TITLE: Arafat Was Ready But His People Rebelled

AUTHOR:

PUB/ORG: Mid-East Realitites

DATE: December 28, 2000

"The Palestinian public pressure on Yasser Arafat to reject the American peace proposal reached such a pitch yesterday that the Chairman seems to be left without any room to maneuver." Arafat was ready. The logic of all that has happened since Madrid and Oslo was leading him into the next big steps, designed specifically for him. But he hesitates, thankfully so, because his own people -- terribly repressed and practically tortured into submission -- continue to resist the Israeli/American/Egyptian/Saudi/Jordanian designs for the region. As usual these days the Israeli press is far more free to write about what is really going on than are the Arabs themselves; this article from Ha'aretz today putting Arafat's predicament up front. The analysis is inadequate, and carefully titled liberal Zionist of course; but even so it helps put things happening at the moment in better perspective. But far worse days are likely ahead. The Oslo Plot has deep strategic roots and powerful support from the American-sponsored "client regimes" in the area as well as from all political circles in Israel, no matter what some of them say in public as they complete for political power. Clinton has been fronting for the Israelis throughout his Presidency. The Israelis have worked hard to make it appear otherwise; but the underlying realities are that the U.S. and Israel have always been double-teaming the Palestinians. The incoming Bush crowd shares far more when it comes to foreign policy with the outgoing Clintonites than in any other area of policy -- if not style. They too are trying to team up and work closely together to bring about this "Apartheid Peace" with its important Pax Americana implications. More on this very soon. MiD-EasT RealitieS - Phone: 202 362-5266 Fax: 815 366-0800 Email: MER@MiddleEast.Org END top