The greater danger is having the extremist focus upon the conflict as their "new" Jihad, and undermining stability throughout the region.
They already have, and will continue to do so with the covert blessing of our so-called allies. Appeasement will not lessen it, anymore than Munich prevented WWII.
And since the US wants to go after Iraq, and this Israeli-Palestinian conflict is getting in the way, there is going to be a peace settlement, whether voluntary or imposed.
Here I disagree with your reading. I see merely a few steps in a cynical dance aimed at getting a truce, the semblance of talks, something to say, "see, we're working on it", no more.
In fact, given the pressure Arafat will be under to make the peace a lasting one, it's conceivable to venture he'll have even more scrutiny than in the past and less opportunity or justification for creating turmoil.
What pressure? are you serious? from the EU? from the Saudis? If they cut him off, he'd be under pressure. You see any signs of that? Do you seriously think they would move to cut him off if he kept up his war as head of Palestine? He would have hundreds of new reasons to go hat in hand to them. Face it, Hawk, this conflict continues because all the Arab countries want it to continue. They helped scuttle Oslo, and they don't want any peace settlement now. What would they use for a distraction if there was peace?
On the bright side, the US government added Al Aqsa Brigades to the list of terrorist organizations (though not Force 17 or Fatah, as Congress had also requested). This means the US envoys can now ask Arafat to arrest these guys, according to CNN. Um, how about asking Arafat to stop paying their salaries first? |
