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| Middle East | |
| US may be open to Arafat exile | |
| 2003-09-16 | |
The Bush administration has indicated to Israel that it may be open to the idea of exile at some stage for PA Chairman Yasser Arafat if it is not done through force, despite public comments by senior US officials that Washington adamantly opposes the idea, diplomatic sources said. "There is wide agreement (between Israel and) the administration that he has to leave the scene. But the question is a) how and b) the timing," a senior diplomatic source said Monday. The source said that American officials, and even a few European countries, are "open to the idea," though they are concerned that an immediate deportation could trigger a Middle East flare up at a moment when Iraq is still unstable. Another source in contact with Bush administration officials said the idea of exiling Arafat seems to be "gaining a bit of traction" in Washington. But several sources cautioned that despite the administration's deep frustration over Arafat's success in undermining the former US-backed Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, the US is not yet trying to negotiate a peaceful exile for Arafat.
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| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #10 Yes, Old Patriot. We have a number of fine rocks for which to choose as a suitable place of exile for the Arafish. If you would like a bit of Northern Exposure, may we suggest Fairway Rock, which is between Cape Prince of Wales and Little Diomede Island in the Bering Straights. It is a bit more comfortable than Rockall, in that the top is flat. There are bird eggs to collect in the summer, but other than that, without a skiff, things are quite austere. I would rather take my chances with a fall from a helicopter. For a more humane but quite austere existance, the Arafish can perch on the steep slopes of King Island in the Bering Sea. There once was a village there, but everyone left because it was too rugged an existance for even the Yupik Eskimos. A third alternative would be Amchitka Island in the Aleutians. This was a test site for some megaton-sized underground atomic tests back in the sixties and seventies. Some groups claim that there is radioactive waste and plutonium around. The govt sez that it is ok. The Arafish can sort it out and settle the dispute. We can set him up a quonset hut with the basics and he will soon adapt to the subsistance lifestyle. We could also put him out in the central gulf of Alaska at Middleton Island, about 50 or so miles south of Cordova. There is an FAA navigational aid there and there are lots of WABBITS! He could be quite self sufficient there, providing that he leaves the navaid alone! There are also a number of islands in SE alaska, but they are too nice and charming for the likes of him. Kodiak has the same thing, but there are lots of BIG bears there and I would not like to make them sick when they chomp down on an arafish. Hope that this helps. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-9-16 2:46:11 PM |
| #9 Just get Arafat within 100 miles of Dallas, Texas and I can take care of the rest... |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2003-9-16 2:08:31 PM |
| #8 Maricopa County Jail,Tent City.Sherief Joe Arpiao's vacancy sign is on 24/7. |
| Posted by: raptor 2003-9-16 12:08:18 PM |
| #7 Alaska Paul, aren't there a few rocks in the Aleutian chain that remain uninhabited? The US needs to find one, build a quonset hut on it, and exile Arafart there. Come by once a month in a helicopter to check on him - I recommend a Sea Cobra from one of the Navy's amphibious assault ships. If the gunnies aboard feel the call, they can fire a couple of missiles in the general direction, just so the old sh$$bag can re-experience all the "good" times. Oh, and for food, we should leave him a piece of fishing line and a half-dozen hooks. If he's careful, that's all he needs. If he's NOT careful, the rest would only go to waste, anyway. Finally, make the transition in early February, by helicopter. I'm sure Arafart will enjoy the nice "sea breeze" and balmy temps. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-9-16 11:47:58 AM |
| #6 Sharon should announce that Israel has cut a deal with elements within the Pal Authority and that Arafat will be dealt with internally. Let the paranoia build and hopefully the pal civil war will start. If Arafat starts to purge you whack him with a sniper or arrange it to look like a truck bomb took out his building. |
| Posted by: Yank 2003-9-16 11:19:41 AM |
| #5 Is St. Helena available? Like the concept, but that's hardly fair on the St Helenians. I think Rockall would be preferable. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2003-9-16 9:34:00 AM |
| #4 Sharon needs to go to DC and look Dubya in the eye and tell him "No, Mr President. It is a foolish mistake, and beneath you, to listen to your State Dept or mainstream press - as usual, they do not speak for your people. There is much broader support for killing Arafat than you apparently think. In any case, this is not a point you may dictate to us since as many Israeli citizens have been killed, proportionately, since the instigation of the Quartet Road Map as there were people killed on 9/11 in America. You are getting bad advice on this issue - and were our positions reversed, you would do the same as I must now do. Now it is time for you to stand with us, shoulder to shoulder, or cease issuing demands that no sane nation can abide or tolerate. I will be in Tel Aviv if you need to speak with me. Arafat will be in Hell, should you need to speak with him. Good day, Mr President." |
| Posted by: .com (Prez for Life - My Isles of Langerhans) 2003-9-16 6:00:15 AM |
| #3 Another Washington source said that US officials have quitely told Israelis that if they accompanied the exile with some very strong positive measures for the Palestinians and ensure "things would get better" they would in fact "welcome" the exile. This is a pile of crap. Kill Arafat (deep-sixing the old fart is a better solution, IMO), then tell the Palestinians to get their act together once the terrorist-in-charge is gone. NO. MORE. EXCUSES. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-9-16 12:55:29 AM |
| #2 I like Leavenworth Kansas, myself... |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-9-16 12:51:56 AM |
| #1 How 'bout Marion, Illinois? We could make Arafat pretty comfy in a cell there. He could be right next to Noreiga; I'm sure they have lots to talk about. Hint to Yasser: don't refer to him as "Pineapple Face." He really hates that. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2003-9-16 12:18:48 AM |