Bush Blames Arafat for Problems in Mideast Talks...

Washington Post ^ | 12/15/01 | Alan Sipress

[veronica]

President Bush put the blame squarely on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat yesterday for the difficulties that the administration's first concerted peace initiative has encountered, demanding in unusually blunt language that Arafat immediately crack down on Islamic militant groups. U.S. special envoy Anthony C. Zinni left Jerusalem yesterday for talks in Arab capitals after his three-week effort to enforce a truce between the Israelis and Palestinians was thwarted by surging violence.

[week 71]

Unfortunately this did not occur years ago. Israel may be in for some bumpy times, but they will prevail. Hopefully we will be behind them all the way. I fear for us if we aren't.

[veronica]

Bump.

[veronica]

Bump.

[a_witness]

An Israeli official said that point has already come with his government's declaration this week that Arafat is no longer relevant. "There's no chance whatsoever to change his conduct," the Israeli official said. "It's either Arafat or the state of Israel, simply put."

And President Bush, thank God, chose Israel. Wait for the Islamic tag team at FR to whine that President Bush is a bible-thumping "Israel Firster."

[Ridin' Shotgun]

... demanding in unusually blunt language...

directly from Veronica's mouth to 'the god's' ears. Just don't ever lose sight of the fact, Ronnie, that GW won't be there forever and the US has a real bad habit of turning against its former 'friends' when they become too too difficult. Oh no, she says. That's only for Islamic countries. Unfortunately, you're right; and if GW (or this congress) ever had an independent thought (which I doubt), it was long before they jammed themselves so deeply into AIPAC's deep pockets.

You chide world opinion because Israel has conned the mighty American military to anhilate Islam/Muslims/Arabs in their thousands of years old blood feud, and up to now its been working just fine. But the world is not a static place and eventually the balance will be restored.

[winslow]

Your post doesen't really seem to be addressing any of the issues.

I think Bush is right on the money with his comments. For too long Arafat has made arrests only to release the suspects shortly afterwards. Also his fatah organisation has been directly responsible for murders. His inability/refusal to deal with islamic terrorists is the primary cause of all the trouble in the reason and until the Palestinians show their commitment to peace by ousting this man and replacing him with someone who will take action against Hamas/Islamic jihad and all those other murdering maniacs then the trouble is likely to continue

[Ridin' Shotgun]

I think Bush is right on the money with his comments.

Wouldn't expect anything less from the 'amen' corner.

[veronica]

You are living in denial. The UN vote was another 'token gesture'? Not meeting with Arafat is a 'token gesture'? Wake up and smell the coffee.

[Iowegian]

Wouldn't expect anything less from the 'amen' corner.

When W is right (which he usually is), he's right. And those who always say he's wrong, are the "enlighted ones" in your mind, I guess.

[AmishDude]

What many people do not understand is the diplomatic process. Like any negotiations, you don't want to go insulting one of the parties if you think you can get something from them. This indicates one very important fact: W thinks negotiations are lost.

The reason why America (and others) have in the past made nice with Arafat is that they thought they could get something out of him. Clearly, that entire pretense is gone.

Arafat is being squeezed from both ends, he doesn't have long and America and Israel have decided that the alternative isn't that bad. In the past, they would have been afraid that more radical factions would take control of the PA. It does not concern them now.

[Ridin' Shotgun]

All a matter of perspective. History will tell the story (maybe) depending on who writes it.

[Iowegian]

All a matter of perspective. History will tell the story (maybe) depending on who writes it.

Yep, and history tells me Yasser and his gang will settle for nothing less than the total destruction of Israel as we know it.

[Iowegian]

"Chairman Arafat has said he intends to fight terror, bring those to justice who are killing -- murderers -- in the Middle East and now is his time to perform. The world expects Chairman Arafat to lead and so do I," Bush told reporters.

Bush said: "If [Arafat] can't do what he has to do, then he will be gone. It's as simple as that. We need to see Arafat for what he is."

It's so refreshing to have a president who sees things as they truly are, and has the courage to say it.

[truther]

It's coming, at last. Fat Ara always has been an obstacle in any positive developments in Israel and Middle East in general. From day one. Lets face it, Duboi.

[Ridin' Shotgun]

Yep, and history tells me .... ahhhhh, now I get it. The worlds future 'history' has already been written and you've remote viewed the manuscripts to arrive at your conclusions. Or was it a ouigi board? Or Tarot?

Your guess (assumption) regarding the future is no more valid than mine, or any one elses and to assume that it is, is beyond arrogant. Mine is that we will reap the whirlwind (if for no other reason than the blind arrogance being displayed by so many that they alone are enlightened enough and therefore entitled to decide who should live and who should die).

[Iowegian]

I'm not sure where you get your assumptions about what I meant, but I was referring to Yasser's history and history says they offered the PLO everything they demanded and they turned it down. Why would he do that? Contemplate on that and you will discover their true motives.

[Ridin' Shotgun]

Go back to post 13. I said history WILL tell the story of where we're going from here . I agree that Arafat should go, but not because he is failing to secure peace. He should go because he is more dangerous to the Palestinian people than he will EVER be to Israel. I might even stretch that to say that I believe his leadership is more dangerous to the Palestinian people than Israel, itself, is. BTW, I also believe Sharon should go, unless or until his name can be cleared of the charges of human rights abuses.

[Iowegian]

Go back to post 13. I said history WILL tell the story of where we're going from here.

Yes, and what has happened in the past (history) should tell us about the real aims of the groups involved in this conflict. You don't seem to have a good grasp of that IMHO.