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Peace Process

Europe: Bibi could be spanner in ME 'peace' works


By Stan Goodenough
February 24, 2009

The European Union, which along with the rest of the world wants to create an Arab state called Palestine on the historic homeland of the Jewish people, is reportedly concerned about whether prime-minister designate Benjamin Netanyahu will cooperate with their plans.

According to an Associated Press report - which labeled the Israeli a "hard liner" because of his commitment to ensuring the well-being of his nation - EU officials Monday said they are concerned over whether Netanyahu is committed to pursuing "genuine peace talks with Palestinians."

By "genuine peace talks" both AP and the EU are known to mean Israel's readiness to relinquish the land of its founding father's in exchange for peace pledges from the Palestinian Arabs.

Long-time champion of the effort to divide the Land of Israel in two, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt's worries were reportedly triggered by Netanyahu's efforts to include other "right-wing" parties in the coalition he has been tasked to form.

Just discussing such partnerships, Bildt warned, could scupper "peace talks" with Palestinians.

The report also cited Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra as saying he anticipates "a rough start" when the next Israeli government takes office.

The chances for a "two-state peace deal" was narrowing now that Netanyahu is likely to form a government, he said.

Whether as an expression of optimism or resolve - it was unclear - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini declared that it was "not possible" for Netanyahu to ditch plans to give the Arabs a separate state alongside Israel.

And to help ensure this, the UE's foreign policy czar, Javier Solana, announced that he would return to the Middle East Tuesday for talks with senior officials in Egypt, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and the "Palestinian territories."

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