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May 21, 1999/6 Sivan 5759, Vol. 51, No.34
As election dust settles, U.S. seeks to revive stalled peace process
MATTHEW DORF
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
WASHINGTON - The Clinton administration has a simple message for Israelis and Palestinians: The peace process must move forward without delay.
As soon as Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak forms his coalition, the State Department plans to execute a Middle East plan that has been carefully crafted during the last five months of stalemate, since Israel began its election campaign. Now that Barak has defeated Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. officials believe there is a better chance of serious negotiations.
"I will continue to work energetically for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace that strengthens Israel's security," President Clinton said in a statement released by the White House moments after he congratulated Barak on his victory in a telephone call on May 17. Clinton, who said "the people of Israel have given the new prime minister a strong mandate," called Barak to "reaffirm our nation's steadfast support for Israel and its people." Clinton also spoke to Netanyahu by phone to "thank him for his dedicated service to Israel."
Observers expect relations between Washington and Jerusalem to improve from what has come to be known as Clinton's policy of "snub diplomacy." Clinton, who had repeatedly refused to meet with Netanyahu, saw Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on two occasions and met with top figures from Israel's Labor and centrist parties. Barak, who enjoys good relations with the Pentagon from his days as the Israeli army chief of staff, has also developed solid ties with the White House during meetings with Clinton and top administration officials, according to an administration official.
How the premier-designate will manage the peace process is still the subject of some speculation. Clinton, Arafat and many European leaders rooted for a Barak victory, but they are likely to see a leader who will move cautiously on the peace process. At the same time, the tone and tenor of the Israeli-Palestinian and the American-Israeli relationship has changed virtually overnight.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told reporters that the Palestinians "don't expect an easy ride" from Barak. "But there is a difference between a tough negotiator and a non-negotiator," he said, referring to Netanyahu.
In Washington, Clinton "warmly welcomed" Barak's election and plans to extend an invitation to the prime minister-elect to visit the White House.
In the coming months, U.S. plans for speeding up the peace talks include:
immediate calls for full implementation of the Wye accord;
direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians without U.S. mediation;
opening final-status talks with a goal of completing an agreement in one year;
a three-way summit within six months hosted by President Clinton;
and a new push with Lebanon and Syria to start direct talks with Israel.
In visits to the United States before the election, Barak sharply criticized Netanyahu for creating a negative atmosphere in the peace process. His attacks extended to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobby, which he charged in a private meeting last month in New York with adding fuel to the rhetorical fire.
AIPAC infuriated Labor Party leaders when it refused to invite Barak to speak at its annual policy conference, which begins on May 23. Anticipating a June 1 runoff election, the pro-Israel lobby, citing tradition, only asked Netanyahu, as the sitting prime minister, to speak. The group abruptly reversed course this week and officially uninvited Netanyahu, who had planned to speak by satellite.
AIPAC has now invited Barak to come to Washington. While he is unlikely to appear in person, there is also some question whether he'll even address the gathering by satellite. Some Labor Party leaders are urging Barak to refuse the invitation, but Itamar Rabinovich, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, was said to be working to mend fences between AIPAC and Labor.
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