Posted on 11/05/2001 5:04:46 AM PST by veronica
Press warns over US remarks comparing Intifada to terrorism
AMMAN (AFP) — Jordanian newspapers on Sunday warned that US remarks comparing the Palestinian Intifada to terrorism and Washington's expansion of its list of alleged terror groups will fuel more violence in the Middle East.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs David Satterfield angered Arabs Friday by saying that the Palestinian Intifada, or uprising against Israel, has become “a process of calculated terror.”
“Such a dangerous statement is not a slip of the tongue,” semi-official newspaper Al Rai said.
“It does not contribute to optimism reflected by the administration of US President George W. Bush to support the creation of an independent Palestinian state,” the daily said in an editorial.
“These unfortunate statements which are biased in favour of Israel will ... contribute to breaking up the international coalition against terrorism,” warned the newspaper, referring to US-led campaign against Osama Ben Laden.
“The popular uprising against occupation with sticks and stones is not terrorism,” the daily said. “The rise of unemployment and despair among the Palestinian people will only increase their determination to strive for their rights unless Washington, the European Union and Russia make progress to end the violence and put an end to occupation, and enable the Palestinian people to set up their independent state,” it said.
“Otherwise violence will not stop and statements such as Satterfields's will only provide fuel to Sharon's intransigence,” it added in reference to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Arab wrath was compounded by Washington's expansion of a list of terror groups to include the Syrian-backed Lebanese Hizbollah and the Palestinian militant groups Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
“Washington's decisions come at a time when a war is effectively on against Afghanistan and is expected to be transported to other regions and particularly against an Arab country,” said independent daily Al Arab Al Yawm.
Adding Hizbollah and Palestinian militant groups to the US list of terror groups was a “dangerous decision” which could lead to a “Palestinian civil war that will guarantee Israeli occupation” of Palestinian territory, it said.
Ad Dustour newspaper said this provides a “tough challenge” to Arab foreign ministers meeting Sunday in Syria, and called for coordinated efforts to press for a serious US initiative in the region.
It urged the ministers to “exert pressure on Washington to transform its idea for a Palestinian state to an effective political initiative.”
Oops! What he meant to say was "taping explosives to your body and detonating yourself in shopping areas is the sort of thoughtful and mature diplomacy we expect to yield meaningful political results with Israel."
Sorry for any confusion.
Maybe we could make them happy by excluding the word "terrorist" from our list. We could just change the name to "List of Soon-To-Be Endangered Species".
Stating the truth is only dangerous to Hamas, Hizbollah, PFLP etc. As it should be. Put them at the top of the friggin list.
Sorry for any confusion.
Let me be the first to nominate you as Ambassador AT Large to the Middle East! If the tactics of these groups is not terrorism what do they call it?
Good one! BUMP!
Ah-HA! They understand! This will, indeed, lead to more violence in the Middle East. Meted out by B-52s, B-2s, F16s, and, when the dust settles, M1A1s and as the capper, M16s. Couldn't happen to a more deserving lot.
“Such a dangerous statement is not a slip of the tongue,” semi-official newspaper Al Rai said.
No, it certainly is not. THIS administration means what it says.
“It does not contribute to optimism reflected by the administration of US President George W. Bush to support the creation of an independent Palestinian state,” the daily said in an editorial.
I like the idea of a fully independent Palestinian state. Let's carve it out of the western flank of Jordan, right after we restore the Hashemites to power in Saudi Arabia, under an American McArthur-style regency. It'll teach 'em all to a bit more careful about what they wish for.
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