-Caveat Lector- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml? xml=/news/2002/12/23/wisr23.xml&sSheet=/news/2002/12/23/ixhome.html
>>>Ah ... the return to post-WW2 diplomacy. A<:>E<:>R <<< Netanyahu lashes out at Blair By Anton La Guardia, Diplomatic Editor (Filed: 23/12/2002) Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli foreign minister, lashed out at Tony Blair yesterday, virtually accusing the Government of bowing to terrorism by courting President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and trying to rehabilitate Yasser Arafat. Benjamin Netanyahu His comments came as Palestinians cancelled elections planned for Jan 20, on the grounds that it was impossible to hold a ballot while Israel occupied major Palestinian towns. The European Union expressed understanding for the decision, with the EU external commissioner warning that there could be no free elections with tanks in the streets and restricted movement. Mr Netanyahu, who was snubbed by Downing Street on Friday, has privately told aides that Britain is losing the "moral clarity" it showed during the war in Afghanistan and the campaign to disarm Iraq. He was hardly more diplomatic in public, saying last week's visit to London by the Syrian leader was a "mistake" and predicting that a planned conference on Palestinian reform was doomed to failure. The acrimony between Israel and Britain reflects Blair's impatience with the lack of progress in reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Senior British officials said he was "very frustrated" with President George W Bush's reluctance to try to force the pace of mediation. Last week, Mr Blair distanced himself from American policy by inviting the Syrian president for a high- profile visit to London and announcing plans to hold the conference on Palestinian reform in London next month. Mr Netanyahu was careful to say Mr Blair's efforts for peace were "honourable". But he made little effort to hide his scorn for the recent tilt towards the Arabs. He was particularly riled by the honours shown to Dr Assad. "When you are fighting terrorism, to invite the ruler of a quintessentially terrorist state - who houses terrorist groups, colludes with Iraq and supports Hizbollah - is not the right signal", he said. Similarly, he said Palestinian violence should be punished rather than encouraged by giving Mr Arafat's lieutenants an international platform such as the London conference. "No reforms are possible with Arafat," Mr Netanyahu added. 21 December 2002: Blair snub for Netanyahu's attempt to isolate Arafat 17 December 2002: Blair strives for peace as Assad digs his heels in 16 December 2002: Blair stakes reputation on dialogue with 'rogue' state 4 November 2002: Netanyahu back in government 3 July 2002: Britain risks rift with America over talks with Arafat 27 June 2002: Arafat in poll challenge to Bush Next story: Blair offers £50m fishing buy-out © Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2002. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om