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Al-Ahram Weekly 2 - 8 September 1999 Issue No. 445 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 2 - 8 September 1999 Issue No. 445
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Focus Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Honouring obligations
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is expected to arrive in the region today, her intention not to intervene in the seemingly endless talks between the Israelis and Palestinians but to help the concerned parties reach final settlement agreements.Arab countries remain keen, a keenness proved in many ways, that a comprehensive and just settlement with Israel is reached. But before even addressing the complex issues that will be the focus of difficult negotiations it seems obvious that Israel be obliged to honour the agreements it has already signed, and undertake the actions it has already agreed to undertake.
The argument made by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and reportedly backed by the United States, is that the only way to overcome the current deadlock is to pursue ever more intensive negotiations in order to reach final agreements. No one, though, ever bothers to explain why the Palestinians should have any confidence in negotiating towards an agreement with a government that consistently refuses to honour agreements already reached. Nor does anyone ever bother to explain how Syria and Lebanon could have confidence, or even the desire, to spend time negotiating towards agreements that on past precedent are unlikely ever to be honoured.
Palestinians, naturally, worry when they hear Barak announce his readiness to reach a final settlement within a year, the only condition being that negotiations on Jerusalem and the return of refugees be postponed. What possible peace talks postpone such issues? How is brushing these issues under the carpet going to ease regional tension?
Egypt, fully aware of the need to restart the peace process, has been trying its best to bridge the gap between the Israelis and Palestinians. President Hosni Mubarak's political adviser, Osama El-Baz, shuttled between Barak and Arafat in a last minute effort to convince the two leaders to overcome their differences. But under no circumstances will Egypt place pressure on the Palestinians to compromise on the earlier accords signed by Israel. To do so could only undermine the entire process, and further delay the already long awaited dividends of peace.
