Netanyahu Says Powell's Mission Doomed, Arafat Must Go

reuters ^ | 4/10/2002 | reuters

[TLBSHOW]

Netanyahu Says Powell's Mission Doomed, Arafat Must Go

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (news - web sites), in Washington to promote his hard-line approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said on Wednesday the current U.S. diplomatic mission was doomed and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) had to be expelled.

As Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) prepared for talks in Israel on Thursday after meetings with several Arab states and European leaders, Netanyahu told reporters: "It won't amount to anything."

Presenting a three-part plan for ending the bloodshed, Netanyahu said Israel must eliminate the weaponry held by Palestinians, create a physical border separating Israel from Palestinian-controlled areas and deport Arafat.

"Sooner or later (Arafat) will have to go. Not killed, but removed from there," said the former prime minister, who is widely seen as a prospective challenger for the Israeli premiership in elections scheduled for October 2003.

Netanyahu, who also met senior members of Congress, warned the United States that unless the practice of suicide bombing was eradicated in Israel it would eventually spread to America and other Western countries.

Speaking at the National Press Club, he said there could only be a military solution to terrorism and that there could not even be a military solution if Arafat, whom he accused of creating a "culture of death", remained in power.

Netanyahu said Arafat could not be relied upon to keep any cease-fire agreement he signed with Israel. "Arafat is beyond deterrence. He is in fantasy-land. Because he cannot be deterred he has to be dismantled."

He accused the United States of seeking what it realized would be just a temporary cease-fire in Israel only to gain Arab support for attacking Iraq to oust President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites).

Making a comparison with Israel's 1980 air strike on an Iraqi nuclear reactor, which was condemned at the time by the United Nations (news - web sites), Netanyahu said Israel must take actions to protect itself and the world without regard to international opinion.

Netanyahu said the world has three standards "one for democracies, one for dictatorships and one for Israel" He said Israel's military campaign in the West Bank is an act of self defense comparable to the U.S. war in Afghanistan (news - web sites).

While attacking Palestinian armed militants, Netanyahu said care must be taken to avoid harming civilians, adding that this was why Israel had sent in ground forces, rather than just conduct air strikes, in the current offensive.

The responsibility for all civilian deaths "rests squarely on Arafat's shoulders" for refusing to halt attacks on Israelis emanating from Palestinian-controlled cities, Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu was voted out in 1999 in a landslide victory for Labor Party Leader Ehud Barak (news - web sites) but regained much popularity in 2001 after

the Palestinians launched an uprising against Israel after Camp David peace talks failed under President Bill Clinton.

[Lent]

in Washington to promote his hard-line approach

Oh yeah, freuters. The "hard line" approach is the real approach not the delusional hard line leftist appeasing delusional approach of guys like Peres, Barak,et. al.

[Stand Watch Listen]

Netanyahu speaks before the US SENATE
Source: Netanyahu .com; Published: April 10,2002;
Author: Netanyahu address US Senate

[Neets]

Ping

[TLBSHOW]

Yes I know, but the spinister's are out already saying he did not speak to the Senate. LOL

[ex-snook]

"Presenting a three-part plan for ending the bloodshed, Netanyahu said Israel must eliminate the weaponry held by Palestinians, create a physical border separating Israel from Palestinian-controlled areas and deport Arafat. "

No mention of the 50 year old elephant standing on the peace table - settlements?

[bybybill]

Netanyahoo, who never brought one day of peace to Israel, has the balls to come to this country , go before the Senate[ thanks head rat Tiny Tom] and make critical remarks about US policy while our troops are risking their lives trying to rid the world of terrorists. He and the rest of the Israelis should thank GOD for the USA. How dare he try to undercut OUR President.The Israelis know all about this scumbag, they threw him out of office and he all most went to jail for fraud and thieft.

[lavaroise]

Barking is not helpful. And while I am no fan of Netanyahu, the US has done its own share of barking in this region. Apparently we want to create the critical mass for total war in the region.

[3AngelaD]

I agree with everything Netanyahu said. He is a great man and the Israelis were fools to vote him out. He is also extremely attractive. But he did not address the Senate today. What is it about accuracy and precision of thought and expression that people in this forum take as an affront? (Or attempt to characterize as spin.) He addressed the National Press Club and met with some members of Congress. That factoid does nothing to detract from the strength of what he said. The Senate has and continues to debate the energy bill. I will get a transcript of what he said at the press club today and see if it jibes with the posts here.AdR

[Salvation]

BTTT!

[elwoodp]

Bingo! This simply must be addressed. Too bad the Palestinians do not have a leader in power who can sit down, effectively enunciate this problem, and begin serious negotiations.

[Salvation]

And bumping again.

[ex-snook]

"The West Bank will always remain a part of Israel. Better learn to deal with it. "

Well you admit Israel started this conflict. Good, that's the first step in giving up addictions.

[demkicker]

Where do you get your news? The Arab Daily? Geeze, wake up!

[TheLurkerX]

The Israelis sent him over here as an official spokesperson of the government.

[Torie]

Another guy that thinks that if Arafat goes things will be better. That strikes me as quite ludicrous. Does Netanyahu really believe that, or is he just spinning? The brain dead media of course is too dumb to call him on it.

[Incorrigible]