Arabs accuse Bush of giving 'a green light to get rid of Arafat'

The Jerusalem Post ^ | Jun. 25, 2002 | ASSOCIATED PRESS

[mdittmar]

Arabs heard in US President George Bush's Mideast policy speech Monday an unacceptable call to topple Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat and accused him of retreating from his promise of even a provisional Palestinian state.

"The Arab world will not sleep tonight," said Mohamed el-Sayed Said, Washington bureau chief for the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram, after watching Bush's 20-minute address from the White House Rose Garden.

"He practically demanded the removal of Arafat, the symbol of Palestinian unity," he said. "The Palestinians have elected Arafat and they will elect him again. If the Palestinians re-elect Arafat, are they going to be punished?"

Bush's speech spelled out conditions for achieving a provisional state instead of answering questions about what powers and territories a provisional state would hold and how it would lead to a full state, observers said Monday.

The Palestinian state "is just a temporary promise, an illusion without borders, without identity," said Mostafa Bakri, editor in chief of the independent weekly El Osboa.

Bush's speech "means giving Sharon the green light to get rid of Arafat."

"Arab countries, especially Egypt and Jordan, have a major role to play in implementing this initiative, including working on expelling the Palestinian leader," Bakri said.

The Egyptian and Jordan governments, key mediators and voices of moderation in the Mideast peace process, had no immediate comment.

"Bush announced frankly and clearly that he is not giving Arafat a chance, which will disappoint the hopes and demands of moderate Arab regimes," said Reda Helal, a columnist and member of the Egyptian Council of Foreign Relations.

Helal said Bush's speech included some positive elements, including his criticism of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

Syrian political analyst Imad Shueibi was unforgiving."This is the worst speech in the history of US-Arab relations," he said.

[mdittmar]

Syrian political analyst Imad Shueibi was unforgiving."This is the worst speech in the history of US-Arab relations," he said.

I wasn't that impressed,but if it rattles their cage,it works for me.

[Saturnalia]

To: Arabs

CAPTAIN OBVIOUS TO THE RESUCE!

[A. Morgan]

Bye, bye Mister Your-a-RAT.

[volchef]

The Arab world will not sleep tonight," said Mohamed el-Sayed Said

I was hoping they'd been losing sleep for quite sometime.

[ResistorSister]

This is the worst speech in the history of US-Arab relations

I knew I loved that speech!

[PhiKapMom]

Maybe you should reread the speech -- the Israeli's are happy and the Palestinians and other Arabs hate it! That speaks volumes.

[Centurion2000]

Syrian political analyst Imad Shueibi was unforgiving."This is the worst speech in the history of US-Arab relations," he said.

If they scream we must be doing something right.

[livius]

Bush laid it on the line. Guess they didn't like what they heard.

[Paleo Conservative]

No, it's just that Bush is not giving a red or yellow light.

[Our man in washington]

"The Arab world will not sleep tonight,"

Then they'll fall asleep at work tomorrow. With luck, a few of them will fall asleep on their detonator buttons before they reach the target.

[mdittmar]

Nah,but then again I'm probably a little right of Attila the Hun;)

[dts32041]

I was watching the Instant analysis on FNC, and the instant experts said The current occupant of the White house plan was unfair to the Palis.

So the current occupant of the white house may actually have do something correct?

[freepsolo]

I'm afraid Dubya...

is wasting his breath.

Have you ever reasoned with Cavemen?

Our defeat is their Peace.

That fuse has been lit for a long time and there's no way to put it out.

[Bobby777]

giving 'a green light to get rid of Arafat'

and the problem is ...?

[Corin Stormhands]

"The Arab world will not sleep tonight,"

If they've been sleeping, we haven't been doing our job...

[aBootes]

"He practically demanded the removal of Arafat, the symbol of Palestinian unity," he said. "The Palestinians have elected Arafat and they will elect him again. If the Palestinians re-elect Arafat, are they going to be punished?"

I believe the technical term is consequences... Yes, Abdul, there will be consequences if you elect/re-elect thugs and terrorists.

[freepsolo]

"The Arab world will not sleep tonight," ...

This is Islam logic - it is code - and not to be taken literally.

When it's 110 degrees in the shade - Arabs sleep and awake for the cooler night.

This really means they will start to plot against W's words.

We will get a violent response by morning!

[Xphantasos]

Nah, you just gotta drop a bomb large enough to consume all the oxygen that's kept that fuse going...
;^)

[vinylsidingman]

Bush's speech "means giving Sharon the green light to get rid of Arafat."

i couldn't agree more,, anyone who thinks this will stop the terrorists needs a labotomy,, think not,, check out some of the muzzie rooms on paltalk,, this will change nothing,, all these ragheads understand is complete annihalation,,, its time to start

[tomahawk]

Bush really came through today in a big way. He was himself. Powell was pulling one way, Cheney the other. Bush finally decided he had enough of pretending Arafat might be for peace, and did the right thing. Now, the Arabs will really go after him.