Comments on: Rice Calls for Palestinian State

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:39:26 +0000

Well, it's better late than never. Remember this is the same Sec State that made the "Birth pangs of democracy" observations a year ago as the IAF was leveling most of West Beirut and everything south of the Litani. This declaration is merely a reflection of the political realities on the ground. We are trying to stave off the establishment of a de facto independent and hostile Palestinian state in Gaza, coupled with another hostile state in Lebanon headed by Hizbollah. This is an attempt to legitimize the Fatah PA government on the West Bank, and to de-legitimize those that are anti-Fatah.

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:41:30 +0000

If Rice had even a shred of credibility it might mean something...

By: Tano

Tano — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:13:52 +0000

James,

Everyone understood, at least as far back as the Oslo Accords, that the eventual solution would include a Palestinian state. Granted it was politically incorrect for American politicians to say so explicitly, at least until Camp David, but it was hardly an "absolute non-starter" a decade, or more, ago.

And what on earth is remarkable about any American administration, in 2007, talking about what Clinton almost achieved 7 years ago? The only remarkable thing is that it to this administration so long to finally decide to deal with the issue.

By: bob in fl

bob in fl — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:16:53 +0000

This position would have gotten any leader in either of our two parties pilloried and been dismissed as an absolute non-starter even a decade ago.

James, perhaps you have forgotten the Camp David talks near the close of the Clinton Administration. As I recall it, the deal was all but final when Arafat walked out of the talks. I don't recall any moaning & groaning until Arafat walked out. Did I miss something?

I gotta say, though, I had a WTF moment when I heard this news earlier today. Either Condi knows something the rest of us don't, or she is really sticking her neck out there a mile with this. We shall see . . .