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Editorial: Strengthen The Position Of Abu Mazen |
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by haaretz via gehrig
(No verified email address) |
28 Apr 2003
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"Any body that wants to make a positive contribution at this critical moment in the conflict must do what they can to strengthen the position and authority of the Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen, who brings with him to his new position a rare glimmer of hope." |
Tests and hope
The Palestinian Authority is getting ready to take formal constitutional steps this week that will establish the new government of Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), fully confirming him in the formal role of prime minister of the PA. Immediately after that, the road map is expected to be published. This will be accompanied by a tour of the region by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, a visit that will signal the beginning of a return to the negotiating process. A long list of statesmen from around the world have announced that they want to visit the region in the coming weeks. They want to take their place in the renewed diplomatic activity after two and a half years in which every diplomatic initiative has been left barren.
The government says the sincerity of the Palestinians will be tested by their deeds. That test is certainly appropriate for the future deeds of the new prime minister, Abu Mazen. He has been praised and offered hopes for his success from world leaders, because he has declared his opposition to terror and violence. The moment has arrived when he will be required to prove the seriousness of his statements.
But that same test goes for the government of Israel and its prime minister, who has recently been declaring his determination not to miss the historic opportunity that has arisen. As long as Abu Mazen was struggling against his opponents at home, the government of Israel was wise enough to stand aside, but now, as he has come out of the struggle with the upper hand, the time has come for Israel's intentions and declarations also to be put to the test of deeds. The discussions that began yesterday about dismantling illegal outposts could be a step in the desired direction - but only if they are implemented. The government of Israel should not deceive itself into thinking it can make demands of the Palestinians and wait, doing nothing, until the Palestinians fulfill those demands.
On the security front, Israel has an unequivocal demand that all the monitoring mechanisms established in through the framework are staffed only by, or at least principally by, Americans. That position is self-evident especially now, given the international conflicts that arose before the war in Iraq. On the diplomatic front, however, the picture is different and more complex. The Quartet members played an important role in formulating the map and softening Yasser Arafat, and presumably they, like other international bodies - such as the donor countries - are interested, and want to be involved in, the continuing developments.
It is unnecessary - indeed unwise - of Israel to try to keep the international community out of the reconciliation efforts in our region. However, the international community in general and the members of the Quartet in particular have a clear interest in keeping Arafat away from the centers of power and decision making in the PA. Any body that wants to make a positive contribution at this critical moment in the conflict must do what they can to strengthen the position and authority of the Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen, who brings with him to his new position a rare glimmer of hope.
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