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Al-Ahram Weekly 1 - 7 April 1999 Issue No. 423 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 1 - 7 April 1999 Issue No. 423
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Interview Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters A state of choice
By Tahsin Bashir *
In facing the 4 May challenge, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has to realise that the creation of a state structure that will be accorded international recognition is at stake. A Palestinian state was declared in the 1940s by Helmi Pasha, but it was stillborn: a state only on paper.
Today, the Palestinian right to self-determination is accepted internationally. Even the US, which was always against it, is moving -- albeit reluctantly -- to accept it. The EU has recognised the Palestinians' right to self-determination, including the option of statehood. The Israeli government still refuses to recognise this right, and is definitely against the declaration of a Palestinian state on 4 May.
The PA is tied to the process it accepted in Oslo and Wye, which restricts its ability to declare statehood without going through the process of negotiation. If it makes a one-sided declaration on 4 May, the reaction in Israel and a reckless response by Mr Netanyahu could make it impossible to create a state, and could even destroy some of the positive steps the PA has taken since Oslo. Any delay, on the other hand, will subject the PA to criticism by the Palestinian public that it is being cowed by Netanyahu and company.
On 4 May, the PA should declare that a state is a legal option for the Palestinian people. It should then put that option to a plebiscite, to be conducted before 2000. This would give credibility to the promise of a state and offer the Palestinian people a free choice, to emphasise the fact that statehood is their option for self-determination. There will be time to gain support in America, Europe and elsewhere, but above all to prepare the Israeli public to accept the fact that Palestinian statehood in peace with Israel is inevitable.
The precipitous declaration of a state could invite resistance from the Israeli political structure and allow Netanyahu to claim that the Palestinians are playing havoc with the negotiating process. The initiative I am suggesting will turn the tables.
* This week's Soapbox speaker is a veteran Egyptian diplomat.
