TRR photo by David Hulse Rep. Benjamin Gilman (Click for larger image)

ARAFAT'S ACTIONS OPENED THE DOOR FOR ATTACK ON US SHIP

By DAVID HULSE

MIDDLETOWN -- When it comes to finding blame for the recent violence in the Middle East, Yasser Arafat's name comes readily to Benjamin Gilman's mind.

In a Friday interview Gilman, (R-20th NY) who chairs the House International Relations Committee, readily admitted he has no direct evidence to support his concerns, but his suspicions about the Palestinian president were evident in his responses.

Earlier Friday, Gilman, along with the ranking Democrat on the International Relations Committee and 62 other House members issued what was called a "hard hitting resolution," condemning Arafat's recent behavior during the unrest on the West Bank.

While most officials in Washington were still not willing to officially label the explosion which damaged the USS Cole in Yemen Thursday as terrorism, Gilman said there "is reason to belief" that "terrorists around the region are going to take advantage of the situation...to derail the peace initiative." He reported that a Yemeni terrorist group called the Islamic Army of Aden had claimed responsibility for explosion that killed 17 American sailors.

Asked if he believed the group was tied to the unrest on the West Bank, Gilman said, "I don't know if they have any ties to Arafat."

Gilman felt terrorist Osama bin Laden was a prime suspect in the attack and again Arafat's name arose. "There is no evidence but a lot of concern [about bin Laden's involvement]. Bin Laden has ties in Yemen. I've never heard of any ties with Arafat, but bin Laden would certainly welcome the opportunity presented by the situation on the West Bank. He has a sophisticated, well financed terrorist organization and he certainly doesn't like us."

He was adamant that the terrorist attack on our naval forces "demands an immediate response."

Some have blamed Israeli government opposition leader Ariel Sharon's trip to holy sites at the Temple Mount, for inciting the initial West Bank confrontations. Gilman called that trip ill advised, "I certainly would not have advised him to do it, but the fact that he visited the area is not a justification for violence," he said.

Ticking off a series of press reports, Gilman laid the blame for continuing violence in the West Bank almost completely on Arafat. He said Arafat and his lieutenants were continuing to incite violence and support those who would. "Arafat has to realize that he has a responsibility to stem this and his statements have been extreme. [Israeli Prime Minister Ehud] Barak has come closer and called for negotiations."

Gilman agreed that there must be a better method than shooting to stop stone throwing youths, but he also says the Israelis have told Arafat to, "stop the stone throwing. We'll be able to stop the military action...[Arafat] is making child martyrs out of them."

Gilman also criticized the Clinton Administration, implying the President was allowing his wish to be remembered as the author of Middle East peace was deterring appropriate action. "The prime goal shouldn't be the President's legacy. The prime goal should be to stop the hostilities and bring them back to the table," Gilman said.

Despite expressed doubts from other spokesman in the media, Gilman said he was confident that a weekend summit meeting would take place in Egypt. "We hope and pray that they'll move toward peace...Meantime, the hostilities have to cease," he said.