The USA does not need any other Mideast conciliators

Washington received a monopoly right from Israel for mediation in the settlement of the Mideast conflict. This became clear after Israelis refused to let the Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique and European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana to have a meeting with Yasser Arafat. The same thing happened to Japan’s special envoy in the Middle East. Israelis did not allow Andrey Vdovin, the Russian special envoy in the Middle East, to see Arafat a few days earlier either. The refusals were explained with the reason that the city of Ramallah was considered to be a restricted military zone, and Israel could not guarantee safety to foreign diplomats until the special operation was over. These are rough lies, and Israel did not even try at least to make it look like truth.

The only person, who was allowed to see Yasser Arafat was the USA’s envoy in the Middle East Anthony Zinni. Israel allowed him to see Arafat, the meeting started in Ramallah at about 2:30 Moscow time. The American official set forth the requirement to deliver several Palestinians, who were suspected of their connection with terrorist activities. In other words, Arafat was offered to deliver a certain number of leaders of the Palestinian organizations, who were in his residence. Zinni believes that if Arafat does that, then he will show that he was ready for negotiations, and Israel will stop its "Operation Defensive Shield." We will soon find out, if they manage to talk Arafat into that or not.

It has been announced today that five Palestinian groups set up joint efficient command to show resistance to the Israeli aggression. So, even if Arafat accepts the American conditions, it will not settle anything. These five groups are: Martyrs of Jerusalem (a part of Arafat’s Fatah movement), Izz Eddin al-Kasam Martyrs Brigades (a military organization of Hamas), Jerusalem Brigade (of the Islamic Jihad of Palestine), Abu Ali Mustafa’s Brigades (Palestine Liberation Front), and the National Resistance Battalions.

Dmitry Litvinovich PRAVDA.Ru

Translated by Dmitry Sudakov