more importantly, his using
the trip to sound out re-
gional governments on their
own view of the future,
rather than dictating a new
U.S. peace plan.
"I'm heartened, to an ex-
tent, that Mr. Baker sudden-
ly decided to go to Israel,"
said Rep. Larry Smith (D-
Fla.), one of Israel's most
outspoken Capitol Hill sup-
porters.
"That could represent a
breakthrough, because he
will finally be able to see
through his own eyes who
the Israelis are and what
they are up against. I have a
sense that he's trying to lay
the groundwork for negotia-
tions, not offer new pro-
posals, which I think is a
proper step," he said.
The quick Gulf war victory
and the surprising durabili-
ty of the U.S.-led anti-Iraq
coalition have given the U.S.
a new sense of its power to
influence Middle East
events, some observers
noted.
"It's a different Middle
East," said Abraham Fox-
man, the executive director
of the Anti-Defamation
League of B'nai B'rith.
"It may not be exactly the
`new world order,' but w
_ e
have destroyed a lot of
myths, including the myth
that the United States
couldn't become involved in
the Middle East without be-
ing seen as an interloper."
The result, Mr. Foxman
said, will be a greatly
enhanced U.S. ability to help
shape events in the volatile
region.
"That will serve Israel
well," he said. "I think
Israel wants peace; I believe
COMMENT
Aaron Miller
14, Ninth Grade, West
Bloomfield High School
"I was glad to see Iraq
pull out of Kuwait, but I
still want something to
happen to Saddam Hus-
sein. He shouldn't be
allowed to get away scot-
free."
Kuwaiti man kisses an American flag following the liberation of his country.
UPI/REUTERS Photo
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
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