arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

CELEBRATE USA INITIATIVES WITH UK AND EU TEAM FROM START IN RAMALLAH LIKELY TO EXPAND TO FACILITATE A COMPREHENSIVE VIABLE END GAME AS SUGGESTED BY DEBKA'S ANALYSIS OF APRIL 30 (SEE debka.com & BELOW!) - TRY TO IGNORE POLITICO'S "SPIN".

Putting aside to some degree the complex interaction of power, history, motives, follies, of major players in this "game" of nation building, protecting and projecting interests and influence of the USA and other parties, DEBKA's analysis of current moves in Ramallah at Arafat's compound mandates a pragmatic comprehensive follow-through with strong timely USA initiatives (call it persuasion, compulsion, carrot and stick, mutual interests) with collaboration of an expanded international team (including an armed military force to assure security) that soon could bring peace and stability to the region for Israelis, the Palestinian people and neighboring States.

I choose to focus on some posits of essential elements that could soon overcome the current fear, anger, guilt, hunger for revenge, historical and hysterical myths, bias, demonizing , hasbara, and spin of accusation and slogans, assigning blame, or calling for pre-conditions, and impossible guarantees.

The initiative of Crown Prince Abdullah, with UN Resolution 242, etc. - complete withdrawal of Israeli settlements from territories taken in 1967, and a constructive compromise on "the right of return - or compensation", with help from the international community must be addressed. to give justice to the Palestinian refugees and the Palestinian people.

As we continue to enjoy the "freedom to publish" one may find good or bad reports of journalists, scholars, and historians, as well as dissembling propaganda, curses, lies and nonsense in the literature, journals and on the internet - each of us to accept or reject what we please. A recent article in ZMAG by Eduardo Galeano "The Machine" opens the mind to the "technology of manipulation" by the use and abuse of words, and simplified concepts, and slogans that impose a bias upon the use of language. Consider good and evil, civilized and animal instinct, terrorist, freedom fighter, collateral damage, etc.

Given the history of violence and conflict between the Israeli people, their military, business and religious leaders in pursuit of a Zionist dream of a "greater Israel", and the "rights" and aspirations of the indigenous Palestinian people and their progeny, surely exacerbated by action or neglect by the UN, UK, USA, and the neighboring Arab States, and both action and re-action of the Israeli and Palestinian people there are complex and endless claims of blame and responsibilities!

Rather than focus on international or local trials to assign individual guilt for policies and actions of both the Israelis and Palestinians, many dating back to 1948 and before, likely counter productive in the current circumstance, the South African model may be very helpful.

I would suggest before long some effort at "show trials" with compassion and confession for past folly and abuse, and forgiveness (those who decline to participate to depart or stand for trial and punishment), with social and financial aid for all who have suffered from said "folly".

Elections in Israel and for the Palestinian people are critical to create a broadly based coalition in each of these two states with leadership that has the vision and dedication to support this concept of friendship and collaboration, as the only reality to achieve peace and security.. There will likely be extremists and revolutionary ideologies, indigenous and foreign agitators bent on terror or otherwise to subvert society, that will require indigenous police action, not targeted assassination or other "controls" outside normal modes of a civil society..

If the Israeli and Palestinian people, with the aid of the international community, can soon find the vision and statesmen to create the friendship and collaboration noted above, then there truly is a strong prospect for peace, security, and a most promising future for the region. .

See also the writers earlier imc posits for the role of an international team.

Thank you

R.M. SACHERE