Israel threatens to assassinate Arafat !

By unilaterally declaring a war against Iraq, Bush Administration made the UN irrelevant. Being a veto wielding power in the UNSC, America used its veto to kill the resolution that was meant to stop Israel from carrying out its evil plan to assassinate Arafat, an elected leader of the Palestinian people. Colin Powell, however, said such an act would destabilise the entire region and this meant Bush Administration discouraged Israel from committing such an evil act. This was a welcome step, but unfortunately America later again voted against the UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution which under the advice of the EU members, was already amended to meet America's earlier objections in terms of inclusion of 'Palestinian' terrorism in the resolution. In such a situation America could at best abstain to make Israel happy as America knows very well that Israel would flout the UNGA resolution any way as it has the reputation of doing so since Israel was established. Such an abstention could have saved America from the present embarrassment and international condemnation. Anyway, Bush Administration cares little about international reaction on any issue. After all, America is the superpower and uni-lateralism seems to be its policy now. American diplomacy has really been much polluted by Israeli factor. As stated before, this has made all Americans virtually unsafe not only in Middle East but also in many other parts of the world. Sooner America realises this fact, better will it be for the Americans.

Sharon's threat has turned out to be totally counterproductive. Arafat has emerged stronger within Palestinian territories. The net result is that America has lost more grounds in the M-E and elsewhere. America may feel that it would continue to receive support from its friendly states in the M-E, but this may ultimately turn out to be an illusion as authorities of these friendly states may increasingly come under pressure from the common Arabs to take a stand against America. The signs are already there. After Saddam, the political environment in the Arab world has changed considerably as America and Israel have become the occupiers of a great part of Arab world. Therefore, it is highly doubtful whether those friendly states can withstand for long the political pressure from their common Arab citizens. President Bush has described Arafat as a 'failed leader'; he, however, said he remained committed to the Road Map to peace in the M-E. While praising Mahmud Abbas's role as the former Prime Minister of Palestinian people, Bush accused Arafat of non-cooperation with Abbas. It appears partly true as Abbas wanted to crack down on Hamas and other extremist groups but Arafat and the Palestinian Authority could not allow it without reciprocal responses from Israel. These groups do carry out suicide bombings on Israelis, which is seen by America, Israel and many others as terrorist acts, but these groups say they are the resistance groups fighting against Israeli occupation and therefore they carry out attacks against Israel. So there is a huge gap in the understanding of the problems. It is quite clear that Israeli occupation is the main cause for terrorism and once the occupation ends, it is expected that there would not be terrorism any more and here comes the American sponsored Road Map to peace and the determination of the American Administration to implement it. As America has exclusive control over Israel, it has to act intelligently and equitably so that this Road Map gets implemented.

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American Administration must also recognise that it is Israel which had over 14 serious reservations over the Road Map. And it is Sharon who never knew what peace is, and torpedoed the Road Map by continuing his planned targeted assassinations and destruction of Palestinian homes and properties and this resulted in the last two major suicide bombings that killed 15 Israelis . Just to cover up his own terrorist actions and also to pass on the blame to Arafat, Sharon described Arafat as an "obstacle to peace". Unfortunately, President Bush and his Administration went by what Sharon said without even caring for its own Road Map. It is no use saying that America remains committed to the Road Map but effectively joins hands with Sharon for destroying it by vetoing the appropriate UN resolutions. This leads people to have a lot of doubts about America's real intension on and commitment to the Road Map. Of course, it is known that America wants peace and stability in the world but when it comes to Israel, America's foreign policy options get completely blurred. As M-E affairs and particularly Israeli-Palestinian situation are spinning out of control, the UN General Assembly resolution asking Israel to abandon its plan to kill or remove Arafat physically is timely and appropriate. But Sharon government has already rejected the resolution by terming it a "miserable one". It was already known and hence no surprise. But despite Washington's advice against it, Sharon may carry out his evil plan as he knows none can do anything as Washington will continue to protect Sharon and his country (Israel) regardless of the outcome of any Israeli action. In any case, Israel would not bother about world reactions. What is important to Sharon is to finish Arafat as he failed to do it during Beirut days in 1980s and he wants to do it now as he appears sure that he has the protection of President Bush and his administration. He probably could not have expected such an open support from Democrats.

Therefore, it has become necessary to keep watch on Sharon's activities towards Arafat in order to see that UN resolution is not flouted. It is also necessary to send UN forces to the Palestinian area to keep Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters apart. The stationing of UN forces may help Israel considerably as these forces may act as the security barriers (wall) and Israel may not have to build border security walls any more, which it had to abandon at least temporarily under the directive of Bush Administration. Indeed, President Bush has rightly described security walls as a "problem".

In case Israel opposes stationing of any UN force in Israel's territory, which it did earlier, let the UN force be stationed in considerable number in all Palestinian areas and particularly around Arafat's headsquarters at Ramallah. This will certainly curb suicide bombings and also stop Israel from implementing its evil plan to assassinate Arafat.

Muslehuddin Ahmad is a former Secretary and Ambassador and founder president of North South University