Bush administration invites Yasser Arafat to Washington for peace talks

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0308/24/sm.13.html

<snip>COLLINS: Let's talk about the situation in relationship, I guess I should say with Yasser Arafat. Now things have changed at least a little bit with the announcement from Colin Powell that he has actually invited Arafat to Washington to speak and to talk about the government with Abu Mazen, Mahmoud Abbas, otherwise known as.

What do you think about this decision, Mr. Perry?

PERRY: I think it's a good decision. It's -- it frankly acknowledges reality. Mr. Arafat's been demonized over the last three years. Whether you like Mr. Arafat or not, he's the president of the Palestinian people. He's been elected by the Palestinian people. And he's the one who can be the best arbiter of this.

While we keep saying, and Israel keeps saying that he's undermining his prime minister, without Yasser Arafat, there would not have been a prime minister. He arranged his appointment. He supported this cease-fire. And I think we need to get him involved in the process again.

Israel won't like it, but if he can deliver peace, then we need to acknowledge that.

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[DCDemo]

1. I wouldn't put it past the Bushies

To arrest Arafat when he arrives and charge him as a terrorist leader. You know, to "shock and awe" the rest of the world into being their bitch.

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

17. A "setup" to put Arafat in Gitmo

As soon as he sets foot on U.S soil he's off for "Cuban " soil.

[hang a left]

26. I was thinking the same thing

or setting him up for an assasignation. If I were Arafat, I would opt out.

[legin]

2. .

:wow:

[QuietStorm]

22. doesn't make sense right?

[glarius]

3. This is just the beginning of this administration having to "eat crow"

There's this with Arafat not to mention the Bushies are backing down on going it alone in Iraq...they're now after help from "old Europe"...It's great to see them being humbled!

[PartyPooper]

4. I'd love to be a 'fly on the wall' for this meeting!

What can Bush possibly say to assuage the rancor he spewed at Yasser Arafat several months ago? Moreover, what "bonus" did Bush promise Mr. Arafat-if he cooperates? Hmmm.

:crazy:

[NNN0LHI]

6. I more wonder if there will be a Bush/Arafat photo op in the Rose Garden?

The freepers will all literally crap their pants in unison.

Don

[PartyPooper]

9. Yes, and, maybe there will be a 'sleep-over' in Crawford.

:evilgrin:

[aquart]

36. Arafat is a tough, smart survivor. My money's on him.

[legin]

5. And he is only meeting Powell

Freerepublic hate Powell anyway, so this will just re-inforce their low opinion of him. bush* will get some flack but probably nothing too damaging.

Now if bush* was going to meet Arafat that might be quite interesting over there.

[NNN0LHI]

7. They are still joined at the hip

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/6452109.htm

White House expresses support for Powell

<snip>"Secretary Powell and Deputy Secretary Armitage are outstanding members of the president's team, and they are highly valued members of the president's team," McClellan said in Texas where Bush has begun a monthlong vacation at his ranch.

At the State Department, deputy spokesman Philip T. Reeker said Powell "serves at the pleasure of the president and will continue to do so."

Powell and Armitage were to fly to Texas on Tuesday for dinner with Bush and further talks with him on Wednesday on foreign-policy issues.

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[QuietStorm]

23. it is like Powell is setting up Arafat. (has Arafat accepted?)

they send the somewhat more conscientious player to "expell" Arafat.

I read the interview fast. Has Arafat accepted?

[kentuck]

8. Yassir Arafat ? Who he ???

Oh, the guy that used to be in charge of the Palestinian people. Hadn't seen him much since Dubya took over with his coup. But I guess the shit has got so bad with the "roadmap" that they have decided to stop and ask for directions. Son, you are lost big time. Just ignore the problem - it will go away. Remember Osama?

[dArKeR]

10. Bush policy; 'Tears of a clown when no ones around'.

Bush management competency; 'Break out the arms and ammo we're going to blast our way through here'.

[Flying_Pig]

11. I'll believe it when......

Does anyone seriously believe, with the election coming up, that Bush and the Likud-loving neocons pulling his puppet strings, will cross the Sharonistas by bringing Arafat to D.C.? Not likely. AIPAC and the rest, will quickly put their knee on Bush's neck, and their Likud allies in the media, will quickly start marking X's on Bush's back> Oh Brutus....! Where art thou Brutus....?

I'll believe Arafat comes to D.C., ...when pigs fly!

[legin]

12. Welcome Flying_Pig

and a great first post. :evilgrin:

[tlcandie]

13. My first reaction was and so how long will it take them to arrest him?

I'm with you WFP.. will believe it when I see it!

[aquart]

37. "Likud allies in the media"

Right. The Jews control the media. And the banks. And your life. The Jews run this country. The poor fascist Christians are blameless.

It's good to have a scapegoat, yes?

[Zhade]

39. Nah.

All Jews? Nope. That's silly.

The Likud and the neocons, though - you bet your ass they're in control.

[ewagner]

14. My, my, my

Did these a**holes just wake up?

