UK Archives: GW Bush Ordered CIA to Find Replacement for Arafat

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Image copyright: CNP/Getty Images [via Al Jazeera]

The Facts

  • Recently-released British documents reveal that former US Pres. George W. Bush ordered the CIA to search for a replacement for Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat a few months after he entered the White House. This was concurrent with the second Intifada ramping up in 2001.

  • This comes as the UK National Archives disclosed last month the "PREM49/2354" files about the UK-US relations covering the period from Feb. 24 to Apr. 26, 2001.

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The Spin

Narrative A

Arafat was not the leader of the Palestinians, but rather someone with authoritarian tendencies who furthered corruption in the region. The defeat of his Fatah party in the 2006 elections was the people's response to those who could have established a state but preferred to pursue their personal interests. Bush's concerns were well-founded.

AL

Narrative B

Arafat sacrificed his life for the Palestinian cause, serving as a role model for future generations and achieving undeniable success — such as convincing the world about the legitimacy of his people's resistance against Israeli oppression and proving Zionist racism was morally, ethically, and legally wrong. As Palestinians face hardship today, a visionary leader like Arafat is needed once again.

Arab News

Establishment-critical narrative

The US pretends to be a proponent of democracy and popular rule, yet the gap between its rhetoric and actual foreign policy couldn't be bigger. For years, the US has unapologetically meddled in foreign countries to suit its own agenda; wanting to overthrow the democratically elected Arafat is but one example. Sadly, it doesn't look like this will change anytime soon.

Atlantic

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