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Middle East
Yasser's still there as part of a "compromise"
2002-03-30
  • Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wanted to "expel" Yasser Arafat from the West Bank, but agreed on a compromise to "isolate" him as an "enemy" after a revolt in his Cabinet and strong objections of Israeli military and security brass. The new Israeli policy toward the Palestinians - ending nearly a decade of calling Arafat a "partner for peace" - came after a dramatic Cabinet debate that lasted, off and on, more than seven hours yesterday.

    It will mean sending Israeli forces into so-called "A areas" - territory turned over since 1993 to full Palestinian control - to do what Arafat promised but never did: to arrest terrorists, seize illegal weapons and break up the infrastructure of terrorist organizations. Ramallah, where Arafat's headquarters is located, was selected as the first target because it has become a "capital" of terror, the ministers felt.

    Sharon, who as defense minister expelled Arafat from his Beirut lair in 1982, proposed doing it again - forcing the PLO chairman out of Palestinian territories to an undetermined location. But Shimon Peres and most of his Labor allies objected - and threatened to leave Sharon's government.

    As one Israeli party leader told Sharon, "I'm ready to join your government, but you have to decide first what you want to do - expel Arafat or expel Peres."
    Seems like the first step to getting rid of Yasser is getting rid of his ally.
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

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