----- Original Message -----
From: Irina Malenko <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Feilim O hAdhmaill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: 04 April 2002 09:52
Subject: from Granma international (dlya perevoda)
From: Irina Malenko <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Feilim O hAdhmaill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: 04 April 2002 09:52
Subject: from Granma international (dlya perevoda)
Arafat blames Washington
BY LILLIAM RIERA (Granma International staff writer)
"THEY want me imprisoned, expelled or dead, and I am telling
you that they will only have me as a martyr," affirmed Yasir Arafat,
currently besieged by the Israeli forces in the Palestine National
Authority general garrison in Ramallah on the West Bank, during an
interview with the Qatari Al-Jazzirra TV network. The Arab leader
blamed the attack on Washington.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has stated that Arafat would only
be allowed out of Ramallah if he leaves the Gaza Strip and the West
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has stated that Arafat would only
be allowed out of Ramallah if he leaves the Gaza Strip and the West
Bank completely, thus totally negating the possibility of any dialogue.
In an interview with Miguel Angel Moratinos, European Union envoy
for the Middle East, Sharon stressed that the Palestinian leader could
leave with a one-way ticket, but not a return. According to the Israeli
proposal, none of Arafat's advisors or aides can accompany him into
exile.
Arafat immediately responded through his negotiator, Saeb Erekat,
that not a single Palestinian would ever accept going into exile under
Arafat immediately responded through his negotiator, Saeb Erekat,
that not a single Palestinian would ever accept going into exile under
any circumstances."
Tel Aviv troops have had Arafat blockaded since December 3
Tel Aviv troops have had Arafat blockaded since December 3
of last year, but the siege has tightened, in defiance of a UN
appeal to lift it while, in a race against the clock, their operations
in the occupied territories have intensified.
At the close of this edition, news agencies have reported 200
Palestinians taken prisoner and 30 dead in Ramallah, as well
At the close of this edition, news agencies have reported 200
Palestinians taken prisoner and 30 dead in Ramallah, as well
as the destruction of many public buildings, stores and other
structures. In Qalguilia (35,000 inhabitants) tanks razed houses
in search of members of the resistance, while in Bethlehem they
are located a few hundred meters from the Church of the
are located a few hundred meters from the Church of the
Nativity and St. Catherine's Church. At the same time, the Israeli
security cabinet agreed to extend attacks against the entire area
of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank of the Jordan River.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian leader, with a group of his closest
advisors, has been left without water or electricity, in a
Meanwhile, the Palestinian leader, with a group of his closest
advisors, has been left without water or electricity, in a
second-floor room in one of the general garrison buildings in
Ramallah, forcefully occupied by Israeli troops since Good
Friday, March 29.
Arafat reiterated his willingness to negotiate a peace agreement
Arafat reiterated his willingness to negotiate a peace agreement
and to maintain Palestinian resistance until Israel halts its military
offensive.
However, achieving peace does not appear to be among the
However, achieving peace does not appear to be among the
priorities of the United States' faithful ally and protectorate.
Sharon banned Arafat from attending the 14th Arab League
Summit, and as a result the Palestinian leader had to deliver
a televised speech via satellite.
In Beirut, the 20-plus members of the Arab League passed
a televised speech via satellite.
In Beirut, the 20-plus members of the Arab League passed
a resolution presented by Saudi Arabia for a "peaceful"
solution to the conflict, to be submitted to the UN Security
Council.
The resolution offers Israel normal relations with the Arab world
The resolution offers Israel normal relations with the Arab world
and its recognition as a state, in exchange for Israeli withdrawal
from the territories occupied in the 1967 Six-Day War (the West
Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights), as
well as the creation of a Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem
and a solution to the problem of expelled refugees, in accordance
with UN Resolution No. 194.
"They don't want peace," Arafat insisted in a telephone conversation
with Al-Jazzirra. "Nor does it suit their expansionist interests."
On Saturday, March 30, the Israeli army disregarded a call by
with UN Resolution No. 194.
"They don't want peace," Arafat insisted in a telephone conversation
with Al-Jazzirra. "Nor does it suit their expansionist interests."
On Saturday, March 30, the Israeli army disregarded a call by
the UN Security Council for the withdrawal of its troops.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said in a press conference
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said in a press conference
that Sharon had promised not to kill Arafat.
