Update: Hopes and Fears
Road Map Update Guide & Revised Index
New Online Analysis References
Links in [Hebrew] and
[French]
Israeli Media:
Israel Insider
"Road map" for Middle East peace presented officially
to Israel, Palestinians
By Ellis Shuman
http://web.israelinsider.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=ArticlePage&enDisplay=view
&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Article%5El2248&enZone=Diplomacy&enVersion=0&
Official presentation, Powell's upcoming visit and Powell
on Abu Mazen's task, spokesperson's comment on the bombings
not derailing the peace process, or deterring the US; short
overview of the three phases of the Road Map.
Haaretz
Background/ Betting on Abu Mazen - to Lose,
By Bradley Burston, Haaretz Correpondent
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=289175
&displayTypeCd=1&sideCd=1&contrassID=2
With Rumsfeld and the neo-cons in control, and Arafat undermining
Abu Mazen, chances are things will not change - and therefore
the hawks can continue smiling, as the Road Map, which returns
the parties to the tracks of Oslo, will go nowhere much.
Q&A with Danny Rubenstein on Abu Mazen and Arafat
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/QA.jhtml?qaNo=2&displayTypeCd=1&SideCd=1
Live FAQ. Transcript of worldwide online, interactive session.
Optimistic, but detailed answers on the Road Map, bombing,
Abu Mazen (especially!), borders, settlements, chances and
sticking points in resolution of the conflict.
Road map given to Sharon, Abu Mazen
By Aluf Benn and Arnon Regular
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=288892&contrassID=2&subContrassID=1
&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y or http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/288715.html
Overview of major points, with a different flavour. Presenters
of Road Map to the Israelis and Palestinians; reaction by
officials on each side; other criticisms on each side. Important
article for the basis of the monitoring process.
Possible allusion to question of what accompanied presentation
of the Road Map, for each side.
Israeli Lobbies:
Peace Now
A Critical View of the Quartet's Road Map 8/4/2003
Professor Galia Golan
http://www.peacenow.org.il/English.asp?Redirect=4&CategoryID=5&ReportID=424
Overtly critical of the complex and relative mechanisms of
the document and its structural flaws, expects the timetable
to encounter delays which will frustrate the Palestinians;
that the process encounter problems with the criteria for
and determination of permanent Palestinian borders in the
3rd phase; that it lacks "clear sequencing of measures"
for both sides; that the informal monitoring by the Quartet
is an inadequate tool, with a vague remit; that it responds
to US and Israeli demands more than Palestinian ones.
Recommended for in-depth analysis of implications of the adoption
of the Saudi initiative (on refugees, territories - preconditions),
analysis of timeline, needs, objections and difficulties of
both sides. Comparative references to Tenet and Mitchell documents.
The Road Map - Introduction 21/4/2003
Dr. Menachem Klein
http://www.peacenow.org.il/English.asp?Redirect=4&CategoryID=5&ReportID=434
Short background and overview. Article explains the compromise
on the different positions on the conflict resolution which
guided the creation of the Road Map and asks 6 analytical
questions about the goals and objectives of this document,
plus the intentions of the parties, scope of reform and the
monitoring process. Recommended for directed analysis.
International Media:
CNN
Changes sought to Mideast road map
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/30/mideast/index.html
Overview of process, points, objections, chances and obstacles
to the Road Map; including Arab states' comments. Links behind
the article to highlights of the Road Map, Tel Aviv bombing,
transcripts from Abu Mazen's speech, Nabil Shaat's interview.
The Road Map:
International All, Nothing or Something?
by Gila Ansell Brauner
"Road Map" Web Perspectives A-Z
Disclaimer: The views presented on external links are those
of the specific authors or website publishers only.
AIPAC
http://www.aipac.org/
The AIPAC Israel political lobby website is temporarily unavailable,
with the exception of Conference papers, but watch this space.
Bitter Lemons
A Personal Road Map: The Vision and How to Get There, Ghassan
Khatib, Yossi Alpher, Qadura Fares and Efraim Inbar,
3rd March 2003
http://www.bitterlemons.org/previous/bl030303ed9.html
Two different Palestinian views of the Road Map initiative:
its incomplete nature as a Peace Process, need for parallel
movement; stress on Israeli obligations;
Two different Israeli views of how to build a successful Road
Map: converging processes required; fail-safe requirements
and feasible objectives over 15-20 years.
Capital Commentary
Road Map to Middle East Peace, Donald Kruse,
7th April 2003
http://www.cpjustice.org/stories/storyReader$1005
Expectations of the Coalition and the USA's "Arab friends"
is to prioritize the Road Map soon, to overcome inertia in
the Mid-East Peace process and reach permanent settlement,
with the US foregoing its solo status in this arena. It is
even-handed and US promotion of the Road Map will redress
the balance of anti-American sentiment.
