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U.S. leaders ponder their nation's Mideast peace role
Clinton, Albright reportedly differ over tactics
May 13, 1997
Web posted at: 6:17 p.m. EDT (2217 GMT)From Correspondent Jerrold Kessel
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- U.S. Middle East troubleshooter Dennis Ross is shuttling from meeting Israelis to meeting Palestinians amid reports of a growing debate in Washington over this question: Should the United States adopt a more active stance in trying to restart the stalled peace process?
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright reportedly wants a more vigorous approach, while President Clinton is reluctant. And that hesitance is seen in some Middle Eastern quarters as neglecting the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
"This is the approach -- let them stew first, which will make them ready for progress without the need for the Americans to contribute practically by putting ideas to bridge gaps," said Ghassan Khatib, a Palestinian political analyst.
Both Israeli and Palestinian analysts agree on one point -- that a low-profile U.S. approach suits Israel's government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Because there is no ambition in the American initiative, Mr. Netanyahu is not forced to make any difficult political decisions -- any decisions that might cause him problems with his own coalition," said Chemi Shalev, an Israeli analyst. "So from his point of view, from a public relations point of view, I think the current situation is ideal."
But the top U.S. official in Israel, Ambassador Martin Indyk, rejects the notion that Americans are taking a hands-off approach.
"If we were taking a hands-off approach, I don't think Ambassador Ross would be spending all his time out here, trying to get the parties together," Indyk said. "On the contrary, we are involved. But of course, it's up to the parties to take on their responsibilities."
Palestinian negotiator: Peace process in trouble
Ross' diplomacy has resulted in one minor success. Top Israeli and Palestinian security officials have met briefly under CIA auspices. But security cooperation has not led in the direction Israel wants -- full Palestinian cooperation to combat terrorism.
Ross met with Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai amid indications that Palestinians and Israelis may be closer to at least agreeing on an agenda to bring them back to the peace table.
But chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said mutual distrust may have already gone too far for Ross to fix.
"We identified to Mr. Ross that we have a serious crisis. The peace process lost its credibility in the minds of Palestinians and Israelis," Erekat said. "The idea of peace is being questioned for the first time."
The Clinton administration, then, seems to have been put on notice that its low-key approach may not be enough to revive a dying peace process. However, without better prospects for success, high-profile, high-risk Washington involvement may still be some way off.
Related stories:
- U.S. envoy takes peace mission to Jordan - May 12, 1997
- U.S. envoy looks for opening in Mideast stalemate - May 8, 1997
- Ross returns to Mideast to nudge peace process - May 7, 1997
- Netanyahu unfazed after snub by Jordan - May 6, 1997
- Palestinians want quicker final peace deal, Israel says - April 16, 1997
- Arafat agrees to help prevent militants' attacks - April 10, 1997
- Funeral sparks fierce clashes in West Bank - April 9, 1997
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