While you're enjoying the outdoors don't forget about your indoors. served Tel Aviv University ana- lyst Barry Rubin, seems to have no intrinsic goals in the Israeli- Palestinian negotiations. Instead, as the Oslo and Cairo agreements have shown, what- ever the two sides agree upon is fine with Washington. The same is essentially true, Mr. Rubin be- lieves, of the talks between Is- rael and Syria. "Washington may be pushing these negotiations because it needs a foreign-policy success more than Jerusalem does," he said. "But a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights is not dictat- ed by any inherent American in- terest." • Even the traditional Amer- ican role of an "honest broker" has undergone modification that has spawned some unexpected ironies. The more "even-handed" policy of the Bush Administra- tion may have helped hold-outs such as Syria take the plunge into Washington has become a more passive international player, reflecting the American public's loss of interest in world affairs. peace talks with Israel. But ul- timately, proposed Tel Aviv Uni- versity analyst Shai Feldman, it was the strong pro-Israel orien- tation of the Clinton Adminis- tration that led to the first breakthrough in the peace process: the Oslo Agreement. For with the United States so strongly identified with Israel, the PLO concluded that it was better off talking directly with Is- rael than working through Wash- ington. The drawback to this situation is equally ironic, for Israel may now have more leverage in the peace talks than is actually to its advantage. "Wouldn't it have been convenient," suggested Shi- bley Telharni of Cornell Univer- sity, "if the United States had pointed out to Israel the benefits of evacuating the settlements in the Gaza Strip, rather than have the issue be treated as one of di- rect concession to the Palestini- ans." Since encouraging players to conceive of taking active roles in regional security requires more than just moral support, and since only a strong Israel can be expected to make the kinds of concessions necessary for peace, the subject of American aid nat- NEW BALLGAME Page 54 545-3600 HARPER FURNITURE The Comparison Shopper — Buys At Harper 916 N. Main, Royal Oak, N. of 11 Mile Rd. Hours: Tues., Wed., Sat. —10-5 Mon., Thur., Fri. —10-8 Wodilward • Just South Of 14 Mile GRAN) OreaNG SALE 3 0'97 °4orf ANY PURO-IASE * *ME■rnoN Tis An 'Where You Come First' Kosins Clothes . Southfield Road at 11 1 Mile 559-3900 SDAY • FRIDAY • SATURDAY • SUNDAY JULY 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 Arbor Drugs Baskin Robbins Bravo! Gourmet Coffees Dress Barn Frames Unlimited Gifts of Nature Great Lengths Hair Care Greg Shoes Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centre Kae's Hallmark Shop Kroger Kwang's Chop Suey Little Ceasar's Lolipop Kids (Within Roupen the Tailor) Mail Boxes Etc. Michigan National Bank Moore Shoe Repair New York Bagel Pickle Barrel Deli Powerhouse Gym Ritz Camera One Hour Photo Roupen the Tailor Dr. Bernard Sanders Family Dentistry Silkcorp Factory Outlet Somerset Cleaners Subway Sandwiches & Salads Tanfaster Travel One You Name It (Within Greg Shoes) Larry Paul makes FURNITURE NEW. Custom Restoration, Lacquering, Refinishing of new or old furniture, antiques, office furniture, pianos. For Free Estimates 681-8280 %l- a) rn ›— Your Neighborhood Specialty and Convenience Center 12 MILE & EVERGREEN 53