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W A R ' S
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President George Bush and Defense Secretary Cheney: Will the United States pressure Israel into a Middle
East compromise?
they want to live with their
dependent Palestinian state,
neighbors. But their
at least for now.
"We should focus all of our
neighbors have to accept the
reality of Israel — and that's
energies to see if we can
an area where our new
broker peace between Saudi
Arabia and -Israel, between
credibility -could prove
Kuwait and Israel, and not
helpful."
spend our energies on the
And events in the region —
Palestinian issue," he said.
particularly the widespread
"A separate Palestinian
support for Saddam among
state is just not in the cards
Palestinians — have nudged
in this generation."
the administration closer to
The issue that may reveal
the Israeli view that direct
the most about the ad-
talks with Arab govern-
ministration's new approach
ments are an essential first
— and the one with the most
step in the peace process.
immediate impact on Israel
"We're clearly seeing a
— is the question of addi-
move in that direction - —
tional aid to help Israel cope
possibly out of necessity,
with the Gulf crisis' enor-
since the PLO has been so
mous price tag.
thoroughly discredited, and
A vigorous behind-the-
the Palestinian people sup-
scenes effort by Israel's
ported Saddam with such
friends in Congress to
enthusiasm," said Mr.
Smith. "In the past few days, . reverse an apparent ad-
ministration decision not to
I've been hearing much
ask for additional aid ap-
more talk about this from
peared to pay off, when the
people inside the ad-
White House moved toward
ministration. I think it's also
providing more than, $650
likely that some of our Arab
million in new military as-
coalition partners may now
sistance to Israel as part of a
accept the need for this kind
supplemental budget re-
of approach."
quest to cover Operation
Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean
Desert Storm expenses.
of the Los Angeles-based
The change of heart, ac-
Simon Wiesenthal Center,
cording to various sources,
took it a step further.
stemmed in part from Con-
While he agreed that the
gress' willingness to pass an
current situation offers new
aid package regardless of
diplomatic opportunities, he
what the administration
argued that the administra-
wanted — probably in the
tion should use them to
form of emergency military
quash the idea of an in-
30
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
aid now and a later package
of loan guarantees for the
resettlement of Soviet Jews.
"I think the aid question
will be a crucial signal," said
Rep. Barney Frank (D-
Mass.).
At the same time, the
war's conclusion has already
led to intense pressures to
Palestinian support
for Saddam
Hussein has
convinced the
White House that
Israel's call for
bilateral talks with
Arab nations has
merit.
provide vast quantities of
U.S. arms to friendly Arab
governments.
Indications point to a
struggle between ad-
ministration officials who
favor arms control for the
region and those who sup-
port immediate, large-scale
arms sales to friendly Arab
governments.
Should the pro-arms sale
faction prevail, it could
mean a new Middle East
arms race that would dev-
astate the already belea-
guered Israeli economy and
increase the chances of yet
anqther Arab-Israeli military
conflict.
many signs that we are past
this animus. There are clear
signals that it is continuing,
like the incident with Am-
bassador Shoval. As soon as
the crisis receded, the ad-
mini str at ion's natural
tendencies rose to the fore,"
he said.
Despite the widespread
apprehension over what the
administration will do, there
is also a recognition that the
Shamir government's poli-
cies will play a major role in
determining the course of
U.S.-Israeli relations in com-
ing months.
Israel's restraint in the
face of Scud missile attacks
has enormously increased
Jerusalem's political capital,
most observers agree. But it
could prove ephemeral if the
Shamir government refuses
to play along.
"The Israelis need to press
hard, as soon as possible, on
the peace process," Mr. Car-
din said. "Israel is in a
relative strong position .. .
now is the time for Israel to
push hard for peace — on its
own terms."
0
"If it leads to a continua-
1- 5
a_ tion of the status quo in
Israel, or to things like br-
inging Moledet into the
cabinet, Israel will
unilaterally give up
whatever advantages it has
"The bad news is that we
accrued," maintained David
traditionally reward our
Cohen, co-director of the
friends by supplying them
Center for Israeli Peace and
with arms," said Rabbi
Security.
David Saperstein, director of
"Israel has to exhibit the
the Religious Action Center
kind of confidence it demon-
of Reform Judaism.
strated by its restraint," he
"If the United States in-
said. "Israel has to move
creases the arms race by
now to help set the terms
supplying new and more ad-
and the ground rules for the
vanced weapons to Arab
debate that is beginning.
countries, it will put enor-
This is not a time to circle
mous pressures on the
the wagons. It's a time to be
Israelis to keep their edge —
out there with new ideas and
and that could seriously
proposals." ❑
undercut their economy," he
said.
There is also one more
COMMENT
major unknown in the ad-
ministration's emerging
Middle East policy: Will the
personal animosities that
have plagued relations bet-
ween Washington and
Jerusalem in the past abate
in the glow of the allied vic-
tory over Iraq?
"The big question mark is
whether the personal
animus that exists between
President Bush and Secre-
tary Baker on one hand, and
Prime Minister (Yitzhak)
Shamir on the other, will
override the opportunity to
Clareen Wimmer
use the new arrangements
Royal Oak
that are flowing from the
"I'm so happy that all our
war in positive rather than
boys and girls are coming
negative ways," said Stuart
home. I think George
Eizenstat, a former top
Bush did a marvelous job
Carter administration ad-
handling the war situa-
visor.
tion and troops."
"Unfortunately, I don't see