|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Article Support for a Palestinian state – not for a nominal state, but for a truly viable one – should long ago have been US policy. The failure to declare that goal explicitly and to pursue it actively has come to haunt both Israel and the US. It is unfortunate that it took that September 11 assault to remind Washington of an obvious truth. Eric Rouleau, former French Ambassador and a prominent journalist of Le Monde newspaper, speaking at an open session held at the Dubai Press Club recently said that all risks would be reduced if the US decides to deal with the political roots of terrorism. One of the prominent issues, he said, is the Arab-Israeli conflict – the main source of anger and frustration in the Arab and Islamic world. “It is encouraging to hear President Bush declare that a Palestinian state is under consideration but it is far enough,” he said. Mr. Rouleau suggested that the international community start sending peace-keeping forces to protect Palestinians from the Israelis and for an international conference to convene for the purpose of imposing, not suggesting, implementation of UN resolutions. “Thirty-five years of occupation, seven years of negotiation after Oslo have become unbearable. The time has come for bold international initiatives which would ensure security, full sovereignty and peace to Palestinians, Syrians and Israelis,” he said. Noted French political studies scholar Giles Kepel said that September 11 and its aftermath have brought one main lesson to the people of the East and West – that of living together and understanding each other in this era of globalisation. Speaking to members of the media at Dubai Press Club on November 11, Mr. Kepel said it was time to repair broken bridges and engage in dialogue. He said that now was the time for peoples of the East and the West to ‘extend their hands, not fists’. “I believe we live in a world driven by forces that allow people to build their identity through exchange and blend of cultures, as we build our present and our future by taking bits and pieces from here and there.” He said that globalisation was a way to help people to add to their personality and yet retain their identity in a multi-cultural world. In his recent travels in the Middle East, he was able to sense a strong feeling of anxiety, of anguish regarding what happened on September 11 in New York and Washington. He said that in talking to a cross section of people in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and AGCC states, he got the feeling that most people felt their bridge with the West, especially with the US, had been broken. Meanwhile, in Europe, particularly in France, there is an urgency to get to know the Middle East region beyond the television coverage and the headline news, said Mr. Kepel, who is a Professor at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris and an Islamic scholar and author. “The Holy Quran has long been a best-seller in Europe, followed by books specialising in the Middle East. US President George W. Bush reaffirmed his vision of a Palestinian state before the United Nations on November 10, pledging to assist Middle East peace talks that he warned could only be successful if violence ended. “We are working towards the day when two states – Israel and Palestine – live peacefully together within secure and recognised borders as called for by the Security Council resolutions,” Mr. Bush told the opening of the annual gathering. “We will do all in our power to bring both parties back into negotiations. But peace will only come when all have sworn off forever incitement, violence and terror,” he said. He added that America was committed to a “just peace in the Middle East.” Meanwhile, Palestinian Cabinet Minister Nabil Shaath said European Union representatives had given a new peace plan to the United States. Mr. Shaath, in Washington for talks, said the first part calls for establishing a Palestinian state, ending Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and finding a fair solution for Palestinian refugees. The second part deals with ending the violence by implementing existing agreements and sending international observers to monitor a cease-fire, Mr. Shaath said. British Prime Minister Blair also renewed his call for a viable Palestinian state in Riyadh early last month while speaking to Saudi Arabia’s Shura, or advisory council, the first foreign head of government ever to do so. “We must keep our eyes on the longer term goal – a viable Palestinian state, implementation of UN resolutions and past agreements and a just settlement which ensures peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis,” he said, according to the text of his speech provided by the British embassy. Blair also sought ways to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks at a working breakfast with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on November 1. On that third leg of a rapid Middle East tour, Mr. Blair met the king for talks that British Ambassador Edward Chaplin said focused on getting Palestinians and Israelis “back to the negotiating table” after more than a year of fighting that has claimed 736 lives on the Palestinian side and 191 on the Israeli side. The British prime minister had arrived in Jordan after talks with Saudi King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah in Riyadh and with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus. His discussions with Dr. Assad revealed wide differences as the Syrian leader gave no indication he was prepared to restrain violent Palestinian groups that operate from his territory. Syria supports Palestinians who use force in opposing Israel’s occupation, and it is on the US State Department list of states that sponsor terrorism. “Resisting occupation is an international right,” Dr. Assad told reporters with Mr. Blair after their talks. “An act of resistance is difference from an act of terrorism,” Dr. Assad said. British officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said afterward they thought that Mr. Blair, in the first visit to Syria by a British prime minister had opened “a bridge of dialogue.” “This is a candid dialogue, but I would like to think that it is a dialogue that can be pursued,” Mr. Blair told reporters in Damascus. He said Britain was seeking a lasting cease-fire in the Israeli-Palestinian fighting to create a base of calm for serious peace negotiations. “Violence from whatever quarter is deeply unhelpful,” Mr. Blair said. Palestinian President Yasser Arafat welcomed a call by US President George W. Bush for a Palestinian state based on secure borders with Israel and pledged to try to revive peace negotiations.
But, in an address to the UN General Assembly, Mr. Arafat rejected “interim
solutions” – an allusion to the policies of Israeli Premier
Ariel Sharon. Mr. Arafat also called on the UN to send observers to protect
the Palestinian people “from occupation, terror and ethnic cleansing
practiced by Israel.” Expressing his “deepest appreciation”
for Mr. Bush’s speech, Mr. Arafat said: “From our side we will
exert every possible effort to achieve these objectives.” The speech
was “a significant step in the path of ending the conflict and the
establishment of peace in the Middle East,” Mr. Arafat said. “I
will candidly say to you that reviving the peace process will not be possible,
after all that has happened, through interim solutions.” Saudi Arabia’s
foreign minister also praised the speech of US President George Bush to
the UN General Assembly, saying it heralds a “new language”
for Washington in the Middle East. |