be re-elected.

How this was worked behind the scenes we do not yet know, but it's inconceivable to me that we were NOT working to accomplish this.

[RoseofTexas]

I agree, BUT if the story is true than W deserves the upmost credit on the down fall of AraFART!

[Prodigal Son]

Agreed and I'm already looking forward to seeing how the Terrorist-Friendly Lefties spin this one off. Looking forward as well to seeing what happens afterwards. It's hard to imagine- no Arafat. I knew I'd see it in my lifetime- the ugly old goat couldn't live forever- but I didn't think he would just step down. Let's see if this really happens.

[The Vast Right Wing]

If true, this will be a major coup for GWB. I can't wait to hear the thumb-suckers back-pedal on their criticism of Bush's "Democratic Arab Nation, Arafat must go" speech. Oh, wait the liberals never back-pedal or admit it when they are wrong, I forgot. Sorry!

[Types_with_Fist]

I hope Abu Alaa or Mahmud Abbas don't prefer blue turbans.

I'm wondering if I'm the only one who gets this one.

[My2Cents]

I absolutely agree with you. "W" deserves the credit anyway. Consider the growing street protests among Palestinians against the status quo leadership. Bush stirred the pot, and change is underway.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

This item was just mentioned by Rush Limbaugh...

[EggsAckley]

Bush stirred the pot, and change is underway.

I think you're right. And add to that the possibility that some things happen that we do NOT hear about. Personally, I'd rather they keep more quiet about what's going on; loose lips sink ships.

[TheTopRead]

I hope Abu Alaa or Mahmud Abbas don't prefer blue turbans.

I'm wondering if I'm the only one who gets this one.

I think I got it. Does it mean you can get blue turbans at the Gap?! . . . Top

[Tree of Liberty]

I get it too, but Nostrodomus' ravings are just so much claptrap and hardly worthy of the time it took to write this post.

[Lent]

Don't believe anything which has its source the Arabs and particularly the Palestinians. But more particularly, even if true, whoever is Arafat's heir will be handpicked by Arafat himself and he'll pull all the strings. The whole premise of the W speech was a complete dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. Unfortunately the press is playing their usual lazy-headed game of letting these purported surface changes amount to more than what they actually are.

[capydick]

How this was worked behind the scenes we do not yet know

I'd wager that it includes tax payer money being transferred into his Swiss bank account.

[sam_paine]

Glad everyone got the reference. Now -I- will put my tinfoil hat back on regarding blue turbans....