HURRIYET- Columnist Ferai Tinc writes on the Middle East problem. A summary of her column is as follows:
How easy it was to shatter a fragile peace! Following a year of obstinacy on both parts, the limits of destruction were surpassed within a very short time. Now, neither can Arafat control his people without guaranteeing a solution nor can Sharon give the Israelis a guarantee that he has eradicated the roots of terrorism. It is a historical lesson in politics that achievement is knowing where to conclude the negotiations successfully without getting to a point of no return. After crossing that threshold, it’s not possible to calculate what will happen and what effects will follow. Will Secretary of State Powell’s visit to the region lead to the desired result? Not just Israel, but a large map which will be influenced by developments in the Middle East is curiously waiting the answer to this question. It cannot be said that Secretary of State Powell got the support of the Arab world before he arrived in Israel. As long as the Israeli occupation continues, no open support should have been expected. For days on end there have been demonstrations in Arab countries supporting Arafat and the groups resisting occupation. While Arafat is denouncing suicide bombings against Israelis in the harshest of terms, the statement by his wife that she sees them as the legal fight of a nation under occupation showed what kind of a balance the public reaction required. The Israeli public is in a different mood entirely. The announcement by the Labor Party that it would not withdraw from the government during a a state of war gives some idea of the public support for Sharon’s policies. Today in Israel, everyone shares the belief that Sharon is working for Israel’s right to exist. The support for the army has grown contrary to the early days of the war. Commentaries in Israeli newspapers have requested that the US not act as a mediator but rather deliver an ultimatum to the Arabs. On the other hand, Hamas is saying that whatever Arafat might declare, suicide bombings would continue as a measure for self-defence. Following his talks with Arab leaders, the picture greeting him in Israel and Palestine showed Powell how difficult his job was. The statement issued after the three-hour Powell-Arafat meeting was not promising. Both sides held their positions. Israel would like a cease-fire first, and then a statement by Arafat as to how he would develop control mechanisms to stop suicide bombings. The Palestinian administration isn’t satisfied by Israel’s decisions to loosen the occupation in Ramallah, Jennin, and Bethlehem, and would like the occupation to end. What will happen if Powell’s initiative fails? Most probably the region will have to try fresh beginnings, which will then lead to more suffering.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION