Bill Sykes' Newsletter from America.
(May 2002)
An ex-Brit gives his views-(without fear
or favor)---of the American Scene
The current Middle East situation.
 Today
the 11th of April 2002, the American secretary of State,
Colin Powell is in Israel and will meet with Ariel Sharon
and later will travel to Ramallah to meet with Yasser Arafat.
Let me state right now that I have little respect for either
of these men and wish that two different individuals could
be found who would respect human rights and the right of
the Palestinian Arabs and the Israeli Jews to live side
by side in peace in a united Holy Land.
Unfortunately Colin Powell has an insurmountable task ahead
of him, as Mr. Sharon is determined to continue the targeting
of Arab towns and refugee camps against the objections of
the moderating countries.
Israeli activities have intensified, and damage to the infrastructure
has caused much death and destruction.
It has been reported that doctors and ambulances have been
prevented by Israeli troops from traveling into the Palestinian
Arab towns to treat the wounded and the dying.
I would suggest that Israeli actions targeting a civilian
population are not based upon the security of the Israeli
nation but are plain acts of retribution for the suicide
bombings that have taken place.
 Mr.
Powell apparently did not have much support at the EU meeting
in Madrid following his cool reception in Morocco.
I have a distinct feeling that Mr. Powell will have a very
difficult time during his meetings with two very difficult
people and will come home with very little accomplished.
He may get some concessions, but as soon as he leaves for
home, whatever concessions given will be reneged upon and,
as the American WW2 soldiers used to say, it will be a SNAFU
situation.
International news crews have been refused entry by the
Israelis into most areas of their incursion into Palestinian
Arab territory to prevent them reporting on violence being
committed against civilians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
towns.
Violation of basic human rights in the Arab refugee camps
has been reported.
 If
the International Press is refused entrance into the Palestinian
refugee camps by the Israelis, in order to be able report
on the death and destruction that has occurred, they have
the option of refusing to report on the effects that the
suicide bombings have had on the Israel towns and people.
This is not a one sided struggle, and the world at large
has the right to know what is happening on both sides of
the conflict.
By the way, it has been reported that Mr. Bush has stated
that the United States has not considered suspending or
punishing Israel if they do not comply with the dictated
pullout of the Palestinian Arab territories.
The White House and some of the American Press, are at this
time are putting the usual political spin on the Powell
visit and trotting out the usual upbeat positive statements
whilst downplaying the negatives. That will maybe change
as more is known about the situation. !!!
It may make for good press, and raise American public moral,
but as I have said previously, having been in the region
some fifty plus years ago under similar circumstances ---
(different protagonists of course) --- I still believe that
the situation will not improve any time soon, especially
if Lebanon and Syria get involved, which I believe is a
foregone conclusion.
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