Posted on 03/31/2002 9:44:04 AM PST by tomahawk
Sharon: Arafat Is the Enemy of the Entire Free World
By Aluf Ben, Ha'aretz Correspondent and Agencies
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon deemed Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat "Israel's enemy and the enemy of the entire free world," in a brief televised address to the nation Sunday evening.
Sharon accused Arafat of leading a campaign of "terror" against Israel and vowed to wage an "uncompromising war" to crush it. He said that Israel is "at war, a war against terror. We must fight this terrorism, in an uncompromising war to uproot these savages, to dismantle their infrastructure because there is no compromise with terrorists."
"We cooperated with United States envoy Anthony Zinni, and in return we got terrorism. I decided to give up my demand for seven days of quiet, and in return we got terrorism. We withdrew the Israeli army forces from the [Palestinian] cities, and in return we got terrorism," he said.
"All we got in return for our efforts was terrorism, terrorism and more terrorism," he added, pounding his fists on the desk for effect.
Earlier Sunday, Sharon convened his security cabinet to discuss the IDF operation in Ramallah as well as the response to the escalating wave of terror attacks in recent days. The meeting lasted three hours and no decisions were made. Sharon announced that the deliberation would resume Monday evening or Tuesday, due to the fact that not all ministers were given the opportunity to talk, and not all issues were discussed.
During the meeting, an argument broke out between Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Finance Minister Silvan Shalom regarding the treatment of Arafat. Peres said that Israel had committed itself not to harm Arafat. Housing and Construction Minister Natan Sharansky said “We said that we had no intention of hurting him, but not that our soldiers would protect Arafat.” “What’s the difference,” Peres asked.
“Our people are dying and once again you are worried about Arafat,” Shalom then interjected.
The main issue debated at the meeting was Arafat’s isolation, after the ministers heard about the IDF plan for the continuation of the operation in the territories. Peres told the ministers that because of Arafat’s isolation, the international community is taking interest in the PA Chairman rather than in the terror attacks against Israelis.
“Everyone is worried about Arafat,” Peres said. “The isolation must be conducted logically.” Shalom and Sharansky then asked why food and water was brought to Arafat.
Justice Minster Meir Sheetrit asked why civilians and journalists were allowed to enter Arafat’s besieged headquarters in Ramallah. To this Sharon responded, “No one needs to enter. The isolation needs to be absolute.”
Sheetrit said that “A clear decision is needed. The Israeli public is fed up, and proof of this is the massive reporting of soldiers for reserve duty.”
Ephraim Sneh, who supported the IDF operation, suggested that that the families of suicide bombers be deported, so as to deter bombers. This is a stance supported by professional sources, and Sharon requested that the issue be investigated. Sneh warned of the possibility that the length of the operation may need to be shortened, due to political pressures.
U.S. envoy to the Middle East Anthony Zinni is to meet Sunday night with Sharon. A change in the U.S. stance, which grants support for IDF operations in the territories, is not expected. The U.S. administration does not currently plan on pressing on Sharon to halt IDF activities in PA-controlled areas, and has granted Israel a number of days in which to carry out military operations before efforts to enforce a cease-fire are renewed.
Zinni also intended to speak with Arafat on Sunday. He requested to depart for Ramallah for a personal meeting with the PA Chairman, but due to the IDF siege on Arafat’s headquarters, it was likely that the two would speak on the phone rather than meet in person.
SAVAGES! I love it! Look out ragheads, looks like the old Arik has awakened from his slumber.
That's been the problem for the last 20+ years!
My take is to let "Zinni" go back to being a Marine and stop this diplomacy crud!
A guy gotta do what a guy gotta do. So do it!
Don't be silly. The only way for peace to truly come, is for one side to win. If an artificial, nonviolent end comes of a conflict, especially a conflict that has been brewing for thousands of years, you get a neverending stand off such as North and South Korea, Kosovo, etc. It will just keep erupting like a volcano once the heat reaches the point of explosion. The only difference is that if it waits for the future to explode, it could happen with nuclear weapons strapped to one's body versus a little plastic explosives.
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