To: Cicero
It looks to me like Bush and Sharon and Powell are on the same page. I know this defies the "conventional wisdom", but consider:
1) Powell has gone to Egypt and Syria seeking to get these governments to undermine the extremist groups.
2) Sharon is wasting no time in acting against the extremist groups
3) Direct talks between the USA and Iran over cutting the funding to Hezbullah.
IMHO, it appears as if all the parties are working towards undermining the extremists and consolidating Abu Mazen's power. It is clear that Mazen cannot tackle Arafat, Hamas and all the other terrorist groups on his own. Sharon will have to weaken them so that Mazen can get stronger as he consolidates his power.
In other words, it looks to me like all the parties are working on the road map in different ways. I suppose some would like the road map to be implemented in an ideal manner, but idealism died with Oslo. This is the time for realists. The Palestinians will need to fall in line behind one leader, not 5 or more like they have now. If they trust Mazen to make peace, which many seem to do, they will have to work hard to help him rise to the top -- which includes doing some of his dirty work for him.
To: monkeyshine
Er who is Mazen? Is he the new PM of the West Bank? Sorry to reveal my ignorance, but whatever. You are a continual source of sanity in your posts Monkey. For that I thank you.
13 posted on
05/16/2003 8:47:48 PM PDT by
Torie
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