Drop Negative Attitudes Towards Israel: Egypt
By Captain Ed on War on Terror
Buffalo Springfield once sang, "There's something happening here, and what it is ain't exactly clear" -- which would provide an excellent analysis about Egypt's sudden fondness for the Sharon government in Israel. After warning Palestinians earlier this month that the Sharon government afforded them the best chance for a lasting peace, the official government news service editorialized that negative attitudes towards Israel in Egypt should be shunned:
Egyptian-Israeli relations occupy an important place in Egypt's foreign policy and the first serious signs of openness in [Egyptian-Israeli] relations that we are now observing are important. ...
In addition, the development of relations with Israel and interest in [these relations] can open a window [of opportunity] that will free Egyptian-Israeli relations from any form of reliance upon [Egypt's] relations with the U.S. It is not natural, necessary, or essential for relations with Israel to be influenced by [Egypt's] relations with the U.S. Namely, we hope that [Egypt's] relations with Israel will be strong, self-sufficient and completely independent from relations with the U.S. ...
Objective analysis on this matter cannot lead to any other conclusion. It is time to drop the negative attitudes towards Israel, and relations with it. The basic value of the peace accord between Egypt and Israel lies in the fact that it expunges the term 'prohibition' or 'taboo,' which was created in the past by Arab policies towards Israel, and which turned relations with Israel into an abomination that could not be allowed.
Not only does the editorial (translated by MEMRI) scold Egyptians for negative attitudes towards Israel, but also announces to other Arab nations that Egypt will not respond to their pressure to downgrade its relationship with the Israelis. That's quite a striking statement and a massive turnaround for Hosni Mubarak, who had shown little but the most cursory adherence to the 1979 peace treaty between the two nations.
Why the change? Four weeks ago, people speculated that Mubarak was seriously ill when he had some sort of collapse in Parliament. Mubarak seemed to recover normally and the Egyptian press chalked it up to a cold, his antibiotics, and Ramadan fasting. However, either he may be more ill than disclosed or the experience has him thinking about how to end the Mubarak era in the Middle East.
Whatever the reason, the developments are certainly encouraging. Perhaps the rest of the region will take his advice. (via Instapundit, Roger L. Simon, and Memeorandum)
Powell: No Negotiations Until After Elections
By Captain Ed on War on Terror
Colin Powell threw a bit of cold water on Palestinian hopes for new negotiations on statehood, declaring that the US would stick by the "road map" and any other negotiations before the Palestinian Authority elections would be premature:
Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Friday an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal could not be rushed, as Palestinians must first elect a president and both sides must begin to carry out the U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan.
"We can't rush it and the road map is the way and the road map is quite detailed with respect to the obligations and the responsibilities of the parties," he told a news conference.
His words may dent Palestinian hopes for a quick return to negotiations leading to a Palestinian state.
Everyone feels a sense of optimism that progress can finally occur with the death of Yasser Arafat -- the palpable relief from all concerned underscores the hopeless nature of his leadership, of course. However, the danger in going too fast is at least equal to that of going too slow. The Palestinians need to structure themselves for peace before any agreement can work. Too many corrupt and radical elements remain with the PA to give anyone much confidence in a peace accord successfully being implemented.
Powell and Bush have the right idea. Wait for the elections to produce a legitimate leader and determine if that person can provide serious partnership for peace. Then implement the road-map strategy to ensure that both sides meet their phased commitments. Simply giving the Palestinians sovereignty in the West Bank without building any track record of trust will quickly result in a complete meltdown of civic order, and probably would touch off a war -- a civil war between the PA and the radical Islamists, and then a war with Israel and maybe even Jordan and Egypt if it spread.
It took us 37 years to get here. Let's take our time and try to get it done right.
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