From: "berry anchang" <nttd-AT-email.com>
Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 08:36:16 -0500
Subject: palestinian state


kamran, thanks for the information.  sorry for not mentioning israel, but the occupation is so obviously, blatanly, egregiously wrong it seems to go without saying at this point.  a couple more questions to push the discusssion beyond the obvious (maybe the obvious is the whole story--and this is just wild speculation--but i'm jut wondering):  

what is the likelihood that neighboring arab nations like saudi arabia (or non-arab islamic states like iran) will accept a democratic, secular palestine?  since saudi arabia accepts neither democracy nor secularism in its own kingdom it seems doubtful that it--and similar regimes--would be supportive of a democratic, secular arab palestine.  a democratic, secular palestine could thus be a politically destabilizing force in the middle east?  is this perhaps why the saudis are providing financial incenctives to palestinian suicide bombers?  suicide bombers ensure israeli military response, which ensures more suicide bombers, ensuring the perpetuation of the conflagration ad infinitum.  so what, ultimately, is the goal of this suicide bombing strategy (again, beyond the obvious destruction to israel?)  the creation of a democratic, secular palestine or the creation of an islamic palestine?  

by the same token, doesnt the perpetuation of the conflagration ensure arafat's power/leadership position (sorry, does he have a title?)  if a democratic palestine were to be created tomorrow, what is the likelihood that arafat would be leading this nation a year or two down the road? as eldorra and others have noted, it appears that it's time for arafat to go; but as long as the conflagration persists, he's able to retain power. 

i guess the overarching question here is: besides the obvious (israel, us) whose interests are really being served by the perpetuation of the israeli-palestinian conflict--and why?
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