By Nida Ramahi
Taking the long trip to South Africa is very significant for Palestinian President Yasser Arafat who continues the struggle for the Palestinian State. After the 15-day US-sponsored Peace Summit failed last month at Camp David, Arafat has been touring both Arab and friendly countries to gain support and get advice towards the path of peace. So far this journey has taken him to France, Saudi-Arabia, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and now South Africa. Although it seems to be the same old song and dance with another peace agreement down the drain. This time it was different with Arafat coming out a hero, even by his critics, who now call him courageous for sticking to his guns on the issue of Jerusalem, some went as far as saying they salute him.
After Arafat returned from his five-day Arab tour he was stronger than ever with solid Arab support for the Palestinian position that east Jerusalem should be the capital of their future state.
Both sides had set a self-imposed September 13th deadline as a final date to reach a peace settlement but with Israel setting a five point list of non-negotiable items, the first being the issue of Jerusalem and also including the fate of the 3.7 million refugees, this deadline may be difficult to reach.
Arafat vowed to Unilaterally declare a Palestinian state whether or not an agreement is reached by mid-September. The reaction of the US Administration was to publicly threaten to cut off all American financial aid to the Palestinians and to move the US Embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem. France also advised Arafat to wait, whether he will, we’ll find out with time, but one thing which seems clear, the Palestinian President does not intend to cross the ‘red line’ on the issue of Jerusalem – Albawaba.com
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
