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Al-Ahram Weekly 9 - 15 March 2000 Issue No. 472 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 9 - 15 March 2000 Issue No. 472
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Books Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Safe, not sorry
The Arabs were cautious in welcoming the Israeli cabinet's decision this week to pull its troops out of south Lebanon in July, after 22 years of occupation. The cabinet's decision came shortly before Arab foreign ministers were to meet in Beirut for the first time to declare their solidarity with Lebanon in the face of Israel's repeated attacks. The move was prompted mainly by the heavy losses the Israeli army has suffered in the "security zone" protecting Israel's northern border. The resistance movement in the south has inflicted such damage on the Israeli army, however, that many occupation soldiers are begging their prime minister to pull out.
There are many good reasons for the Arabs' caution. Israel's refusal to respect dates and its insistence on blaming the Arabs for setbacks are now known world-wide. The Arabs must also take into consideration Israel's recent statements that it might want to keep "narrow strips" of territory in south Lebanon for security reasons.
If this is what Israel has in mind, we cannot look forward to any lessening of the tension in south Lebanon. Nor is it possible to understand how Israel will pull out its troops without negotiating the details with the Lebanese government. UN Security Council Resolution 425 calls on Israel to withdraw "unconditionally" from south Lebanon, but after decades of conflict, the border between the two countries must be defined jointly in accordance with international law.
Some observers have interpreted the decision as an attempt to pressure Syria. That would be a grave mistake, however. Peace will never be possible without an agreement ending Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights. Others prefer to see their glass as half full, and believe that Ehud Barak could be sending a "positive message" to Syria. After all, he knows better than anyone that Damascus must agree before Israel concludes a deal with Lebanon. Maybe it is indeed time for Barak to fulfil the pledges he made so enthusiastically during his election campaign.
