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July 14, 2004
Arafat: UN envoy Larsen not welcome in Ramallah

JERUSALEM POST: Arafat: UN envoy Larsen not welcome in Ramallah

The United Nations' top envoy to the Middle East is no longer welcome in the Palestinian territories following his harsh criticism of the Palestinian Authority and its Chairman Yasser Arafat, an adviser to the PA chairman said Wednesday.

The comments by Nabil Abu Rdeneh, Arafat's top adviser, reflected a deepening rift between the Palestinian leadership and Terje Roed-Larsen, the top UN official in the region.

"We have demanded that (UN Secretary-General) Kofi Annan inquire about (Roed)-Larsen's actions. The Palestinian government probably will act on the basis that (Roed)-Larsen is unwanted in the Palestinian territories," Abu Rdeneh said.

"(Roed)-Larsen himself is useless and is not welcomed in the Palestinian territories," he added.

BY THE WAY:
LGF fans might enjoy this one... Yahoo News photo of Roed-Larsen with a red binder.

Did Roed-Larsen steal Arafat's Horrible Red Binder?

Posted by Laurence Simon at July 14, 2004 11:02 AM | TrackBack
Comments

You know I've despised Yasser Arafat since 1972 and yet the sheer gall of this still floors me. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

I can just imagine the UN and the EU and France getting into a diplomatic catfight over who understands the Palestinians better....

Posted by: marymcl [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 14, 2004 12:32 PM

Arafat's petulance on display yet again. It seems his strategy is to as rude as possible when things look worst for him. Remember what a jerk he was when the Israeli's surrounded his compound? some people thought he was senile!!!

This is actually quite hopeful. I'd love to see Arafat shoved aside.

Posted by: skip [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 14, 2004 01:21 PM

When Arafat's STRONGEST U.N. supporter (Roed-Larsen) turns agains him, then there is FINALLY HOPE for progress.

Posted by: leaddog2 [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 14, 2004 01:55 PM

this might just be a good time to shunt the old bugger aside. Everybody is focused elsewhere, the violence has ebbed somewhat so maybe it's time to strike this hot iron.

If the theory is that Arafat's ME support derives from Syria and Iran then he may be having trouble getting some one to answer his phone calls in Damascus or Teheran.

Also, money might be hard to come by right now.

Posted by: skip [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 14, 2004 02:51 PM

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