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.
The Party Is Over, the Decision Is Nearing
(Commentary by Shimon Shiffer, "Yediot Ahronot", July 20, 1999, pp. A3, 23)
Prime Minister Ehud Barak can note with satisfaction that the President of
the United States went all out to create a close relationship and showed
him respect and admiration. Now, however, it is already clear that the
visit's success will not be measured only by compliments, gestures and
"chemistry."
When Barak unwraps the "presents" that Clinton heaped on him yesterday, he
will discover that the contents are a little less sparkling that they
appeared from outside: the Israeli astronaut, who will fly to space next
year, was already promised to Peres and to Netanyahu. Clinton only moved
him up in the line and promised that he would fly in the year 2000. The
third battery of Arrow missiles was also given as a present to Netanyahu
and to Yitzhak Mordechai. The "senior advisory forum" was also agreed on
with other Israeli prime ministers in the past. The $1.2 billion that
Clinton released for Israel was also, in effect, promised in the framework
of the Wye River Memorandum and frozen since Netanyahu did not complete
the second and third phases of the redeployment.
Beyond the series of gestures, which were intended to create a good
atmosphere, Barak can record for himself that at the White House he found
a true friend of Israel, one who can be relied upon.
Now after the compliments and intimate dinners, comes the hard part. After
the White House was charmed by Barak, as reported by the American media,
the prime minister will be required to supply real proof of the ideas that
he raised with his hosts. The White House had enough of the previous prime
minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who was very impressive with his words but
did not supply the goods.
When Barak returns to Israel, he will have to respond to some difficult
questions: How much territory will be given in exchange for an arrangement
with the Palestinians and with Syria, and what are the necessary
arrangements that will provide Israel with reasonable security?
Syria, for its part, is prepared to resume the negotiations with Israel on
terms that have never changed: A return to the 4 June 1967 borders. Barak
will have to decide very soon whether he is willing to accept this
condition.
On the Palestinian track, Arafat does not intend to concede what he has
already achieved in the exhausting negotiations with Netanyahu and he will
insist that Barak implement both of the withdrawals from the West Bank.
Arafat has thus far survived all of his "peace partners."
The late Yitzhak Rabin thought, perhaps, that the arrangement with the
Palestinians would end with Gaza and Jericho Plus. Peres at one time spoke
of Arafat as the "mukhtar of Gaza." Netanyahu thought that he could ignore
Arafat. Barak too thought,. after his victory, that he could pass over
Arafat, until the Americans came and pressured him to hold a meeting with
the head of the Palestinian Authority, even before his visit to
Washington.
Barak's real test will be in the full implementation of the Wye agreement
(the second and third phases, and the release of hundreds of prisoners),
resuming negotiations with Syria and getting the IDF out of Lebanon.
Clinton will also be tested: Will he succeed in remaining alert and
involved in the peace process over the next 15 months, and not grow tired
of his new "toy" Ehud Barak?