"How is it possible for Washington to say that killing innocent
people with U.S.-manufactured tanks, missiles, artillery and
"How is it possible for Washington to say that killing innocent
people with U.S.-manufactured tanks, missiles, artillery and
fighter planes is an action in self-defense?" Yalal Duwedar,
editor of Al Ajbar newspaper, asked in a front page article.
The president of the United Arab Emirates called on the United
The president of the United Arab Emirates called on the United
States to "take the side of justice and international law firmly and
impartially this time," and urged the United Nations to apply the
organization's Charter to force Israel to comply with its resolutions.
Moreover, the Jordanian government expressed to Tel Aviv its
"extreme indignation and total condemnation of the irresponsible
Israeli practices."
In the same vein, Ichwan Sam, secretary of the Ulemas Council
Israeli practices."
In the same vein, Ichwan Sam, secretary of the Ulemas Council
of Indonesia, demanded in a written statement that Prime Minister
Sharon be tried before the International Supreme Court as a war
criminal. Meanwhile, the Chinese foreign minister called for the
immediate withdrawal of troops and warned of the consequences
that could result in the region, if Arafat is injured in any way. For
its part, the European Union, in a communiqu� to Israel, demanded
that could result in the region, if Arafat is injured in any way. For
its part, the European Union, in a communiqu� to Israel, demanded
that it cease its attacks.
The clamor of voices in the world calling for an end to the massacre
is increasing daily. In addition to government statements, there have
The clamor of voices in the world calling for an end to the massacre
is increasing daily. In addition to government statements, there have
been many popular demonstrations protesting that criminal policy,
such as those staged by thousands of Lebanese and Palestinians in
the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps and by Egyptian students
on the Cairo University campus.
Moreover, within the state of Israel itself, press analysts and many
Israeli citizens are asking, "Where is this government taking us? Does
on the Cairo University campus.
Moreover, within the state of Israel itself, press analysts and many
Israeli citizens are asking, "Where is this government taking us? Does
it have any political plan?" Ran Cohen, a member of parliament and
colonel in the Israeli reserves, stated that the "total collapse" of military
policy is due to the fact that "the government is not offering the only
viable alternative: the separation of Israelis and Palestinians into two
sovereign states."
===================================================
Havana, March 30, 2002
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/abril02/14arafat-i.html
Cuba demands an end to the isolation and hounding of Arafat
ISRAELI troops have launched a bloody offensive against the
Palestinian territories and the headquarters of the Palestine
Cuba demands an end to the isolation and hounding of Arafat
ISRAELI troops have launched a bloody offensive against the
Palestinian territories and the headquarters of the Palestine
National Authority. The infrastructure and installations that the
Palestinians have laboriously created over the years are virtually
destroyed, and at this moment there is a serious threat to the life
of Yasir Arafat, whose physical well-being is in imminent danger.
This new Israeli escalation occurred less than 24 hours after
This new Israeli escalation occurred less than 24 hours after
the closure of the Arab League Summit in Beirut, in which a
peace initiative was unanimously approved, thereby evidencing
the common will of the Arab nations to reach agreements that
could lead to a lasting and just peace for all the peoples in the
region.
The response of Ariel Sharon's government, supported and
region.
The response of Ariel Sharon's government, supported and
financed by the United States, has been destruction and
death, clearly demonstrating - as never before - its opposition
to the creation of a Palestinian state and to the fulfillment of UN
resolutions on the issue.
Cuba reiterates its full support for the heroic struggle of the
Cuba reiterates its full support for the heroic struggle of the
Arab peoples, in particular that of the Palestinians, against
Israeli occupation and aggression, and declares its solidarity
with their resistance and defiance.
Cuba is appealing for more energetic action from the international
community, and in particular by the UN Security Council, to stop
Cuba is appealing for more energetic action from the international
community, and in particular by the UN Security Council, to stop
the massacre and the genocidal actions of the Israeli army.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba totally
condemns the aggression being committed against the heroic
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba totally
condemns the aggression being committed against the heroic
Palestinian people and their authorities. We demand an end to
the isolation and hounding of Yasir Arafat, and an immediate
end to the crimes and abuse perpetrated by the Israeli occupation
forces.
end to the crimes and abuse perpetrated by the Israeli occupation
forces.
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
