What does Arafat wants? - 2003/09/09 23:29Even though Abbas has had more success than Arafat in the peace process, the PNA and PLO Chairman was reluctant to give him more authority in order to keep achieving these goals. It seems that for Arafat is more important his political position that the peace of his people
Those who wants a real peace in the Middle East—everyone in the world, I suppose— maybe thought that the designation of a new Prime Minister for the PNA instead of Yasser Arafat was an important step in the achievement of that difficult goal. Moreover when few months after the “Roadmap to Peace” was declared, being followed by the ceasefire established by the Hamas. These success in the achieving of the peace—success that Arafat never have had— should have had an important significance for the Palestinian cabinet. It should have increased the trusting in Abbas’s work. However, Arafat and his cabinet was reluctant about giving him more political authority in order to keep achieving success in the peace process. There were an strong political fight between the Presidence of the PNA (headed by Arafat) and the actual government of Abbas. The result: the giving up of Abbas. It seems that for Arafat a political position is more important that the destiny of that people which he fight for.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Louise
User
Posts: 65
What does Arafat wants? - 2003/09/11 11:20Quote: On 2003-09-09 20:29, DavidLJ84 wrote: "... Those who wants a real peace in the Middle East—everyone in the world, I suppose ... "
I think it's rather imbalanced and also extremely misleading to argue that everyone in the world except Yasser Arafat wants peace. People on both sides of the divide have to want peace, and that includes Ariel Sharon and the right-wing elements in Israel, and also the settlers who, it's my understanding, continue to encroach on the Palestinian occupied territories in breach of UN resolutions, which, incidentally, Israel has been in breach of since -- off the top of my head, but I could be a couple of years out either way -- 1967.
I don't really want to get drawn into some kind of slanging match on the subject although I can envisage that this thread might degenerate into such, since it's such an emotive subject, but I believe that the tit-for-tat aggression, assassinations and terrorist acts by both Palestinians and Israelis have led to an intractable cycle of violence that will take courage and foresightedness on the part of Yasser Arafat and Ariel Sharon, or both their successors, to resolve.
[ This message was edited by: Louise on 11-09-2003 08:21 ]
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
DavidLJ84
User
Posts: 2
What does Arafat wants? - 2003/09/11 14:38Dear Louise:
First that all, I never wanted to say that Arafat doesn't wants peace. If he were intelligent, he should know that in front of a country as Israel, that has NEVER lost a battle in that "cave of wolves" where it is, there are only two options: peace and an oficial Palestinian State or permanent violent searching for TERRORIST. However, what you said made me think and I arrived to an important conclusion: I should have said that Arafat doesn't want peace. If he REALLY were looking for peace, he would have given more power to Abbas in order to achieve that such wished goal. But he didn't and now Abbas is gone and the way for peace must be walked AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE PALESTINIAN SIDE.
Respecting the acusations of "...aggression, assassinations and terrorist acts by both Palestinians and Israel..." there are two things that i want to clear. First: Israel ISN'T TERRORIST. It isn't terrorist because state terrorism is not an expression acceptet by the international community. And second, what Israel do is EXACTLY THE SAME THING THAT WHAT THE PALESTINIANS DO: defend its sovereignity and its integrity as people and nation.
I hope not to be very rude.
SHALOM
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
Ali
User
Posts: 37
What does Arafat wants? - 2003/09/11 18:10It seems to me the biggest problem is the lack of compromise on both sides. If both sides are to be so absolutist in their demands and beliefs, then peace will never be achieved. What greatly upsets me is that the land they fight for is not just about their born right to their holy land, or however they argue it, but it is sacred to the whole world. The history, myth, religion, culture that lies in these lands is being denied everyone. It's like when the Taliban blew up the valley of the Buddhas. I'm not Buddhist but I cried when that happened because to see something so precious to humanity destroyed by the prejudices of others in a selfish act is heart breaking. Same kind of situation.
| | The administrator has disabled public write access.
