Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: A step down road map

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 | 8:55 a.m.

TEL AVIV -- Watching Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat addressing his legislative council on local television was most interesting. The chairman called the meeting to get approval for his appointment of Abu Mazen as the first Palestinian prime minister. In an address of 35 minutes, only about one minute was dedicated to the nomination of Abu Mazen. The remainder of the time was used for opening old wounds and condemning Israel for its military actions. He also found time to recommend that his old friend Saddam Hussein not be a target for a military invasion of his country. However, he did have some praise for President George W. Bush's "road map for peace" between the Palestinians and Israelis.

It was two weeks ago that Bush's nationally televised speech to the American Enterprise Institute made reference to his suggested road map. The publication of this international road map for Israeli-Palestinian peace will probably not be made until matters are settled with Saddam. It would be wise if Arafat and his advisers would again read the president's remarks to the nation and the world:

"Success in Iraq could also begin a new stage for Middle Eastern peace, and set in motion progress toward a truly democratic Palestinian state. The passing of Saddam Hussein's regime will deprive terrorist networks of a wealthy patron that pays for terrorist training, and offers rewards to families of suicide bombers ..."

Bush went on to say that, "Without this outside support for terrorism, Palestinians who are working for reform and long for democracy will be in a better position to choose new leaders. True leaders who strive for peace; true leaders who faithfully serve the people. A Palestinian state must be a reformed and peaceful state that abandons forever the use of terror."

It's very doubtful if the president views Arafat as anybody but a terrorist who can't change his ways. Certainly he doesn't see him as a new and promising leader who can bring peace to the Palestinians. By nominating a prime minister, Arafat has taken an important step in bringing new leadership into the government. What now remains to be seen is the actual powers that Abu Mazen will be given and his ability to step beyond the restrictions that Arafat may impose.

Abu Mazen brings respect to the Palestinian Authority, and both Israeli and Palestinian leaders see him as being competent and having good intentions as a leader. Some of his supporters believe that if Arafat restricts his actions that he will resign in protest. His powers must include authority over both finances and the PA's security services. The abuse of money donated by the European Union and the American taxpayers for public services must stop. The treasury must cease being Arafat's personal pocketbook. The security services must replace its thugs with trained professional law enforcement people. Both of these tasks will be difficult to perform without full cooperation of a people not familiar with democratic government operations.

The most important step that must be taken down the road map to peace will be the end of terrorism. Can Arafat, Abu Mazen or anybody else stop what has become a way of life for Palestinian terrorists? Bush believes the answer is yes. In his televised address he said, "Old patterns of conflict in the Middle East can be broken, if all concerned will let go of bitterness, hatred and violence, and get on with the serious work of economic development, and political reform, and reconciliation." The majority of Israelis and Palestinians are tired of unnecessary death, destruction and insecurity. They also dream of peace and a growing economy.

I don't see real peace becoming a way of life in the Middle East until schoolteachers and parents spend more time on subject matter and none on teaching hate and how to blow up a bus or throw hand grenades. Until schools funded and taught by extreme Islamists cease their present teachings, there will never be peace in the Middle East or the world.