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Middle East
Israelis nibble the hook on Abdullah offer
2002-02-25
  • Israeli President Moshe Katsav invited Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz to Jerusalem to discuss a peace initiative proposed by Saudi Arabia which is gaining increasing support. The crown prince's initiative involves the Arab world normalising ties with the Jewish state in return for a full Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab lands. Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said the plan was "new, interesting and fascinating," while specifying that the Jewish state "would welcome a direct negotiation with the Saudis with no conditions. "For the first time we can see the readiness on the part of a very important Arab country to take a position to encourage peace, and that we welcome."

    Although no formal proposal had yet been received, the Israeli government was trying to weigh up the nature of the Saudi initiative, said the foreign minister ahead of a visit to France. The English-language daily Jerusalem Post, meanwhile, said Sharon had asked the United States to help organise a meeting with Saudi officials to discuss the plan, for which most Arab states have now expressed their backing. "Under the assumption that what has been published is correct, it must be said that we're speaking of a positive trend," cabinet secretary Gideon Saar said on army radio.
    Thought the peace lobby might would go for it. Yeah, buddy. "Peace in our time." Keep a real close eye on the silverware, Moshe.
    Next move to the Saudis-their bluff has been called. Either they agree to meet face-to-face with the Israelis and draw the rath of al Qaedi crowd or back off on the gambit by making additional demands that Israel can't match.

    Gentle Readers, the game is afoot.
    Posted by Mark Byron [markbyron@blogspot.com] 2/25/2002 3:37:28 PM
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

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