Bush says he has never respected Arafat

Reuters | May 21, 2002

[HAL9000]

WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Tuesday he has never respected Yasser Arafat because the Palestinian president had let his own people down, leaving them "poor and isolated and frustrated."

Speaking to European reporters ahead of a trip to Germany, Russia, France and Italy, Bush reiterated his April 4 speech in which he said Arafat had failed the Palestinian people.

"He's had a chance to lead. He had a chance to get a peace agreement with my predecessor. He's had chance after chance. And by failing to lead, he has really let the Palestinians down," Bush said.

"I say that with a lot of angst in my heart, because I am concerned about the plight of the Palestinian citizenry, poor and isolated and frustrated," he said. "Somebody said, has he earned your respect? I said, he never had my respect, because ... he let his people down. The role of a leader is to lead."

Bush's remarks could anger many Palestinians who complain the United States has pro-Israel policies, preventing it from being an honest broker for peace in the region.

Arafat's popularity among Palestinians and across the Arab world rose this year while Israel besieged the longtime leader in his headquarters, but it appears to have fallen back since the siege was lifted.

In recent weeks, Palestinian calls have grown louder for reforms within the impoverished Palestinian Authority that would loosen his grip on power, but it is unclear if potential successors have as much appeal as Arafat.

Bush said Middle East peace was possible, saying it would require U.S. leadership, tough choices by Israel to accept a Palestinian state, a commitment by the Palestinians to renounce and to fight terrorism, and the involvement of the Arab nations in building institutions necessary for a Palestinian state.

In 2000, Arafat turned away from a comprehensive peace settlement former President Bill Clinton tried to forge along with Israel's then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Arafat has reached interim peace accords with Israel in the past. Under the 1993 Oslo peace accords and through successive deals, Arafat has gained control, partially or fully, of about 40 percent of the West Bank and much of the Gaza Strip.

[america-rules]

This will piss the idiots over on the other side of the pond off !

[d4now]

Helluva headline.

[Prodigal Son]

Bush's remarks could anger many Palestinians who complain the United States has pro-Israel policies, preventing it from being an honest broker for peace in the region.

Of course, it could do just the opposite as well. I'm glad Reuters is always there to point out the futility of any conservative trying to do something. Dubya is just telling the truth, which in my opinion is the first thing you need to know about somebody if you're concerned over whether they'll be an honest broker.

In recent weeks, Palestinian calls have grown louder for reforms within the impoverished Palestinian Authority that would loosen his grip on power, but it is unclear if potential successors have as much appeal as Arafat.

Hello, Reuters, it says right there that the Palestinians are unhappy with the "leadership" of everybody's favorite terrorist. On a side note, I don't get the sentence about it being unclear if anyone else would have the "appeal of Arafat". How anyone could find such a disgusting creature appealing in any shape or form is beyond me.

[Joe Boucher]

Oh my, G.W.Bush spoke the truth about Yassar. You go Mr. President. Imagine that, an American president that isn't in bed with Yassar. HOw about that Mr. Klintoon?

[lavaroise]

Bush's remarks could anger many Palestinians

Reuter's personal comments and likings are irrelevant here. Maybe they believe in their fantasies that they are the leadership that should replace Arafat.

[chiefqc]

Does this mean that crusty klinton, a want-to-be lesbo, won't get to play kissy face again.

[veronica]

FYI.

[veronica]

Ping.

[TADSLOS]

Another glaring illumination showing the contrast between the boy-man President Bill and a man of conviction and courage, President Bush:

Bill to Arafat: (paraphrasing) "You made me into a loser and my legacy is lost!"

Bush to Arafat: (paraphrasing) "Your no leader, just a washed up old terrorist."

[dighton]

Bush's remarks could anger many Palestinians ...

Palestinians are angry, dog bites man, sun rises in east.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping.

The Opecker Prince owned Reuters really has a problem with reporting reality when it comes to Islamic thugs like Arafatty!

[Freetus]

Bush said Middle East peace was possible, saying it would require U.S. leadership, tough choices by Israel to accept a Palestinian state, a commitment by the Palestinians to renounce and to fight terrorism, and the involvement of the Arab nations in building institutions necessary for a Palestinian state.

Yep. I do agree with Bush.

[veronica]

Bush said Middle East peace was possible, saying it would require U.S. leadership, tough choices by Israel to accept a Palestinian state, a commitment by the Palestinians to renounce and to fight terrorism, and the involvement of the Arab nations in building institutions necessary for a Palestinian state.

Which Israel did at Camp David. Arafat turned it down. Not likely to come around again anytime soon. 'The Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.' Abba Eban.

Oh well. :)

[SJackson]

Bush said Middle East peace was possible, saying it would require U.S. leadership, tough choices by Israel to accept a Palestinian state, a commitment by the Palestinians to renounce and to fight terrorism, and the involvement of the Arab nations in building institutions necessary for a Palestinian state. I agree with the President too. Israel has made the tough choices. The Arab world has continued on it murderous ways, financing and encouraging the killing Jews and Americans, and supplying jihadists. GWB is right to never have respected Arafat. He never wanted peace. Documents Captured by the IDF: Saudi Arabia finances terror activities Comparison of Israeli, Palestinian, and Syrian Textbooks - This is Scary Dennis Ross on Fox News Sunday (What Arafat Turned Down) Inciting and Educating Children Towards Hate, Anti-Semitism Violence in Palestinain Authority The Involvement of Arafat, PA Senior Officials and Apparatuses in Terrorism against Israel Ugly fellow, that Arafat. Not one to be trusted or respected.