U.S. warns Israel off Arafat as Abbas quits

Haaretz ^ | 09-07-03

[Brian S]

U.S. warns Israel off Arafat as Abbas quits

_{By Aluf Benn and Arnon Regular, Haaretz Correspondents}

The United States has told Israel it expects "no surprises" regarding Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat following the resignation
of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday.

Abbas submitted his resignation in a power struggle with Yasser Arafat, dealing what could be a fatal blow to the U.S.'s road map for peace. Abbas's aides said he was bitter over his failure to carry out reforms and implement peace steps and was determined not to return.

It was not clear Saturday whether Arafat would accept Abbas's resignation, as he does not wish to be blamed for the road map's collapse and expose himself to Israel's threats of expulsion. However, Arafat did announce a caretaker cabinet, triggering off speculation as to whom his candidate for prime minister would be.

The White House on Saturday urged Israel to keep a cool head after Abbas's resignation and the Israeli missile strike in Gaza that wounded Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. "We are following events in the region closely and our representatives are in touch with all concerned parties," a White House spokesman said.

"At this critical moment, it is important that all parties consider carefully the consequences of their actions," the statement added.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Saturday he did not expect Arafat to be expelled at this time. Sharon intends to discuss the proposals to expel Arafat, as he has done in the past, but will take into account the Americans' objection to an Israeli move against the PA chairman for fear of the regional consequences.

Israel made it clear after Abbas's resignation that it would not hold talks with Arafat or any prime minister he appoints. Defense Minister
Shaul Mofaz said that in principle, it would be better if Arafat were out of the territories, but did not suggest expelling him right now.

The U.S. said it expected Israel to uphold the understanding that any Israeli move "to take care of" Arafat was taken only after consultation between Jerusalem and Washington.

The Arafat issue was the main focus of the talks held by Sharon's bureau chief, Dov Weisglass, with U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington. Weisglass told his hosts that Arafat systematically and brutally undermined Abbas and was a growing obstruction to the road map. He said that as long as Arafat was there, the PA would not have a serious prime minister and the Palestinian security forces would not act in unison against terrorism.

However, diplomatic sources in Jerusalem said Weisglass did not ask the Americans for a green light to expel Arafat from the territories.

The American officials made it clear that the U.S. still adhered to the road map as the way to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Without raising objections to the Israel Defense Forces activity in the territories, Rice and Powell insisted that Israel take care not to harm innocent Palestinian citizens. The U.S. administration asked Israel to consider its steps carefully to make sure they do not damage "the overall picture."

A senior cabinet source said Saturday that the IDF would continue acting against Hamas and its leaders, in keeping with the security cabinet's decision of August 20, after the suicide bus bombing in Jerusalem.

[montag813]

It's time for arafat to go..

If Bush cared about Miguel Estrada half as much as he does Arafat, Mr Estrada would be a sitting justice right now.

Bush's Middle East policy stinks. Our position on Arafat makes a mockery on the so-called "War on Terror".

[Scott from the Left Coast]

We have spent a great deal of energy, diplomatic effort and money ensuring that the "Arab Street" (and by that, I don't mean those bozos in their "parades", I mean a unification of policy, in this case a policy of war, by all of the Islamic nations. Like it or not, whatever happened in the past or not, if Israel went to exterminate the Palestinian authority and retake those lands, it would NOW cause a unification of policy, war policy, against both Israel and the U.S. by all other Islamic nations (with possibly a couple of exceptions like Turkey and Morocco).

Doing this would result in at best stalemate, western economic collapse (Germany, Russia, and France would likely cut their own deals to back the Islamics against the U.S.), a golden opportunity for conquest for China and N.K., and the end of the U.S. as we know it with President Hillary and new, huge, Democrat majorities in the House and Senate.

[F16Fighter]

The United States has told Israel it expects "no surprises" regarding Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat...

In light of "Chairman" Arafat's past resume of pure evil, every day that goes by without news of his death doesn't "surprise" me -- it shocks me.

And how is it the U.S. State Dept. fears Arafat's death will make him a martyr, while Saddam Hussein's death won't?

[montag813]

Arafat must NEVER be assasinated, as Israel is a civilized nation. NOR can be ever be expelled, as his crimes against humanity are too great to be brushed aside.

Arafat must be tried as was Adolf Eichmann, in a glass booth in Jerusalem. there the full account of his murderous deeds can be detailed for all the world, including his ordering the murders of U.S. diplomats (Israel can attempt to subpoena the NSA tapes).

Then Arafat will be hanged, as was the Nazi butcher Eichmann.

[Salem]

"Our hands are entirely full right now ...."

