by Murray Kahl

 In what can only be considered surreal, the Wye memorandum was signed yesterday after days of wrangling, threats of walkout, and ultimatums given by the Israeli delegation that they will only discuss issues regarding Israel's security. Yet, the divisive issues were transcended in what can only be described as a complete and total surrender by Israel to an unusually, determined President Clinton. In fact, the negotiations can only be described as between PM Netanyahu and Clinton; Arafat appeared to be a bystander and Clinton his advocate.

Why?

There is not an issue, nor a red line given by Netanyahu, that has not been ignored. The issue of changing the Covenant is an example of words disguising substance, superficiality over content, deceit over honesty. Despite all the brave words released, there is no guarantee that a single word will be changed. All that is agreed is an invitation to PNC members, and other Palestinian groups, many of whom have indicated they will not show up, and validation by the US of the useless letters given by Arafat, in violation of their own covenant, to Clinton.

Why?

The Wye memorandum says, "The Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Central Council will reaffirm the letter of 22 January 1998 from PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to President Clinton concerning the nullification of the Palestinian National Charter provisions that are inconsistent with the letters exchanged between the PLO and the Government of Israel on 9/10 September 1993." Yet, Clinton sees nothing unusual in face of this systematic pattern of denial.

Why?

Intrinsic to the above statement is that Arafat has never complied with any agreements, beginning with his commitment to the late Israeli Prime Minister Rabin, who made Arafat's compliance an essential condition of recognition. Arafat again sold his compliance during the Hebron agreement of 1996 and is now selling it again or is he? In all previous statements, Arafat guaranteed revision of the charter; however, with his new advocate Clinton, all he commits to is inviting members of the PNC to a meeting to hear Clinton speak. Clinton places forth this invitation as a commitment.

Why?

And so the entire agreement is riddled with the subordination of Israeli sovereignty to the US administration whose Arabist views were never so clearly demonstrated.

Why?

All will be supervised, without Israeli participation, by a politically motivated CIA, who will certify Palestinian compliance, though they have never received any cooperation before and probably never will from the Palestinians. We must keep in mind the letters sent by Congressman Ben Gilman and Senator Jesse Helms that accused Arafat of embezzling American tax payer dollars and are still classified as secret. In 1995, official documents smuggled from Arafat's office in Gaza detailed the abuse of American funds by Arafat and when given to Clinton they were ignored. Rather than take action against this misuse of American tax dollars, Clinton continued to certify to Congress that Arafat complied with the the terms of the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act (MEPFA), until a disgusted congress halted all payments in August 1997 until they received proof that Arafat did indeed comply. The funding is still cut off as the proof has never been received.

Why?

In the face of Arafat's lying, stealing, murdering even his own people, remember the murders of any Arab caught selling land to Jews, and even accused by his cousin Faysel Husayni, in charge of the Jerusalem portfolio for the PA, of stealing funds allocated for the purchase of property in Jerusalem. Yet Clinton supports him.

Why?

While Arafat calls for Jerusalem as the capitol of his new state and promises multiethnic freedom of worship, how many remember two years ago when his forces broke through the wall of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and seized Christian property?

Arafat's record demonstrates a man who has no moral integrity, yet we find an American president asking the world to believe Arafat, trust Arafat, and demanding Israel compliance as Clinton violates US commitments made during the Hebron agreement.

Why?

The Palestinians know that Clinton is their man, and it is not a secret kept from the public. Just today (Oct. 24), Arafat senior adviser Achmed Tibi on the Voice of Palestine, a vicious antisemitic radio station funded in part by USAID, bragged in an interview on the VOP:

[AlMahmud] Ahmad alTibi, there also seems to be US praise and admiration for the Palestinian negotiatory performance. What is new about this performance?

[AlTibi] Let me tell you that one of the extremely important results, in addition to the signing of the agreement and the points I have already mentioned, is the bolstering of the PalestinianUS ties. Today, these ties are at their peak. They are as they have never been in the past. IsraeliUS ties, however, are at their lowest point and never before have they dropped so low not even when Yitzhaq Shamir was prime minister and James Baker was state secretary.

Why?

Curiouser and curiouser is Clinton's performance as he ignores his responsibilities in Kosovo and Iraq. They ignore all of Clinton's threats and destroy US credibility, yet Clinton supports an Islamic despot who ranks among the worst.

Why?

One can only speculate at this performance by Clinton that is so irrational and counterproductive to the well being of the US. It is a strong Israel that is positioned at the forefront of an Islamic incursion into the West, and any attempt to weaken Israel will only result in American body bags.