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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (15168)	12/31/2001 1:35:28 AM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Palestinian folk were interested in having a democracy Bernard Lewis, in his "Booknotes" interview today, said the main reason Ben Ladin attacked us was because we stationed "infidel troops" in Arabia. He said that Israel was about reason number four, and had got that high only recently. He also said that Ben Ladin figured the attack would make us fold because we were too cowardly to fight the Arabs. Ben Ladin's reasons for this was our retreats from Vietnam, Lebanon. and Somalia. (Read "BlackHawk Down", or see the movie for a good look at our lousy leadership there.) He says that the Arabs had always feared Russia more than us. It was interesting to hear that he believes, that the Arabs believe, that they are responsible for the winning the cold war because they defeated Russia in Afghanistan. He says that the only way out is for us to stay tough and get ever tougher.

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (15168)	12/31/2001 3:20:16 AM
From: SirRealist	Respond to of 281500

Thev election Arafat won was not one that I would construe as democratic. kstatecollegian.com io.com The last democratic election in the region was this one: aei.org And the part not given sufficient analysis was it was also a vote of no confidence in Arafat even by the Israeli Arabs I believe many Palestinians have given up on Arafat and even were he to win a truly democratic election - as is likely - the legislature might end up controlled by more extremist Palestinians. Some Israelis understandably fear that, since the extremists do not hide their desire to eliminate Israel. Yet just getting beyond stasis can have a positive impact, as it might grant Palestinians the hope for something, anything different. Thrust into the spotlight of political legitimacy, the extremists might have to back off their policy to eliminate Israel.... and conversely, how could things get worse than an infitada that swells and fades but never ceases? A suicide bomber cannot kill twice. And sometimes, it is only when hardliner meets hardliner that treaties get signed and peace comes. Right now, I think both the Palestinians & Israelis view Arafat as a waffle that lacks a solution, or even a direction any can count on. And if there was not a risk of such a setback to Arafat, why has he not held elections again? He may state otherwise, but he knows his power is on the wane. I am not naive enough to guess at the outcome when he goes and project it will be rosy. I merely consider it a necessary first step to any possibility for peace at all.

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (15168)	12/31/2001 3:12:42 PM
From: jcky	Respond to of 281500

< It's not possible because of their current leadership, but that's a different story. Arafat won an election in 1996 (which Hamas boycotted), and promised another election within three years. It never happened. > Gee.... and I wonder why there's no still no peace in the Middle East. So how does the United States broker a lasting peace treaty between Arafat (a terrorist) and Sharon (a butcher)? SHARM EL-SHEIKH FACT-FINDING COMMITTEE April 30, 2001 The Honorable George W. Bush President of the United States The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President, We enclose herewith the report of the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee. We sought and received information and advice from a wide range of individuals, organizations, and governments. However, the conclusions and recommendations are ours alone. We are grateful for the support that you and your administration have provided to the Committee. Respectfully, Suleyman Demirel Thorbjoern Jagland Warren B. Rudman Javier Solana George J Mitchell, Chairman usinfo.state.gov