Palestinians say Clinton signed amnesty for Abbas

World Tribune ^ | 3/18/03

[truthandlife]

The Palestinian Authority has launched a campaign for the release of a Palestinian terrorist captured in Iraq.

PA Local Authorities Minister Saeb Erekat said the arrest of Abul Abbas, head of the Palestine Liberation Front, violates the 1995 accord with Israel that granted amnesty for all Palestinian insurgents. Erekat said the agreement was also signed by then-President Bill Clinton.

"The Palestinian-Israeli interim agreement signed on September 28, 1995 stated that members of the Palestine Liberation Organization must not be detained or tried for matters they committed before the Oslo peace accord of September 13, 1993," Erekat said. "This interim agreement was signed on the U.S. side by President Clinton and his secretary of state, Warren Christopher."

The PA said the U.S. capture of Mohammed Abul Abbas was illegal and that he had never been sought by American authorities, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials asserted that the State Department had determined in the late 1990s that it did not have grounds to seek Abul Abbas's extradition from the Gaza Strip. PA officials said Israel had not sought the extradition of Abul Abbas during his stay in the Gaza Strip in 1998. They cited a determination by Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein that Abbas does not pose a threat to Israeli security.

The United States has denied that Abul Abbas was granted immunity from prosecution. U.S. officials did say that the State Department was examining options regarding the PLF leader. So far, they said, the State Department has contacted Italy, which issued a warrant for his arrest.

"We are currently looking at a variety of options to ensure he's brought to justice," State Department deputy spokesman Philip Reeker said. "The United States believes that all terrorists should be brought to justice for their crimes, so obviously, this will be a matter of discussion with the government of Italy."

[FreedomCalls]

Here is the actual text of the agreement. It is an agreement between Israel and the PA. The U.S. only witnessed it. It prohibits ISRAEL from prosecuting Abbas -- not the U.S. government. See Article XVI, Paragraph 3. Nothing in it is binding on the U.S. government. Its all a bunch of wishful thinking by the Palestinians.

[Cicero]

Interesting. An old article posted here a couple of days ago said that the clinton administration said they had "dropped charges" against Abul Abbas. It was announced by one of clinton's chief aides. But it didn't explain what that meant.

In a way, I almost hope clinton did pardon the S.O.B., because that would raise some interesting issues at a very awkward time for the Democrats.

[John Lenin]

All I know is Clinton and Barak were suckered by Palestinian Arabs, bigtime. The big myth is that of Clintons exceptional intelligence.

[mickie]

"If Abbas got a pardon, I wonder how much Clinton charged him for it?"

I wonder too!

[new cruelty]

heheh... that's a well needed laugh.

I wonder what he will do to spin a positive note on his legacy.

[exit82]

I agree about the myth of Clinton's exceptional intelligence. It has always amazed me how dumb he talks, and that he never, ever says anything of substance, yet the Dims always fawn all over him.

He's a well connected lecherous,rapist hick from Arkansas whose wife has 900 FBI files, and an unholy lust for power.

[Tin Man Tex]

Since Abu was convicted and sentenced in Italy, what does it matter what Clinton did? Clinton's actions are not binding on Italy.

[Ben Hecks]

"Nothing signed in 1995 covers activities since."

A fact that the terrorists choose to ignore.

[The Wizard]

News Flash: Clinton ain't president

[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

PA Local Authorities Minister Saeb Erekat said the arrest of Abul Abbas, head of the Palestine Liberation Front, violates the 1995 accord with Israel that granted amnesty for all Palestinian insurgents. Erekat said the agreement was also signed by then-President Bill Clinton....

The United States has denied that Abul Abbas was granted immunity from prosecution.

What I want to know is why, in situations like this, don't journalists report what the truth actually is?

This isn't like two politicians giving their opinions on tax cuts. It is a fact that the US is not a signatory to the Oslo agreement. The US is right, Erakat is wrong. Why does the press insist on perpetuating the falsehood that there are two equally arguable sides?

[KeyLargo]

Yet the Jews continue to vote in large numbers for the Democrats and in particular the Clintons. Hillary expects that she will continue to receive their support and that the Jews will vote en masse for her in 2008.

[polemikos]

Why does the press insist on perpetuating the falsehood that there are two equally arguable sides?

The press subsists on controversy, not truth.

[KeyLargo]

News Flash: Clinton ain't president.

Yes, but Hillary will be in 2008!

[Minty]

Hello Palestrokes haven't you heard? The man Clintoon, he lies under oath.

Bwahahahahahahahaha now this is sooooo funny!

[sheik yerbouty]

If the jihadists said the sky was blue, I'd look first before I'd believe it.

[Flyer]

PA Local Authorities Minister Saeb Erekat (AKA Palestine Pete) said the arrest of Abul Abbas, head of the Palestine Liberation Front, violates the 1995 accord with Israel that granted amnesty for all Palestinian insurgents

[Minty]

"Well, well, Palestinians. Don't you know Clinton is a liar?"

That was exactly my thought.

[cookcounty]

Dear Palestinian Authority:

Please throw huge resources into this campaign. Please appeal this all the way to the Supreme Court, so that the world will understand how idiotic you are, defending murders of innocent senior citizens in wheel chairs.

[DianaN]

Erekat is a lying cockroach; I hope he gets his some day.
Diana

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmm? It says "a member of the PLO". I thought Abbas was a member of the PLF.