US cautions Sharon on Arafat threat

[Violet_Crumble]

The United States has sharply warned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to keep his promise not to harm Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Mr Sharon said, in an interview with Israeli public television, that he believed he was no longer under any obligation to abide by his pledge to US President George W Bush and that Mr Arafat "no longer has immunity" from an Israeli attack.

"I promised President George W Bush three years ago not to attack Arafat, but I am no longer bound by that promise, and no longer has immunity," Mr Sharon said.

However, the comment drew a sharp rebuke from US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who made it clear that he was speaking on behalf of the president.

"The president made it clear that he would oppose any such attempts against Mr Arafat, and the president firmly believes that he has a commitment from Prime Minister Sharon that no such attempt will be made," Mr Powell said, appearing on ABC America's Nightline program.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1094192.htm

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Don't assassinate -- "or else"?

What will the US government do if Sharon decides to follow his whims?
1. Cut off US aid to Israel in the billions?
2. Invade Israel as long as our military is in the neighborhood?
3. Shake our collective finger at Sharon?
4. Bomb Jerusalem?

C'mon. Sharon has already been given his wink-and-nod by * to knock himself out with regard to "fighting terrorism" on his soil.

The warning is a cover for the US when Israel inevitably does kill Arafat. It puts the US on record as having given lip service of a disapproval but don't count on a vote to condemn Israel in the UN when the matter is debated.

[madrchsod]

2. powell has lost all

creditability- no one listens to him. sharon will kill arafat and bush will do nothing..there`s alot of checks and votes coming in from the supporters of israel.

[BlueEyedSon]

3. Blah blah blah. Preemptive war is now the standard, thanks to us.

[PsychoDad]

4. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge

"The president made it clear that he would oppose any such attempts against Mr Arafat"

I hear Bush is on his way to palistine to become a Human Shield for Arafat....
Yeah right!

[hellboy]

5. I say kill him. Best thing for the palestinian people. He's a corrupt

tyrant. Always has been.

[SOS]

6. Utilizing the "corrupt tyrant" criteria...

Should the US assasinate Kim Jong Il of North Korea?
In theory, NK would be better off without him. Of course it would also provoke a second Korean War.
As Powell said to Bush "You're aware of the consequences"?

[hellboy]

7. N. Korea has never committed terror attacks against Americans

so I don't agree with the premise of your question. Arafat is responsible for many Israeli deaths. So, it's long overdue.

[kalian]

8. Are you implying....

that Arafat commited "terror" against Americans? When? Where?
At this point, I think Sharon should be targeted as well. Its only
fair, don't you think?

Maybe they could have duel at 15 paces....? :eyes:

[hellboy]

9. Huh, lol. Geez, this conversation flew right over your head.

[kalian]

10. Not much there in the first place....

you're forgiven.