Posted on 12/14/2002 1:19:20 PM PST by the_second_moon
Barak predicts long fight ahead 12/11/2002
BY KAREN LEE ZINER Journal Staff Writer
PROVIDENCE -- The Sept. 11 attacks changed the world forever, and underscored that "we are at war," former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said at Brown University last night.
"The choice is clear," said Barak. "Destroy terror, or be destroyed by it."
Held under extremely tight security, Barak's appearance was hosted by the Brown Student Lecture Board. Students and VIP guests packed the upper hall of Salomon Center. The public watched a simulcast on the lower level.
"More than a year after 9/11, it is still a time of testing, and more tests still lie ahead," said Barak. "But the last 15 months have given us the nature of the world we are living through."
Advanced technology, and biological and chemical weapons have created "a frightening new state for the whole world," that places us "at the opening chapter of an epic struggle," said the 60-year-old former prime minister.
Barak predicted "a long fight, not just months, but years, maybe half a generation. Many civilians may lose their lives along the way," he said, "but we have to win this first world war of the 21st century. And we will."
During his hour-long talk, Barak stressed that in the war against terror, "the need to remove Saddam Hussein stands out more than anything else."
And, with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Barak said, "On a most profound level, this is the Palestinians' attempt to force suicide bombings on Israel as a new diplomatic tool, and I can tell you, Israel will never, never yield to it, period."
Barak's appearance drew several dozen protesters, who stood outside shouting, "Stop the killing, stop the crime . . . End occupation of Palestine."
They handed out fliers calling for opposition to "Israel's treatment of Palestinians, Israel's attempt to prod the United States into war with Iraq, and all those who oppose inceasing militarization of American society."
The tight security, which included Barak's traveling security team, Providence and Brown Security police, bomb-sniffing dogs, metal detectors and person-by-person inspection, slightly delayed Barak's scheduled 7 p.m. talk.
Channel 12 TV news cameras were turned away, apparently over failure to register in time, said a Brown University spokesperson.
BEFORE HE entered politics, Barak was the most decorated solider in Israeli history. In April 1991, he was appointed 14th chief of the general staff and promoted to lieutenant general, the highest rank in the Israeli military.
Barak became Israeli prime minister in 1999, but was defeated in special elections last year, after the failed negotiations at Camp David during the prior year spawned renewed violence.
Barak last night gave his account of the Camp David talks that were hosted by President Clinton in the summer of 2000.
Clinton put an offer on the table that called for giving "a Palestinian independent state -- that would be 90 percent contiguous," he said.
Barak said he was ready to take that proposal back to the Mideast "as a basis for negotiations," but Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat decided to "close the door behind it, and turn deliberately and consciously to suicidal terror."
Arafat does not recognize "the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state," he said.
He suggested the solution is to "strike back at terror," no matter where, to "focus on the Palestinian terror, not on the Palestinian people," and to make it clear that the door "is always open for negotiation, based on the principles of Camp David."
As for Saddam, the former Israeli prime minister said, "Those who prefer to wait should consider the following: no one really knows how close Saddam Hussein is to a crude nuclear device. And it was a crude nuclear device," he noted, "that destroyed Nagasaki."
If Saddam is allowed "to cheat the weapons inspectors one more year or two, we might be making an unforgivable mistake," Barak said.
"Though no one is willing to admit it now," he said, putting an end to the rule of Saddam Hussein "will change the geopolitical landscape of the whole Mideast."
The greatest risk, Barak said, "lies in inaction."
Barak is the most decorated soldier in the Israeli army. What qualifications do you have that give you the right to make statements like that about him?
Excellent point.
Who cares how decorated he is? That excuses his disgraceful Camp David appeasement? Medals on the battlefield do not represent an ability to evaluate Israeli National Security. Also, Sharon may be less "decorated", but was involved in battles which were far critical to Israel. Sharon's tank tactics from 1967 are studied to this day in the U.S. Army War College, as well as many other nations.
In addition he is committed to defending Israel, unlike Barak, who's naivitee (as well as Rabin's and Peres') represented a mortal threat to Israel's exisitence. Rabin was also a decorated soldier and also Army Chief of Staff. I believe the Marxist who is now running for Prime Minister from the Labor party was also a General. Israel has an unfortunate history of hawkish Generals who lose their balls when they get into politics. Thankfully for the Israeli people, Sharon is immune from this disease.
Too bad you're so unworthy of it.
But I am not criticizing his politics. I AM questioning his courage AND his loyalty. Rabin was a traitor, period. He brought back Arafat, armed him, and has the blood of hundreds of Israelis on his hands. His death was justified.
Barak, with Peres, tried to complete the process of surrender to the Arab Nazis. Even Mrs. Rabin, a far-left radical, said that her husband would "never have divided Jerusalem" and given half to Arafat. Yet Barak offered this and much much more. He was a coward, a traitor and a pucilanimous worm. He should be shunned and his opinions never again heeded.
Thankfully Sharon is committed to defending Israel, unlike Barak.
"Wised up"? He offered to divide Jerusalem, which was never before even comptempated, as well as eviserate Israeli security. Just imagine if Arafat had said "yes". Horror of horrors. Barak is a proven traitor, and should be treated as a pariah until his death.
I think the state of Israel and Barak's peers in it's army are far better judges of his qualities than an intolerant, vulgar, low-life such as you. I also think you've no idea what real political differences over life and death issues are all about and how they should be handled in a democratic system.
You don't know anything about me. This exchange is about your vulgar, stupid, mis-characterization of Barak
got news for you larry
You don't have news for anyone. How could you - devoid as you are of character, taste, intelligence, civility, humanity? You're probably some sort of rodent with rabies.
BUT
I strongly disagree on characterizing the political opposition the way you do - especially when referring to people like Rabin, Barak, and Mitzna, men who have served their country for a long time and with great distinction. If you value democracy and decent people, change your ways.
Charting a surer path to peace: If Israel escalates war against militant Islam, US should support it
Posts #3,4,10,11. Ask yourself how many ancient Buddhas have to be destroyed before people realize the evil nature of unrestrained partisan passions.
Jabotinsky, alone among the early Zionists, recognized the justice of the Arab cause and thus knew they would fight for it as all decent people would - and could not be bought off as the socialists thought. He alone recognized the humanity of his opponents.
Many people are afraid this conflict will cause our people to descend to the Arab cultural level. We shouldn't let that happen.
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