Justus For All

The New York Times > Opinion > Warren Christopher has penned on Op-Ed discussing how the U.S. can help toward Israeli-Palestinian peace. This suggestion is interesting:

The second, preferable, option would be the appointment by the president of a high-ranking United States emissary to the Middle East. Ms. Rice’s famous closeness to the President should obviate any risk that the appointment would diminish her authority. The envoy should be someone who would immediately be recognized as speaking for the president – like former Secretary of State James A. Baker or John C. Danforth, the departing envoy to the United Nations. It should also be someone who is ready for a full-time assignment. This person must be prepared to establish a base of operations in the Middle East and to stay there for substantial periods of time. Patience and persistence, not parachute visits or photo ops, should be the modus operandi.

I am skeptical however that a diplomat alone can solve this issue. Certainly if both sides want peace, diplomacy can help settle the niggling issues that stand in the way. If one or the other side does not desire peace however diplomacy (other than perhaps gunboat diplomacy) seems unlikely to have any meaningful effect. Warren Christopher should know that better than anyone. The Palestinian elections coming up will probably tell us a lot about the chance for peace in that region.

This is a good idea, and if a moderate wins power in Palestine (which may mean more than just winning an election) then this idea has merit, but it certainly doesn’t seem to me to be any grand key for peace in the region, and it would be premature to announce such a plan before the elections in any event.

Arafat’s death is an opportunity for peace. The Palestinian will have to choose peace though. It might also help if the people that uncritically claimed that a murderer was a statesman made it clear to the Palestinian people that they now realize their mistake and will not repeat it. Sadly, since I do not think those people do realize their mistake such an announcement is not likely to be forthcoming.