I wonder why the USA snubs arafat if they are concerned about ME peace before they let loose on iraq. It looks like more violence is a sure thing now...sure is confusing.
Good question...I would guess it's a personal decision; Cheney is the head of the camp in the Bush administration that wants to cut off relations with Arafat...remember Ben Eliezer's gaffe, when he said "About Arafat, Cheney is more extreme than me"?
As for more violence, it's a sure thing in any case; appease Arafat more now, he keep up the winning strategy, don't appease him now, he's ratchets up the violence to get attention.
His whole goal for the intifada remains getting international monitors and/or politicial negotiations with diplomats at the table and bombs in the street. Since he's committed to an extreme position, the more the Palestinians suffer, the better it is for him, as it increases extremism.
For all the Palestinian rhetoric about "atrocities" and "massacres", they know they are protected by world opinion and Israeli decency from any real massacres. So as long as Israel is prevented from removing him from power, he has no incentive to change course. |
