Editorial

Official decision to assassinate Arafat!

International norm touches a horrific new low
In the field of international relations, the statement of a vow by a government to kill somebody, a leader to be precise, is something unheard of. Well, that is exactly what the Israeli government has issued as a direct threat to the life of Yasser Arafat. Tel Aviv government has made it clear that they want to get rid of the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, both politically and physically. Israel's graduation to this horrendous public stance on finishing off Arafat is a study in both arrogance and indulgence, the latter given by the USA. Earlier on, speculations on his assassination were in the air; then the announcement to expel him was officially made; and now the vice premier of Israel says 'killing Palestinian president Yasser Arafat is an option'.

It has broken all the norms of civility in international relations. Words fail us to convey our sense of outrage adequately. It's preposterous that someone could even conceive such an idea. The statement goes beyond state terrorism and steps into a mafia-like resolve with an official stamp. We demand that the Israeli vice premier withdraw his statement immediately.

Here the role of United States will be of utmost significance. We noticed that the US had condemned the announcement to expel Arafat. It had made its displeasure known to the Israeli leadership on that count. We want to hear a strong condemnatory statement from the US on the subject, if they have not already issued one. In addition, we urge the superpower to persuade Israel to refrain from declaring such a vicious intent in future. What has become important now is Arafat's security. After such open announcement, the issue of his safety cannot be taken lightly; it must receive a high priority. Who else can ensure it better than the US? Let Washington be the guarantor of Arafat's security.