Empty feeling about Annapolis
EXPECTATIONS; It seems a major meeting is to be held, maybe next week in Annapolis, Md. Despite a plethora of stories these last few days, one could state that the United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be there. Maybe Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel. Maybe the Palestine leader, President Mahmoud Abbas. Maybe. There has been a lot of conjecture, analyses, criticism, questions, uncertainty.
The purpose is unquestioned: peace for Israel. That’s the professed reason for setting up and working toward this goal by the U.S. government. Another objective is to start tracks leading to a Palestinian State; in other words to loosen whatever grips or control Israel has over the area.
A Concession?
The idea at first was for an international conference; but that theme seems to have evaporated into regional talks guided by the U.S.; that last factor remains—but perhaps only some Israelis and some Palestinians appear?
Then, will be it be for one day or for three? What is the agenda?
Will anything change? Will Israel—after all, something must happen—make a major concession? The odds are yes on this last factor, since little Israel, as usual, can not offend its major supporter and ally, President Bush and company. Somebody has to make a move at a meeting with these implications to save face for the sponsors.
Apparently, preliminary talks have been held, but no agreements have been spelled out or smelled out. Israel, the superior power, of course, has more to give, with the only reward an illusion of peace. Can Abbas and company enforce any positive steps which might help Israel or at least cut the curtain of distrust? There’s always Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon to diminish any plusses in the talks.
Double Checking Results
Questions, questions, questions. The answers from Israel probably stem from the word h o p e! Many have been wondering for years about all the agreements which have been broken since the optimistic days after the Oslo Accords 13 years and two months ago. Where has there been accountability…and where will it be after this next agreement?
Disappointing has been the continuing indifference of Palestinians to Israeli feelings as suicide bombers are extolled and memorialized. There is a seeming enmity of the Fatah and Hamas wings, but a lot of evidence that they are working together for the replacement or displacement of Jews in basic Israel. Any moderate terms by any Arab is seized as indications of their acceptance of Israel, but probably are spoken with the vision of handouts from the U.S. treasury?
Expectations here about the palaver at Annapolis are low, and yours should be as well.