November 7, 2004
THE REALITY-SHAPER:
U.S. Has Fresh Hope for Mideast (Paul Richter, November 7, 2004, LA Times)
Encouraged by the possibility of a more moderate Palestinian leadership replacing Yasser Arafat, the Bush administration is considering a new initiative to broker peace in the Middle East.The death of the Palestinian leader would clear away what U.S. officials have long cited as the chief obstacle to greater involvement by the Bush administration. But even with a new face on the Palestinian leadership, significant hurdles would remain, officials emphasized.
Although the White House refused to deal with Arafat because of his failure to halt attacks on Israelis, it has supported the two Palestinian Authority leaders, Prime Minister Ahmed Korei and former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, who have emerged as Arafat's most likely successors.
Entirely typical that while the rest of the world frets about the passing of Arafat the President sees it as a golden opportunity. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 7, 2004 9:06 AM
An opportunity? Perhaps. (Sort of like Oslo, eh?)
On the other hand, don't be too surprised if the real outcome is expressed by the stirring words:
"Arafat is dead. Long live Arafat."
And why not? Since all the expert commentary has been getting it wrong rather consistently.
Posted by: Barry Meislin at November 7, 2004 9:46 AMBarry:
Except the President, who created a credible replacement leadership and gave Sharon room to unilaterally withdraw.
Posted by: oj at November 7, 2004 9:53 AMFret's about Arafat's passing? I'm saving a bottle of wine for it - long with my bottle for Fidel's death.
Posted by: Brandon at November 7, 2004 10:28 AMI'm fretting it won't happen soon enough.
He may be in the freezer right now in Paris. I think they should bury him there.
Posted by: genecis at November 7, 2004 11:00 AMIn Les Invalides, with the other French heroes.
Posted by: ed at November 7, 2004 11:56 AM