PLO Representative: Americans Won't Change Their Policy Unless Their Interests Are Threatened
     
      02-04-2002, 08:12 


The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) representative in Washington, Hasan Abdel Rahman described the American president speech Saturday as not having any element of seriousness and a clear and blunt prejudice in favor of Israel. George Bush supports the Zionist aggressive campaign on the Palestinians and their leadership besieged in Ramallah, he said. 

"The American policy is neither based on reasoning nor on morals. It is not even based on the information which it hides from the American public," Abdel Rahman told Albawaba.com in a telephone conversation. He added, "there is a right radical wing within the American administration which orients Bush according to the Zionist interests. This is in addition to the forthcoming elections and the need of Bush's brother for the support of the Zionist lobby in the local elections in Florida. All these elements and nothing else dominate the American policy." 

Responding to a question about the extent of the European influence on Washington, he said, "the US has enough arrogance to refuse any other stance unless their interests are at risk in one way or another. Without this, their policy cannot be influenced or changed." 

The envoy said that contacts between him and President Arafat have been disrupted. He added, "any harmful action against Arafat will be a very serious issue that would not only affect the Palestinians but also the whole region and even the whole world. This area has a strategic importance and any action against Arafat would lead to instability in the Middle East." 

Abdel Rahman says he makes daily contacts with the US State Department and Arab ambassadors to the United States and leads an active media campaign. "The American administration is still obstinate and arrogant and thinks that the guarantees given by Sharon not to harm President Arafat is enough to guarantee security in the Middle East and protect their interests in the region," added Abdel Rahman

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