The answer could have more to do with his boss than with Tirawi. Western diplomats in Jerusalem say that Sharon is flustered by Arafat’s talent for hanging on. Sharon apparently hoped the siege would speed up Arafat’s removal. Instead, it has silenced Arafat’s Palestinian critics and suspended reform schemes (including appointing a prime minister who would take over many of Arafat’s responsibilities). So much for bulldozer diplomacy.