Dubya just discovered what Clinton was trying to do. I think Clinton tried his damnedest to bolster Arafat's prestige, both within his country and world wide in order to build enough popular support for him in Palestine that he could actually overpower and control Hamas.

Without Arafat there was no one to negotiate with. Without Arafat being seen as the true, recognized leader of the PLO , he would have no support for anything he negotiated. So Clinton built him up.

And Dubya took him down.
Tried to make him irrelavant.
Didn't work.
In the end they have to deal with Arafat.

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. I thought Arafat still wasn't

allowed out of his compound? No less go anywhere?

Besides, didn't W say that he didn't want to negotiate with a terrorist? Wasn't that why he wouldn't have anything to do with Arafat for the last 2.5 years? And didn't W say more than a few times that Arafat must go?

Seems W always back down on his principles, whenever he gets backed into a corner. Principles, what principles? Just like his daddy.

[alfredo]

16. Will Sharon allow Arafat return if

he leaves? Remember Arafat could not go to an Arab conference because if he left, he would not be allowed to return.

this could be a trick.

[QuietStorm]

21. a trick!! there are articles in IP of "expelling" Arafat.

is this interview at all consistent with the usual propaganda --- wow all of a sudden comes out of CNN statements regarding Arafat having been demonized THIS IS THE FISHEST thing I have read so far tonight.

This is not consistent with the general line of propaganda "Arafat has been demonized" is alternative press very very independent press. Not CNN. Seems like a set up to me.

Will his plane make the trip?

[alfredo]

32. Any act against Arafat would worsen the situation. Like him or not

he is a lot better than the rest. My hopes for Abbas were high, but he's not the Charismatic leader like Arafat.

[QuietStorm]

34. Yes that is the way I reconcilled it myself

as you say, "Any act against Arafat would worsen the situation." many of my comments here were reflexive as the invite comes so out of the blue and is inconsistent with the line on this up until now.

[Paschall]

18. Question

I'm no expert on these things, but doesn't protocol apply here? Wouldn't it be more appropriate for Shrub to invite and meet with Arafat--who is a head of state after all? Getting invited to Washington to meet with Powell--an unelected official and someone below him on the political pecking order--sounds a bit insulting to Arafat. No?

[radfringe]

19. wasn't there some sort of sputtering, spin

or statement a year or so ago from the whistleass about never inviting Arafat to the White House?

talk about losing face and eating crow.... should we be sending some 4 and 20 crows baked in a pie to the whistleass for dinner?

[aquart]

38. Sure, if you wanna deal with PETA.

[QuietStorm]

20. what? is this a set up or something? down in IP there are articles

about Israel having decided to expell him. Why does my mind tell me that plane will fall out of the sky? This is not stuff we hear regulalry coming out of CNN. This is way too weird in comparison to the usual propaganda we here regularly.

[DemonFighterLives]

24. Arafat is who should be spoken to

It takes 3 years to realize that you need to talk to the leaders to get anywhere with or without a roadmap. Maybe this is a detour or they will detour Arafat. I sure hope he is not killed by US or Israel with their bag of tricks. He may not be someone to take home to momma, but he could lead to some form of peace. Maybe Powell and Arafat will exit stage left together?? Just a crazy thought to try to stay ahead of the whistlers.

[yuvalmadar]

25. Arafat? Arafat is a terrorist and a liar!

No progress will ever be achieved with him around.

He'll never stick to his word and every agreement made with him will only be fullfilled in the Israeli side (Or neither side).

That's the way it is for years.

A solution will not come from that guy!

[Gin]

27. Is this an Onion article? Is this a joke?

gin

[QuietStorm]

29. but if we look at the other side of the coin.

Sharon is an honest and forthright man of good will? Has any real solution but further destruction come from the strategies of Sharon ever, even going back to the fifties?

[xxqqqzme]

28. I thought Arafat wasn't

'allowed' to leave. Israeli gov has made it clear if he leaves, he can't come back. So if Arafat declines - he's a the terrorist they claim he is. If he leaves - he won't B allowed back?

[WillyT]

30. Exactly !!!

And do you think the Palestinian people will sit still for that, while Isreal continues to pick off Hamas leaders one after another, I doubt it!!!

I keep hoping for a peaceful resolution, but sitting right next to me is "A pox on both of your houses!!!" And every now and then he makes sense!

Sigh..........

[QuietStorm]

31. who would that be the bard?

Isn't that a line from Romeo and Juliet uttered by whom? Tibalt. I can not remember. No matter this invite is very odd.

[dansolo]

33. Wasn't Arafat declared irrelevant a long time ago?

n/t

[aquart]

35. They insulted him like he was France. Tried actively to replace him.

Now.....they invite him to DC. My thinking is that if Yasser said he wanted a Bush twin for his harem (he doesn't have one so far as I know), Bush would call Vera Wang, book the hall, and order the cake. He needs a win that badly.

Gonna be fun. Bush is dealing from a position of craven weakness and Yasser's a fool if he doesn't use that. Trouble is, Bush lies and everyone knows his word is worthless.

If I were Yasser, I wouldn't lift a finger until I had a cash transfer into a Swiss bank. Political promises mean nothing from George, he should go for the euros.