Posted on 5/13/2002, 5:04:28 AM by NormsRevenge
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat said Sunday that Palestinian militants carrying out suicide attacks in Israel were being supported by international powers.
Asked in an interview with CNN if he would do everything possible to stop the suicide bombers, Arafat said: "No doubt. This is my policy from the beginning. Although, there are some - I don't want to say their names - some international powers supporting this."
Arafat refused to answer when asked if the foreign powers were Iraq or Iran - which the United States accuses of supporting terrorism. Both countries deny the U.S. charges.
Arafat said that after a leader of the militant Islamic group, Hamas, praised the latest suicide bombing near Tel Aviv which killed 15 people, Palestinian security forces arrested 24 Hamas leaders and members.
He said he still did not know who was behind that attack.
Arafat was apparently speaking before Israel's ruling Likud Party dealt a further blow to prospects for Middle East peace talks by voting late on Sunday against any future establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
He said he thought that Palestinians were close now to establishing their independent state alongside Israel.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Likud vote placed in danger any hope of an agreement. He said it showed the true intentions of Israel and would increase frustrations of Palestinians locked in a violent 19-month-old struggle against Israeli rule.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Likud vote placed in danger any hope of an agreement. He said it showed the true intentions of Israel and would increase frustrations of Palestinians locked in a violent 19-month-old struggle against Israeli rule.
It's not a "struggle," it's a guerilla war. It's not "frustrations," its "hatred." And how on earth could the Arabs hate the Jews any more than they already do?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.