Christian Science Monitor
Bumps in Middle East 'road map', Nicole Gauette,
25th February 2003
http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0225/p06s01-wome.htm
The dynamics of the process, plus a summary guide to content.
More about the Israeli reservations and coalition problems
than the Palestinian objections.
The Guardian
Bush will stand firm on Middle East Road Map, Patrick Wintour
and Chris McGreal
Saturday, 29th March 2003
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,925059,00.html
US President Bush told British PM Blair that he is committed
to the Road Map, without changes, despite previous willingness
to listen to Israeli ideas. The UK promised to work on Iranian
and Syrian support for Palestinian terrorists. Israel's alternatives
to the Road Map, as produced by the IDF and leaked last month,
are outlined.
Gush Shalom
A Road Map to Nowhere Or: Much Ado About Nothing, Uri Avnery
5.4.03
http://www.gush-shalom.org/archives/article241.html
The Road Map does not reflect the underlying interests, priorities
and power of its authors (the Quartet), or the intentions
of the parties, but failure might be averted were it a good
document. Despite "worldwide consensus" on its positive
goals, the road (direction and mechanisms) is overly ambitious,
and it lacks a timetable to the endpoint. The Quartet members
will be incapable able to make unanimous decisions and the
process is already 6 months behind its starting date. The
document is imbalanced, demanding far more changes of the
Palestinians in the four stages before the permanent status
negotiations, than it does concessions from Israel, which
can also veto any point through the US.
Haaretz
Mid East Road Map section
Elements of a performance-based road map to a permanent two-state
solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Draft from December 2002
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=281192
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
The Battle for Washington, David Landau
Friday 28th March, 2003
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=277913
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=4&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
AIPAC conference members and prominent Jewish leaders would
express reservations on the Road Map to Congress if necessary;
together with the Christian Zionists, this is a large constituency,
which President Bush must take into account. But there are
also other international interests at stake, and other Jewish
viewpoints which consider the moment after the war on Iraq
to be a window of opportunity to usher in a new order and
end the conflict this way - their voice will only be heard
if supported from the Israeli peace camp.
Corridors of Power / Eroding the Road Map, Uzi Benziman
Friday 4th April, 2003
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=280506
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
Silvan Shalom's US meetings indicate that the Road Map is
to be implemented immediately, contrary to Ariel Sharon's
expectations. Illegal settlements will have to be dismantled
and settlement building frozen. Settlers are worried, but
doubt that any Israeli government could enforce these decisions.
Abu Mazen's ability to form a government and his performance
are also under the US eye.
The Day After is Already Here, Yoel Marcus
Friday 4th April, 2003
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=280490
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=4&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
The US needs to repair relations with the EU in a manner which
will restore Tony Blair's status within it. A greater imperative
is to restore relations with the Arab states - by resolving
the Palestinian problem, using Israel to pay the I.O.U. The
Road Map will be implemented without delays, so Ariel Sharon
must prove he is a trustworthy partner (on settlements), or
be discounted (like Arafat). Israel should pre-empt, with
"constructive initiatives" for a safer Middle East
in the improved regional security: there will be no peace
with settlement activity.
Peace Index,
March 2003
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=281678
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
48% (against 45%) of Israelis believe that the success of
any economic plan is linked to a political solution to solve
the conflict, but the majority oppose pressure via imposed
solutions.
A Map to National Disaster, Uzi Landau
8th April 2003
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=281657
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=4&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
A prize for Arafat and terror, without essential provisions
of recognition for Israel/end to violence, denial of Right
of Return for refugees (important in light of the Saudi initiative).
Defines unfeasible future borders for Israel (pre-67), divides
Jerusalem, internationalizes the conflict and condones the
EU's blind eye to Palestinian terror.
Truth or Consequences, Akiva Eldar
November 2002
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=240276
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y&itemNo=240276
Reviews PM Ariel Sharon's earlier "understandings"
with President Bush on the Road Map; scathingly addresses
other issues, during the run-up to the 2003 Israel Elections.
Israel Insider
Cabinet will debate "road map" reservations only
after Americans see them, Ellis Shuman
April 7, 2003
http://web.israelinsider.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=ArticlePage&enDisplay=view
&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Article%5El2169&enZone=Diplomacy&enVersion=0&
US attitude towards the principles of the Road Map and Israel's
reservations; how the representatives of the Israeli government
understand the Road Map and Israel's security interests, on
which there will be "no compromise"; summaries of
Israeli newspaper analyses - from the Hebrew.
Mid East Web
Draft Road Map,
October 15, 2003 and link to the earlier version of September
17, 2002 http://www.mideastweb.org/quartetrm2.htm
Washington Institute for Near East Policy
PEACEWATCH #414: INSIDE A FLAWED 'ROADMAP': TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
FOR THE PEACE PROCESS
By Robert Satloff, 20th February 2003
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/watch/peacewatch/peacewatch2003/414.htm
Focuses on its shortcomings and vagueness on essential issues,
for a long-term US policy document. Conceptual and structural
problems, equivalences, short time allowances for changes,
use of external and imbalanced sources, detailed analysis
of mechanisms and replacement of direct negotiations with
external solutions. Without sensible modifications, the Road
Map will fail and could spark clashes and flashes.
PEACEWATCH #408: THROUGH STREET OR CUL-DE-SAC? ASSESSING
THE LATEST QUARTET ROADMAP
By Dennis Ross, 24th December 2002
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/watch/peacewatch/peacewatch2002/408.htm
Following the Quartet meeting at the White House and the President's
statement, summarizes that no hope is possible with Arafat
as leader, examines diverse views on the future of Arafat,
but says that performance based criteria indicate PA reform
must precede any progress. Evaluation of Road Map as requiring
symmetry, so that Palestinian goals of statehood are paralleled
by Israel being recognized, but it is flawed - repeat of points
made in LA Times article (below).
Mapping Out Peace in the Mideast, Dennis Ross
20th December 2002 (L.A. Times)
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/media/ross/ross122002.htm
Factors in the current hopelessness and inertia in relations
between Israel and the PA mean that only an external Road
Map can break the cycle. The proposed 7-page document holds
three flawed elements, and will not be understood the same
way by both sides in its current version, but this could be
corrected by evening out the balance of goals, and greater
specificity - including to the Arab countries.
Washington Post
Bush Sets Timetable for Middle East Road Map, Barry
Schweid
Friday,14th March 2003
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25003-2003Mar14.html
What the different parties in the US and PA are saying about
the Road Map
Yossi Beilin website
A Road Map to the House Next Door,
October 30th 2002, Bitterlemons.org
http://www.beilin.org.il/whatsup_en.asp
or
http://www.beilin.org.il/Eng/publishing/roadmapeng.html
Welcomes any peace initiative to return to the negotiating
table, but this is a clumsy "patchwork paper". However,
there are no original proposals in this 3-phase plan to overcome
the cycle of terrorism and retribution, and the provisional
state ideas are impracticable. Instead of immediate peace
negotiations, there will be another international conference
and more delays.
HEBREW
Haaretz Newspaper on Walla
íéëraä úôî úcléce errué úáluú
http://news.walla.co.il/ts.cgi?tsscript=item&id=362159
The December update of the Road Map will be presented as a
draft to both sides quite soon; Israel's main problems with
it include preference for US, rather than Quartet (European)
supervision and that Israel wants passage from stage to stage
to be conditional upon compliance.
íéëraä úôî en n"ué úönlî úálâú
http://news.walla.co.il/ts.cgi?tsscript=item&id=345924
Council of Judea and Samaria points out that the Road Map
is based on the Saudi initiative, which includes pre-67 borders
and the Right of Return
íéëraä úôîe e"äö úálâú
http://news.walla.co.il/ts.cgi?tsscript=item&id=302592
In November 2002, the IDF's Strategic Planning Division felt
that the Road Map offered Israel a staged process, which was
an innovation in itself and a diplomatic advantage, together
with a response to her security needs. They recommended accepting
it and presenting reservations on security provisions at the
same time.
Yossi Beilin website
íédëuä úeae íéëra úôî
October 30th 2002, Bitterlemons.org
http://www.beilin.org.il/whatsup.asp
http://www.beilin.org.il/Heb/Publishing/roadmap.html
Welcomes any peace initiative to return to the negotiating
table, but this is a clumsy "patchwork paper". However,
there are no original proposals in this 3-phase plan to overcome
the cycle of terrorism and retribution, and the provisional
state ideas are impracticable. Instead of immediate peace
negotiations, there will be another international conference
and more delays.
FRENCH
Le Figaro
Les quinze objections de Sharon à la «feuille
de route», Pierre Prier
09.04.2003
http://irak.figaro.net/enjeux/20030409.FIG0715.html
5. External Articles [reprinted with permission from Haaretz
newspaper www.haaretzdaily.com ]
The Battle for Washington, David Landau
Friday 28th March, 2003
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=277913
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=4&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
Corridors of Power / Eroding the Road Map, Uzi Benziman
Friday 4th April, 2003
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=280506
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
The Day After is Already Here, Yoel Marcus
Friday 4th April, 2003
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=280490
&contrassID=2&subContrassID=4&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
