Palestinian source: Bush's speech only strengthened Arafat

Jerusalem Post ^ | 6-28-02 | LAMIA LAHOUD

[SJackson]

Palestinian Authority officials said yesterday that US President George W. Bush will not be able to sell his idea of ousting PA Chairman Yasser Arafat to European leaders, and said Bush's remarks have only strengthened Arafat, assuring him of victory in upcoming elections.

"Even Hamas officials are now saying that if this is true, they will vote for Arafat," a senior Palestinian source said.

Should Arafat be ousted, the alternative will be an Islamic extremists leadership, he added. Arafat adviser Bassam Abu Sharif said Europeans have told Palestinians they will not accept Bush's call for Arafat's ouster. "President Bush will not get away with his foolish intention to punish the Palestinian people if they reelect Arafat," he told The Jerusalem Post.

"He is making the same mistake as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon... Palestinians will never agree to vote for a Palestinian leader delivered to the compound in Ramallah on heaps of flowers, on an Israeli tank," he added.

Palestinian Telecommunications Minister Imad al-Falouji, who is close to Hamas, said yesterday that "Bush's call contradicts the principles of democracy claimed by the United States." Arafat aide Ahmed Abdel Rahman accused Bush of conducting an "unfair campaign" against the Palestinian leader.

A PA source said Bush's speech strengthened Arafat and made it difficult for any moderate Palestinians to cooperate with the US.

He said the US Administration has no clue how to advance the ideas laid out by Bush in his speech. Abu Sharif said the EU rejected Bush's call to replace Arafat, saying no one has the right to choose the Palestinian people's leadership. Europeans have also told Palestinians they will make it clear to the Americans that they do not see how Palestinians can carry out needed reforms or hold elections while the IDF is in Palestinian areas, maintaining tight closures on towns and villages.

Palestinians did not take the Israeli threat to expel Arafat if terrorism continues seriously, despite Bush's speech calling for Arafat to be replaced.

Palestinians believe Arab and European pressure will prevent such a move.

Palestinian sources said Arafat made a mistake by not acting against terrorists a year ago. Now, a source said, the attacks are connected to internal Palestinian politics.

Arafat yesterday ordered the PA Preventive Security Services, Police, and Civil Defense under the authority of new Interior Minister Abdel Razak al-Yahiya. "This move is important, because it was one of the US's main requests, and will help reform the security system," a senior Palestinian source said. The CIA and Egyptians are still working with the PA on security reforms, he added. Other Palestinians are skeptical the security reforms will have any practical effect.

"Unless Arafat backs Yahiya fully and the security chiefs cooperate, nothing will change," a source said.

Abu Sharif accused Sharon of deepening hatred by imposing collective punishment on Palestinians instead of fighting terrorism and the terrorist infrastructure.

"It is the people who are suffering, they are under siege, they can not get to work, the sick are prevented from reaching hospitals, and even when the curfew is lifted for a few hours, many people have no money to go out and buy food... this will only deepen hatred," Abu Sharif said.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

[dawn53]

A PA source said Bush's speech strengthened Arafat and made it difficult for any moderate Palestinians to cooperate with the US

I wonder if the Palestinians have even been allowed to hear what Bush has said about cutting off funds if they reelect Arafat. Probably not.

[NELSON111]

I'm sure the speech did strengthen Arafat...and I am positive he will get re-elected. I am also as positive that most of the Euro-pansies will not go along. Who cares. We have to do what we have to do and we will not give money (hopefully...fingers crossed) to a group of people who elect a terrorist as their leader. I would go further. We should not do business with Eurotrash that supports a terrorist leader and his subjugates.

[zarf]

If he is elected again, our response is simple. We wash our hands of the ME problem.

[rageaholic]

I watched arafat speaking the other day, he was telling reporters to "go to hell". I was reminded that somebody once said "after age 40, a man is responsible for his own face". Arafat is the perfect example. You can see the sickening hate and corruption etched into his troll-like features, from his pubic hair beard to his crooked brown teeth and bulging yellow eyes. He shakes and spits when he talks. He looks like a Star Wars villan.

One really has to question the motives of people who turn to this kind of evil troll for leadership and inspiration. Arafat has never done anything postive, and clearly sees himself only as a "resistance leader" (terrorist) and not the president of a peaceful nation.

The continual war with Israel has a lot to do with arafat's narcissism.

[jwfiv]

Agree with what you say in #6 about Arafat...one of the most on-target summations of this demon that I've ever read.

[Coop]

Palestinian Telecommunications Minister Imad al-Falouji, who is close to Hamas, said yesterday that "Bush's call contradicts the principles of democracy claimed by the United States."

So let me see if I get this straight. By calling for democratic elections and democracy in general, the President is contradicting democratic principles. Hmmm. Okay, I'll file that one with "Oral sex isn't sex." and "Lying under oath isn't perjury."

[stig]

This is typical Bush. He knows Arafat must go but politically wants proof positive that the Euros are deluded that Arafat wants peace and a country for his people. This is basically the same warning he gave the Afgan's. Give up OBL and you can join the world community or suffer the consequences. Bush in essence is calling Arafat's hand because he knows Arafat is bluffing. The funny thing I find is Bush's method is so simple yet the muslims and our own leftists are clueless to his plan. They are all so unused to someone who means what he says they just don't get it.

[Monti Cello]

Of course he is 'strengthened' domestically in the short term by Bush's statement -- that was a key part of the plan. Bush made an offer to the Palestinians that they were almost sure to refuse. They will now rally to Yasser in what will be an eternal death embrace, and the 'innocence' of the Palestinian people will be officially debunked.

Wholesale war will then be justified against terrorist actions tied to Arafat. No more house call service by the Israei army. Further visits will come with a knock through the roof, not at front door.

It's as if Bush said to the Palestinians, 'Look, the Europansies are going to haggle me if I let Israel blow your asses up because they think you are a people of peace. Now, just for the record, would you like to support me and America instead of terorist Yasser, you a-holes? No? wow -- that's a real surprise. OK Ariel, huntin' season starts today.'

[swarthyguy]

I believe President Bush has baited the trap.

If Bush's statements make the Palestinians re-elect Arafat, he he he, so much the better for your scenario.

[rageaholic]

Thank you, I will save it and paste it elswhere, when appropriate. I forgot to mention, that he was smiling when he told the reporters to go to hell. I think that is significant-- anger makes him happy. He is a sick man who spread his illness to epidemic proportions.