Submit your comments on this article |
Middle East |
Arafat Willing to Enter Peace Talks |
2003-11-03 |
Things must not be going will in Ramallah. EFL. Following an Israeli offer, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said Sunday he is ready for peace talks, while about 6,000 Palestinians returned to jobs in Israel for the first time in a month. In an abrupt turnaround last week, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said contacts were already underway with Palestinian officials, adding, ``We are ready to enter negotiations at any time.’’ Sharon had previously conditioned talks on a crackdown on violent Palestinian groups responsible for attacks on Israelis. Hmmm, wonder what happened in Jerusalem? Asked about Sharon’s remarks, Arafat told reporters he would accept an offer for talks. ``There is no official communication, but we are ready Don’t see this going anywhere. On Sunday, Arafat formally asked Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei to form a government, and Qurei said he accepted. Palestinian officials said they hoped the work could be completed in a few days. Qurei has been serving as the head of an emergency 30-day Cabinet. He could not agree with the veteran Palestinian leader over who should be the new interior minister in charge of the armed forces. The one-month decree runs out Tuesday. Qurei said Sunday he hopes to put together a government that is ``acceptable to And won’t be. Reflecting a relative downturn in violence in recent weeks, the Israelis announced on Sunday that they would permit about 15,000 Palestinians to enter the country for work. A military announcement referred to Construction, eh? Don’t think I’d turn my back on him while he has a hammer in his hands. However, Salman was unhappy with the security checks, which make a trip from his home in the Jebaliya refugee camp to Tel Aviv last several hours instead of less than an hour. And why would that be? Strict closures were placed on Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza before the Jewish New Year holiday in September because of increased concerns about attacks. The restrictions, which had been extended through a series of Jewish holidays and the Oct. 4 suicide bombing at a that killed 21 prevented nearly 3 million Palestinians from leaving their communities. Many Palestinian farmers could not reach their fields, badly damaging the annual olive harvest. Not that anyone would notice. |
Posted by:Steve White |
#4 If Arafish shows up at the peace talks, I hope Isreal shoots him dead and negotiates over his dead body. |
Posted by: Charles 2003-11-3 5:26:57 PM |
#3 Arafart has been "ready" more times than can be counted. Someone needs to put their foot down, whether it be the U.S or Israel, and put a permanent stop to this recurring bait-and-switch routine. |
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-11-3 1:44:05 PM |
#2 Can't SOMEBODY please shoot the old bastard? Please? |
Posted by: mojo 2003-11-3 11:29:13 AM |
#1 I was going to comment on this, but I'm too depressed. Don't go away mad, Yasshole, JUST GO AWAY! |
Posted by: Spot 2003-11-3 9:25:35 AM |