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Israel-Palestine
Palestine wants to become an EU member
2004-02-10
Can someone please explain to me where the dividing line between comedy and politics is, with these splodydopes.
Palestinian foreign minister Nabil Shaath has said he hopes that Palestine could eventually become a member of the EU. According to Spiegel Online, at the NATO conference in Munich Mr Shaath said that after peace is reached with Israel, the country should be taken on as an EU member. "If Palestine could become a member of the European Union after a peace agreement, it would be a wonderful incentive".
"Just think of the possibilities for graft! We're talkin' big money here!"
Mr Shaath was reacting to a suggestion by German foreign minister Joschka Fischer that the EU should have a free trade-zone with the whole of the Mediterranean area.
And just think, once the EU has a Muslim component, then all the other components would have to adjust their laws and traditions so as not to offend them...
He also suggested that if the US is too occupied with campaigning for the presidential elections, then the EU and Russia should do more.
No, I don't think that's it. I think it's that you had your chance and you blew it.
Mr Shaath’s words come as Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala) visits Dublin today (9 February) to try and muster European support against Israel’s controversial West Bank separation barrier. Mr Qurei will holds talks with Irish Prime Minister and current head of the EU Bertie Ahern and Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen. In just under two weeks time, on 23 February, the International Court of Justice in the Hague will begin a hearing on whether the barrier, which cuts into Palestinian territory, is legal. The Irish Presidency will also discuss the stalled peace process with the Palestinian prime minister - the European Union is one of the four co-sponsors (along with the US, Russia and the UN) of the Mid-East roadkill roadmap to peace.
That's the one Hamas used for a collective buttwipe...

Posted by:tipper

#19  We need money. Do you know how much bombs cost to make? Do you realize our country is turning into a quarry of demolished buidings. Our cause is right because when we blow up school buses we are only doing Allah's work. the Devil aka 666 etc..
This goes on and on. EU...I think not. but we we shall see if that ever comes to pass, I assume Israel would be part of that since it's economy shines above all the Arab nations in the region.
I'm doing my Rantburg thing and ranting.....not always cohesively but I'm working on it.

Posted by: dataman1   2004-2-10 5:35:20 PM  

#18  So Aris, why is it exactly that the Greek people are so weak-minded that they let themselves be mind controlled into "philo-American dictatorship" and weak governments?

I guess that 2600 year hangover from getting bitch-slapped by Phillip II's Macedonian thugs is still giving Greece a Brain Cloud, and nothing has been your own fault since.
Posted by: Laurence of the Rats   2004-2-10 5:28:10 PM  

#17  Barry> Oh, yes the mess Greece is in. Do you mean the fact that now we are in the EU we have the strongest democracy that Greece has ever experienced, when before that we had been a philo-American dictatorship or a weak series of governments ready to fall into dictatorships?

Or do you mean the mess Portugal is in, when she also now has a strong democracy, when before the 80s she was also a dictatorship?

Yes, look at the terrible MESS that the EU has caused us.

You idiotic ignoramus.
Posted by: Aris Katsaris   2004-2-10 4:54:23 PM  

#16  Thanks whitecollar redneck... but only if hell freezes over first...
Posted by: True German Ally   2004-2-10 4:49:26 PM  

#15  I still like the sound of Chancellor TGA!
Posted by: whitecollar redneck   2004-2-10 4:38:50 PM  

#14  Oh great... is that before or after Chechnya? (I would gladly have Israel though, although I think a free trade agreement works better for them.)

Btw I listened to Fischer's proposals at the Munich Security Conference... a lot of hot air, a bit of substance and a desire to be helpful (and a big desire to be Europe's first foreign minister). The French continue to obstruct everything. Madame Alliot-Marie clearly proved it. Not sure how long Germany will put up with this.

And yes, I got 3 minutes with Rummy, plus a phone number. Didn't believe it but he's a much better diplomat than many think and he always appreciates a well presented argument. Not quite the strangler indeed.

I'm back in politics. Let's roll!
Posted by: True German Ally   2004-2-10 4:36:12 PM  

#13   "......so as not to offend them."
The word is humiliate.

liberalhawk & CrazyFool.
The Israelis would have to be crazy to want to join the EU. All the have to do is to look at the mess Greece, Portugal and a few others are in. Then again I cannot see them bowing to EU dictates on a lot of issues. Especially the religious ones.
Posted by: Barry   2004-2-10 2:25:04 PM  

#12  CF - well seeing what a ruckus theyre making about letting Turkey in, i cant see them letting Israel or the PA in. But IF they were to let the PA in, it would only be natural to let Israel in. To let the PA in and keep Israel out, AFTER a peace agreement, would not fly in Europe - theyre not all French and Belgians.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2004-2-10 2:01:58 PM  

#11  I think the elections are who can sponsor the most suicide bombings in one month. This way, Arafish wins every time.
Posted by: Charles   2004-2-10 1:44:58 PM  

#10  He also suggested that if the US is too occupied with campaigning for the presidential elections, then the EU and Russia should do more.

At least the Paleos don't have mere matters like elections to distract them from making bombs exploding more important matters...
Posted by: Raj   2004-2-10 1:14:07 PM  

#9  A2U, won't be a problem as there is no EU requirement against state sponsored assasination of innocents though suicide bombing campaign. They still technically qualify and its not like they are barbaric Turks or something. Just look at the generous work release program in PLA jails.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-2-10 1:13:58 PM  

#8  No death penalty, Yassir. How you guys going to get around that one?
Posted by: Anonymous2U   2004-2-10 12:47:32 PM  

#7  If I were the Israelis, I would immediately begin construction of a subway line from Gaza to the West Bank.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-2-10 12:24:59 PM  

#6  LH - Do you really think the EU would let Israel in? Somehow I just dont see it happening.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2004-2-10 12:19:07 PM  

#5  "after peace is reached with Israel, the country should be taken on as an EU member.

If Palestine could become a member of the European Union after a peace agreement, it would be a wonderful incentive".

AFTER PEACE IS ACHIEVED - and as an incentive. This actually makes sense to me. I assume though that they would bring Israel in as well.

Posted by: liberalhawk   2004-2-10 11:22:39 AM  

#4  "Just think of the export possibilities! Why, there'd be a Paleo Splodeydope in every kitchen in EUrope!"
Posted by: mojo   2004-2-10 11:01:14 AM  

#3  So the EU would get a tiny tiny new market for its overpriced cheese -- well I guess that's good enough to overlook the terrorism, corruption and so forth
Posted by: mhw   2004-2-10 10:19:23 AM  

#2  that mob-justice death penalty (typically sanctioned on "collaborators") alone should temper these fantasies ;-)
Posted by: Frank G   2004-2-10 10:05:02 AM  

#1  Well, their standards of public accountability and their foreign policy are pretty close to that of France. I bet they get in before Turkey.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2004-2-10 10:03:22 AM  

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