Zinni is first and foremost a good Marine. He has been sent on a mission. He has indicated that he would be there indefinitely to accomplish the mission. In the face of adversity his reaction will be to "Charlie Mike" (Continue the Mission). A statement like this is self defeating to that goal. It would be tatamount to saying the mission could not be completed and he would be brought home.
Now, having said all of that ... my take is this.
The statements, whomever said them .. ARE TRUE!
Arafat is a murdering terrorist himself who has (IMHO) the blood of US citizens on his hands from his earlier dealings. It is an assault on decency that we would negotiate with him in the first place. I believe the mission to reach a ceasefire is purely political from our perspective and revolves around our desire to build and hold an arab coalition, it flies in the face of what Isreal is experiencing and is something, if we were in the same position (and we are) we would bnever agree to. Are we negotiating terms with the Taliban or bin Laden? No! The terms are clear and stark. Turn over the murderers, open the camps or face our military might. Israel should send the same message and I believe Sharon has reqched a point where they will.
Ask yourself. Is it hard to believe?
It's out there. It has not been denied (although it well may be whether true or not). At least until it is denied there is no reason to question.