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Farrakhan to visit the Middle East
UPI | 4/02/02 | GREGORY TEJEDA

Posted on 04/02/2002 11:44:01 AM PST by kattracks

CHICAGO, Apr 02, 2002 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan blasted Washington for foreign policies that single out Muslims for blame and said Tuesday he wants to travel to the Middle East to try to resolve the differences between Israelis and Muslims.

Farrakhan said the escalation in violent incidents by Palestinians against Israelis was due to the lack of action by the United States and the United Nations to show leadership and try to build peace to the region.

"This is the time for strong, dispassionate intervention by America and the United Nations," he said during a 33-minute address at Mosque Maryam on Chicago's South Side. "If they don't, conditions will continue to escalate to the point of no return."

Farrakhan said he would like to lead a group of religious leaders to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat, and other officials.

"It will take a spiritual people to try to bring peace to the region," Farrakhan said. "If we fail, at least we can say we have tried."

Farrakhan said he believes President Bush shows too much support to Israel, meeting repeatedly with Sharon while demonizing Arafat.

"That diminishes (Arafat) in the eyes of his people," Farrakhan said. "An impotent Arafat only encourages the more militant elements to conduct more suicide bombings."

He said the United States ought to pressure Israel into making gestures of support to Arafat. Those gestures could include promises to halt settlement of the West Bank, and to stop slayings of Palestinian leaders.

"A recognition of the right (of Palestinians) to exist could become the basis for serious peace negotiations. Instead, Israel gives nothing, but demands everything," he said.

Farrakhan said he believes that "because I am not tied to the American establishment," he could have more influence in negotiating peace.

"I believe only a spiritual person can truly achieve peace," he said.

Farrakhan said he wants to meet with members of Hamas and Hezbollah, the religious factions that have claimed responsibility for violence and bombings.

"I want to hear it from their own lips why they do what they do," Farrakhan said.

But he said he hoped U.S. officials would not construe his actions as giving comfort to an enemy. "I want to meet with the so-called 'Axis of Evil,' but I am not going to incite people against my country," he said.

Farrakhan would like to make his visit in May, although he admits the trip has not been scheduled yet.

Last weekend, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said he has no intention of trying to lead peace negotiations, although he concedes someone needs to take such a diplomatic mission.

Throughout the years, Farrakhan has gained a reputation among many white people as an anti-Semite who opposes Israel and all Jewish people.

On Tuesday, Farrakhan tried to tone down any anti-Jewish rhetoric, saying he can understand the religious basis for believing that God promised the Jewish people a homeland. But he also said he understands the reasons why Arabs believe the existence of Israel is coming at their expense.

"It is a huge theological problem," Farrakhan said of the differing opinions. "I believe we are capable of rising above the emotions of both sides, but it will take time."

By GREGORY TEJEDA

Copyright 2002 by United Press International.





TOPICS: Front Page News; Israel; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
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To: kattracks
Hats off to Calypso Louis. It takes a big man to meet with those bloodsuckers.
21 posted on 04/02/2002 12:15:39 PM PST by Gurn
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To: Norvokov
Farrakhan is plainly a traitorous SOB! I say we force him into exile with Arafart.
22 posted on 04/02/2002 12:17:59 PM PST by ohioman
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To: paul51
He said the United States ought to pressure Israel into making gestures of support to Arafat

Obviously Mr. Farrakhan has conviently chosen to overlook two very important, and highly relevent, historical occurrences.

First - the Oslo Accords. Provided direct Palestinian rule, under nominal Israeli suzerenty but without military occupation, over the Gaza Strip and portions of the West Bank. It also called for the eventual control of over half of the West Band by the Palestinians. It created the Palestinian Authority (PA). It is accepted by Arafat as a "state" in the international sense - the beginning of a Palestinian homeland.

Second - the meeting between Israel and Arafat where Barak gave the Palestinians around 90% of everything they asked for in negotations regarding land, self-rule, etc. Yassir turned it down flat.

Now both of those don't even go to the fact that terrorist activities were going on BEFORE June 1967, when Israel occupied the West Bank in the first instance as a result of the Six-Day War. JORDAN, not Israel, controlled the West Bank at that time, and Israel was within the borders Arafat "claims" to want, yet terrorist activities were going on.

Farrakhan is on a fool's errand. But it is designed to give credibility to the Palestinian terrorists while lowering the status of the Israelis. On that, he could succeed.

