Arafat is saving Saddam Hussein’s skin

European peacemakers have left for the Middle East  to reconcile Palestinians and Israelis. Denmark, the country that chairs the European Union is now trying to do the things that Spain failed to do. This is definitely a good wish, but will there be a point just because of this change? Most likely, they will simply step on the rake again, like others.

One can understand the peacemaking passion of the Danes, but their claims for the Noble Prize of the world are groundless. Major countries experienced a debacle in the Middle East. Yet, the Vikings’ offspring are not willing to sit on their hands. They are making their way forward, alluding to some plan of the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

The EU’s plan of the peaceful settlement of the Mideast conflict is basically about three phases. At first, it is planned to conclude a security agreement between Palestinians and Israelis. This is supposed to be the end of violence and terrorism. On the base of the given agreement, Israel is supposed to gradually withdraw its troops from  the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Palestinian leadership  published the statement, in which it confirmed  the existence of the state of Israel. Palestine also advised on  the measures, which were taken to restrain  anti-Israeli provocations.

The first stage of the plan provides reforms of the Palestinian government, the reform of the justice system of Palestine, as well as the economic and financial systems. Those reforms are supposed to be conducted until November of the current year.  International observers will come to the conflict region during the first stage of the plan. The donor countries will have to solve the issue pertaining to the establishment of the fund to assist in Palestinian reforms and economic processes. There will also be an international conference for the settlement of the conflict.

The second and the third stages of the peaceful regulation include the arrangements, which are meant for the after-election period in Palestine. The plan of the European Union  says that the State of Palestine is expected to be pronounced  and established until July of the year 2005.

Let’s try to look to the bottom of it.  First of all,  there is this “end of justice.” Sure, its a good idea, but it is extremely hard to fulfil it. Arafat is in himself, separatist groups are in themselves.  In addition to that, the head of the Palestinian autonomy stands for some of them sometimes.

Then, Israel is withdrawing its troops and Arafat is acknowledging the existence of Israel.  Speaking about the acknowledgement: he will do it only when he sees not even a Jew  on the territory of Palestine. Needless to mention that this implies the removal of all Jewish settlements. Israel will never agree upon that.  It is not that easy to withdraw the troops either.  What if there is another act of terrorism during the withdrawal? The army will go back there again.

Thirdly, the reforms of the Palestinian autonomy  and the financial help about them. Israel and the USA have blocked the Palestinian accounts. They give the money  when they want to. How will it be possible to negotiate with such misers, if the parties will originally be in unequal positions? In general, there is no money, the state is not pronounced, it will be substituted with something interim. How will the UN acknowledge an interim state?

As you can see, it goes about nonsense. By the way, one should not forget Saddam Hussein. His reign strictly  depends on the events in the Middle East. The Arab world gave the direct answer to Washington: no operation in Iraq, until the settlement of the Mideast crisis. Otherwise, the wave of the people’s anger will smash everything, including Israel. It stands the reason that neither Washington, nor Tel Aviv want that.

Therefore, Denmark is not likely to cut the Gordian knot. There are too many various interests in one region of the Earth.

Dmitry Litvinovich
PRAVDA.Ru