Sunday, May 11, 2003
Sunday, May 11, 2003 |
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By Atul Aneja
Setting aside some their reservations on the "road map" whose principal author is the United States, the Palestinians have already declared that they accept its basic parameters. The Israelis, however, have in the recent past, raised 14 points that they wished to be addressed before committing themselves on the route that could lead to a permanent end to their differences with the Palestinians. At the present moment, the Israelis appear to be linking their commitment to the U.S.-authored blueprint for peace to concrete steps by Palestinian leaders that would demonstrate their commitment to rein in suicide bombers and other perpetrators of extremist violence. Gen. Powell, on his part, has already declared that he was not prepared for lengthy negotiations with the Israelis and Palestinians to seek their endorsement of the "road map." On the contrary, hoping to get an early Israeli commitment to the broad parameters of this plan, Gen. Powell, during his visit, is aiming to go a little further. Analysts point out that the top U.S. diplomat is working on a formulation that would result in the first tension-easing steps between the Israelis and Palestinians, since violence erupted 31 months ago. Fresh indications are emerging that Gen. Powell, during his talks, would like to convince the Israelis to ease the military pressure on Palestinian towns and cities in return for a commitment to a "ceasefire" by Palestinian extremist groups. After concluding his talks with the Israelis by Sunday afternoon, Gen. Powell is expected to hold discussions with the newly-elected Palestinian Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas. In 10 days time, the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, will travel to Washington for follow-up talks with the U.S. President, George W. Bush. Analysts point out that Israel's talks with the U.S. are not simply confined to the creation of an independent Palestinian State in return for a termination of terror strikes against its civilians. On the contrary, Israel is seeking to fulfil a much broader strategic agenda in the region. Israel, which has in the past signed peace deals with Egypt and Jordan, is seeking greater security along its northern border with Lebanon. Two problems are, however, coming in the way. First, is the presence of the highly trained anti-Israel, Hizbollah group in Lebanon, that Syria and Iran support. Second, Syria, which exercises enormous influence in Lebanon, has also positioned some of its troops in that country. Not surprisingly, Gen. Powell, who was in Syria and Lebanon last week, and has not minced words in asking Syria to end its support for Hizbollah. Israel, diplomatic sources say, through its engagement of negotiations with the U.S., has also begun to look far at drawing benefits from the possible normalisation of its economic relations with some of the key the Arab nations in West Asia in the future. The U.S., on its part, has already taken the first steps to push for Israel's regional accommodation. Sources pointed out that by calling for a free trade area in West Asia in a decade, Mr. Bush on Friday has signalled that the Israelis and Arabs should agree to occupy a common economic space in the region in the future. U.S.-backed plans are also afoot at reviving an oil pipeline from Mosul in Iraq to the Israeli Mediterranean coast at Haifa.
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