Good tactical and force review. Thing is history has a tendency to go all higgley-piggley at the most inopportune times. I read current events as vulnerable to just such an untidy scenario.

Which I can say to is: YIKES!

[thinktwice]

When it comes to common sense, the U.S. State Department has little to none.

[Slings and Arrows]

Yer' funny!

Why, thank you! I try.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

What I think the administration fears from things going all higgley-piggley is that one or more parties will elect to go nuclear once someone starts winning and someone else starts losing. Pakistan has nukes, and if Pakistan comes apart, and the crazies take over in a quick coup-de-tat there, then some of those nukes may move west not east.

The U.S. will not go nuclear, but if anyone else does the outcry internally and internationally about Bush's bumbling into nuclear war will most certainly end the Bush Administration and enter the reign of Queen Hillary I in the former Republic of the United States (little hyperbole there for effect).

They game these things intensely, I suspect there are no good results, internally or in the strategic military sense, that come from Israel letting it all hang out.

[Slings and Arrows]

Shalom!

Thank you very much!

For the record, I generally support Dubya. It's just that on the matter of Israel, I think the whole administration needs a few tough-love whacks with a clue-by-four.

[Slings and Arrows]

Aw heck, make it 15 minutes! Anything for a friend.

[Jeremiah Jr]

Terrorist du-jour...

Jordan's King Abdullah II (L) shakes hands with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami (R) in front of an honor guard upon his arrival in Tehran. King Abdullah is on the first visit to Iran by a Jordanian royal in 25 years.(AFP/Behrouz Mehri)

[Meem the Scream]

Yes, I'm a little older than you and I remember hearing about this guy on the Evening News with Frank Reynolds when I was in high school. Running around Libya and Tunisia.

Why won't someone take him out already?

And IMO it's baloney to say there are many others, some maybe worse, to take his place. One of the main things guys like him do is "eliminate" any competition.

[dinok]

"Why won't someone take him out already?
And IMO it's baloney to say there are many others, some maybe worse, to take his place. One of the main things guys like him do is "eliminate" any competition."

Ditto.

unfortunately, of all people we are telling Israel not to take him out to appease our Arab and Eurotrash buddies.

[doug from upland]

Here's the story of Arafat ordering the murders --- CLICK

[winker]

The U.S. State Department's most favored status is still being lavished on the World's Public Enemy #1. The man who never has a sharp razor continues to be coddled and pandered to by those who never learn what a Traitor and a liar is all about.

Jehovah God is not amused while this Egyptian Snake in the grass grins and rubbs his chin and picks at his stubble. Sharon only has himself to blame for still having to deal with this problem. He like peres has followed the same path of negotiating away the Sovereign Jewish Territory Jehovah God has expressly apportioned to the Jewish prople.

The Sharon Administration has once again been brought to heel by our corrupt State Department by fearing who knows what in the process of seeking an arrangement that is being shoved down their throats in direct violation of Genesis 12:2 KJV. The roadmap is the final outrage Jehovah God will use to hammer our Nation with for oughtright disobeying his specific edict previously noted by forcing the Jewish State to be put in dire Jeopardy.

America will not survive long by following this gross error that flies in the face of the Sovereign God of the Universe! Sharon must realize the absolute untennable circumstances he finds himself in by knuclleing under this Treasonous flawed State Department scheme. The number one chief enemy of the Jewish State is now and will remain the U.S. State Department! Sharon must stand apart and Level the playing field to benefit the Jewish Nation if it is to survive! This means abandoning the roadmap first and formost then follow through in taking out arafat and hamas once and for all! Forget the treasonous advice and do what you know has to be done. The REAL people of America will ensure that the support will be there for you. We have a multitude of related problems that will need to be attended to as you take care of your more pressing problems. Trust in Jehovah!

[Orion78]

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is not a terrorist. IMHO, from what I've seen and read, he really wants democracy and secularism in Iran. It is the Mullahs, (Ayatollah Kohmeni?), who hold the real power in Iran and need to be removed. Khatami was democratically elected, but really can't do anything so long as the Mullahs are in place. Please, correct me if I am wrong DoctorZin.

[Canadian Outrage]

I don't care WHO kills Arafat but he does Need Killin!! He will continue to be a problem no matter where he resides. He's a bone fide terrorist, always has been and always will be. Arafat's purpose is to see that Isreal does NOT exist. !!

[freeangel]

Uh, I don't think it's a surprise. Arafat wants the Jewish population destroyed and makes no bones about it. Self defense should be no surprise for the U.S. and Bush in particular since 9/11.

[DoctorZIn]

Join Us At Today's Iranian Alert Thread | DoctorZin

Click on the link above!

"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail DoctorZin”