US urges crackdown on terrorism and tells citizens to leave

[Herschel]

Yesterday's fatal bomb attack in Gaza is a further setback to floundering efforts to restart the Middle East peace process. The attack can only make the Bush administration, which has refused to deal with Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, even more sceptical of his ability and desire to get a grip on terrorism.

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Most ominously, the killings break new ground in decades of Middle East violence. It is the first time in recent memory that Americans have been targeted. The US diplomats being protected by the security men who died were engaged in neutral business - interviewing Palestinian applicants for Fulbright scholarships.

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Indeed, within hours of the attack, the State Department urged all Americans to leave Gaza immediately. According to officials in Washington, the men in the car were security guards for the diplomats in the other vehicles. Israeli radio reports said CIA officials were in the convoy, but Bill Harlow, a CIA spokesman, said that "no CIA people" were involved.

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http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=453784

Americans leaving may foreshadow unprecedented incursions into Gaza. Hopefully there will be a crippling blow to these terrorist killers.

[Saudade]

1. Really now...

"The attack can only make the Bush administration, which has refused to deal with Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, even more sceptical of his ability and desire to get a grip on terrorism."

Really now, how naive can you possibly be? You continually amaze me, Herschel.

What makes you think that the Bush administration has a "desire to get a grip on terrorism"? Why does the Bush administration insist on spawning new "terrorists" (including, presumably, any Iraqi who, like any normal person, resists military occupation of his/her country by a foreign power) in Iraq?

Why does Sharon bulldoze the homes of 2000 Palestinians in Gaza in a 48 hour period? How many "terrorists" do you think that will spawn?

Don't you understand that Bush, exactly like Sharon, needs "terrorism" to achieve his territorial goals?

Think about it, Herschel:

Where would GW Bush be politically without the "war on terrorism", without "terrorists"?

Where would ARiel Sharon be politically without the "war on terrorism", without "terrorists"?

Answer: Not in politics.

[Name removed]

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