Italy's Berlusconi first EU leader to snub Arafat

JPost ^ | June 7, 2003 | HERB KEINON

[veronica]

Israeli diplomatic officials expressed satisfaction Sunday that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, slated to arrive Monday, will be the first senior EU leader to arrive in recent weeks and not meet Yasser Arafat.

One senior official said Berlusconi understands the need to strengthen Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, and not Yasser Arafat. "He is one of the European leaders who understands that Arafat is part of the problem, not the solution," the official said.

The official said Berlusconi also understands well Israel's fight against terror.

Since the end of the war in Iraq, and a parade of visits from world leaders, the foreign ministers of Germany, Japan, France and Spain have all insisted despite protests from Israel and the US on meeting Arafat.

US policy since President George W. Bush's speech last June has been that American officials will not meet Arafat, and US Secretary of State Colin Powell, on his recent visit, did not meet him. The foreign ministers of Slovakia and Bulgaria, during their recent visits, also did not meet Arafat, underlining an emerging split between western European and eastern European positions on Middle East policy on the eve of the admission of eight eastern European countries to the EU in 2004.

The foreign ministers of Ireland and Denmark, who had planned visits here in the near future, have not finalized their schedule because of concern that if they meet Arafat, they will not be able to meet any Israeli officials. The Hungarian foreign minister, on the other hand, is slated to come in the next few weeks, and is not expected to meet with Arafat.

Berlusconi, whose country will take on the rotating presidency of the EU in July, is slated to meet with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this afternoon, and then go to the Palestinian Authority for a meeting with the Palestinian Authority leadership, but not with Arafat.

The Italian Premier, considered one of Israel's best friends inside the EU, is scheduled to travel to Jordan and Egypt Tuesday and then return to Jerusalem Wednesday for what may be another meeting with Sharon.

The purpose of the meetings, according to Israeli officials, is to push forward the road map, as well as to prepare for the EU presidency.

In a related development, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom is slated to leave today for a four-day visit to Russia, where he will meet, among others, his counterpart Igor Ivanov.

In addition to discussing Russia's role in the Quartet and the road map, Shalom is also expected to focus on the transfer of nuclear know-how and materials to Iran, as well as Iran's support for Hizbullah and the Palestinian terrorist organizations.

[Guillermo]

Berlsuconi is one of the few, if only, EU leader who understands what Islam is all about.

[veronica]

FYI.

[sheik yerbouty]

Bravo Italia!

[Asclepius]

Since the end of the war in Iraq, and a parade of visits from world leaders, the foreign ministers of Germany, Japan, France and Spain have all insisted despite protests from Israel and the US on meeting Arafat.

This reflects no policy commitments. It's just that Arafat is so charming a host. Were I to visit Israel, I would meet with him too. And I would hug him and squeeze him until he turned blue and grew very, very cold. Later I would drive around the West Bank settlements with him perched beside me, waving at people, like a bad redux of Weedend at Berny's.

[July 4th]

Berlusconi leads the first Italian government that an American of Italian heritage can be proud of!

[glorgau]

Perhaps Berlusconi should propose a meeting on the Achille Lauro.

[CFC__VRWC]

How long do you suppose it will be before Chirac makes some snotty statement about how some EU leaders would do better if they were to just shut up and let their betters speak for them?

[firewalk]

bttt

[Welsh Rabbit]

I've read a lot of stuff lately from Italian writers and journalists who are concerned about Islam creeping into their country; Italy seems to be the only country in Western Europe that gets it (about Muslim immigration anyways).

[Paul_B]

> Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, slated to arrive Monday, will be the first senior EU leader to arrive in recent weeks and not meet Yasser Arafat.


Gotta like this guy.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Good post. (^:

***Operation Infinite Freedom - Situation Room - 8 JUN 03/Day 81***

[nothingnew]

Berlusconi leads the first Italian government that an American of Italian heritage can be proud of!

I agree. There are a few things I disagree with Burlesconi about, but for the most part, I admire him. I'm rather challenged about Italian history. They do seem to have a lot of "regime" changes for the past 50 years...anyone want to help me on that?

FMCDH

[lainde]

I've liked this guy since he declared Western culture was woorth defending!!!!

[Catspaw]

Not only the Achille Lauro, but also the shooting in the Rome airport. That Palie murder killed a student from Wisconsin.

[DoctorMichael]

Lets hope and pray THIS spreads! Good for him for sticking his neck out in this affair.

[July 4th]

They do seem to have a lot of "regime" changes for the past 50 years...anyone want to help me on that?

It's just the way the government is set up. All of the little coalitions give a lot of power to small groups. A minor party that leaves the coalition can collapse the government. It's not that they have a "regime" change, it's just that they need to have new elections every time the parliamentary coalition collapses. I think the average is about every 10 months.

[nothingnew]

Thank you.

They have a "parliamentary" form of government...(which I wish for here sometimes). In your estimation, how long can Burlesconi hold on?....I like the guy, don't make me cry!...heh heh heh...

FMCDH

[ffusco]

I've only heard of Orianna Falacci. Can you cite something.

Hope Italy listens to the Pope and has more babies, or Italy is finished.

[Guillermo]

If a European expresses concern over the Islamic horde sweeping over Europe, they are immediately denounced as a Nazi and intolerant xenophobic hatemonger.