Side-by-side with high-level Israeli-PA talks regarding Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer's "Gaza First" plan - which the Palestinians have so far rejected - other PA officials are meeting in Washington with American government representatives. The PA delegation, headed by Saeb Erekat, met last night with Secretary of State Colin Powell, and announced that it would extend its stay in order to meet with CIA Director George Tenet tomorrow. The meetings marked the highest-level U.S. contacts with the Palestinian Authority since US President Bush accused it of encouraging terrorism almost seven weeks ago.
Outgoing IDF Central Commander Maj.-Gen. Yitzchak Eitan has no faith in the current diplomatic process. "The situation is far from any [positive] turning point," he told Ynet. "The only turning point is that we can begin saying that the Palestinians realize that on the strategic level, they have lost the campaign... We have succeeded in proving to them that they will achieve nothing via violence and terrorism. An earthquake is taking place on the Palestinian side. There are open [displays] of opposition - groups that have come out against Arafat and are talking openly of the fact that there have been no achievements, and that two years of terrorism and warfare have brought them nothing but hunger and unemployment." Though from Eitan's standpoint, the goal is diplomatic talks and an agreement, he insists that such talks must not begin until terrorism is totally stopped.
Prime Minister Sharon agrees. In an appearance at the Commencement Ceremony of the College Of National Security last night, the Prime Minister said, “All attempts to make a deal with terror are doomed to failure, and we will not fall into this pit that is aimed to weaken us... Standing between us and peace is the murderous gang of the Palestinian Authority, which must be uprooted." He said he would not negotiate with any members of the current PA administration.
Outgoing IDF Central Commander Maj.-Gen. Yitzchak Eitan has no faith in the current diplomatic process. "The situation is far from any [positive] turning point," he told Ynet. "The only turning point is that we can begin saying that the Palestinians realize that on the strategic level, they have lost the campaign... We have succeeded in proving to them that they will achieve nothing via violence and terrorism. An earthquake is taking place on the Palestinian side. There are open [displays] of opposition - groups that have come out against Arafat and are talking openly of the fact that there have been no achievements, and that two years of terrorism and warfare have brought them nothing but hunger and unemployment." Though from Eitan's standpoint, the goal is diplomatic talks and an agreement, he insists that such talks must not begin until terrorism is totally stopped.
Prime Minister Sharon agrees. In an appearance at the Commencement Ceremony of the College Of National Security last night, the Prime Minister said, “All attempts to make a deal with terror are doomed to failure, and we will not fall into this pit that is aimed to weaken us... Standing between us and peace is the murderous gang of the Palestinian Authority, which must be uprooted." He said he would not negotiate with any members of the current PA administration.