Peace Activists Flail While Bush Road Map Scores

Virtual reality – a term invented to describe the make-believe world of computer games – was aptly used in Geneva, Switzerland, last week to characterize an informal peace plan for Israelis and Palestinians.

The Freudian slip of tongue was that of Yossi Beilin, formerly justice minister in the Israeli Labor party, speaking to a dovecote of peace activists.

Echoing the sentiment was Yasir Abed Rabbo, a former Palestine information minister, who helped draft a 50- page “accord” to end decades of animosity in the Mideast between Jews and Arabs.

The word “accord” is a misnomer inasmuch as it signifies an agreement by heads of states. There were none present, although former U.S. President Jimmy Carter gave the keynote address.

An unidentified junior member of the U.S. mission in Geneva attended -- as did three U.S. Congress members. The latter were Nick J. Rahall (D-W.Va), Daryl Issa, (R- Calif) and Lois Capps (D-Calif). Former President Clinton sent a message of support.

The unofficial peace plan would:

* Create a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside Israel.

* Divide Jerusalem in two capitals.

* Require Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and most of the West bank.

*Place the Temple Mount – host holy site for Jews and Muslims – under control of international peace keepers.

*Void the right of return for millions of Palestinians who fled after the initial War of 1948.

Palestinian Leader Yassir Arafat said the Geneva meeting was “a brave initiative that opens the door to hope.” However, thousands of West Bank Palestinians demonstrated in the streets – shouting “traitors.”

Israel Prime Minister Sharon denounced the plan as “unhelpful” and a blow against President Bush’s Road Map to Peace.”

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell was invited to Geneva but declined. Nevertheless, he agreed to “drop in” on a promotional meeting held last Friday in New York City by the Geneva Initiative authors.

The White House press secretary made it clear that there was no objection to Powell meeting with Beilin and Rabbo. He emphasized, however, that “the path toward peace in the Middle East is President Bush’s Road Map” as outlined in his June 24, 2002, Palestinian Democracy speech.

Since Israel was established in 1948 -- and fought continuously by Palestinians ever since – there have been scores of peace plans negotiated after the Geneva model. All went nowhere. Too ambitious.

President Carter thought he had achieved peace in our time with his Camp David Framework. For this, he was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1978 even though strife intensified.

President Clinton gave accords a full court press in 1993 at Oslo, Norway; in 1998 at Wye River, Maryland; and in 2000 at Camp David again. Alas, the Peace Prize eluded him.

President Bush surmised that previous efforts to reconcile Israelis and Palestinians had failed because the proposals attempted to solve a host of grievances with one, big package tied in red, white and blue ribbons.

He surmised it would be more realistic to tackle the problem piecemeal – starting with two, basic tenets:

* Cessation of Palestinian terrorism.

* Adoption of a “road map” for reaching a democratic Palestinian state by resolving a list of grievances one at a time.

Though President Bush is accused of acting unilaterally, he proposed that the United Nations appoint a “Quartet” of nations to draw up a road map and guide Israelis and Palestinians to the destination.

UN Secretary Kofi Annan thereupon appointed representatives of the United States of America, United Nations, European Union and the Russian Federation.

This Quartet drew “a road map to realize the vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. This was affirmed last April by Security Council resolution 1397-2002.

The Quartet meets regularly and stands ready to furnish support until the combatants make nice. The next session is expected to convene April 30 in Egypt or Jordan. It is prepared for a three-year journey if necessary.

The Geneva Initiative is well-meaning and makes love-everybody liberals happy. Nothing wrong with this, now that Dubya has furnished a compass – and that the Quartet has laid out a road map of 40 places along the way for refueling.

PARTING SHOTS

President Bush invited the winning NASCAR team to the White House. He loves drivers who spend their careers turning left, but voting right on election day.

* * *

Now we have discovered Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction. Suicide donkeys.

Williams – Geneva initiative

Sunday – dec. 7, 2003

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