From: adam@sparkle.uucp (Adam Shostack)
Subject: Re: Rabin and Labor:Is Past Prologue?
Organization: Aiken Computation Lab, Harvard University
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 17:49:32 GMT

In article <1992Sep8.065407.16147@cs.anu.edu.au> bdm@cs.anu.edu.au writes:

>In article 12639@das.harvard.edu, adam@endor.uucp (Adam Shostack) writes:
>>In article <1483500295@igc.apc.org> Arab World and Islamic Resources <awair@igc.apc.org> writes:
>>>Palestinians, who have so far made all the concessions, had better 
>>>be prepared to make more, if they are not to assume Shamir's role of 
>>>the "obstinate" partner in the peace process.  Otherwise, Friedman 
>>>implies, the "deal" is off.

>>Could I be so bold as to ask for a list of concessions?  And could I
>>ask what the following actions by Israel are, if not concessions made?
>[list deleted]

>.. a reasonable topic of discussion.  However, the problem I see in 
>trying to compare one set of "concessions" to another is that the
>two sides are not in equal places.  Almost every single card in the
>deck is held by Israel.  The sad fact is that the Palestinians have
>almost nothing concrete to give.  Perhaps it would be useful if you
>could make a list of those concessions that you think it would be
>reasonable for the Palestinians to make?

Why certainly, although I will start by noting that, contrary to what
you say, awair@igc (I don't know a real name, their router doesn't
like fingers) wrote that the Palestinians have made "all the
concessions," a claim which I dispute most vehemently.

However, you are in a way, right.  The Palestinians have very little
to give in a concrete fashion (if you'll excuse the pun.)  However,
there is a list of "ideological" and moral concessions that could be
made, and could be made quickly and easily if they are in fact
interested in a permanent and just peace.

1.  Amend the Covenant.  Article 19, and others.

2.  Clearly, plainly, and without retractions recognize Israel's right
to exist.  Before anyone brings up the "Algiers declaration," I quote
Yassir Arafat:
 

from a Libyan television interview with Yassir Arafat 7-19-19...
Q: Some people say that the Palestinian revolution has many times changed
   its strategies and tactics, something which has left its imprint on the
   Palestinian problem and on the Palestinian Liberation Front.  The
   [strategies and tactics] have not been clear.  The question is, is the
   direction of the Palestinian problem clear?  The Palestinian leadership
   has stopped, or at least this is what has been said in the media, this
   happened on the way to the dialogue with the United States, the PLO
   recognized something called "Israel"...

A: No, no, no!  We do not recognize the State of Israel.  We said
   "recognition" -- when a Palestinian state is established.  It will then
   decide if to recognize Israel or not.  When it is established, its
   parliament will convene and decide.


3.  Renounce the use of terror against any civilian, anywhere in the world.

	``I did not mean to renounce... Actually, I only repeated
	what our PNC had accepted...  I am still now committed
	to what I said in Cairo [Cairo declaration said
	that the PLO would continue operations inside Israel
	and the territories.] in 1985.''
		--- Arafat, interview with Viennese TV, 12/19/88

4.  Stop the intifadah, and replace it with *non-violent* rallies.
Taking a lesson from Mahatma Ghandi would do much to allay the fears
of Israelis.

None of these steps, individually, or as a group, contain anything
that would weaken an honest attempt to reach a peace agreement.  Each
would be a useful and valid confidence building measure.

I anxiously await their implementation.

Adam Shostack 					adam@das.harvard.edu

What a terrible thing to have lost one's .sig.  Or not to have a .sig
at all.  How true that is.      
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