Posted on 01/26/2002 10:44:29 PM PST by IcommGen
(8:00) Zinni: PA is a mafia and Arafat is its leader
The Palestinian Authority is a mafia, and PA Chairman Yasser Arafat is the leader of the mafia, US special envoy Anthony Zinni said today.
Zinni made his remarks after his planned visit to the region was suspended by US President George W. Bush.
Sources in the prime minister's bureau expressed satisfaction with the decision, saying it will help in the war against terrorism. However, diplomatic sources said it could lead to more bloodletting on both sides.
The US administration threatened over the weekend to impose sanctions against Arafat, from closing the PLO's offices in Washington to totally cutting off relations, if he fails to prove he is making a concerted effort to fight terrorism.
Meanwhile, security forces remain on high alert throughout the country in response to intelligence warnings of planned terrorist attacks.
Police are out in force, especially along the Green Line, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem.
Late last night, Palestinian terrorists lightly wounded an Israeli Arab taxi driver in a shooting attack between Peduel and Alei Zahav in Samaria, Army Radio reported.
Having said that, in Orange county, California about 5 years ago, a poll showed that there was not much difference in ideology between Wasps, Catholics and Jews. I don't know if that still obtains, as the Jewish percentage grows (Orange County doesn't have "Jewish" precincts per se, but they might be 5% or so of the population now).
I have not seen any here actually, have you? And which Amen Corner do you mean? The few folks rah-rah-ing Arafat and his 'freedom fighters' on most Israel-related thread?
That would be the 'Iman Corner' masquerading as Conservatives.
Result: five years after the war ended there was hardly anyone in Germany who would admit to having ever been pro-Nazi. I think people would be surprised how fast the Palestinians might turn around if something similar took place with regard to the PLO and all its surrounding organizations and surrogates. Military victory is a surprisingly effective way to change hearts and minds.
Mmmm? You don't like sanity, Stealthy? It's good for you. Good for the swamp too ;).
Now. Bush has clearly outlined what he wants, and Zinni is his message carrier in the ME. You seem to wriggle on, in your deluded way, thinking that Bush can't be serious - sooner or later he'll stop b*tchslapping Arafat and say he really, really, dislike Jews. No doubt that would make Stealthy happy, but I'm afraid it's not in the cards.
What next, Stealthy? You gonna claim "the Jooos" are controling the President with their mind-control-rays?
Ah, TWO posts, Stealthy? Lol. I've never believed for a moment that there's anything quasi-anti-semitic about you.
The intifada was planned by Arafat after he walked away from Camp David.
Is this the reason for the support the Bush administration is receiving outside the beltway? Maybe the American peple really do get "it" when political BS is left out of the conversation: Bush, Chaney, Rummy, Zinni ....
By Janine Zacharia Jerusalem Post
WASHINGTON (January 28) - US special Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni said yesterday certain people are trying to spoil his mediation effort by attributing false statements to him about the Palestinian leadership.
Zinni told The Jerusalem Post that reports in Hebrew-language newspapers claiming he described the Palestinian Authority as a "mafia" and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat as the "godfather" of the mafia were false.
"It is lies and gross distortions that are only designed by those who put it out to hurt our peace efforts," Zinni said.
A report in the daily Ma'ariv said Zinni, at a closed dinner meeting at the White House over the weekend, called Arafat "capo di tutti capi" (head of the mafia), and that preventive security service heads Jibril Rajoub and Mohammed Dahlan behave like "capi," or members of the mafia.
The report said he also referred to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as a "papa bear." But no such dinner took place at the White House, and Zinni was not in Washington this weekend.
A similar report in Yediot Aharonot said Zinni had described Arafat as "an incorrigible liar" at a recent meeting in Washington with AIPAC and senior officials at the Israeli embassy in Washington.
An Israeli official in Washington said Zinni made no such comments during the meeting at the embassy on January 17 during IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Shaul Mofaz's visit, and an AIPAC official, when asked about the reported "mafia" comments and others, said he had never heard anything of the sort.
Zinni said he had no idea where the report originated.
The alleged comments were sent to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem in a diplomatic cable from Washington by diplomats here who were briefed by an unidentified Jewish official.
The reported comments emerged as the US reevaluates its relationship with Arafat and as the most senior US officials openly question Arafat's integrity.
Herb Keinon adds: A participant in the dinner where Zinni's remarks about Arafat were allegedly made said last night that the reports were "grossly distorted."
Steve Rosen, AIPAC's director of foreign policy issues, said reports of Zinni's remarks at the dinner last Tuesday night in Washington, which included three other Jewish leaders, "are grossly inaccurate and misrepresent what he said."
According to Rosen, the reports of the conversation omit much of what was said, thereby dramatically altering the meaning and "creating a false picture."
Rosen said Zinni "spoke in a candid manner, as people do. He said many punchy things about all kinds of personalities. Some of the things are accurate in a narrow sense, but misrepresent the overall meaning - leaving out things that change the meaning."
There were "no survivors" when Zinni finished, Rosen said, "no one came across that great." Rosen said the reports "distort Zinni's intended meaning, and are grossly unfair to him."
The Jerusalem Post
Then maybe the thing to do is stand at a bus stop on Jaffa St. in Jerusalem and hold that sign so you can let everyone know your intentions.
Incessant building of illegal settlements and military action with Tanks and Attack Helicopters against a people in a occupied territory is no way to get to peace.
An interesting choice of words (and 'facts') to demonstrate how your NOT ON ANY ONE SIDE, BTW, I don't understand your point. Is it to imply that only Israel is engaging in military action? Since suicide bombers, mortar fire, snipers, and illegal(since you chose to use the word first)weapons smuggling must not be military action when your NOT ON ANY ONE SIDE.
Sharon created his own need by marching to the Temple Mount and starting the current intifada.
a convenient opportunity not missed by Arafat and a statement previously responded to.
It was very similar to the old US Democrat trick of frightening the old people, about SS.
HUH? Are you saying that teenagers being blown up at a pizza parlor, attacks on 12 & 13 year old girls at a party, and citizens being gunned down at a bus stop are just false threats created by Sharon out of thin air to scare the Israeli people into being on his side? My,my you truly ARE NOT ON ANY ONE SIDE
He was forced to resign once, by a Govt Commission and will be again if he doesn't come down in a no confidence vote, after he overplays his hand.
as have several past Israeli leaders who have failed to balance the threat of terrorism, security, and optimism for peace, Netanyahu included. Your post is obviously the rantings of someone NOT ON ANY ONE SIDE
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