Quietly, without disturbing the normal course of Palestinian violence, American mediators William Burns and CIA director George Tenet are hard at work attempting to formalize a ceasefire and have the Mitchell Report implemented. Burns met last night with Israeli government leaders, while Tenet presided at a meeting of Israeli and Palestinian security officials. A compromise six-week ceasefire period will probably be agreed upon, after which negotiations for good-will gestures will begin. Prime Minister Sharon insists, however, that the ceasefire be absolute and include no rock-throwings or violent demonstrations, and that the PA arrest 34 wanted terrorists whose names Israel has transferred to the PA.
The Tenet proposals do not obligate the PA to collect the thousands of illegal weapons in its territory, nor to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure. Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA notes that an \"amusing\" aspect of the proposals is that the PA, which sponsored the manufacture of most of the mortars in Gaza, is to \"collect\" them; the PA need not destroy them or transfer them a third party, but merely \"report such findings to the joint security council.\" In addition, Lerner notes that the stipulation that \"the PA will prevent movement, in its territory, of militant activists intending to carry out attacks against Israel,\" will simply become the basis of endless argument as to what is consider \"intent\" to carry out attacks against Israel. Tenet does demand, however, that the PA cease \"incitement and assistance to attacks against\" Israeli targets in Yesha.
The Tenet proposals do not obligate the PA to collect the thousands of illegal weapons in its territory, nor to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure. Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA notes that an \"amusing\" aspect of the proposals is that the PA, which sponsored the manufacture of most of the mortars in Gaza, is to \"collect\" them; the PA need not destroy them or transfer them a third party, but merely \"report such findings to the joint security council.\" In addition, Lerner notes that the stipulation that \"the PA will prevent movement, in its territory, of militant activists intending to carry out attacks against Israel,\" will simply become the basis of endless argument as to what is consider \"intent\" to carry out attacks against Israel. Tenet does demand, however, that the PA cease \"incitement and assistance to attacks against\" Israeli targets in Yesha.