Document text
--> --> On Israel-Arafat Yomiuri Shimbun, Tokyo Dec. 14 We cannot help but say the Israeli government's decision to sever contact with Yasser Arafat is tantamount to abandoning its efforts to bring peace. We cannot overlook this situation. We would like to urge the Israeli government to reconsider the decision. On the other hand, Arafat must further strengthen control over the extremists, bearing in mind that this is his last chance. He will have no political future unless he can produce some sort of results and thus convince the rest of the world that he is able to bring peace. Although Israel plans to launch its own strict crackdown on terrorist organizations in the autonomous Palestinian areas, the use of force will inevitably unleash a series of violent acts. Such a turn of events can only cast a malign influence over the entire Middle East, The United States had embarked on an effort to act as an intermediary by dispatching a special envoy to the region. Now its efforts have been washed down the drain. U.S. mediation, however, is the lifeline to rescuing the peace process in the region. We strongly hope that the United States will steadfastly persevere in its efforts to mediate. The Guardian, London Dec. 18 For Yasser Arafat, a moment of personal reckoning is at hand. After a three-month slide into open warfare with Israel ... the hapless Palestinian leader tried to call a halt on Sunday night. Israel must cease its attacks, he said in a televised address. ... It was necessary, meanwhile, to establish a 'complete cessation of all armed activities' by Palestinians. ... That Mr. Arafat's position has become desperate, even untenable, was rudely underlined by yesterday's blunt reactions to his appeal. Few appear to have been really listening to him. ... Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, certainly does not believe what he hears. More precisely, he does not want to. Since taking office last March, the Likud leader's entire thrust has been to weaken, divide and destroy the leaders, symbols, confidence, coherence and infrastructure of the Palestinian state. ... In failing to curb the most excessive violence, Mr. Arafat has fed and watered his opponent's abiding, lifelong hostility. ... Mr. Sharon responds, as so often before, by launching new provocations. ... At the other end of the spectrum, the response to Mr. Arafat's TV special was just as predictable. Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other rejectionist groups flatly spurned any renunciation of violence. ... In his loneliness, Mr. Arafat should take time to study the bigger picture. After a lifetime's work informed by courage and vision, he is now obliged to watch while the compromises and collaborations of the past 10 years are exploited or unpicked by the unyielding Mr. Sharon. ... It is, obviously, not all (Arafat's) fault. But it is time Mr. Arafat took responsibility for these failures. That means standing down voluntarily, before he is pushed, and making way for a stronger, less compromised leader who is a fit match for Mr. Sharon and his ruthless kind. For Mr. Arafat, the sand-glass has finally run out. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing