Uzi Benziman (Ha'aretz): When Sharon says `yes,' what does he mean?

[Jack Rabbit]

From Ha'aretz (Jerusalem)
Dated Sunday Novermber 23

When Sharon says "yes," what does he mean?
By Uzi Benziman

A sensational psychological-political diagnosis was made in the prime minister's entourage last week, while Ariel Sharon was on an official visit to Rome. A "senior source" stated that the Palestinian prime minister, Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala), "wasn't and will not be a puppet or a rag doll for Yasser Arafat."
This utterance implies that Abu Ala's predecessor, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), was, indeed, a rag doll. Let us ignore for a moment the profound political wisdom reflected in this statement - Ariel Sharon is insulting the man with whom he intended to sign a political deal only four months ago, and who, according to intelligence evaluations, may once again take Abu Ala's place if the latter tires of, or is removed from, his job. This statement is no less reckless than the decision to send Israeli rescue and investigative teams to Istanbul, to trample on Turkey's dignity and undermine faith in its government's ability to handle the terrorist attacks on two synagogues. It is not the prime minister's wisdom that is discussed here, but his intentions.
Sharon does not speak out for no reason. When he sees fit to contrast Abu Ala with Abu Mazen, he is striving to create a certain impression in public opinion. He is preparing the ground for a move that will appear justified on the basis of his learned diagnoses. To achieve the end he wishes at a given moment, he does not refrain from denying positions he once espoused and even abandoning allies. Today Sharon is interested in elevating Abu Ala's status, therefore, he can mock Abu Mazen's leadership skills and present his successor as "a very independent man." He assumes the pictures of brotherhood that immortalized his meetings with Abu Mazen have been forgotten, that the compliments he showered on him have evaporated, and that the solemn evaluations he and his aides provided about the qualities of the previous Palestinian prime minister and about the challenge to Arafat in his very election, have faded away. Sharon also wishes to erase from memory his former reservations about Abu Ala's candidacy for the Palestinian premiership.

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[bemildred]

1. Seems like Mr. Benziman states the obvious.

Although I was struck by that line too:

"wasn't and will not be a puppet or a rag doll for Yasser Arafat."

But what it suggests to me is that FatBoy is having to corner
especially hard politically, and needs the extra rhetorical
punch to justify whatever he has planned next. I certainly don't
think it means he has been overcome with warm affection for Mr.
Qureia. If it means he is planning to cut the Palestinians some
slack and take a few steps on the "road map" that works for me,
he can say what he likes.

[vierundzwanzig]

2. The guys is

unpredictable. He is a powerful man. A venerable enemy for Arafat. This is why they hate each other so much.

Sharon is capable of anything, I'll grant him that. He is not a man of his word but capable to pull of any stunt that Peres could not come close.

Rabin, Bahrak, they were children compared to this man.

And I am certainly not one of his admirers.