HURRIYET- Columnist Ferai Tinc writes on the escalating violence in the Middle East. A summary of her column is as follows:
Can Arafat stop terrorism? There are many reasons as to why he cannot. First the Palestinian Authority has been unable to bring economic growth to the region. The anti-democratic and corruption-prone structure of those around Arafat are responsible to some extent. In a program broadcast on BBC TV, the leaders of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade were interviewed. They are young, and they have nothing to do, and sleep during the daytime and patrol the streets at nights. The interesting thing is that their weapons came mostly from Israeli soldiers through intermediaries. Arms smuggling is at its peak. Young people with no prospects for their future constitute only one of the reasons for the infrastructure of terrorism going on in the region. The real reason is that Palestine has never experienced a climate of peace. Arafat cannot stop terrorism. What’s more he is calling on everyone to die for the cause. Under the circumstances, what else can be expected from him? The only side which can do something is the Israeli government, as it is the real state. It has its police force, army, Parliament, democratic institutions, money and sovereignty. However, Sharon and his supporters are striking with vengeance and trying to level Palestine. Standing idly by and viewing of all these incidents and thinking to step in to correct the situation after both sides have been devastated may be possible for Bush. The incidents may seem different when viewed from Washington. However, this is not so in this region. The warning by Jordan’s King Abdullah was important. He was saying that things may get out of control here. The news that Hizbullah may open a second front in Lebanon should be seen seriously, as there is already activity in the region. Not only the Arab world but Turkey is also concerned. How much and how long can the Turkish public tolerate all this violence and indifference? A time may come to question Turkey’s silence. Prime Minister Ecevit’s calling Arafat on the phone is not enough. A system which can more effectively prevent terrorism and bring both sides to common sense must be found. The Bush administration is not budging, but can’t Turkey spearhead an initative through the European Union? France has noted that anti-Semitism has increased in the country due to the recent events. The same thing is happening in Turkey. An initiative must be launched as soon as possible to end terrorrism and to stop the escalation of hostilities. Can’t we lift our finger without the US anymore?
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION