Arafat Calls For Independent State of 'My Desk'

Besieged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has demanded that the one territory
over which he still retains full control - his desk - be recognised as an
independent state with its own government, border controls and U.N.
representative.

"The state shall be known as The Autonomous Region of Yasser Arafat's
Desk," he told reporters, "and will be completely independent from Israel
and, indeed, any other furniture in the room."
 

--A Desk.
 

Arafat's office has been under siege for several weeks and his standoff with
Israeli troops has still to be resolved.

The Israeli cabinet has discussed Arafat's demand and appears willing to
accept it with some conditions. Minister Reuven Rivlin said:  "Whilst we are
happy for the surface of the desk to be autonomous, we insist that Israel
should retain control of at least two of the drawers, including the one where
all the stationery is kept."

"Such safeguards are essential for the safety of Israeli citizens, many of whom
may at some point need access to Yasser Arafat's stapler," he added.

Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi said such a condition was
unacceptable and "a complete pain in the ass" although she welcomed
suggestions that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell may be recalled to
broker a deal.
 

(c) urbanreflex.com 2002