Wednesday, May 8, 2002
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Wednesday, May 8, 2002 |
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Collins shoots straight with Egyptians on Israel Says no peace until Arafat 'in a cell or a box' WASHINGTON In meetings with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt yesterday, Congressman Mac Collins took a firm stance against Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. The meeting was part of the Egyptian chamber's annual "Doorknock" to discuss American-Egyptian relations. America is the primary foreign investor in the Egyptian economy. When the chamber executives, Farid F. Naaom and Mohamed Taha turned the discussion to the situation in Israel, asserting the United States should not be giving support to the Jewish State, Collins countered by condemning the terrorist acts of homicide bombers attacking civilians. "These terrorists are non-uniformed personnel killing civilians," said Collins. "It's not like they are attacking military troops or wearing an identifying uniform. The only way for Israel to know who they are fighting is if they have a gun in their hand or a bomb strapped to their waist. Israel has the right to defend itself against these criminals. It is apparent the Palestinian Authority hasn't done anything to try to stop it." Collins went on to express his doubts about Arafat. "The man is a terrorist. Until he is taken out, either put in a cell or a box, there cannot be peace," Collins said. "Arafat is a dictator, and just like Saddam Hussein he needs to go. He has rejected peace plans from Prime Ministers Peres and Barak which would establish a Palestinian state, and would give him control of half of Jerusalem, because Israel was not willing to give up control of strategic military positions in the Golan Heights. I don't believe Arafat really wants a peaceful resolution." Replying to charges that the United States is propping up the Israeli government, Collins pointed out that Israel in an independent state and doesn't need U.S. military assistance to survive. "The Arab nations need to realize that they have no hope of destroying Israel. Israel has the guts, the firepower and the leadership to handle anything the Arabs can throw at them," said Collins. "They have proven in 1948, 1967, and again in 1973 that they are a force to be reckoned with." The Egyptians argued that Sharon's incursions into the West Bank territories had provoked much of the violence. "Israel is faced with criminal acts against private citizens and faced with a national crisis, Sharon has imposed marshal law to try to bring and end to the violence," Collins rebutted. The Egyptians claimed that all of the ideas Americans hold about the Middle East conflict can be blamed on the slanted reporting of the American media. "You want to talk about slanted and biased media," Collins retorted. "What do you call the outright lies of the Arab media? I don't rely on the media to understand the region. I have been their twice and I have met with many of the leaders, including your President Hosny Mubarak." While not a contentious exchange, both parties engaged in a constructive dialogue about the issues. Later, the Egyptians expressed gratitude to Collins for his straightforwardness, telling the Congressman that in all of their meetings with American leaders only one other had been as forthright: Vice President Dick Cheney. "I'll tell you another thing," Collins said. "If true peace is achieved, and the Palestinian Authority ends this violence, the United States has a proven record of helping nations in need. We rebuilt Europe under the Marshall Plan, we rebuilt Japan, we will rebuild Afghanistan. If the objectives are met, when the time comes, we will be there to provide assistance to Palestine." Collins is a cosponsor of H.R. 392, to be considered today, which expresses the House of Representatives' solidarity with Israel as it takes necessary steps to provide security to its people by dismantling the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian areas. The resolution remains committed to Israel's right to self-defense and supports additional United States assistance to help Israel defend itself. It also condemns the recent wave of Palestinian suicide bombings. Additionally, the measure condemns the ongoing support and coordination of terror by Yasser Arafat and other members of the Palestinian leadership. In addition, the measure commends the President for his leadership in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the efforts of the Administration to engage countries throughout the region to condemn and prevent terrorism and to prevent a widening of the conflict. Finally, the resolution urges all parties in the region to pursue vigorously efforts to establish a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
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