To: i-node who wrote (176373 ) 10/10/2003 8:34:21 PM From: tejek Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 1571525 You need to tell the whole story. All that is well and good. But the reality is that it was the best offer they were going to get and Arafat made a devastating mistake in not taking it; unless, of course, he WANTS more death and destruction and terrorism (which he does). That says it all, doesn't it? It was the best they were going to get. And that's because the Israelis were hardly dealing from a straight deck.When parties negotiate, they have to give up things, not based on what they want, or what is fair or convenient, or what is righteous. It is about who has the stronger negotiating position. When negotiating, the stronger party wins, which is as it should be (a fact of life which seems lost on many liberals). Israel is the stronger party, and likely will be from now on. Such BS...........Israel offered much less than what was first proposed in the 40s. Why should the Palestinians take that much less. Yes, the Palestinians are weaker but what conservatives don't realize is that there are a number of ways to skin a cat. If you don't believe me, ask a Frenchman about Algerian independence. What Arafat failed to see is that his choice of innocent deaths over peace doesn't enhance strength in future negotiations; in fact, it likely makes Israel more determined, if anything. What Israel doesn't understand is that there will never be peace until they give the Palestinians what they want. And of course, there is the issue of West Bank water which Israel wants badly.I think it is easy to get a sense of how Israel might feel just by reflecting on 9/11. Would WE have negotiated with the terrorists after it happened? Of course, not (well, the Madelyn Albrights of the world might have, but luckily, she wasn't in the picture). The two situations are not analogous at all. Conservatives use 9/11 like its a toy. It isn't. It fits very few scenarios. ted