Bush on Palestine

Editorial: Bush on Palestine / Iraq wasn't his only Mideast theme at the U.N.

Saturday, September 14, 2002

It is significant that on Thursday morning when the focus at the United Nations General Assembly in New York was on what Secretary-General Kofi Annan and President Bush were going to say about Iraq, both of them led off their discussion of threats to world peace with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On the Palestinian side of that conflict there are signs of internal political change, which could produce new leadership, better positioned to negotiate with the Israelis.

Citing relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, Mr. Annan sketched the familiar outlines of an Israeli-Palestinian accord: land for peace, an end to terror and occupation, two states living side by side within secure and recognized borders. He referred to an agreement reached in Washington in May by the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia that an international peace conference on the subject was needed, without delay.

Before addressing the Iraq issue, Mr. Bush reiterated America's commitment to an independent and democratic Palestine, living beside Israel in peace and security. He said the United States would continue to seek a just and comprehensive solution to the conflict. He added that the Palestinians deserve a government that serves their interests and listens to their voices.

That last comment was in reference to Mr. Bush's earlier call for the Palestinians to get rid of current Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat. The United States considers Arafat, 73, to be a failed leader, who himself has become a barrier to successful negotiation of a settlement with the Israelis.

Mr. Bush's jab at Arafat on Thursday came the day after the 88-member Palestinian Legislative Council, led by members from Mr. Arafat's own Fatah Party, forced Arafat's Cabinet to resign to avoid a no-confidence vote, which would have made resignation mandatory.

Palestinian elections are now scheduled for Jan. 20. When Mr. Bush called for Mr. Arafat's departure in June, there was some indignant international sniffing and snorting about the Palestinians choosing their own leaders and even some pious affirmations of undying loyalty to Mr. Arafat. As the elections approach and Palestinian politicians contemplate an opportunity to get rid of Mr. Arafat, their indefatigable attachment to him may begin to flag.

The question of which Israeli leader is most likely to be capable of negotiating an accord remains unresolved. A new figure being looked at closely by Israelis is former general and ex-mayor of Haifa Amran Mitzna, 57. But Mr. Mitzna first has to get to the top of the Labor Party before contesting power with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, 74, still well dug in politically in spite of his ruinous policies.

The United States should respond positively to Secretary-General Annan's call for an international conference on the conflict without delay. International attention to the Middle East negotiating process must not slip, in spite of the temptation to see efforts to mount fruitful talks as futile in the face of Palestinian terror attacks and harsh Israeli actions. The situation is too dangerous to let be.