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.
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