By Stan Goodenough
Oct 23, 2007
French President Nicolas Sarkozy told visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Monday that the time has come for a Middle East treaty; a peace agreement that would spell the end of the Israeli-'Palestinian' - and so ultimately the Israeli-Arab - conflict.
Olmert was in France on the first leg of a two-state tour to present Israel's position prior to the convening of next month's US-planned and pushed-for peace conference between the Jewish state and the Palestinian Arabs.
A number of Arab states have also been invited to attend. All the Arab parties insist that the outcome of the parley must include a definitive timetable for the establishment of a Palestinian state on Israel's ancient homeland.
Israel wants to make some more general progress and is trying to resist pressure that it commit to more specifics.
Sorkozy is widely regarded as exceptionally friendly towards Israel relative to the entrenched pro-Arab leadership he replaced with his election to office earlier this year.
As a “friend,” [for a true friend would never ask Israel to commit national suicide – which the creation of Palestine will lead to – Ed.] his urging of Olmert to help ensure the signing of a peace treaty will only have added to the pressure on the prime minister.
Olmert, who flew on to London to meet with British leaders Tuesday, lauded Sarkozy's stand on the Iranian nuclear threat, saying it "could not be better."