By Munir K. Nasser
Washington, DC
A State Department official said that the Palestinian decision to delay their unilateral declaration of an independent state opens the last window of opportunity now to achieve an agreement with Israel.
The official told Albawaba.com that the Palestinian decision reflects their commitment to continued negotiations. The official, who asked not to be identified, said President Clinton and Secretary Albright are considering ways to keep the process moving forward.
The official praised the Palestinians for not specifying a new date to declare statehood. He said this is an interesting tactic in Arafat’s hand that gives him the flexibility to choose the date on his own terms. He explained that he might set the date sooner or later than November 15, depending on how the negotiations go with Israel.
He warned, however, that the window of opportunity is very short and both sides have to work hard before they miss it. “Both sides are expecting that a decision has to come within three to five weeks,” he said. “That is taking into consideration the US elections, the Knesset coming back into session and the Jewish holidays coming in October. I don’t know if that means anything, but can you imagine what is going to happen when the US Congress goes out of session? When the Knesset comes back into session? Or if Barak’s government falls?”
The official stressed that if Barak is removed when the Knesset reconvenes and when the US Congress goes out of session in October, the Clinton Administration is not going to be able to ask for the large amount of funds needed to support any agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. And when a new President is elected in November, his new peace team will not be able to do anything until at least March of next year, he said.
When asked what will happen if the parties could not resolve the issue of sovereignty over Jerusalem, the official said the best alternative would be a partial agreement. He said it is possible to come out with an interim agreement without addressing Jerusalem.
“Sure this is possible, you could discuss all other issues, declare a state, and leave Jerusalem for later negotiations,” he noted. “The point is, if they can’t come up with a solution in three to five weeks, they are going to scuttle the entire peace process over one issue. I don’t think the Palestinians can wait that long.”
The official denied that the US is pushing specific proposals on Jerusalem, including Egypt’s 5 and 10 year plan or “divine sovereignty” over Jerusalem. He refused to get into details of specific proposals or the ongoing negotiations. He stressed, however, that President Clinton will keep working with the parties step-by-step, and if they are willing to make key decisions that would enable them to move to an agreement, he is ready to bring them together in another summit – Albawaba.com
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
