Posted on 08/21/2006 4:18:28 AM PDT by Alouette
Internal Security Minister, former head of Shin Bet says, 'Any political process is preferable to military-fighting process, be it with Syria or with Lebanon'; Adds: Israel willing to withdraw from Golan Heights in exchange for full peace, water arrangements with Syria
Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter said Monday that "In exchange for peace with Syria, Israel can leave the Golan Heights."
In an interview with Israel Army Radio, Dichter brought up: “We have paid similar territorial prices for peace with Jordan and Egypt." He added that the water question and the Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is "an issue that I wouldn't give up on easily."
"Any political process is preferable to a military-fighting process, be it with Syria or with Lebanon, " Dichter continued. He estimated that "in regards to Lebanon, the conditions will be determined in discussions of this sort, even before Syria. Lebanon is capable today to enter into such a process with Israel even without a parallel process with Syria."
"Syria is a very significant country for us in regards to the texture of life in the region," the minister said. "I think that a process of discussions with Syria is legitimate. If it turns out that there is someone to talk to, I think that the idea is very suitable. Israel can initiate it. Ultimately, initiatives of this kind are of a third party – and there is an abundance of third parties in the world. If a third party approaches us, we must reply in the positive."
On this point, Dichter is asked about the cost. He responded: "We know the costs. We are experienced in setting prices. We have gone before two countries, Jordan and Egypt, and arranged the issues. We attempted with the Palestinian Authority, but unfortunately it didn't succeed.
'Golan Heights has tremendous significance'
But that doesn't mean that with other countries like Lebanon or Syria it won't succeed, and maybe this will make it clear to the Palestinians that there is no chance for any state to make achievements through war with us."
"The Golan Heights has tremendous significance for us," said Dichter. "I am not suggesting that we take it lightly whether or not we withdraw to the water line or not, because in the Middle East, without water, there are very difficult problems."
Despite everything, the internal security minister declared that if the relevant arrangements are ensured, he is prepared – in exchange for full peace – "even to return to the international border."
In the past days – especially since the shocking speech of Syrian President Bashar Assad, in which he spoke of releasing the Golan Heights into Arab hands – voices calling to extend a hand to him have grown stronger. In this context, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was appointed to head the project. Ministers Amir Peretz and Shimon Peres have also spoken about renewing talks with Damascus, with one of the central objectives, taken her out of the "Axis of Evil" before the Iranian nuclear umbrella becomes a done deal.
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
One alternate solution that might be acceptable to both sides: a Druse homeland. There's plenty of Druse who have served honorably in the IDF, as well as many in Syria itself.
Either solution is a long way off and virtually all of the "movement" needs to come from Syria.
-Eric
Let's see, Syria controls Golan. Galilee Region bombed regularly. Israel controls Golan. Syria is not bombed from Golan.
Yeah, it makes sense to give Golan back to Syria since they have shown themselves to be such peace-loving people.
"One alternate solution that might be acceptable to both sides: a Druse homeland. There's plenty of Druse who have served honorably in the IDF, as well as many in Syria itself. "
With that said, we might as well ask Egypt to give Sinai to the Palestinians.
( No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)
Take your pick:
1. turn Syria into glass parking lot;
2. keep fighting Syria and Iran-sponsored and equipped proxy armies;
3. peace with Syria and hope they decide to join the civilized world;
4. if 3. is seriously attempted and fails, see #1.
the *only* israeli government that could actually negociate the return of the Golan would be a likud government -- i would only trust them to set up a deal which would not harm israel's interests.
the bozos from olmert to dichter should leave well enough alone and just keep their mouths shut -- they've done enough damage already and are making things much worse. if you show weakness or kindness to an islamofascist they will take the opportunity to slit your throat as thanks...
Yes, the pigs flying around Syrian airspace will guarantee that they keep up their end of the agreement.
They are mostly lost to US anyway, and at least then we'll have gotten something for them. No?...bad idea? ... well it was as worthwhile to discuss.
what i suggest could actually happen, but only if assad had an epiphany, perhaps caused by a mushroom cloud over damascus...
IMHO, the Israelis ought to ANNEX the Golan Heights, by right of conquest.
The only thing on the table for Syria should be "If you stop funding and arming Hezbollah, we won't go to Damascus and kill everyone we find there."
Comparing making peace with Syria (absent Syrian regime change, at a minimum) to making peace with Egypt or Jordan is a thought process that is suicidal for Israel.
Annexation-by-conquest is not recognized as valid any more, by international law. Indeed, such law is why we kicked Saddam out of Kuwait.
-Eric
That is basically it. We are seeing the Bush Doctine play out and it will accelerate as his term nears and end. It could end like Clinton's term, with total disaster for the people of the middle east. But what we see are the moves setting up the ultimate moves.
Iraq is liberated with Iran making a mess of it. Syria is in bed with Iran but Saudi and Egypt and others are full-court pressing Syria to come back into the fold. Lebanon has been (somewhat) forced to face its problems. Ultimately the idea here is to pluck Syria from Iran's sphere, isolate Iran and eventually topple the regime. If Lebanon and Syria can be split from Iran's sphere it becomest that much easier.
We are seeing the Bush Doctine play out and it will accelerate as his term nears and end. It could end like Clinton's term, with total disaster for the people of the middle eastClinton was seeking a legacy that did not involve a blue dress. He was also looking to set up a deal that looked good on paper, but would not upset hard-core Israeli nationalists. Many of them live in New York and he didn't want to cost Hildebeast votes in the 2000 Senate race.
Bush has no such side agendas, but what I do expect is that he will get either the Arab League as a whole or the Saudis to begin formal talks with Israel before he leaves office.
-Eric
Yep. We will see the small moves until November and then come what may, the pressure will be on after the midterm elections. I really like the the contrast in the way Bush is pursuing it vs. Clinton. As you note Clinton was all for the fanfare. Bush is pursuing pretty much the right policy - come what may he does what he thinks is right - and that opens him up for attack either way. By not being so open he is accused of not doing enough, and what he does do he is accused of being too partisan or too tough or too rough.
I do not have much objection to his policies or strategy or even tactics. He is the first President to openly advocate a Palestinian state (for which he gets no kudos from the left at all - heck, even many European leaders don't advocate that openly) and I believe he is right to press these issues. Enough is enough already. The region has been a mess for decades, its not his fault that its a mess, and he is willing to jump in and try to fix what he can. And I think we've all had enough of this scapegoating Israel as the boogieman. The gig is up. Time for these regimes to get off the dime and make the necessary changes to at least bring about tranquility if not formal peace.
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