Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

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

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (20825)	3/7/2002 2:59:20 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

So I don't think Arafat has real control; he has just whipped up a boiling mass of grievance and hatred and pointed it at the Israelis, who have naturally increased it by fighting back. Exactly... I think we can all accept that, while Arafat struts around claiming he's the leader of the Palestinians, he's really a puppet of the various powerful factions. Thus, the Israelis are essentially telling Arafat, "If you want to be their leader, then act like it and crack down on these groups who are threatening your power. If you don't, then we will, and we'll reveal to the world that you are not in control and find someone we can hold substantial peace talks with". I feel pretty sure that there are other elements of the PA who don't want to see the extremists gain control over the Palestinian state (since that would merely lead to Israel having further justification for denying it autonomy, or even an existence). That's why we see these back-channel negotiations going on between PA underlings. But Israel is told to deal with Arafat by the international community, despite his inability to deal himself out of Ramallah. Personally, I believe that Sharon is trying to create the conditions where it becomes evident who actually controls the Palestinian Authority and it's ultimate agenda of destroying Israel. But I also believe he's smart enough to give himself an out, by courting potential successors to Arafat who will be willing to assist in disrupting and shutting down these extremist networks, and then work for peace on equal and rational terms. Hawk