The absence of a democratic awareness [Archives:2002/23/Focus]

SAADI SALAMA
PALESTINIAN DIPLOMAT IN SANA’A
Democratic rules ought to be respected and not violated especially by those who proclaim to be protectors of democracy. Though, when it concerns the Palestinian problems, then every thing is possible even violating this democracy and boldly violating the rights of man and nation.
It seems that the US administration and the British Government do not understand or sense the depth of the Palestinian issue. Furthermore, the impression received from them is that their concept and evaluation of the Palestinian issue are controlled and doomed by the Israeli concept.
We do not recall the British Prime Minister describing what has happened in Jenin Refugee Camp, Nablus and other Palestinian places as being massacres or war crimes. The British Prime Minister did not even dare to condemn the Israelis and their Prime Minister or even criticize them. He did not even refer to the on going expansions of the illegal Israeli settlements daily provoking the Palestinians; he did not mention the Palestinian land being confiscated or the Palestinian infrastructure being continuously destroyed by the Israeli occupation forces.
Disastrous declarations
The American and British governments declared that President Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian authority, failed to fulfill their anticipations and failed to exert more efforts to meet up with the Israeli demands. The Palestinians even did not accept the Israeli generous offers presented by the former Prime Minister Barak in Camp David July 2000. Such declarations represent political naiveté, are they not? The issue in not how much the Palestinians accepted or refused suggestions, the issue is the quality of the base established for the final settlement. A solid base with solid references that will enable the final settlement to endure.
This is not the place neither the timing to discuss Baraks generous offers! All we need to mention is that these offers are aimed to isolate the Palestinian. One from the other, leaving the Palestinians scattered in cities, towns, villages and refugee camps, where moving requires passing through Israeli controlled areas.
Dilemma
The Palestinian people are not only under a brutal and savage occupation, but also their remaining homeland is being raped and stolen on daily basis. They are confronting regional and International changes and they have to deal with the current situation with a mature realistic view.
They have elevated and accepted the historical reconciliation with a firm and steady spirit. The reply by the Israelis with extreme aggression summarized not only by Sharon being the head of the government of Israel, but also the recent governing Likud partys decision of refusing the establishment of the Palestinian state even in the remaining lands.
Not President Yasser Arafat nor the Palestinians have disappointed anyone, on the contrary the others have disappointed them all the way through. The resistance of the Palestinian people became terror!!, while the practices of Sharons Government in the occupied Palestinian lands, are considered self defense!!. Frankly, this is not only frustrating but also invokes suicidal strikes, because this is what exactly happens when death becomes equal to death.
The Palestinian will not submit to anyone whose insinuations, expressions, warnings, and conditions, that try to divert them from their ambitions and believes or our national sacred goals. We shall do what we have to do according to the demands of our interests. As our nations creativity develops we need to deepen our sense of freedom and democracy on which to build a new and modern society with institutions that are worthy of the Palestinians .
Is Sharon a peace dove?
No one could be convinced that Sharon is a peace dove; trying to sell such an image is simply an insult to the intelligence, the ethics and the morals of this world. This is similar to those who pretend to be the defenders of democracy, yet they do not see that the occupation must be ended and erased. All they see is that resisting occupation is terror.

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