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| Middle East |
| Powell wants Palestinian militants controlled |
| 2003-06-20 |
| Controlled? I guess dead would count as controlled... JERUSALEM - The Palestinian Authority must crack down on militant groups, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Friday. "Terrorist organizations such as Hamas are not committed to peace but committed to violence," he said during a visit to the region. He was last there on June 4. "We must make sure that all international pressure is brought to bear on these organizations." Powell's comments came during a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and just before a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. Meanwhile, an Israeli motorist was shot dead and three others wounded near the West Bank city of Ramallah around the time Sharon and Powell were meeting. Because the Paleos want peace, of course.. The focus of recent talks between Israelis and Palestinians has been on Israeli troops retreating from some Gaza Strip areas and having the Palestinians take over security in their place. The Palestinians have said they need more time to negotiate a ceasefire with the militant groups â a task that has occupied most of Abbas's time these past few days. More time? What productive result can you show from any of the time already spent? Not a G*&damn thing, you lying bastards For their part, Hamas and other militant Palestinian groups have said while they might restrict their attacks within Israel itself, they will continue to attack soldiers and settlers in the West Bank. Well that's certainly a step to peace {sarcasm off} Sharon said the time for Abbas to act against the militants is now. "We have proposed to the Palestinian Authority to assume responsibility as quickly as possible. Until they do, we will continue with our operations." Abbas has said there will be no violent crackdown as it might trigger a Palestinian civil war. I expect the same, it's just a matter of whether time Israel has said it wants the right to go after "ticking bombs" â those who are planning to carry out suicide bombings or similar activities. Sharon says he wants to wipe out Hamas. An attempt to assassinate Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi last week led to the suicide bombing of a bus. More than 60 people died in the ensuing violence. The Israelis have since said such operations will be more limited. To Rantissi, Yassin, Arafat, hopefully, then those taht replace them? |
| Posted by:Frank G |
| #4 Speaking to reporters later after he met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, Powell said a cease-fire with Hamas would not be enough to get the U.S.-backed âroad mapâ to peace moving. He said he pressed Abbas not just to reach a cease-fire with Hamas and other militant groups but also to eliminate their capacity to attack Israelis. . Take the spin for what its worth. I, for one, would normally be glad that Powell was so adamant, but he then went on to say: âWe have to move urgently,â Powell said. âWe donât want time to pass without action taking place. ... We donât want terrorists to win.â What's the rush, Colin? Haste makes waste, y'know. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-06-20 17:35:26 |
| #3 Every report I have read from a major news source attributes the "breakdown" on the "road map" to this assasination attempt. Not ONE has even mentioned the fact that the assassination attempt only occurred AFTER Abbas specifically stated he would not crack down on Hamas. It was a textbook case of beheading the snake. A comparison can be made w. the US military strike (twice) at Saddam at personal residence, but I have not heard nearly the amount of criticism from the media on that one (and am not implying either warrants such criticism). It's such a blatant double standard. |
| Posted by: mjh 2003-06-20 13:49:21 |
| #2 ... An attempt to assassinate Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi last week led to the suicide bombing of a bus. More than 60 people died in the ensuing violence. BullS**t! Contrary to popular belief, there is a tremendous amount of brainwashing, training and funding that goes into each of those boomer attempts. This was planned and prepared ahead of time, and at most, may have been held back until a suitable opportunity presented itself. In this case, Hamas could claim "just retribution", but it would have happened sooner or later. |
| Posted by: Dripping Sarcasm 2003-06-20 11:45:06 |
| #1 To misquote General Sherman, "The only good boomer is a dead boomer." |
| Posted by: mojo 2003-06-20 11:01:07 |