Posted on 1/27/2009, 7:05:38 PM by SJackson
Cairo – In Egypt and in the Gaza Strip, the enthusiasm is definitely palpable over the arrival of George Mitchell, President Obama’s new envoy to the Middle East.
He’s not a stranger. Many in the Arab world gained respect for Mr. Mitchell following his report on the al- Aqsa Intifada, which broke out in 2000. The report on the conflict was viewed as balanced, placing the blame at the feet of leaders on both sides.
Hamas officials, however, say they are disappointed that Mitchell has no plans to meet with them on this trip, and say they won’t be left out of the loop. Naturally, they say, any extension of the cease-fire depends on Hamas.
And that cease-fire was looking increasingly shaky on Tuesday after an incident in which one Israeli soldier and one Palestinian were killed. It started after an Israeli patrol along the border with Gaza was hit, probably by a roadside bomb.
Mitchell is in Cairo today and will be in Israel Wednesday. But there’s some Arab dismay that Mitchell will not be seeing the worst of the 22-day war: He will almost definitely not be stopping in Gaza. No American official has been permitted to travel to the Gaza Strip since a convoy carrying senior US intelligence officials was attacked in 2003. A roadside bomb was also behind that attack.
(Excerpt) Read more at features.csmonitor.com ...
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We should forget about the 2003 incident, it was a misunderstanding. As we should Arafat's 1972 murder of Ambassador Noel and our Charge d'affair in the Sudan. It was a misunderstanding, we should have released Sirhan Sirhan. And all the terrorist attacks in between. It's essential we understand their rage, and adjust our politics and personal lifestyles accordingly.
Gaza is rat-infested, that’s the problem...
“Gaza is rat-infested, that’s the problem”
obama’s envoy should feel at home in that case.
Obviously so...
They talk about Mitchell being “fair” to both sides... Yeah, the concept of the moral equality of both sides, as if that is true. Let’s put the terrorists on an equal moral-plane as those subject to terrorism who are defending themselves....
It’s ridiculous...
Everybody loves Uncle Sugar!
Obama is about to recognize Hamas as a ruling body, thus elevating a terorist organization to that of a legitimate recognized government. Now that’s diplomacy at it’s finest. And that’s before the negotiations even start.
I realize the U.N. has already done so. Does that matter? We know what a diseased org that is. Obama has just lowered our nation to it’s level.
Yep, you’re right.
If he does, it's a diplomatic failure, and will doom not only his "peace process", but the West Bank as well.
When his envoy meets with them, isn’t that basically official recognition that they are the government of Gaza? I would prefer they remain the illegitimate government, not recognized by our nation. It is my opinion that this does fail from that point.
The negotiation by a legitimate government with a terrorist entity, can only mean that the legitimate government will to some extent, have to cave to terrorists demands.
Maybe I’m being too much of a purist here, but I don’t like this one bit.
We are about to force Israel to capitulate to the Arabs, Islmacists, and their terrorist operatives. The only question is to what extent.
Yes, and it legitimizes Hamas' attempts to gain control in the West Bank as well. But Obama claims neither he nor his representatives will meet with Hamas, a terrorist group, so till he does we're stuck with his word. The fact that Hamas' is pleased with Mitchell's meeting doesn't mean they're actually meeting with him.
Telegram from Obama to Hamas
“Shhhhh!” STOP
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