U.S. calls on Qureia to take steps to dismantle terrorist infrastructure

[Gimel]

The United States on Thursday called on Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia to take steps to combat terrorism, following a suicide bus bombing in Jerusalem earlier in the day, in which ten people were killed.

"We strongly condemn this terrorist attack," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters. "These terrorist attacks only undermine the aspirations and hopes of the Palestinian people."

He called on Qureia and the Palestinian cabinet "to take steps to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure."

"That's the foundation for moving forward on the president's two-state vision," McClellan added.

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http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/388507.html

If steps to combat terrorism and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure are taken, Israel would be able to ease restrictions that are causing hardships.

[Wetzelbill]

1. garbage, nothing but the facade of pretending to do something

Palestine can't get terrorist groups under control overnight or without outside help. Making demands that can't be done only exacerbates the problem.

[GabysPoppy]

4. Two things

First you are assuming that Arafat is sincere in condemning the suicide bombers. If you are, please mention some of the things he has tried. You will also note that today's suicide terrorist was a Palestinian policeman. Not a good sign.

Second if he is inept in accomplishing anything substantial as you claim (and I agree with you) wouldn't a "sincere Arafat" ask one of his friendly Arab nations in the area for help. Jordan for example is close enough to supply some manpower or at the very least advice in handling the problem.

[Resistance]

14. Here's a step (or two) that Israel could take

stop the invasions of refugee camps, the terror attacks on Palestinian civilians, recklessly bulldozing homes, and of course, stop stealing Palestinian land.

[GabysPoppy]

15. Thank you for the correction

and here I thought the post was about the ineptness of Arafat and the PA.

[Resistance]

16. you're welcome

but it wasn't really a correction - they were suggestions.

[GabysPoppy]

17. I promise to ask you in the future for your suggestions

[Resistance]

18. most likely

I'll give them anyway, but you are free to ask away if you wish.

[GabysPoppy]

21. Who are you supporting for the Democrat nomination for President

That is what DU is all about.

[Resistance]

22. Dennis Kucinich.

[Aidoneus]

23. and you?

[GabysPoppy]

24. ABB

[MikeGalos]

7. But even Arafat said he could do it

after all, it was precisely his promise to end Palestinian terrorism and shut down the terrorist infrastructure that won him the Nobel Peace Prize, established the PA and made him Chairman of his own little fiefdom.

Gee. Do you think, maybe he was lying? Maybe he'll give that Peace prize back, dismantle the PA and step down as Chairman...

[MikeGalos]

2. Yet again

I can just hear Bush drawling, "Bad Terrorist. Bad. Don't do that again or I'll have to give you a good talking to..."

Clinton called on Arafat to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure as a condition to forming the PA. The result was demonstrated very clearly ten hours ago by PA Chairman Arafat's own Fatah murdering Israeli civilians.

This, like any Bush proposal that his friends in Ryadh don't like is all PR and no teeth because we mustn't upset our Saudi masters.

[mmm]

3. They can't even THINK about this until Israel starts real negotiations

period.

[Muddleoftheroad]

5. Israel had real negotiations, Arafat rejected them

[SOS]

11. Clinton sponsored real negotiations

Barak and Arafat rejected them. Remember that Barak unilaterally walked out of the negotiations on July 19, 2000.
The Camp David meetings were scheduled from July 11 - July 25, 2000. After 9 days Barak announced he had "had enough" and left. Clinton was furious.

[MikeGalos]

12. Perhaps

you're confusing Barak with Arafat who walked away from getting 99% of everything he asked for because he thought he'd have a better chance with Bush and then started the current terrorism wave as a negotiating ploy.

[Resistance]

13. well if you want to get all factual and stuff

It was Barak who finally walked. This isn't even a matter of debate.

[SOS]

20. No confusion

Barak ended talks with Arafat on 7/19/00.
As to Arafat starting the current terorism...

From BBC:

September 25, 2000

"Arafat visits Barak at his private residence. According to many of those present, the meeting goes well. At the end of the evening, Arafat makes a request of Barak: that Ariel Sharon, the head of Israel's right-wing party, be denied permission to visit the Temple Mount. Barak, however, cannot prevent Sharon's visit. Instead, Barak coordinates with the Palestinian Authority, which agrees to try to keep peace in the area."

The air was heavy with the failure of Camp David. Everyone, including Barak, knew that Sharon's visit would spark violence.
Why then did Arafat try to avert the visit?

[number6]

26. the 99 % mythology again

..

[GabysPoppy]

6. Which Israel has proved in the past they are willing to do

n/t necessary

[Gimel]

8. Both have to come half way

It is up to both Israel and the PA to "start negotiations".

If you read the article half-way, you will see that meeting today to discuss easing restrictions:

Sharon cancels meeting with PA, donor state envoys
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom decided to cancel a meeting scheduled for Thursday with representatives from the Palestinian Authority and delegates from countries contributing to the PA.

The meeting, which was to discuss easing restrictions on Palestinians in the territories, was canceled due to the suicide attack on in Jerusalem.

Sharon and Shalom said that it was inappropriate to discuss easing restrictions on the Palestinians on the day when Israelis were murdered in a suicide bombing.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/388507.html

There should be many meetings and committees to prepare the way for final negotiations. Oslo didn't happen in a day. With attacks like this happening every week, nothing is going to get off the ground. Don't blame Israel for the attack. Put pressure on Arafat and his government to bring about an end to terror attacks on Israeli citizens. That is the road to peace.

[tinnypriv]

9. Note the clever usage

Of "Bush's two-state vision", rather than the Roadmap.

Aluf Benn has an article on this topic today, if anybody is interested.¹

-----

1. "The day the road map died", Ha'aretz, Jan 29 2004. Though a good reporter, Benn elegantly conceals the early October 'Deep Freeze' backstory, prominently reported in the Hebrew press and specifically brought to his attention (the usual story for liberal diplomatic articles which cast the US in a bad light).

[bemildred]

10. I don't know why they even bother being cute when

spouting useless drivel like this.

[Resistance]

19. Bush's administration is really deranged

They supply Israel with every known weapon to mankind, for use in butchering the Palestinian people, as Israel's military bulldozes Palestinian homes, steals land, and kills any living being that gets in the way; yet Bush's gang of thugs turns to demand that Qureia dismantle terrorist infrastructure.

That's Bush's "war on terra" for you. I guess you just have to be as criminally-insane as the BFEE to understand it?

[number6]

25. dismantle terrorist infrastructure

with what ??? :shrug:

[Gimel]

27. With teeth

if necessary. Pleading lack of resources is a lame excuse.