MILLIYET- Columnist Fikret Bila writes on the joint peace initiative to be launched by Foreign Ministers Ismail Cem and George Papandreou. A summary of his column is as follows:
The ‘quadrilateral’ peace initiative previously heralded by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has become a reality. A joint declaration by the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia was announced. A statement released by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also includes a peace plan. This plan calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, Arafat reining terrorists, the announcement of a cease-fire and gathering around a table within the framework of the Saudi peace plan. As Annan was issuing this statement, US Secretary of State Colin Powell was reiterating that Israeli troops had to withdraw, Palestine and Israel had to recognize each other, and that two states with clearly drawn borders could live in peace together. Both statements are reasonable. However, as time passes many have lost their lives due to terrorist bombings or the Israeli military operation. The bloodshed is continuing. This initiative could have been launched when the tension between Israel and Palestine had just begun to escalate. The latest incidents have shown that the UN is losing its influence as time goes by. As long as the US fails to intervene or intervenes only reluctantly, it is not possible for the UN to be effective. Therefore, in international events the US’ planning and timing is of utmost importance. The visit by Cem and Papandreou and their meeting with Sharon’s administration and Arafat following this quadrilateral initiative will have a strengthening effect. Cem would like to enlarge the quadrilateral initiative to include the Organization of the Islamic Conference. A visit made with this purpose may contribute to the enlargement of the platform. Furthermore, Cem and Papandreou’s joint initiative has another significance. The initiative launched by these two foreign ministers should constitute an example to Israel and Palestine, as our two countries had problems to solve until recently. The Israel-Palestinian problem, which was turned into a vicious circle by the Palestinian terrorist bombings and Israel’s harsh retaliation, can be solved through the quadrilateral initiative. Peace is not a dream to be established in an atmosphere where Arafat announces that he is against terrorist bombings and Israel ends its occupation. It is in the interests of both parties not to fall into the trap of radical organizations and to free themselves of the influence of countries in the region which support and foster terrorism.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION