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| Middle East |
| Yasser plans to take his ego to Beirut |
| 2002-03-23 |
The Independent State of Palestine isn't quite here yet. But Yasser's assistance is what makes Arab summits the joy they always are. Asked whether once in Beirut he was afraid of not being allowed to return to Palestine, as Prime Minister Sharon has intimated in recent days, Mr Arafat let it be known that "it's not the first time that I have to face such threats." Yes there have been threats and plots all around Yasser since shortly after he was born. He's overcome them all, by Gawd. That's how he's gotten where he is today. Want to see his gun? "We are discussing the details (of such threats by Mr Sharon)," says Mr Arafat, "but I also have my methods that I've already applied on numerous occasions. When I was banned previously from moving about, I managed - through the use of disguises and false names - to make my way to Al Quds, Nablus, Gaza, indeed here at Ramallah where we are talking. And the Israelis are perfectly aware of what I'm capable of doing." I have this vision of Yasser, cut off from The Bosom of His People, grabbing a false passport that gives his name as "Herb," ditching his headscarf and shaving, donning a false nose and moustache, swimming raging rivers in the dead of night, his gun hanging from a frayed cord held between what's left of his teeth... As far as officially returning one day to Al Quds [Jerusalem], Mr Arafat responded that not only did he plan to return to Al Quds, but that he would be doing so "very soon." Also, he notes, he has never been in fear of Prime Minister Sharon, "whose methods I've been familiar with a very long time. Also, I know Sharon too well for him to be able to fool me. Our relation goes back a long time, when I was in the Egyptian army." Ahhhh, Yasser. You're such a sly old fox. We're gonna miss you when you're gone. Wanna see? "Today I am an old general," continued Mr Arafat, "and Mr Sharon has never managed to stop me from doing what I want. Back in 1982, when he invaded Lebanon, Sharon had told his Prime Minister Menaghen Begin that he would finish up the work in three days and that he'd take me back as a prisoner. Not only did he not take me back as a prisoner, the result was instead the longest war that Israel has had to fight with the Arabs." Yasser's a self-appointed general. He and Saddam Hussein graduated from the same military academy. His "strategy" resulted in Lebanon being mostly destroyed. And there was something having to do with Tripoli associated with that campaign. Now what was it? I just can't recall. With regard to a rumoured meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney in Cairo, Mr Arafat said he was still awaiting an "official" invitation, but that in any case Cairo would be the first of several trilateral meetings that would be necessary before peace could be seriously envisioned. I thought the trip to Cairo came after a cease-fire. Who's ceased firing? |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |