Sharon/Bush Meeting
It seems that every time Prime Minister Sharon is to meet with President Bush, rumors that the latter will be applying strong pressure precede the meeting, and that every time such rumors prove to be vastly exaggerated.
Reports over the last few days were that the U.S. would insist that Israel remove the security fence, and that it was softening its demand on the PA to dismantle the terror groups. These reports had a legitimate basis. Bush strongly criticized the fence at his meeting on Friday with Abu Mazen (calling it a "wall"), and Colin Powell hinted that if Hamas ceased killing Israelis, there would be no need to dismantle it.
In fact, however, the press conference following today's meeting indicates that the U.S. pressure on Israel is relatively mild. From Sharon's comments, it appears that Bush called for - but did not strongly demand - the removal of outposts, the ceasing of settlement activity, and a stop to construction of the security fence. Sharon will likely accede to the first request, and seek to reach a compromise on the other two.
This does not mean that in the future the U.S. will not demand that Israel make dangerous concessions. It appears that Bush's vision includes an Israeli withdrawal from almost all of Judea and Samaria and the sharing of Jerusalem. While some believe that Bush will accept the creation of a provisional Palestinian state and will not push for a final status agreement, there is reason to be concerned that in a second term, the Bush Administration will zealously pursue a comprehensive settlement to the Israeli-Arab conflict, with the expectation that Israel make dramatic compromises. It is therefore a mistake for Israel to not make absolutely clear now that the '67 borders are not secure, and that while territorial compromise is necessary, Barak's offers to Arafat will not be the basis for future negotiation.
posted on 7/29/2003
