Epstein Secrets

, the Palestinians have only one diplomatic card left — their status at the United Nations — and once again they are trying to play it. Last year, the Palestinian Authority toyed with submitting an application for full United Nations membership, but backed off in the face of overwhelming opposition from the United Stat

an honor guard signaled full recognition for Palestine as a state. In the capitals of the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Venezuela, as well as Casablanca, Abbas reviewed troops with swords held high — nearly scraping the clouds in Caracas, where a cue-ball bald Hugo Chavez laid it on thick. (Abbas' a

6 February 1989 _— Israel and Egypt sign agreement returning Taba to Egypt. 23 May 1989 President Mubarak of Egypt attends the Arab League summit in Casablanca marking the readmission of Egypt to the Arab League. 22 October 1989 Ta’if Agreement. HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_023153 --- PAGE BREAK --- OUP CORRECTED PRO

sident made further US involvement in peace negotiations contingent upon Arafat’s removal from power, and the implementation of democratic reforms in the Palestinian Authority’s political structure. This was consist- ent with Prime Minister Sharon’s policies. At this time, parts of the Palestinian leadership either passively

U.N. bid, if unsuccessful, could spell the end of the Palestinian Authority. There's been a flurry of last-minute pressure f

ity of the Arab World, from fully covered Persian Gulf oil heiresses to skirt-donning Beirut Christians to democracy-minded Tahrir Square veterans to Casablanca slum kids fending off suicide-bomber entreaties. Their viewpoint again proved surprisingly consistent—and had shifted dramatically from my last go- r