Will Sharon Give in?

Arab leaders are gathering in Beirut for a two-day summit of the Arab League, which could have historic significance if it adopts a Saudi plan for a permanent peace between the entire Arab world and Israel. The meeting begins on Wednesday, but delegates are still waiting to hear whether Palestinian president Yasser Arafat will be joining them.

Tatbee or not tatbee. It could be the title of the political drama set to unfold at the Arab Summit in Beirut. Tatbee is the Arabic word for normalization and it's the key concept in a plan that Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah will submit at the meeting. According to the draft text, the plan offers Israel a comprehensive peace in exchange for full Israeli withdrawal from the territories occupied in 1967 and the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

However, the use of the term "tatbee" has sparked controversy among delegates. In Arabic, it has connotations that go beyond the regular meaning of normalization, i.e. the establishment of diplomatic relations between nations. It also refers to close contacts between individual people and would imply a warm sort of peace. The Syrian government thinks it's much too early for that. It has suggested another term, "aadi" which just means "normal" and nothing else.

But the question uppermost in the minds of those taking part in the Summit does not involve semantics, but rather whether Palestinian President Yasser Arafat will be attending. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon still hasn't lifted the travel ban on Mr Arafat. And despite pressure from the US to let him attend, the Israelis still demand that the Palestinian leader agree to a ceasefire and arrest militants before they allow him to travel to Beirut.

The Palestinians insist that any kind of ceasefire must involve a clear Israeli commitment to starting political negotiations about an end to its occupation of Palestinian land. They argue that a ceasefire would otherwise be tantamount to protecting the occupier. With more than a thousand Palestinian fatalities since the start of the second Intifadah, this isn't something Mr Arafat can sell to his already restive constituency.

A decision is likely to be taken only at the very last moment. But the pressure on Mr Sharon is mounting. On Monday, US President Bush told Israel to give "serious consideration" to allowing Mr Arafat go to Beirut. That is diplomatic jargon for: "you'd better let him go." It will be difficult for Mr Sharon to ignore its main ally.

Embarrassment It would be a serious embarrassment to the Arab League member states if Mr Arafat were not there. After all, the Arab world is ready to offer nothing less than a collective peace treaty with Israel based on the principle of land for peace in accordance with UN Resolutions. Furthermore, the plan has been put forward by the most important Arab ally of the United States, Saudi Arabia. The fact that it's presented by the guardian of the holy sites of Mecca and Medina lends it something of Islamic legitimacy. Besides, the Arab and Muslim world will be up in arms if it emerges that even a crucial US ally like Saudi Arabia cannot sway Washington to pile sufficient pressure on Mr Sharon to let Arafat attend the Beirut summit.

This will reinforce anti-American sentiment and play into the hands of Muslim fundamentalists who maintain that Arab governments are just stooges of Washington. With the US making preparations to dislodge Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, this is would be the last thing Arab leaders need.

But Mr Sharon's international stature, too, will suffer a blow as world opinion will accuse him of ignoring a significant gesture from Arab moderates. For all these reasons, Mr Arafat could still show up in Beirut.

How is the Saudi peace initiative any better, or different from, any previous peace initiative, all of which Arafat has consistently abused, taking but never giving.

We did not wait for Israeli permission.Why does Israel wait for ours?

Forgiveness is usually granted,even if grudgingly.Permission is rarely granted.

To require it, prior to acting,shows a lack of resolve,and a doubting of position.If Israel doubts the rightness of her actions,why should all not doubt her?

Politicians and UN diplomats will be the death of this world.The "game" they play has spun out of controll.

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