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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Books Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters The final station
By Salah Montasser
Ehud Barak seems to have reached the end of his career sooner than expected. In a few weeks he will be forced to declare early elections, with little chance of support from even his closest party allies.
Salah Montasser
The problem is his highly exaggerated perception of his true abilities. Observe, for instance, his constant recourse to threats and ultimatums, typical of a weak man desperate to be seen as strong -- as is his recourse to utterly disproportionate force. A good military commander would mobilise armed force in proportion to the danger foreseen. Are tanks, helicopter gunships, missiles and naval units proportionate to stone-throwing? Is it evidence of strength to kill a child with a tank?
Observe also how easily Sharon tricked him into signing his own political death warrant. Sharon knew full well what havoc his "visit" to the Dome of the Rock would wreak, and went ahead precisely to place Barak in a corner. Instead of acting to contain Palestinian shock and anger, Barak declared war on the unarmed Palestinian population.
Such reckless behaviour is proof of Barak's immaturity as a politician. He made his career in the military, took part in the invasion of Lebanon in 1982, and before that, disguised as a woman, took part in the 1972 assassination of three top PLO figures. He was elected to office with a single mandate: to inject new life into the peace process. He has failed dismally. Barak could have lasted longer were it not for his lack of skill and insight, and the excessive arrogance that often prevents him from taking advice from his aides. He will be gone soon, and few will shed any tears of regret.
This week's Soapbox speaker is a veteran Al-Ahram columnist.© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved
