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Israel-Palestine
Barghuti Palestinian presidency probably unfeasible: Powell
2004-12-03
Palestinian militant Marwan Barghuti would probably be unable to take office if he were to win the January polls, since he remains in an Israeli jail for the rest of his unnatural life, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Thursday. "You have an individual who is not available to assume the office, and it seems unlikely that he would be available to assume the office," Powell told Radio Sawa, a US-funded Arabic-language station. "So it would be problematic, if he is on the ballot," Powell said. "He's been certified as an independent, I understand, and if he wins the election then you have elected someone who is not in the position to fill the office."
I seem to recall, I mean I might have this wrong, but I seem to recall that in civilized countries, mass murderers can't be president.
The West Bank Fatah leader, who is serving five life sentences in an Israeli jail for anti-Israeli attacks, filed late Wednesday his candidacy for the January 9 election to replace the late leader Yasser Arafat. "I would assume that the Palestinian people, as they make their decision in the weeks ahead, getting ready for the election on January 9, will consider the consequences of voting for Mr. Barghuti, as opposed to voting for some other candidate," Powell said.
Which means he's a shoo-in.
"It is not for the United States to make a judgment for" the Palestinians, he added.
"Since they have this problem listening to anyone who makes sense."
Barghuti's candidacy, made just five days after he announced he would not run, astonished and angered the dominant Fatah faction, which had already chosen the moderate former Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas as its candidate.
Posted by:Steve White

#19  This may surprise RBers, but Israel will almost certainly release him if he is elected.

While this may possibly be the case, it is more akin to how gamekeepers release pheasants right before their clients take the field.
Posted by: Zenster   2004-12-03 11:29:24 PM  

#18  Paleos are a funny bunch. They choose the most despicable of the lot to be their "leaders," whose job it is to convince the youngest and most gullible that they should kill themselves. Then, these "leaders," in order to protect themselves, hide amongst the people they "serve."

The one hallmark of paleos is self-deception" although it manifests in different ways:

1. "We will push the joooooos into the sea"
2. "We will bring the joooooos to their knees by blowing up their children"
3. "We are peaceloving -- it's the jooooooos who are terrorists"
Posted by: PlanetDan   2004-12-03 6:18:19 PM  

#17  And tries to emulate Paleolithic people, but doesn't have the smarts to make it happen. Hence, they remain always Paleostinians. They have a leadership problem, 'nuff said.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2004-12-03 1:20:30 PM  

#16  And seethes a lot.
Posted by: Seafarious   2004-12-03 12:23:33 PM  

#15  roger that ...
Posted by: legolas   2004-12-03 12:23:03 PM  

#14  A Paleo is a human being that was ossified in the 7th Century but lives in the 21st Century near Syria, Jodan, Israel, and Egypt.
Posted by: 2b   2004-12-03 12:12:40 PM  

#13  What is a paleo?
Posted by: legolas   2004-12-03 12:07:02 PM  

#12  Debka always claimed keeping him in the slam was to protect him and increase his popularity amongst the pals. A deep laid Jooo plot in other words.
Posted by: Shipman   2004-12-03 11:31:20 AM  

#11  You might be right.
Posted by: 2b   2004-12-03 11:02:56 AM  

#10  I would agree with phil_b on releasing him.

If he's what the Paleos want, then there won't be peace no matter who gets to be the new duce. Better to have an out and out bad man as leader of your enemy than some slimey, two faced, weasle who knows how to manipulate the media while sticking a shiv in your back.

And since the result will be the same, why waste chips fighting with the Europeans about whether he gets the job or not. Just finish the fence. Israel now has the tactics to pound the Paleos till the cows come home. Tell the Euros that if he starts shooting again, he won't be kept on life support in Ramalah like Arafish. That'd be a lot cheaper than keeping him in jail for another 30 years.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2004-12-03 10:57:12 AM  

#9  I imagine he will appoint his Cabinet from amongst his fellow jailbirds, as well. Mahmoud the Jailbird Weasel becomes Mahmoud, Minister of Waste Management.
Posted by: Seafarious   2004-12-03 10:29:20 AM  

#8  I don't think they would release him. It would be like releasing a rabid dog. It might serve them right, but that danger extends far beyond just those who deserve it.
Posted by: 2b   2004-12-03 9:04:22 AM  

#7  If Barghuti is elected, there will be an enormous pressure (and I don't mean EUros)on Israel to release him.
The whole story illustrates the need to introduce death penalty into Israeli law.
Posted by: gromgorru   2004-12-03 9:04:06 AM  

#6  Phil:

Israel will almost certainly release him if he is elected

I haven't read anything to that effect. Why do you say that? Israel's policy is never to forgive murderers -- and the guy is serving 5 life sentences.
Posted by: PlanetDan   2004-12-03 8:39:18 AM  

#5  The Israelis could let Barghuti go after fitting him with a non-removable explosive vest, remotely activated, set on a timer, and with a tamper=proof feature that explodes if messed with. Barghuti would be a walking time bomb, nobody would come near him. Jack the Leper, heh heh heh.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2004-12-03 1:40:01 AM  

#4  With or without a beeper in his butt?

LOL. That should be enough to disqualify him as a viable candidate. He can't be trusted now. You've ruined it for him :)
Posted by: Rafael   2004-12-03 1:20:38 AM  

#3  Israel will almost certainly release him if he is elected.

With or without a beeper in his butt?
Posted by: mojo   2004-12-03 1:16:08 AM  

#2  Barghuti Palestinian presidency probably unfeasible: Powell

Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2004-12-03 1:01:48 AM  

#1  This may surprise RBers, but Israel will almost certainly release him if he is elected. And my money is on him winning. Opinion polls put him way ahead of Abbas. If he does win it will be a severe embarassment to Paleo supporters like the Europeans.
Posted by: phil_b   2004-12-03 12:58:41 AM  

00:00