Note: The translations of articles from the Hebrew press
are prepared by the Government Press Office
as a service to foreign journalists in Israel.
They express the views of the authors.
He Wants to be the Mediator
(Commentary by Roni Shaked, "Yediot Ahronot", May 27, 1999, p.A6)
King Abdullah is trying to establish his standing, against the background
of the expectation of renewed negotiations between Israel, Syria and the
Palestinians.
King Abdullah's visit to Arafat in Gaza does not signify a new policy. It
is an additional step taken by the young king in order to establish
himself as an Arab leader, and to emphasize that he is continuing the
moderate, responsible line established by his father. Gaza yesterday was
more than just another stop in the young king's tour of the Arab world.
The visit took place at a time when the "ring states" -- Egypt, Jordan,
Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority have begun a frantic attempt
to coordinate positions, against the background of the expected renewal of
negotiations on the Israeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Syrian-Lebanese
tracks. Abdullah, who has firmed up relations with the Syrians recently,
and has also succeeded in creating close relations with Ehud Barak, wants
to win for himself, as did his father Hussein, the role of mediator and
creator of compromise.
King Abdullah knows how to read the map and use the opportunities
presented in order to try and build himself up as a leader of influence in
the Arab world. On the one hand is the fear of the Palestinians that the
Syrian track will push them to the sidelines. On the other hand is the
Syrian fear that a permanent agreement between Israel and the Palestinians
that leaves parts of the West Bank in Israeli hands would establish a
precedent for Israeli demands to retain parts of the Golan. All this is
against the background of the poor relations between Syria and Arafat.
The efforts which the king is making to convene a summit of the "ring
states" in Amman constitute an additional step in the framework of his
efforts to strengthen the standing of the Kingdom of Jordan in the Arab
world. It would be reasonable to assume that immediately following the
swearing-in of Ehud Barak as prime minister, Abdullah will request a
meeting with him. Already last night, after his return to Amman, Abdullah
called Barak, and reported on his meeting with Arafat. Immediately
afterwards, he called President Assad and President Mubarak.
It appears as if the young king is trying to take up his father's
position. He has even begun to grow a beard, to hide his "baby face."