Springtime in Cyprus

Editorial

Nicosia is lovely this time of year. The Cyprus capital is a short flight from Ben-Gurion Airport and is the interim way station for 13 of the Palestinian terrorists who, until recently, were able to enjoy little of the Mediterranean springtime because they were holed up in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

As part of the agreement to abandon their siege on one of Christianity's holiest sites, the Palestinians agreed to exile, beginning with a trip to Cyprus, pending word on what country would be willing to accept them.

Here in Canada, we felt our own little ripple effect, as Jewish groups criticized Prime Minister Jean Chrétien for offering to take in some of the Palestinians Israel wants to get rid of. The folly of Canada welcoming the terrorists is no more ridiculous than Israel's idea that sending them out of the country will do Israel any good. Though these 13 men are less likely to strap themselves into explosive devices and walk into an Israeli pizzeria if they are in Nicosia the miracle of telecommunications means they can remain operatives in terror from anywhere in the world. Remember that the perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States relied heavily on e-mails and cellphone calls to plot their evil. Terrorists belong behind bars, not bellying up to the bar in a hotel.

In the meantime, as one news report noted, this may be the first trip abroad for some of the 13, who are being likened to a gang of criminals. They say travel really broadens a person's horizons, and it would be interesting to see if a trip out of a refugee camp to one of the Mediterranean's idyllic destinations has any effect on their hatred toward others. The hotel's operators are treating the 13 as guests of Cyprus, though a decision had not been reached over whether to allow them access to the swimming pool.

As for the other guests at the Flamingo Hotel, staff say they are curious and somewhat excited about being close to history-making developments.

As the 13 relax by the sea, there are thousands of Israelis who wish their families could have been further removed from history-making events. Their loved ones can no longer enjoy the sun, the sand and the surf.

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