BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- Right now we’re seeing some signs of positive developments in the Middle East. Although considered separately they may seem minor, taken together these events make up a larger positive picture. Thus, the timing of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s visit next week to Israel and the Palestinian territories is important. New developments could see Ankara take the role of ‘facilitator’ in the Mideast peace process.
Let’s look at these developments:
Following the death of Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat in November, a number of new initiatives have been launched to resume the peace process along with preparations for electing his successor. The first step came from British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who recently paid a visit to the region.
* Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Mahmoud Abbas is expected to win the presidential elections set for Jan. 9. Israel is signaling that it intends to establish dialogue with a possible Abbas administration, as the PLO leader is well known for his moderate and pragmatic views.
* The Sharon government has released 159 Palestinian detainees as a show of goodwill. Egypt had previously set an Israeli spy free.
* Abbas has clearly staked out a position against violence, saying he believes the Palestinian people have nothing to gain from spiraling violence in the region.
* As part of their security cooperation, Israel and Egypt have agreed to work together to shut down cross-border tunnels dug by Palestinian militants.
President Hosni Mubarak called Sharon ‘a leader who is capable of establishing peace in the region.’ Sharon announced that Israeli settlers in Gaza would start withdrawing from the region in February.
All these developments are signs that we can expect significant developments in the Mideast after Abbas is elected the Palestinians’ new leader. For the time being, of course there’s no point in being overly optimistic, as many uncertainties, ambiguities and obstacles remain to cope with.
However, it’s clear that there’s a change in the air, and even such minor developments hold out the hope of better things …