Bush’s Magic Wand
By Dr Marwan Asmar
29 November, 2007
Countercurrents.orgFirst it was seen as a venue for handshakes and smiles, nothing more than a get-together. But Annapolis defied all expectations for suddenly the Palestinian-Israeli peace process is back on track with agendas, meetings and timetables. Palestinians and Israelis are pals again.
American President George W. Bush appeared to have used a magic wand to have brought the protagonists together, which were seen bending over backwards to please each other and in one full swipe kick-started the peace process after it had lain dormant for the last six or seven years.
The fact it was Israel that has been foot-dragging about peace, negotiations and military railing into Palestinian areas were here nor there, and all brushed under the carpet. At Annapolis it was both sides that purportedly agreed to wipe the slate clean, and sit at the negotiating table once again.
It’s like one day you don’t have it, the other you do, the Palestinian and Israeli delegations went to Annapolis without having agreed on a final document, without having anything in their hand. The issues were complex, and neither side willing to submit to anything.But come the first hours of the venue, they declared they would be willing to re-start final status negotiations and have an agreement before 2008, just when American president George W. Bush leaves office. They fact there are fundamental and intractable issues still to be sorted out were papered over in the interest of allowing Annapolis to have a modicum of success, both felt the idea of meeting rather than not meeting was the best solution regardless of what come may.
Many observers, politicians and direct parties feel doubtful a final status agreement would be achieved by that time or in the near future but for the time being Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are basking in the Middle East sunlight saying they would go on hammering for a peace solution that may result in a final settlement and Palestinian statehood.
What is disturbing many as well is that before the Annapolis meet, both sides failed to reach any understanding on the fundamental issues relating to the Palestinians, including the issues of borders, return of refugees, Jerusalem and statehood. How will that now be achieved is anybody’s guess, but many may agree with Henry Kissinger’s dictum that you “talk everyone to death” and might be the best way out.
The issues are fundamental, they have to be dealt with and agreed on to give any meaning to a final and just solution to the Palestinian cause. While Israel may talk and talk, their politicians may not feel the pressing need to act simply because they are in the driving seat. What is happening now maybe beyond the wildest imaginations, or maybe it’s the fact Israel knows it can continue to pay lip service to a peace process that has dragged on since the first Madrid peace conference in 1991 which appears to be history.
Thus these issues were left hanging on the air, and for good reason. They were not discussed at Annapolis while Palestinian and Israeli delegates felt it was prudent to wait for the re-start of the peace process and the final status talks as we had not been on the same road before.
Certainly the Israelis and the Americans preferred not to discuss these issues at Annapolis in the interest of making the meet a success which has been lavishly displayed through the Olmert-Abbas handshakes, hugs, handshakes and more hugs which actually left many wondering just why are these people sworn enemies.
Enemies don’t actually do this to one another. Palestinian politicians are once again over stretching their hand in a disparate attempt to reach a political solution to show their Hamas opponents a deal can be reached. But like Israelis, Palestinians know that Annapolis was also a good opportunity under the guise of the 40-odd countries, NGO and international organizations that attended, and clapped at the speeches, and warmly mingled with one another.
Supposedly, for the first time Israelis—including Foreign Minister Tipsi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak where seen mingling with Arab League’s Secretary General Amr Mousa and the 17 representatives of Arab countries that attended the conference.
The fact the Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal made it clear he would not shake hands with the Israelis is actually small talk in the light of the fact of the Arab presence in Annapolis is a de facto recognition of Israel, her existence and her presence on the Middle East map.
The hand shake would surely be forthcoming, but must also depend on more progress being achieved on the Palestinian track, which Israel is good on foot-stalling being the stronger party of the two.
Prior to Annapolis many suggested the meet would fail for many reasons but mainly because the Israelis were not serious, and the Americans wanted a showcase success. But with agreeing to kick-start the peace process, the Israelis have shown under the guise of the international community they are indeed serious, giving their erstwhile U.S., ally the necessary ammunition to tell the Arab countries they would do what they can to help bring about a peace settlement and serve their long-term foreign policy objectives in the Middle East at the same time.
Annapolis has shown, and is showing that everyone came and everyone can go home happy. The Israeli have made a commitment to talk, although Olmert will still have to face the music when he gets back to Israel, Abbas will tell his supporters, they are back on track of negotiations from now on while the Arabs can go home feeling what they achieved is a another beginning of a negotiated settlement.
As far as the Syrian and Lebanese tracks are concerned, well they just may have to wait another day with at least the message being delivered that Syria and Israel will have to talk to each other sooner or latter. Many observers can’t help but believe that the end of the Golan Height occupation was a carrot dangled by the Americans for the Syrians to attend.
On face value, at Annapolis peace negotiations were restarted again. How far it will reach, that’s anybody’s guess, will it be even strangled in its cot since the first of such meetings begins on 12 December, we will have to wait and see.
The author is an Amman-based writer
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