U.S. Opposes Move to Expel Yasser Arafat

[goobergunch]

By BARRY SCHWEID
AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration has notified Israel it is opposed to the expulsion of Yasser Arafat even though "he is part of the problem and not part of the solution" in the tense standoff with the Palestinians.

"We think that it would not be helpful to expel him because it would just give him another stage to play on," spokesman Richard Boucher said as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government threatened to oust Arafat from the West Bank.

"The Israeli government is very clear on what our views are on these things and I think understands clearly our position," Boucher said.

While the administration tried to restrain Israel, Secretary of State Colin Powell said there must be a freeze on Jewish settlements and the removal of unauthorized outposts on the West Bank.

more...http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MIDEAST?SITE=PAPHQ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

MODS: IMHO this is LBN because it deals with the U.S. position on I/P issues and not with the issues themselves.

[Trek234]

1. The admin supports it

This is just ass covering because even Bush isn't blind enough not to know the kind of hell it will cause.

This way he can in private support what benefits him self, while on the outside still being able to say "I told you it would be bad! Don't blame me!"

[kentuck]

2. I think you are correct...

Publically, he is against it...privately, he is encouraging Sharon to do whatever he thinks will make Israel more "secure"...and I think they both think military solutions are always the best...

[NekoChris]

3. Yeah

That whole 'part of the problem and not part of the solution' thing tips it off. It's like they're saying:

'We really don't like that guy either, but we're totally not for what you're doing, dooder.'

Personally I think the whole Palestine/Israel thing should be settled in a NO HOLDS BARRED PAY PER VIEW CAGE MATCH.

Just, throw Arafat and Sharon into the ring, let them pick a tag team partner, and GO GO GO.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Since people who have wanted a peaceful solution

have long been marginalized, your idea of a no holds barred match between the two sounds great to me!

[lfairban]

5. When I read the other day . . .

. . . about Israel expelling the Palestinians who peacefully protested years ago, I was reminded of a quotation, "Those who make peaceful protest impossible make violent protest inevitable."

Who said that?

[Sweetpea]

6. Tupac......;-)

[tinnypriv]

7. "Opposes" in a special sense

"We think it'll screw us up in Iraq" - paraphrased from spokesman quoted in the Israeli press. :eyes:

[Julien Sorel]

8. And what does Israel want in return for 'accomodating'

the U.S. in this affair. Simply to burnish its image as tolerant? More loan guarantees? Is there a pending weapons deal I'm not aware of? What is it? It has to be something, because Israel likes Arafat right where he is, which means this is likely a bluff.

[wellst0nev0ter]

9. What's The Problem?

Israel is only following the Bush Doctrine :eyes: