December 7, 2004
THE WORLD THAT W MADE:
Palestinians, Israel Back Peace Plan (Reuters, 12/07/04)
Palestinians and Israelis have agreed in principle to proposals aiming to end their conflict, Egypt's official news agency MENA said on Tuesday.Quoting unidentified high-level sources, it said the steps, including an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire, had the support of both the United States and the European Union.
There was no immediate official comment from Israel, the Palestinians or from Egypt which has tried to play the role of mediator in previous efforts to ease Israeli-Palestinian violence.
"High-level sources confirmed an important understanding -- reaching the point of an agreement in principle -- has been completed between Egypt, Israel, the Palestinians and several active international parties, America and Europe, regarding a comprehensive settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian struggle," MENA said.
How many freight cars full of ink has been wasted saying that freezing out Yasir Arafat and forcing new democratic leadership on the Palestinians while allowing Ariel Sharon to unilaterally impose a border would be counterproductive?
MORE:
Syria: PA team meets terror chiefs (Khaled Abu Toameh, Dec. 5, 2004, THE JERUSALEM POST)
A Palestinian authority delegation, led by PLO Secretary General Abu Mazen on Tuesday met with the leaders of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Popular Front – General Command in Damascus.The Palestinian team was also due to hold talks with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal. The delegation is expected to arrive in Beirut on Tuesday for similar talks with Lebanese leaders and representatives of Palestinian groups in Lebanon.
The talks, Palestinian sources say, will focus on the upcoming presidential election for the PA and the possibility of reaching a temporary truce with Israel.
Syria and the Palestinian Authority agreed on Monday to patch up their differences by ending decades of animosity and restoring normal ties.
The decision was made during a 90-minute meeting in Damascus between a senior PA delegation led by PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Syrian President Bashar Assad.
PA minister: Barghouti will drop candidancy (Khaled Abu Toameh, Dec. 7, 2004, THE JERUSALEM POST)
Palestinian Authority Minister of State Kadoura Fares said on Tuesday that jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti may abandon his plan to run in the January 9 lection for the presidency of the PA.MK Talab al-Sana, who visited Barghouti in prison, confirmed that Barghouti was considering dropping his candidacy in order to prevent a split in Fatah, which unanimously chose PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) as its candidate.
Combating Terrorism and Extremism in Saudi Arabia (Samar Fatany, 12/07/04, Arab News)
The attack on the US Consulate in Jeddah yesterday must surely be deplored by all rational men and women — those who support American policies as well as those who do not. A small minority of militants and extremists must not be allowed to carry out barbarities while sheltering under the banner of Islam. The welfare of the Kingdom’s guests is a religious duty of the people and leaders of Saudi Arabia. In Islam, these people are known as Al-Mustamanun. The term refers to non-Muslims who are living in Muslim lands or those who come to Muslim lands for work. Implicit in the term is the fact that Muslim leaders and people have guaranteed these people the security that is the right of each human being wherever he is and to whichever religious group he may belong.Posted by Orrin Judd at December 7, 2004 1:55 PMSaudi Arabia has undertaken drastic measures to counter the threat of terrorism and reject any extremist ideology that misrepresents either Islam or Saudi Arabia. There are those who doubt the Kingdom’s resolve and fail to acknowledge the positive strides it has taken in the direction of reform and moderation. Regardless of what is said or not said, the people of Saudi Arabia are determined to fight extremism and reject terrorism in all its forms. An international conference on terrorism is scheduled for February 2005 and its objective is to send a strong message to radicals within and without that they and their extremist ideology will not be tolerated.
In speaking to a weekly Cabinet meeting, Crown Prince Abdullah said the strong links between the Saudi leadership and people in addition to the efforts of the security and military forces will defeat those who seek to undermine the Kingdom’s security and stability. In a speech to the Muslim World League, he called upon Muslim scholars to promote dialogue and critical debates. Both should aim at reaching a consensus on contemporary issues and working to improve the image of Islam. The crown prince has also urged Saudi journalists to inform young people of different ways and means of fighting extremists who are Al-Qaeda sympathizers.
Mr. Judd;
I thought Barghouti was the annointed candidate?
Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at December 7, 2004 3:20 PMPolls show he's behind, so he can be gracious, bide his time, and get his release in a deal.
Posted by: oj at December 7, 2004 3:23 PM...and the possibility of reaching a temporary truce with Israel.
'Nuff said. Da boyz in da hudna haf spoke.
And everyone, hearing what they want to hear, is asmiling with joy and glory, hope, relief and satisfaction. And above all, vindication. "Told ya so!"
(But let's see now. Is that cup 5% full or 95% empty?.... Still, ya gotta be optimistic. Especially if there's even the slightest indication that one's wishful thinking possibly, potentially, may be, might be, could be about to bear, perhaps, some semblance to "reality.")
Goes without saying that in response to this noble Palestinian gesture of possibly reaching a temporary truce with Israel, Israel will be expected to---equally nobly---give up the store. (One really ought to keep one's mind on "the goals.")
Psst. Expect more of the same old. And in a little while (patience!), things should become a bit more interesting when Iran & friends are able to turn the threat/extortion factor up a notch or two.