Bush allows PLO's American offices to remain open [GIVE ME A BREAK]

Jerusalem Post ^ | Apr. 17, 2003 | JANINE ZACHARIA

[yonif]

US President George W. Bush invoked a national security waiver on Wednesday to prevent sanctions from being levied on the PLO for a period of six months.

Under the Foreign Relations Act of 2003, PLO non-compliance with signed peace accords and continued use of terror and violence would force the president to impose at least one of a menu of sanctions unless he invokes a waiver contained in the law.

President Bush's decision to waive sanctions on the PLO comes as his administration plans to try to jumpstart the dormant Middle East peace process.

[Howlin]

Keep telling yourself that.

[Howlin]

The Arabs in Israel want peace? They need to act like it.

Now would be the time, wouldn't it?

As I said, it's all in their hands now.

But what is that quote I've seen around here about Arafat never missing a chance to miss a chance?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

He played in the sand box with them and they both kicked his butt like the neighborhood bully.

They kicked his butt? I must have missed that.

And what is it you expect him to do - approach everyone as though he assumes they're an enemy?

[CyberAnt]

Just think about it for a minute.

We're about ready to unleash a "roadmap" for peace between Israel and the PLO. Don't you think it would be a bit more delicate if we have closed down their offices here ...??

It wouldn't look good for us to appear partial to Israel (although we already are), when it comes to asking for the PLO to stop blowing up people in Israel.

Just a thought!

[TLBSHOW]

I am chilled its cold again here! >)

[Howlin]

Speaking of jumpers...

[Howlin]

Hopefully, it's next door to the FBI. :-)

Let's ask somebody in the know: kristinn, do you know where this office is?

[Mo1]

Hopefully, it's next door to the FBI. :-)

Where ever the office is .. count on it being carefully watched

[Joe Hadenuf]

Well, we wouldn't want them to have a place we could contact them to talk about peace, would we?

Good one Howlin. And what do you think that they would use to negotiate? After all, they are reasonable people right? Hehehe...

[Bella_Bru]

Hopefully, it's next door to the FBI. :-)

That would be nice.

I understand and respect your "wait and see" attitude, but I do not trust Arafat or the PLO for a moment.

[Joe Hadenuf]

It wouldn't look good for us to appear partial to Israel (although we already are), when it comes to asking for the PLO to stop blowing up people in Israel

Oh man, this Israel / PLO/ arab stuff is too much....Thanks for the laugh....

[Howlin]

I don't believe for one minute that Arafat will meet ANY of the "rules" Bush has set up for him.

You know where I stand on this.

[Howlin]

Don't put words in my mouth.

I'm sure if I said we should take a tank down there and kill them all you'd agee with me though.

[chachacha]

And what is it you expect him to do - approach everyone as though he assumes they're an enemy?

P> I bet your not serious about your statement?HA, HA, Ha, HA,

Of course he should do that. I would expect a President of the United States especially to do that. Especially since the Russian"X Secret Service head" is now the leader of Russia. What does it take a another tragedy to wake you up.

Not to do that is exactly why he's eating his soul searching words.

Judge a man by who his enemies are not, by his friends.

[AAABEST]

Yeah really. Maybe we oughtta get them to put Israel back on their maps first before we start talking "peace" with them.

[CyberAnt]

I agree - this is going to be the dance of a lifetime.

[Illbay]

Does anyone know why Bush would do such a thing?

Because he knows a h*ll of a lot more about what's going on than you do?

So far, Mr. Bush has shown us every reason why we should trust him. I'm willing to do so on this account, as well.

And FWIW, Bush has done more for Israeli security in the past month than all the other Presidents before him. Why not give him credit, instead of p*ssing and moaning all the time, you Israel-sycophants?

[Illbay]

The PLO isn't--so far--OUR enemy.

They are ISRAEL'S enemy.

You remember the Soviet Union? They were OUR enemy, not Israel's enemy, and that's why Israel chose to sell our classified documents to them, that they had gotten through Jonathan Pollard.

It's called "looking out for your own interests first."

If Mr. Bush thinks this is the right thing to do, it likely has something to do with U.S. security interests. Israel's interests are secondary. We don't owe them a d*mn thing; they owe US.

So pipe down. The man knows what he's doing. He's shown that time and time again.

[yonif]

We should also move our embassy to Jerusalem, like Congress said we should.