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The Pentagon's recent official report about the various speeches and remarks of Boykin revealed that Boykin had been obliged to clear the speeches with the Pentagon, given “the sensitive nature of his remarks concerning US policy and the likelihood that he would be perceived by his audiences as a DOD spokesman based on his official position and his appearance in uniform.” The report concluded that Lt. General Boykin failed to issue a "by-regulation disclaimer" at the speeches that he was not representing official Pentagon policy, and also failed to report his receipt of one travel payment exceeding $260 from a non-government source. But Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has praised Boykin’s ”outstanding record” and refused to reprimand the general, who played a role in a 1993 battle with Somali warlords and the ill-fated hostage rescue attempt in Iran in 1980. Now, try to figure out this double standard treatment!
THE SHARON'S GAZA PLAN Explaining Mr. Sharon's plan: The essence of the withdrawal SHARON: "EVACUATION WILL DECREASE HOSTILITY AND LEAD US TOWARD PEACE." JERUSALEM- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is still urging the Knesset to back the previously planned withdrawal process of Jewish settlers and the soldiers in charge of protecting the area. A huge crowd of supporters demonstrated in the streets, while waves of opponents watched from afar and threatened to plan a counter rally. The Prime Minister addressed the crowd and stated to the media that he perfectly understood the despair, anguish, anger and pain of the settlers who are to evacuate their homes and lands. He repeated his concerns before the 120 members of the Knesset. Mr. Sharon in an emotional speech, acknowledged that many of the settlers were his personal friends. But, "the evacuation would decrease hostility and lead Israel forward on the road of stability and peace with the Palestinians" explained Mr. Sharon. Facing foreign reporters, Mr. Sharon made it clear to the members of the foreign press that the withdrawal is not a substitute for peace negotiations, as his political opponents suggested. He added: "Israel had no wish to rule forever over millions of Palestinians who were growing in number with every generation." According to high officials in the Israeli government, if Mr. Sharon's plan is approved, Israel will pull all its settlers and troops from Gaza, but it will maintain control of Gaza's borders, coastline and airspace. Mr. Sharon is fully convinced that a limited regional withdrawal will secure peace for Israel. But, the fact that four additional West Bank settlements are also to be evacuated infuriated many Israelis, as well as members of the Knesset. Despise, mixed feelings and hostile reaction of the majority of the Israeli population, Mr. Sharon is expected to win the election. But, as many as 17 of the 40 MKs from his own Likud party are expected to vote against him, in addition to approximately 30 religious members and many of the eight Arab MKs.
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STORMY RESPONSES AND MIXED FEELINGS.
Government spokesman Raanan Gissin: Vote will create an irreversible process. " Less than fifteen minutes into Mr. Sharon's speech, Effi Eitam, chairman of the National Religious Party and two other lawmakers were ejected by Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin for their constant and hostile interruptions and stormy hecklings. However, Mr. Sharon received a strong support from Mr. Shimon Peres, who publicly reaffirmed his support for the Prime Minister. The Labor Party's full support is anticipated to carry the vote. If the plan is approved, an additional bill on compensation for all the Jewish settlers is expected to follow. Despite hostile reaction on the part of Mr. Sharon's opponents and many colleges students who threatened to storm the streets, thousands demonstrated in support for Sharon's plan. The majority of Mr. Sharon's support consists of left-wing peace activists. The irony is, that they find themselves in the bizarre position of supporting the right-wing Mr. Sharon. French media correspondents reported that hundreds of police deployed around the Knesset building have been ordered to confiscate inflammatory banners or leaflets found on anti-withdrawal activists. One report stated that "Police escorts have also been assigned to ensure protesters do not prevent pro-withdrawal MKs reaching the chamber. " The International Herald Daily News reported that " Violence continues in the Gaza Strip, where an Israeli ground operation against the Khan Younis refugee camp has left at least 16 Palestinians dead since Sunday night. And that the official reasons given for disengagement are the need to break a stalemate in negotiations, make Israel safer and eventually return to a two-state solution. Foreign observers in Jerusalem commented that the withdrawal may actually be a tactic aimed at taking back the initiative, freezing the peace process and preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Knesset's vote marks the first time ever, an Israeli parliament has authorized the removal of Jewish settlements. The withdrawal issue has split Mr. Sharon's Likud Party and his allies throughout Israel. Also, it prompted fierce opposition from thousands of Jewish and Israeli settlers who lived for years in the area. Thousands of angry settlers gathered outside the Israeli parliament and Prime Minister Sharon's residence. Security was at its highest level. Army troops and police unites were everywhere, controlling the streets of Jerusalem during the vote. Under the plan, Israel will withdraw all the settlers, including the troops who were in charge of their protection. However, Israel retain full control over Gaza's borders, coastline and airspace. THE WHITE HOUSE BACKS UP SHARON'S PLAN Four additional West Bank settlements are also to be evacuated, as an indivisible part of the original withdrawal plan as proposed by Prime Minister Sharon. The White House, who has always backed Sharon's daring initiative toward a complete regional peace plan known as the roadmap, said Sharon's withdrawal plan was in the right direction and an important step toward the safety and security of Israel and the Palestinians. In Gaza itself, the Israeli army has ended a two-day operation in which 17 Palestinians were killed. It was reported by the western press that the raid on the Khan Younis refugee camp wounded more than 80 people and caused serious damages in the area, leaving rubbles and full destruction behind. Following series of mortar attacks by Palestinian militants on nearby Jewish settlements, the Israeli army stepped up incursions to try to crush fierce Palestinian resistance before any withdrawal. "The man who helped us... is betraying us now." Talk of betrayal: "This is the first time the Israeli Knesset has been able to vote on the plan and security around the building is tight, reported" an official spokesman of the Israeli government. Continues on the next page
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