Posted on 12/19/2003 12:30:59 PM PST by anotherview
Dec. 19, 2003
B> Palestinian reactions to Sharon's speech
By JOSEPH NASR
Sharon's remarks at the Herzlyia Conference were disappointing to optimistic and skeptical observers alike, wrote the Jerusalem-based Palestinian daily al-Quds on Friday.
In his long-awaited speech at the Herzlyia Conference, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was expected to specify what are his "unilateral steps" of disengagement, wrote al-Quds.
In the build-up to the speech, the circulation of the expression "unilateral" was meant to threaten the Palestinians, in that if they don't rush to the negotiating table – according to Israel's terms – they will not get "painful Israeli concessions", published al-Quds' editorial.
Sharon's focus on the separation fence, the need to finish its construction as soon as possible, and his call to the Palestinians to return to negotiations were nothing but Israeli reiterations that lost their "meaning and glow", said al-Quds.
The Jerusalem-based daily added that Prime Minister Sharon has no plans but proposals. These proposals are restricted to moving few settlements to safer locations. However no details are given as to which settlements are to be removed and where they are to be moved to.
Even if such measures are approved and implemented, wrote al-Quds, the outcome will simply lead to the extension of existing large settlements on Palestinian territory.
Sharon might well be serious about his intension to achieve peace with the Palestinians, however, Israeli settlements should be removed all together and relocated in Israel rather than rearrange them in the West Bank, said al-Quds.
Sharon's proposals are disappointing indeed, yet the settlers and their right-wing representatives in Sharon's government might go as far as pressuring Israel's Prime Minister to abandon his ideas, which will be even more disappointing, published al-Quds.
Meanwhile al-Quds al-Arabi in London saw Sharon's threats as a sign of his weakness, and reflect the frame of mind of a man who is defeated, limited in his options and unable to save his "settlers" from a suffocating security, political, and economic situation.
The Palestinians were the first to accept the Road Map unconditionally when Sharon presented 14 reservations to it, wrote al-Quds al-Arabi on Friday.
Sharon is in trouble and therefore he issues threats to pressure the Palestinian Authority and its Prime Minister Abu Ala to meet him, which will portray himself around the world as a "peace dove", published al-Quds al-Arabi.
Sharon's speech is "a usurpation", and the Palestinian Authority, or what is left of it, should not comply with Sharon's conditions because this will only help to save him from his deadlock, wrote al-Quds al-Arabi.
Exactly so. Yet the world community, including the U.S., insists we give them more opportunities and stand by mutely when attacked.
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