Palestinian Vote in Works

NY Daily News ^ | 7.5.2003 | News wire services

[NYC GOP Chick]

JERUSALEM - Palestinians could have general elections by October if Israeli withdrawals continue, with Yasser Arafat likely to be the only major candidate for president, officials said yesterday.

Arafat's reelection likely would frustrate Washington's moves to sideline him and nurture an alternative Palestinian leadership.

It remains unclear what would happen to the post of prime minister, created under intense U.S. pressure to reduce Arafat's role.

Israel freed a top Palestinian security officer from jail Thursday and protested - rather than counterattacked - after a ceasefire violation yesterday in the Gaza Strip, sticking to a four-day-old deal to slowly cede Arab territory to the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli soldiers have withdrawn from parts of Gaza and the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

The Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers, Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas, are set to meet again Tuesday to discuss further pullbacks - part of a U.S.-backed road map peace plan that calls on Israel to withdraw to positions held before fighting began in September 2000. In turn, Palestinians must dismantle militant groups that have attacked Israelis. However, Abbas has rejected fighting the militants, fearing a civil war.

News Wire Services

[NYC GOP Chick]

*ping*

[NYC GOP Chick]

Thought you might want to ping your list for this. :)

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[SJackson]

Thanks. As I've noted before, we're dealing with Arafat whether we admit it or not, might as well invite him to the White House, he knows his way around.

If we don't want to deal with terrorists, then we're dealing with a problem that won't be solved in the context of the road map, or a Bush Presidency (GW, 2 terms).

[Phil V.]

. . . and protested - rather than counterattacked - after a ceasefire violation yesterday in the Gaza Strip, . . .

How many "tats" before a "tit" is flashed?

[CholeraJoe]

I'm worried sick about Arafat. He looks so skinny. He'd be much better off if he weighed about 147 grains more.

[NYC GOP Chick]

It's just *so* frustrating to listen to this administration mouth the same platitudes about "partners for peace," "peace process," "acceptable levels of violence" and other such bullclinton.

Actually, it's galling to watch our government pretend that Abu Mazen or Mahmoud Abbas or whatever the hell his name is this week actually has some power and actually has the power to back up negotiations -- not that he has any interest in actually *disarming* Hamas, PIJ, Al Aqsa Brigades, etc.

[NYC GOP Chick]

If only... ;)

[yonif]

Palestinians could have general elections by October if Israeli withdrawals continue, with Yasser Arafat likely to be the only major candidate for president, officials said yesterday.

Bla bla bla, nothing but terrorist propaganda. The PA is a terrorist organization which we have ties to, headed by Arafat and Mazen. The PA is not a government, it is a terrorist mafia. I wonder if Arafat will get 100% of the vote, like Saddam did in the last "elections" in Iraq. I'll bet that the media following these "elections" will hail them as a democratic victory of some sort.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Palestinians could have general elections by October if Israeli withdrawals continue, with Yasser Arafat likely to be the only major candidate for president, officials said yesterday.

I just don't see how successful the road map would be with Arafat around, given the fact that Abbas is not strong enough to negotiate or to keep the peace.

[SJackson]

I just don't see how successful the road map would be with Arafat around, given the fact that Abbas is not strong enough to negotiate or to keep the peace.

He's their leader, they love him. The real question is how can the road map, or any "peace plan" succeed with a Saudi/Egyptian educated population, which naturally would elect Yasser, since Sadaam isn't on the ballot. Unfortunately peace isn't part of the equation, only land. Which is why land for peace has failed the last half century.

[Victoria Delsoul]

You are right. I know that peace can not be achieved with the Master of terrorism calling the shots.

[McGavin999]

If they re-elect Arafat, I vote we drop a MOAB on the place and just walk away.