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Al-Ahram Weekly 23 - 29 March 2000 Issue No. 474 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 23 - 29 March 2000 Issue No. 474
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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 Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons An appointment with destiny
President Hosni Mubarak's visit to Washington, which begins on Saturday, comes at a critical time. The announcement that US President Clinton will meet his Syrian counterpart in Geneva on Sunday raised expectations that the stalled Syrian-Israeli peace talks may resume soon and that a breakthrough could be near. Given the resumption of final status talks in Washington on Monday, and the Knesset's decision two weeks ago to withdraw Israeli troops from south Lebanon by July, it seems reasonable to assume that the coming months will witness serious developments. All the players are aware that they have little time to reach a just and comprehensive settlement to one of the world's most complicated and volatile conflicts. Only a few months are left before the US presidential elections, and failing to achieve progress during this period will mean that no breakthrough will be possible in the next couple of years.
The parties involved in the process agree that Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon is difficult to conceive in the absence of an agreement with Syria. Withdrawal, in the absence of arrangements with Lebanon and a precise, joint definition of the border, can only pave the way to more violence.
President Mubarak's visit to Washington will be vital to assure that the remaining problems are solved smoothly. It is no secret that Egyptian efforts were the main reason for the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli talks, and that President Mubarak, while affirming his respect for Syria's independence, played a crucial role in opening channels of understanding between Damascus and Washington.
Still, tangible progress will never be achieved without serious commitment from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak to the agreements reached with Arab parties, and his acceptance of the principle that Israel must withdraw from all the Arab territories it occupied in 1967. Taking Israel's record over the past 10 years into consideration, the Arab side can only be cautious as to Israel's real intentions. This time, once again, it is difficult to believe in its willingness to reach a just settlement.
