Sharjah: After four decades of working in political journalism, Palestinian writer Abdul Bari Atwan makes it very clear that he still believes that what has been taken by force can only be reclaimed by force, and that negotiations will lead nowhere.
The editor-in-chief of London's Al Quds Al Arabi newspaper addressed a crowd of fans at the Sharjah Book Fair on Saturday, as he presented his biography titled A Country of Words, A Palestinian journey from the refugee camp to the front page.
Atwan spoke about his early childhood memories in the refugee camps of Deir Al Balah and Rafah, when most children spent their days playing and daydreaming.
"The first time I ever wore shoes was when I turned six, because I could not go to school barefoot.
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"However, it was a hand-me-down pair of shoes from my elder brothers, which was originally given by The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and it was too tight, so I just put it on to walk through the door and then held it under my arm all day," Atwan said.
The writer spoke about his journey from being a journalism student in Egypt to his first newspaper job in Tripoli, Libya, and his latest position at Al Quds Al Arabi.
Throughout his journey, Atwan said that he had had the opportunity to get acquainted with leaders, intellectuals and other famous people including the highly controversial late Iraqi president Saddam Hussain and Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden.
"My trip to Tora Bora to meet the Al Qaida leader was a memorable one. I spent the night at his cave and slept over a weapon arsenal," Atwan said.
During his stay, he said he could hear military drills taking place just outside the cave, and although he was scared, his hosts kept assuring him that everything was under control.
"When I returned, I could not believe that I made it back alive," Atwan said.
However, his interview with Bin Laden brought him international fame.
The writer said his memories included those of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, although Atwan was against the Oslo Accords.
"I told Arafat I was opposed to Oslo, but he took me aside and told me that one day I will see the Israelis running out of Palestine like mice escape from a sinking ship," Atwan said.
"I still do not think we can get anything from negotiations, which are making us lose more and more every day. Besides, who delegated [Palestinian President] Mahmoud Abbas to give up our rights?" Atwan said. "Even if we do not get a state, the least we can do is to hold on to our rights," he added.
