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Politics : Israel to U.S. : Now Deal with Syria and Iran -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: sea_urchin who wrote (9847)	1/23/2006 5:00:43 AM
From: GUSTAVE JAEGER	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 22250

TOLD YOU SO....() Netanyahu's gamesmanship in full gear: Mon., January 23, 2006 Tevet 23, 5766* Netanyahu says he's willing to give up territory for peace By Mazal Mualem Likud chair Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday sent out a clear message that he is hewing to the center and is prepared to make territorial concessions as part of an interim agreement and final-status agreement with the Palestinians. Speaking at the Herzliya Conference, the former prime minister also said he favors immediate steps to reduce friction with the Palestinian population, including decreasing the number of checkpoints and increasing freedom of movement along roads. Netanyahu aides called it a defining speech that sets out the Likud's updated platform and positions it on the center-right side of the political map. Netanyahu was careful not to say he supports establishing a Palestinian state, but told reporters afterward that "you have to leave something for the negotiations." In his address, Netanyahu called for fortifying the security zones and completing construction of the separation fence around the major settlement blocs, while also doing everything possible to reduce friction with the Palestinians. "That means dismantling outposts that were not legally authorized. We will take this step and if the current government carries it out, it will receive our support. In addition, once the security borders have been fortified, there is no reason not to dilute our military presence in Judea and Samaria, to reduce the number of checkpoints and increase freedom of movement along the roads," he said. Netanyahu said that in any case, "with or without an agreement," a Likud government would not resume control of Palestinian cities. "If it becomes clear that a responsible Palestinian government arises, we will be willing to hold peace negotiations with it on the basis of reciprocity," he added. The word "concessions" recurred frequently in Netanyahu's speech, a fact to which his aides drew the media's attention. On the subject of territorial concessions, for example, Netanyahu said: "I say once again: obviously peace negotiations will involve concessions by both sides, that is also by the Israeli side. Before any peace agreement involving concessions, there will be a referendum to allow the Israeli public to decide directly on territorial determinations." Netanyahu distinguished himself from Kadima and Labor, saying that unlike them, he is categorically opposed to a return to the pre-1967 borders and to further unilateral withdrawals, and that he supports immediate steps to increase security, such as relocating the separation fence to include areas in "Israel's strategic core" such as Ben-Gurion Airport and the Jerusalem-Modi'in-Tel Aviv highway. In essence, his aides said, Netanyahu's speech talks about a significant compromise in the core of the West Bank. haaretz.com (*) Message 22036765