[(Continued from p.5)]
sue, and a negotiated resolution on the status of Jerusalem that takes into account the political and religious concerns of both sides..."This accords the Arabs in Jerusalem political status equivalent to that of Israel, thereby mandating a priori the redivision of the city.
The expression "agreed, just, fair and realistic solution regarding the refugees" also does not augur well for Israel.
The Road Map stipulates that Israel withdraws from Palestinian areas occupied from September 28, 2000. This is a flat demand. There is no mention of such withdrawal being contingent upon the Palestinian Authority acting to eliminate the terror infrastructure that made and continues to make Israeli occupation of these areas essential to the survival of its citizens.
While "Palestine" will be granted the "privilege" of being entirely cleansed of Jews, Israel is to be inundated by millions of Arab "refugees."
The Road Map calls for "implementation, as previously agreed, of U.S. rebuilding, training and resumed security cooperation plan in collaboration with an outside oversight board (U.S.-Egypt-Jordan)."
It is especially ominous to note involvement of Egyptian and Jordanian military elements in determining Israel's security!
During his mid-May visit in Ramallah, Secretary Powell promised U.S. payment for equipment, training, even the salaries of a "reconstituted Palestinian Authority security force," all this to be effected immediately. It seems that the stipulation of first "merging" the 13 different military organizations into three bodies under a unified non-terrorist command has been dropped. The U.S. has thus acquiesced to the fait accompli created by Arafat, that two thirds of those 13 bodies remain under his command. So the CIA will make do with the "preventive security" organization of Mohammed Dahlan, himself tainted with terror. Mr. Powell also pointed out in Ramallah that "other [United States] agencies" besides the CIA, as well as "other international agencies" will be able to take part in this project. Already, the CIA is offering PA security chiefs night vision systems, signals intelligence gathering, advanced light weapons and training.
This is an exact replay of the Oslo criminal folly, when the very same Palestinian "security elements" were trained by the CIA, including in courses held in the U.S. All skills and methods taught -- notably sniping and the timing of explosive devices -- were used to the full in the terror war unleashed against Israel in September 2000. Egyptian military involvement is already a fact on the ground, especially in the Gaza Strip.
A. The Saudi Initiative
The Road Map specifically mentions, as a "foundation" of the settlement "the initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah -- endorsed by the Beirut Arab League summit."
This initiative explicitly calls for full withdrawal to the 1967 borders (including Jerusalem) and the return of refugees according to UN Resolution 194, a point stipulated unequivocally at the Beirut Summit. Sharon's attempts to have it deleted from the Road Map were unsuccessful. Consequently, while "Palestine" will be granted the "privilege" of being entirely cleansed of Jews, Israel is to be inundated by millions of Arab "refugees."
That mention of the Saudi Initiative is not a mere literary device is apparent from the end of the Road Map: In 2005, "the parties reach final and comprehensive permanent status agreement...that ends the occupation that began in 1967..."
This wording clearly indicates the "permanent" borders of the Palestinian state: the pre-1967 "Green Line." The Bush administration is the first to use the term "occupation." (Madeleine Albright, Clinton's Secretary of State, refused to define Israel's possession of Judea-Samaria-Gaza as "occupation," and spoke instead of "disputed territories.")
The application of the term "occupation" is deliberate and far-reaching: Against "occupation" military measures on the part of the "occupied" are perfectly legal, whereas "settlement" of civilians belonging to the "occupying power" can be held to be a contravention of international law. Hence, using lethal force against Israeli soldiers and "settlers" is not terror, as long as this takes place inside the "occupied" territories, not in Israel. These, exactly, are the guidelines set out by Abu Mazen. The rulings of the Quartet will probably also be along these lines. Also, the unleashing of the Security Council of the UN against "occupation" is only a matter of time.
The Second International Conference, to be convened by the Quartet at the beginning of 2004, is not only to lead to a permanent agreement "on borders, Jerusalem, refugees, settlements," but is to "support progress toward a comprehensive Middle East settlement between Israel and Lebanon and Israel and Syria, to be achieved as soon as possible."
Undoubtedly this means the application of the same principle, i.e. "ending the occupation that began in 1967" to the Golan too.
[(Continued on p.7)]
Outpost - 6 - June 2003