Allies Balk at Role In Implementing Sharon-Bush Plan

[Classical_Liberal]

Allies Balk at Role In Implementing Sharon-Bush Plan
By Ori Nir
April 23, 2004


WASHINGTON — The White House decision to side with Israel on the issues of Palestinian refugees and West Bank settlements is producing an international backlash that could undermine efforts to implement Prime Minister Sharon's Gaza disengagement plan, diplomats and Middle East experts said this week.

American officials have been urging Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and the European Union to help implement Sharon's plan by preparing a Palestinian leadership to take over Gaza after Israel withdraws its troops and settlers. Diplomats and observers said, however, that these efforts to build international support were complicated by the Bush administration's unilateral negotiations with Sharon. They pointed to President Bush's public declaration last week, which was interpreted widely as stating that Israel would keep some portions of the West Bank and that Palestinian refugees would not be allowed to resettle inside Israel's pre-1967 borders.

The E.U.'s external relations commissioner, Chris Patten, said Wednesday that European nations would require firm assurances from Israel before pledging reconstruction aid to Gaza. Egyptian and Palestinian officials went even further this week, openly threatening not to cooperate in the disengagement planning.

"It is not clear what will do now," an Egyptian diplomat told the Forward. "We'll have to wait and see."......

http://www.forward.com/main/article.php?ref=nir200404211122

[Jim Sagle]

1. " Palestinian refugees would not be allowed to resettle inside Israel's

pre-1967 borders."

Well, duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Classical_Liberal]

2. That was supposed to be delt with in negotiations

Bush had no authority on the matter. Additioanlly you know what is really pissing everyone off is the settlements.

[Jim Sagle]

3. I know Bush has no authority on the matter, being an unelected bozo who

is ridiculed around the world. But in this case he was just stating the obvious.

[Classical_Liberal]

4. If there is no concession on the Israeli side to compensate

for the land taken there can be no Palestinian state. That is what is fucking obvious.

[Jim Sagle]

5. Concessions occur during negotiations. Last time negotiations took place,

Arafat cancelled them and started up the terrorism.

Maybe next time will produce a happier ending.

[Classical_Liberal]

6. If settlements aren't the table there is nothing to negotiate.

anyway. Bush made commitments to this plan, so did Kerry. The only hope is boycotts. Bush Sharon and Kerry are the ones not negotiating.

[Jim Sagle]

7. Kerry will shift after he's elected.

[Classical_Liberal]

8. Hope your right

but if that is the case I don't understand your glee at him taking this stand?

[Jim Sagle]

9. Because his centrist view on this approximates my own.

[Classical_Liberal]

10. He is taking an anti-two state view.

. That isn't centrist. That is right wing neoconservative. Also how can you be enthused about this view if you think he will shift and betray you come november?

[Jim Sagle]

11. No, I don't think he is taking an anti-two-state view. I know I don't..

[Classical_Liberal]

12. There can't be two states if there are settlements

and no compensation. We have established this. You said Kerry will change this approach when elected. Then you said you agreed with Kerry's present approach, which means there is something wrong with this spproach. I don't get it. Sorry.

[Jim Sagle]

13. Maybe you're over-analyzing. Or maybe I'm UNDER-analyzing.

I think most settlements will go and the rest (the ones close to the Green Line) will be compensated for. I don't think Kerry, once in office, will deviate from this consensus. My enthusiasm was for his nuanced critique (NOT a betrayal, IMO) of Clinton's approach - that he pushed too hard and too fast. Even so, Clinton's efforts will ultimately pay off, because the consensus took form under his watch and largely due to his efforts.

[Classical_Liberal]

14. I think you have to do more analyzing to come to your conclusions

.

[Jim Sagle]

15. W already ate his words. This is becoming a moot point.