(National Post-Canada) Israel Asper - Phase II of the road map, the beginnings of the Palestinian state, is said to only begin when the Palestinian leadership has acted decisively against terror, instituted democracy, held free elections, and reformed civil institutions and security structures. The road map is premised on a "regime change" in the governance of the Palestinians. That simply has not happened. Arafat, the master terrorist, and the thief of billions of dollars meant for the benefit of his own subjugated people, still runs the show. Moreover, he is funding an affiliated terrorist organization, the al-Aqsa Brigades, which is prohibited in the road map. Arafat still controls 60% of the security forces in the regime, and has demanded and been allowed full control of negotiations with the Israelis. Abbas constantly confirms that Arafat is the boss. Arafat continues to make speeches in Arabic to Palestinian audiences extolling the heroism of homicide bombers. This is regime change? This is a renunciation of terrorism? This is an end to incitement? There have been 10 ceasefires during Oslo, which the Palestinians unilaterally broke, and six which suffered the same fate since the current violence began. In the first month following the tabling of the road map, there were 323 terrorist attacks against Israeli targets, an average of 12 per day. Israel is now entitled to call a halt to its obligations under the road map, based on Palestinian non-compliance.
2003-08-01 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive