Posted on 05/11/2002 2:44:47 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Edited on 04/13/2004 2:07:46 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
I guess is was that idiot looking for an award.
I think you've answered your own question, it's called discipline.
The War Cabinet (Rice, Powell, Rummy, and Cheney, with some input from Tenet) decided to use aikido: they are going around Arafat. Instead of directly attacking him, they are looking for other people to work with while at the same time putting verbal pressure on Sharon (which is meaningless, and both the Americans and the Israelis know it). We are using the magic words of "corruption" and "bribery", and there isn't a man-jack in the Palestinian middle class that hasn't experienced this criminality.
Methinks this just might work: Arafat promoted to "elder statesman".
Be Seeing You,
Chris
Right up there with Jimmy Carter. I think you're putting this in the right perspective.
Those loons would be a danger to the region and the world for a generation or more and they would assure the failure of any effort to build from what Arafat and the UN have left behind.
Increasingly I doubt there is any solution short of a very ugly war.
You miss the point. Until Arafat can be criticized in the Arab press, he's still soundly in power.
Of that I have no doubt and they aren't just in the Middle East either.
...and supported in terrorism by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran and Syria.
Or a legacy...
OPPS! Both!!
One reaps what one has sown.
Sharon's (et al) strategy seems to be working, despite the opposition of the world's bleeding hearts. Marginalize arafart, and his own people will "take care of him" in one way or another. Next challenge will be to force upon them some semblance of a credible government. Precedent: post-WWII Japan, Germany. Could work.
One reaps what one has sown.
Sharon's (et al) strategy seems to be working, despite the opposition of the world's bleeding hearts. Marginalize arafart, and his own people will "take care of him" in one way or another. Next challenge will be to force upon them some semblance of a credible government. Precedent: post-WWII Japan, Germany. Finally, take out the rest of the "trash". Could work.
One possible outcome will be a split between Gaza and the West Bank. Those who really know what's going on in the PA, know that it is a collection of gangs, thugs, mafias and criminal clans. Arafat is the godfather of several "families", but along with the well known Fatah and Tanzim and Hamas and Hezbullah and Al Aqsa also exist the Abayat family, Al Queda, and many smaller criminal enterprises. These groups have control ranging from just a few city blocks to entire cities. They will not yield control to a central authority, but will make corrupt deals with such a central entity -- like paying protection money. Many of these gangs already collect protection money from their local businessmen.
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