| Submit your comments on this article |
| Middle East |
| Israel warms up to The Plan |
| 2002-03-29 |
A government spokesman in Jerusalem called the plan, outlined by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, a "very important and interesting initiative." U.S. officials called the formal adoption of the Saudi plan a positive step. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the proposal "can help shape a more positive environment for peacemaking." The declaration, issued at the end of the two-day summit in Beirut, called for peace and normal ties with Israel if it returns all occupied Arab land. "Now, we have a sharp weapon to influence the international community and pressure Israel," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said. "If Israel refuses peace, we will return to violence. We will return to the threat of widening conflict and to instabilities and God knows what happens." The declaration danced around some key issues. For example, it said Israel must agree to a "just solution" to the problems of thousands of Palestinian refugees - but avoided the long-standing demand for a Palestinian "right of return." Raanan Gissin, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said the refugee issue could be a major obstacle. He insisted Arab nations must open "direct negotiations with Israel" on that and other differences. Thought they rejected it yesterday? If I was Sharon - and I'm not; my hair's the wrong color - I'd say, "We accept. Our only condition is a stable and non-belligerent Palestinian authority." Trouble is, it'll be two or three weeks after Doomsday before we see that. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |