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US weighs threat to expel Arafat
The United States wants Israel to clarify threats by its defence minister's to expel Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, State Department officials have said.
| "Are you gonna deport him all at once? Or one piece at a time?" |
The officials said on Tuesday they wanted to know whether Shaul Mofaz had been speaking personally or was reflecting the view of Ariel Sharon's government when he made the threat in a radio interview. "Before we respond, we need to know the context," said one official. Another official said US diplomats in Israel were making inquiries about the remarks but could not say to whom the questions had been addressed. Mofaz told Israeli military radio the government would now consider expelling Arafat because he was an obstacle to the peace process. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Washington was aware of Mofaz's remarks and the US position on Arafat — declared an obstacle to peace by President George Bush in June 2002 — had not changed. "Arafat is part of the problem at this point and is not helping to bring a solution," he said. Pressed on the expulsion threat, he said the last time the question of Arafat's expulsion had arisen, the US had opposed the idea and had been pleased when Israel said they did not plan to do so.
| This time we can "oppose" the idea and be glad when Israel "ignores" us... |
Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-09-03 |
