A comprehensive crackdown on armed factions can only take place when Israel pulls out of the occupied territories, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafatâs national security advisor said yesterday.
| Hey! Lucky you! Sharon was just saying he was going to do that... |
Israel has consistently accused the Palestinians of failing their commitments in the roadkill roadmap peace plan by not stopping attacks by hard-line groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, demanding a dismantling of the âterrorist infrastructure.â But Jibril Al-Rajoub, who was tasked by Arafat in the summer to revamp the security services, said that while the Palestinian Authority (PA) was committed to the rule of law, its hands were partly tied by the continued presence of the Israeli Army in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
| He sez stuff like that and it makes stuff squirt out my nose. It's really nasty, especially when I'm not drinking anything... |
âThe PA is committed to the reforms of the security services and to restore the rule of law,â he told members of the Foreign Press Association at a briefing here.
| "Yup. Yup. It's our fondest dream. Trust me on this..." |
But prompted about the prospects of a crackdown on militant groups, he said, âWe canât make order and restore the rule of law without Israeli cooperation.â
| "We can do it, but not while they're lookin'..." |
Palestinian Premier Ahmed Qurei failed to persuade groups such as Hamas to agree to a new truce or even a pledge to halt attacks on civilians in Israel at talks in Egypt last December. âAs soon as there is an Israeli withdrawal we have the solutions and capabilities to restore law and order but not as long as Israel continues its invasions and policy of assassinations,â Rajoub said.
| Ummm... But the invasions and assassinations occur in response to Paleostinian atrocities... But that's cause and effect... Never mind. |
âAs soon as Sharon recognizes the West Bank and Gaza Strip (as Palestinian territory) and the creation of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, we will deal with such individualsâ behind the attacks.
| "Yup. We got a list. Soon's them Zionists are gone, boy are they gonna get it!" |
Rajoub said that groups such as Hamas had shown signs of softening their traditional position which rejects Israelâs right to exist. âThere have been positive hints from Hamas (spiritual) leader Ahmed Yassin recognizing that Hamas may accept a Palestinian state within the â67 borders,â he said, referring to the 1967 war when Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza. âThere is a consensus among the Palestinian people and Palestinian factions that the way to achieve peace and stability is to recognize Israelâs right to exist. Even the (Islamic) fundamentalist groups started recognizing that issue and are taking a pragmatic view.â
| "We'll recognize their right to exist until we have enough ammunition to blow them away!" |
Rajoub expressed skepticism over the motives behind Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharonâs announcement that he planned to evacuate all Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip as part of a larger package of unilateral measures. âThe question is whether such unilateral initiatives (are designed) to circumvent regional and international pressures against him,â he said. âI hope Sharon is not bluffing us and bypassing the implementation of the roadmap.â
| Jibril? I think Sharon's written you off. He's building a wall around you to keep your insanity confined, and pulling Israelis out of range. Then you can stew in your own Islamic juices. |
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