There were many "signs" immediately following the announcement that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was planning a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, during her inaugural trip abroad in her new role in the Bush administration. Posted on 02/05/2005 8:25:34 PM PST by M. Espinola
There were many "signs" immediately following the announcement that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was planning a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, during her inaugural trip abroad in her new role in the Bush administration.
"It is not certain she will actually come," the reporters were told in a whisper by government officials. This is a blatant sign that Israel is not happy with the visit.
The whole thing became more puzzling as these same officials spoke with excitement at the increased involvement of Egypt in the talks between Israel and the PA, and the invitation to attend a summit at Sharm el-Sheikh.
Graphics added
(Excerpt) Read more at haaretz.com ...
I'd be very surprised at that. Bush recognizes that the next step in finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict involves overthrowing the terrorist sponsors in Syria. As for Europe demanding an improvement in trans-Atlantic relations, which deteriorated as a result of their weaseling backstabbing...
[cough]
It is amazing that in the middle of a war on terror, the priorities seem to be rewarding terrorists with Gaza, getting Israel to release terrorists from prison, and doing everything to legitimize Abu Mazen and Mohammed Dahlan two major terrorists. Apparently there is a push to get Israel to release Barghouti also.
I understand Sharon's concern. It is better that Israel deals with Abbas directly. However, Israel should realize that the U.S. is the strongest ally they have....and if they take initiatives from Solana, it seems appropriate to consider what Condi Rice has to say as well.
In any case, Sharon started and has gotten approval for DISENGAGEMENT. I am not so sure it is the will of Israelis...but he is not going to hold a referendum on the matter.
In any case, the Palestinians may play ball for a time until they get what they want...(never enough). The EU is also in favor of "right to return" which would mean the end of Israel .....
Good Luck to Condoleezza Rice with her visit to the State of Israel.
Who knows...Maybe even Moshiach might drop in soon for a visit to the Holy Land aswell. The behaviour of the worlds "leaders" in the near future will either hasten or delay his coming.
Rice: Birthing Palestine will be a top priority US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is looking for fresh alternatives to get the Palestinian Arab terrorists to stop killing Israeli Jews, including paying them to go into “retirement.”
Rice arrived in Israel Sunday for talks with Israeli and PA leaders, following a brief visit to Europe and Turkey.
According to Ynet, the New York Times reported last week that during her stopover in Europe Rice would ask the EU to provide finances for a special pension fund.
That fund would then be used to pay $100 a month to any “Palestinian” terrorist who willingly laid down his arms and promised not to kill any more Jews.
According to the terms of the US-backed Road Map, the PA is obligated to “disarm” and “dismantle” all terror groups and arrest their members.
PA leader Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly refused to take these steps, and has instead brokered a temporary halt to anti-Jewish terrorist attacks, while leaving the terrorist infrastructure intact.
JERUSALEM - PA leader Mahmoud Abbas’s effort to temporarily curb anti-Jewish terror is a move in right direction, but is still insufficient to warrant the start of negotiations on a permanent peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.
That is the message Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s bureau chief Dov Weisglass will carry with him when he meets with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Monday, according to The Jerusalem Post .
Weisglass is expected to tell Rice Israel will not agree to full-fledged final status negotiations until the PA meets its long overdue commitment to eliminate the threat of Islamic terror emanating from territories under its control.
The current Abbas-brokered hudna, or temporary truce, fails to fulfill that commitment, as it allows the terrorist infrastructure to remain intact and armed.
Israel remains adamant there can be no short-cuts through the US-backed Road Map peace plan, the first phase of which obligates the PA to disarm and dismantle Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the PLO’s satellite terror groups.
Jerusalem has expressed concerns over recent European enthusiasm that peace is just around the corner.
The EU has been pressuring both Israel and the PA to immediately take advantage of what it says is the current “window of opportunity” to restart full-blown talks.
Washington, one Israeli official told the Post , must not similarly become “intoxicated by the new smell of peace in the air.”
Rice is scheduled to follow up her meeting with Weisglass with a quick 24-hour visit to the Middle East Sunday to hold talks with Israeli and PA leaders. JNW
"That fund would then be used to pay $100 a month to any “Palestinian” terrorist who willingly laid down his arms and promised not to kill any more Jews."
please! i almost spilled my coffee.
oh, boy!
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