MORE GOP FAILED POLICIES TO CLEAN UP
After Rice insisted that the Hammas be part of the democratic process, the tailors of the Bush Administration cannot stand that Carter might speak to a "terrorist organization". Ruminate on that, if you will.
The U.S. is facing a how-to-talk-to-the-adversaries problem in Afghanistan, too. Opinion is split on whether to "negotiate" with the Taliban.
WHAT CARTER DID - IT'S NEEDED
The truth is that what Carter did is needed. A third-way, a way to have discussions, even concerted discussions, without really having "talks".
Afterall, the British did eventually sit down with the IRA (supposedly its demilitarized part, but even so ...).
All this is true, even if you are convinced, as I am, that maximum pressure on Hammas is warranted, given that their chief grievance is how to fulfill their jew-hatred, quite ostensibly.
AND, they are feeling some pressure from the Carter visit.
To whit, they are mouthing something like the Saudi proposal (which may have also become the Arab League proposal). It could be a start of just posturing, or it might provide a way for both Israel and the Hammas leadership to "save face", while adopting something tangible that is worked out with Abbas.
For instance, I'd go for a 20-25 year truce (at least a generation or two, raised in relative peace) and Clinton bridging proposals, in place of '67 borders-or-bust as a counter-offer, maybe.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Saving Face: In Defense of Carter
