Word: arafat
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Another Arab leader who has seen the antiterrorist light -- or at least wants the world to think he has -- is Arafat, whose credibility rests on dissociating his mainstream Palestinian movement from the murderous activities of Abu Nidal. Arafat's recognition of Israel and renunciation of terrorism last December -- however grudging and ambiguous -- helped isolate Abu Nidal in the Arab world, and may have intensified the infighting within F.R.C. ranks. The P.L.O.'s concern is that the taint of terrorism could deny it a major role in Israeli-proposed Palestinian elections. Last week Arafat persuaded a meeting of Arab foreign ministers...
...Arafat particularly wants to be seen as a peacemaker at the United Nations, where he is trying to win recognition of the P.L.O. as the representative of a Palestinian state. The U.S. has threatened to withdraw its contribution to the U.N. if such a resolution is passed...
...Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have taken control of the Arab struggle against Israel, forcing the rest of the Arab world to play catch-up. Jordan's King Hussein took his cue last year by revoking his claim to the West Bank. Last December P.L.O. Chairman Yasser Arafat made capital out of the uprising by renouncing terrorism and recognizing Israel's right to exist...
...Arafat's excruciating conversion earned the P.L.O. a dialogue with Washington, but brought on nightmares in Jerusalem. Pressure mounted from the Bush Administration and American Jews, and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir finally countered with an initiative last spring that calls for elections among Palestinians in the territories. Representatives chosen there would negotiate a period of autonomy with Israel, to be followed by the promise of talks on a final settlement...
Jerusalem has been in the middle of a game of hot potato ever since. The main obstacle: how to assemble a Palestinian delegation that gives Arafat a voice but allows Israel to pretend that the P.L.O. is not party to negotiations. So far, no formula has been found. While the U.S. is growing impatient with Shamir's delaying tactics, President Bush appears unwilling to expend his political capital by pressuring Shamir. Privately, many U.S. officials have concluded that Shamir is incapable of compromise...