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Al-Ahram Weekly 24 - 30 June 1999 Issue No. 435 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 24 - 30 June 1999 Issue No. 435
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Interview Travel Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters The Barak track
By Mohamed Sobeih *
When Ehud Barak appeared, Israel had lost credibility even among its strongest backers. Has the situation changed? A brutal and efficient military man, Barak has little experience in politics; but then, Rabin started out the same way, before becoming convinced that he should pursue peace. Barak, furthermore, is surrounded by experienced Labour politicians. Among its leaders are men who want the peace process to continue.
In practical terms, there are reasons for optimism. The Labour Party is legally responsible for implementing Oslo. Barak knows the ins and outs of the agreement. He also negotiated a withdrawal from the Golan, back to the 1967 borders. He is aware of the steps taken by Rabin to freeze settlement building, and he gave Netanyahu a comfortable lead during the vote on the Wye Memorandum, after many Likud members had withdrawn their support. Barak is also bound to respect the creation of an independent Palestinian state, which Rabin agreed to when the PNC Charter was amended.
Still, Barak needs to study the history of events in this region if he is to bring about reconciliation. Israel must withdraw from all the territories it occupied in 1967; a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital must be created. Barak has a historic opportunity before him to bring about a just and comprehensive peace settlement. If he does not take up the challenge, it will be a great loss.
*This week's Soapbox speaker is the Palestinian permanent representative to the Arab League and secretary-general of the Palestine National Council.
