FATAH AND HAMAS JUST CAN'T TALK and what a shame that is.

JPost quotes Ahmed Ghneim, a member of the Fatah delegation, "After two years of confrontation with the Israeli occupation, we are looking forward to uniting the Palestinian people under one strategy." I wonder what the difference in strategy was. I suppose it was the PA's condemnation of terrorist attacks versus Hamas' public defence. As far as anyone can tell, both groups are responsible for these attacks...

I also wonder what the Fatah plans to offer Hamas to change their strategy. More money? More arms? Maybe they'll offer not to arrest Hamas terrorists -- wait, they wouldn't dare do that. No matter what it is, all they're asking Hamas to do is not launch attacks across the Green Line. Don't stop the attacks because they are morally wrong; just stop because you're making us look bad in public. (Don't get me wrong, it's fine if these attacks stop no matter what the reason.)

It's clear that Arafat is afraid of Hamas and the support they have gained since the Intifada's start and it's equally clear that Hamas doesn't give a toot about Arafat. Talks are fine and look good for the media but they are just a delaying tactic (very effective when the talks themselves are delayed). Hamas' public goal is the extermination of Israel, so why would they work with Arafat? If they do side with Arafat or the PA or whatever may replace them, we should be scared. They are probably buying time until a Palestinian state is declared and they can have sovereign teritory to use as a terrorist base.

Lost another posting. Does blogger suck this badly?

The Saudis continue to waffle on whether or not they would allow the US to use Saudi territory in an attack on Iraq. Their latest snub shuts the door on cooperation even if there is a UN resolution backing military action. Now, a pro-Islam party has swept the Turkish elections and may shut the US out of that front. They say their policies are unchanged, but that's probably spin.