 "Was it a coincidence that Arafat's death coincided with Bush's re-election? Was it a coincidence that his death coincided with the decision to withdraw from Gaza, so characteristic of an Israeli policy that refuses negotiations with any Arab party? Was it pure coincidence that it happened as Egypt's borders with Gaza were closed? It was as if he were a huge rock in the path of events, and the very instant he disappeared everything could start moving." "It is unfortunate that Egypt's current political administration is playing roles that seem to me to aid Israel, and for the life of me I can't see why." "Iran is a true neighbour, unlike Israel, and I would never recommend that we swap a genuine enemy for a hypothetical." "I almost think the Arab world has exchanged its entire national security... and not just Egypt, I mean all the regimes in the region have been bargaining, transforming issues into deals, and the main deal is security... the regimes' security in exchange for national security." parent page (6 - 12 January 2005, issue #724) |