23 posted on 04/02/2002 12:19:37 PM PST by Chairman_December_19th_Society
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To: Lazarus Long;Norvokov
Let's not forget this gem;

"And you do with me as is written, but remember that I have warned you that Allah will punish you. You are wicked deceivers of the American people. You have sucked their blood. You are not real Jews, those of you that are not real Jews. You are the synagogue of Satan, and you have wrapped your tentacles around the U.S. government, and you are deceiving and sending this nation to hell. But I warn you in the name of Allah, you would be wise to leave me alone. But if you choose to crucify me, know that Allah will crucify you." Louis Farrakhan,Saviours' Day Speech, Chicago, 2/25/96

24 posted on 04/02/2002 12:24:18 PM PST by MozartLover
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To: mc5cents
Does Rita X know about this?

Do you mean the Rita X that Rush had on today? I was stunned at her spiel. I had never heard her before, and cannot believe that anyone in present-day America could be so ignorant. Rush let her go on and on while she spewed forth her nonsense, truly something to hear.

25 posted on 04/02/2002 12:24:26 PM PST by texasbluebell
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To: kattracks
I suggest a one way ticket!
26 posted on 04/02/2002 12:25:46 PM PST by Cold Heat
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To: Lazarus Long
"I actually like Farrakhan. He understands that Jews, Christians, and Muslims all worship the same God, but in different ways"

Uh-huh. Jews worship Him by davening, Christians worship Him by singing and Muslims worship Him by strapping explosives to their children.

Every culture has its own way of doing things and who are we to judge?

27 posted on 04/02/2002 12:27:40 PM PST by wideawake
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To: Risus
And I suppose you are in favor of Big Oil buying and then promptly shelving any and all attempt of using solar power and natural gas.

Solar and natural gas do not have the energy density of petroleum. Aside from nuclear, petroleum has the highest energy density of the myriad fuel sources. That is, if you don't count mitochondria.

28 posted on 04/02/2002 12:28:17 PM PST by Frohickey
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Comment #29 Removed by Moderator

Comment #30 Removed by Moderator

To: Norvokov
I actually like Farrakhan. He understands that Jews, Christians, and Muslims all worship the same God, but in different ways.

Oh sure muslims sucide bomb innocent people and go straight to alluah.

that is definitly different

31 posted on 04/02/2002 12:31:31 PM PST by farmall
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To: texasbluebell
Me too, but she was funny, huh? I especially giggled uncontrollably when she asked if we wanted "their a$$es out of here" blah-blah-blah.

Heeeheee heeeeeeeeeeee. Oooooo my. That was entertaining!

32 posted on 04/02/2002 12:32:52 PM PST by mikhailovich
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To: rintense
Farrakhan Alert!!! You wondered when he would show up...?
33 posted on 04/02/2002 12:33:26 PM PST by happygrl
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To: kattracks
I have this vision of some enterprising pimply-faced teenager sticking Louis Farrakhan's name on the "Known Terrorist Watch List" while he's out of the country. Makes me giggle...
34 posted on 04/02/2002 12:35:19 PM PST by Poohbah
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To: Lazarus Long
I know - I was just adding my own comment. No need to give me pointers on etiquette, young newbie.
35 posted on 04/02/2002 12:35:28 PM PST by wideawake
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To: kattracks
Farrakhan said the escalation in violent incidents by Palestinians against Israelis was due to the lack of action by the United States and the United Nations to show leadership and try to build peace to the region.

I just love this line of reasoning. They're killing each other, and it's our fault. I suppose we should give each "nation" - the term is used loosely - a spanking and send them to opposite corners of the war until they're ready to make nice with each other. Any other super power nation would do the same. < /sarcasm >

36 posted on 04/02/2002 12:37:20 PM PST by HusbandMan
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To: happygrl
Oh Heavens above... keep an eye on this guy. His anti-Jew leanings are well known.
37 posted on 04/02/2002 12:38:22 PM PST by rintense
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To: Chairman_December_19th_Society
So True!! The whole thing will always hang up on "right of return" which, of course, signals an end to the state of Israel. Do you think Farrakhan might be after some instruction in bomb making?
38 posted on 04/02/2002 12:38:44 PM PST by JimSEA
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To: HusbandMan
What we should do is get out of there take our money and our weapons and leave that tribal warfare to work itself out in that desert wasteland.
39 posted on 04/02/2002 12:38:49 PM PST by mv1
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To: RightWhale
If he goes, he goes at his own risk. There is no way in the world Bush would sanction a visit by Farrakhan.
40 posted on 04/02/2002 12:40:10 PM PST by rintense
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