Report: US seeking Arafat ouster with 'ill health' as reason

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 13 October 2003 | JPOST.COM STAFF

[anotherview]

Oct. 13, 2003
Report: US seeking Arafat ouster with 'ill health' as reason
By JPOST.COM STAFF

The US is hoping for removal of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat by a "non-violent" coup presaged by a report suggesting Arafat is so ill he cannot carry out his duties, according to a report in the Saudi newspaper Al Watan.

US officials are already trying to organize a joint Palestinian leadership that would rule until elections are held in the Palestinian Authority, the Saudi paper reported Monday. A translation of the report appeared on the Jordanian website albawaba.com

The Saudi daily said recent reports of Arafat's deteriorating health have accelerated the discussion on the so-called "alternative leadership" plan, according to albawaba.com.

The Saudi paper also said Americans are beginning to suggest that Arab leaders and European officials should persuade Arafat to resign and maybe move to an Arab or European country.

The paper, citing US, Palestinian and European diplomatic sources, listed potential candidates for the joint leadership of a post-Arafat period, including: former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, current PM Ahmed Qurei, Former Security Minister Muhammad Dahlan, National Security Advisor Jibril Rajoub and General Intelligence Chief Amin Al Hindi.

Palestinian officials have denied reports of any significant deterioration of Arafat's health, and his doctors have been quoted as saying he is recuperating from a severe gastrointestinal virus. Arafat has been reported to be looking in better health at recent public appearances.

[anotherview]

Howver Arafat goes (and go he will) the Arab world will find a way to blame Israel. Do you remember the Arab News article about the Israeli "poision death ray" being used on Arafat? How about the report that Israel had poisoned him? His death or departure will be yet another lame excuse for terrorism.

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[ConservativeMan55]

Exactly. This is why I think Israel should blow him away blatantly. Just drop a MOAB on his compound.

[Alouette]

[ex-Texan]

*BUMP*!

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

Arafat is so ill he cannot carry out his duties

Yeah, he doesn't even have the strength to say, "Blow up a bus full of women and children."

[anotherview]

ping

[yonif]

The US is hoping for removal of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat by a "non-violent" coup

Would the US push for Osama to be removed by "moderate" elements in a "non-violent" coup within Al Queda?

[agrace]

Would the US push for Osama to be removed by "moderate" elements in a "non-violent" coup within Al Queda?

The hypocrisy is astounding isn't it? I say leave him in his compound. Just ignore him and it looks like eventually he actually will go away. Don't at this point give him the glory of exile. If they weren't willing to support an ouster when he wasn't doing his job because he was a terrorist obstacle, why support removing him when he can't do his job for health reasons? Please, don't REWARD him by giving him access to better healthcare.

[sheik yerbouty]

I thought he stored some of his duties in that dirty tablecloth that resides atop his scrofulous self.

[dagnabbit]

Send Arafat to my clinic.

I admit it's a little rudimentary (OK, it's in the garage), and I don't really have a so-called "medical license", but I promise Mr. Arafat the best treatment a rank amateur armed with a 1962 highschool health studies book can supply. Plus: all the dry dogfood he can eat and gardenhose water he can drink.