Palestinian Authority To shut down hamas and Islamic Jihad

CNN ^

[ElisabethInCincy]

Palestinian Authority says it will close all offices and institutions of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Details to come.

[Migraine]

Canadian clipper to freeze Hades, more to follow.

Good one! Anyway, it's not their offices which have been of concern -- it's their "loose cannons".

[Cyber Liberty]

Too late, Yasser. You're too late.

[b4its2late]

Seeing is believing......

[Tree of Liberty]

"President" is Arafat's self-proclaimed title. It apparently promotes better PR than "chairman" (as in chairman Mao).

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I think Aragat's PA is recognized by many nations including the US, and he was actually elected by his people. (going by memory on this)

[El Gato]

It depends on the definition of the word "close"

Exactly! In this case it probably means, "close and reopen under the Palistinian Authority, with no change in personel, policies, or activities."

Kind of silly in the case of the latest bomb and shooting attack on a bus, since it's a branch of Arafat's own Fatah that has claimed responsibility for it.

[ElisabethInCincy]

thats what i thought how silly when FATAH claimed repsonsibility

[El Gato]

Doesn't president imply a sovereign republic

Nah, you can be the president of a University, a corporation, or even a bridge club. Most countries have prime ministers or other head of government. The title of president was taken to make Arafat seem more like the head of free country, rather than a dictator. Of course of late far too many Presidents of countries have been nothing but tinpot dictators. For example, President General Doctor Idi Amin Dada.

[monkeyshine]

He was first appointed by the Arab league as the "sole representative" of the Palestinian people in 1964 -- 3 years before Israel occupied the west bank and gaza. 10 years ago he did get elected by the Palestinian people, but I cannot find who opposed him in that election. Since his 'election' there have been no more elections, and the "palestinian congress" is virtually powerless. It was all done for show.

Arafat Drop Pretence at Democracy By Shyam Bhatia, Ibn Khaldun Center (Egypt)

[Mat_Helm]

To little to late. Deport all the little terrorists back to Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon now or just throw them all into the Siani Desert.

[OldFriend]

He is counting on Hezbolla to pick up the terror slack. Oh but wait, Congessman Issa said Hezbolla was an organization totally innocent of any terror acts.

[BenF]

I will have no objection if they kill each other instead of innocent Israelis.

[The Vast Right Wing]

snoooooooooooooooze

Haven't I heard this before?

[M.K. Borders]

If this actually occurs, it'll start a civil war among the Pali's.

Remember the doctrine of Ronulus Maximus; Compel your enemies to fight one another.

[blam]

"This is gonna get ugly."

It's waaayyy past due.

[Heisenburger]

Palestinian Authority says it will close all offices and institutions of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Details to come.

They mean they'll shut down the offices and institutionts for today. All terrorists get off work early. Forced holiday. Back to work again as usual tomorrow.

[Lent]

This I'm definitely putting on my "wait and see" list. Moroever, the group which has claimed responsibility is linked to Arafat's Fatah. Should we expect an implosion or just a lot of rhetoric as usual?

[Hillary 666]

The Islamic Jihad will have Arafat whacked if he even tries to shut them down. Most of the Palestinians are willing to kill Arafat now.

[cookcounty]

I am astonished to find that Hamas & IJ have had offices operating openly.

I had assumed that Arafat didn't pursue these jerks with any vigor, but it didn't occur to me that he allowed them an actual office and official addresses. Now it's clear that Arafat (at least until today) was not at all serious about combating terror, or pursuing peace.