To: Noel de Leon who wrote (1381 ) 7/13/2002 7:40:07 PM From: chalu2 Respond to of 3467 Official text of Arafat's statement: Greetings and salaam aleikum. First, I would like to acknowledge some distinguished guests. To my left, my good friend, Mr. Morton Sheikh. Morty has worked tirelessly on behalf of Pali Bonds for many years, and we thank him. Morty said to me before today's meeting, "Yasser, I'm so glad to be here, but at my age, I'm glad to be anywhere." (laughter)...Also with me on the dais, Mr. Noam Chomsky, Distinguished Professor of Linguistical Sophistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Talknology. I know Noam many years as well. I recall that when Noam's lovely daughter, Intafadaleh was born, I asked if that precious child was his and he said: "Yasser, that's my baby. No sir, I don't mean maybe." Many years later, he explained to me that this was an American song of his youth. Noam has since given up comedy, except for the occasional book he publishes. (laughter). Just kidding, Noam.... My friends, it is time to seek peace, and peace for all time, with the blood-sucking land thieves of Isra-El, and I mean that in the nicest way. Although we cannot supply them with Arab blood for their heathen matzoh ritual, we can reach agreements on water rights, economic cooperation, and mutual security. Thus, we must look to the accords reached at Oslo, Camp David and Taba as the starting point. I extend the olive branch of peace, for we are all in the small land, cousins, and fellow semites, although the Jews have some admixture of the blood of pigs and monkeys, as our scholars teach. In the words of Rodney Luther King, I say to you, "Can't we all get along? I have been to the mountaintop. If the glove don't fit, you must acquit." We now...do we have have refreshments? Yes, Mrs. Hadayet has prepared some lovely teas and cakes. I encourage everyone to take seconds. Salaam Aleikum.