December 1, 2004
THEIR CUOMO:
Barghouti to Seek Palestinian Presidency (IBRAHIM BARZAK, 12/01/04, Associated Press)
Associates of Marwan Barghouti said Wednesday the jailed Palestinian uprising leader has decided to run for president, reversing an earlier decision and throwing Palestinian politics into disarray.Saed Nimr, head of the campaign to free Barghouti from an Israeli prison, confirmed the candidacy. His office said Barghouti's campaign paid a $3,000 deposit Wednesday and that his wife was preparing to submit formal registration papers before a midnight deadline.
Barghouti's candidacy would undermine the prospects of interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, the presidential candidate of the ruling Fatah movement.
It seems unlikely that this is his final decision, he's gone back and forth so much, but is sensible as a bargaining position vis a vis both the Israelis and Fatah. Posted by Orrin Judd at December 1, 2004 12:49 PM
He is facing life in prison with no chance of parole - unless he is elected as the new Palestinian leader. Then the EU and the other world's anti-semites will pressure Israel to release the "rightfully" elected leader of the Palestinians.
That is his sole motivation - get out of jail free.
Posted by: Oswald Booth Czolgosz at December 1, 2004 2:30 PMPut the C-4 chip in his head, then let him go.
Posted by: jim hamlen at December 1, 2004 2:35 PMOswald:
He was arrested to give him the credibility to be Arafat's replacement. He'll be free by Spring.
Posted by: oj at December 1, 2004 2:57 PMIMHO, oj, only if Labour comes to power.I don't think Sharon will get away with it, even if that was his original intent.
Posted by: Oswald Booth Czolgosz at December 1, 2004 3:05 PMWho's going to stop him?
Posted by: oj at December 1, 2004 3:10 PMthrowing Palestinian politics into disarray
Palestinian politics? Disarray? Throwing? Um, yeah, well, sure, whatever....
(Finally some proof that not all humor is conservative.)
Posted by: Barry Meislin at December 1, 2004 4:33 PM