Palestinians reject Bush speech

London Telegraph ^ | 6-25-02

[goldstategop]

Its official. The Palestinians have told the President Of The United States in not so many words, "F**k you." And we're told they want peace. Yeah right.

[Coop]

If the terrorists are upset, then he done good.

[lavaroise]

Did someone tell them we do not care? It was a conditional position, not some kind of worship and extremist response like theirs.

[goldstategop]

Like they think democracy and free markets are beneath them. The Soviets had the same reaction once.

[lavaroise]

Mr Arafat ignored the call for a leadership change, but senior aides rejected it. Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said the call was "not acceptable" and that Mr Arafat "was elected in free and fair elections, and this must be respected".

No! It does not have to! Worship of elections is not the issue in free nations.

[hchutch]

Their decision. They get to live with the consequences.

[pgkdan]

Anyone catch Alan Keyes last night? He had the PA spokesman, Marwan something on and the guy was beside himself sputtering about how the President had no right to tell the Palestinian people and Arafat what they should do. Of course The Presideent has every right in the world, hell even the responsibility, to tell Sharon what to do...but telling Arafatass what to do is off limits. I loved it...the more angry he became the better I felt.

[onedoug]

Then let's stop talking nonsense and fight this war!

[mhking]

Uh, like we're supposed to care that the Palis are upset? Screw 'em!

[FreeTally]

Bush has no right telling either what to do. Doing just that is how we got ourselves into this mess to begin with.

[goldstategop]

Harrumph. Saddam Hussein was also democratically elected. He's still a thug. Arafart's the same and he has ensured no one can challenge his grip on power. I bet any real competitors simply disappear. The rest are simply his toadies doing his bidding.

[RISU]

They are not the only ones unhappy.

I want the American President to manage "America", and not go out trying to be "President of the World".

Why is the US Government into this "country building" stuff. They haven't got enough problems with their own forest people burning down our country?

[Alouette]

"some points must be clarified".

What part of STOP MURDERING JEWS does he not understand?

[TheEngineer]

Publicly, the Palestinians are trashing Bush over this speech... But I wonder what is being said behind closed doors. Also, I'll bet Arafat is watching his six o'clock very closely. What Bush did was very very smart... We've heard in the news for the past 6 months: "Should the Israelis should assassinate Arafat?". Bush handled this brilliantly, though: "If you get rid of Arafat and adopt a stable democracy, you might get your own country." I give him six months - tops.

[goldstategop]

No. What part of "your time is over and good bye" does he not understand.

[BruceS]

He called on Palestinians to create an accountable, democratic government - something rarely found in the Arab Middle East.

Rare? Name one.

[toddst]

Bush has no right telling either what to do. Doing just that is how we got ourselves into this mess to begin with.

President Bush did not tell either side what to do. Also, "we" aren't into the mess. We are trying to assist both sides in getting past their violent relationship. George W. simply spelled out what's necessary if "we" are to be active in the process. Both can reject what the President has spelled out as conditions of our involvement in helping resolve the conflict IMHO.

[DugwayDuke]

"Why is the US Government into this "country building" stuff. They haven't got enough problems with their own forest people burning down our country?"

It just might have something to do with 9/11 where we had Arab terrorists tearing down our WTC and killing almost 3000 American citizens. But, you knew that, didn't you?

[goldstategop]

I think there used to be Lebanon. Its now a satrapy of Syria.