The president’s plan for peace in the war between the Palestinians and the Israelis was certainly a disappointment. His call for the removal of Arafat touched on only one-half of the equation. Certainly any negotiations between the two countries must start with a clean slate of negotiators if it’s to have any chance of success. When your country’s borders have been violated and the violator continues to plan for additional foreign settlements within your borders, that cannot be seen as striving for a just settlement of the disagreement.

Just imagine for a moment that Canada had decided to take over Bellingham in our state and Point Roberts for their “settlers,” and then decided to build a wall to protect those areas. There would be more than a little fuss from the U.S. Sharon’s stated plans call for continued Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a clear violation of the UN established boundaries. Where is the call from the U.S. to re-establish those boundaries? The president’s plan is purely based on the politics of the coming elections and is a sellout to the East Coast Jewish lobby for their support in that election.

This country was founded on the basis that free people have a right to their own religious beliefs, their own elected officials and a right to speak out as to their beliefs. For the president to call directly for the ouster of an elected official, even someone we don’t agree with, is a failure to recognize our own cherished principals. The Saudis earlier this year outlined their plan for a reasonable settlement for the region, yet the president’s plan makes no reference to it or gives them any credit for this overture. Yet we continue to not understand why so many in the Arab countries look down on us and want to cause harm to this nation. Arafat passed up an opportunity two years ago with President Clinton’s work towards a settlement that surely would have eliminated the bloodshed that has since come about, and the Palestinians may never get such an opportunity again. That should not be cause to forsake this country’s striving to bring about a just and lasting settlement.

Mill Creek