Posted on 06/21/2002 12:14:52 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
WASHINGTON — The United States has obtained an agreement from Israel and Saudi Arabia for an interim Palestinian state whose borders would be finalized by 2007. Concessions were granted to both Israel and Saudi Arabia, according to diplomatic sources who provided details of the plan.
The White House announcement of the plan, scheduled for yesterday, was delayed by the series of Palestinian suicide attacks in Israel. The announcement is now expected as early as Friday.
Diplomatic sources said President George Bush has discussed his plan to allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state in 2003. The state would consist of 42 percent of the West Bank and would have limited sovereignty, Middle East Newsline reported.
The proposal would include negotiations with such a state after its formation. Bush, who consulted with his advisors on Wednesday, is said to expect that such an entity would be declared at the end of next year and be immediately accepted as a full member of the United Nations.
At that point, the sources said, Israel and the Palestinians would begin negotiations on the final borders of the state. The Bush proposal envisions that the negotiations would be concluded within three years, or about 2007.
The sources said the U.S. plan, which could be announced as early as Friday, concedes to both Israeli and Saudi demands. In accordance with Saudi concerns, the plan does not envision the removal of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat from power. In a nod to Israel, the establishment of a Palestinian state is linked to an end to the current war as well as governmental reforms.
The plan that reminds some members of Congress of the effort two years ago by then-President Bill Clinton to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"We are told something big will be forthcoming from the administration soon," said Rep. Gary Ackerman, a New York Democrat and senior member of the House International Relations subcommittee on the Middle East. "Not too detailed, but detailed enough. Not too immediate, but not to indefinite. Not the Clinton proposal, but not too far from the Clinton proposal."
The White House completed drafting its proposal as Israel has been rocked by two suicide attacks in as many days. On Wednesday evening, seven people were killed in a suicide bombing at a crowded bus stop in northern Jerusalem. Israeli troops raided several West Bank cities and helicopters attacked Palestinian targets in the Gaza Strip.
"The president knows what he wants to say," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said. "The president will share it when the president believes the time is right to share it so it can do the most good."
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has agreed to the plan, the sources said. They said Sharon was drawn by the prospect of a long-term interim agreement that could provide a breather from nearly two years of war with the Palestinians.
The Bush plan is said to be a modification of a Saudi proposal discussed with the United States. The sources said Riyad submitted two ideas: One comprised a vision of full Israeli withdrawal from the territories captured in the 1967 war for Arab peace and diplomatic recognition.
The second Saudi proposal drew Sharon's attention, the sources said. This allowed for the establishment of an interim Palestinian state over the next year in exchange for Arab peace and recognition. The sources said Egypt at first adopted the proposal but later appeared to withdraw from the idea.
"I think the fact that you had a clear offer, clearer than ever before, from the Arab League of normal relations with Israel, and the fact that you had an offer of a collective security arrangement with the entire Arab world with Israel, is a step in the right direction," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State William Burns said. "And I think that's something the president has strongly encouraged, including in his own conversations with Crown Prince Abdullah."
Never happen.
Now there's a thought!
I don't know if it will ever or never happen, but you can tell these people are worshiping at the wrong tree to bring about peace.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.