Destiny of Palestinians!
By the Editor

Though a bit late – the United States has eventually decided to host a significant conference this week – with input of more than forty countries from around the globe to try find a way out for the establishment of a separate Palestinian State. As a matter of fact – there have been several attempts in the past to find a solution to the lingering dispute which has kept the Middle East in turmoil.

The measures included the Madrid Conference of l991, the Oslo Pacts as well as several American initiatives like the Camp David Accord – but intransigence of Israel prevented any positive outcome. Successive American administrations tried to persuade Israel to agree to some solution towards the end of their tenure which bore no result.

Of-late, the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after talks with the Palestinian President and Israeli Prime Minister has said the Conference would be a launching pad towards a two State solution. We feel optimistic that there would be serious and in-depth negotiations which will not avoid any issue and ignore any division that has clouded the atmosphere for decades.

What was most significant point in her comments was that everybody’s goal is the creation of a Palestinian State and this will give a ray of hope to the Palestinian people who have been suffering for over five decades and living in refugee camps. Creation of a Palestinian State out of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with its capital in East Jerusalem would make the 1949 Armistice lines, perhaps with minor changes, into permanent de jure borders.

This long-extent idea forms the basis of a peace plan put forward by Saudi Arabia in March 2002 – which was accepted by the Palestinians and all other members of the Arab League. This plan promised in exchange for withdrawal complete recognition of and full diplomatic relations with Israel by the Arab world. Pakistan, a strong supporter of the Palestinians cause has also been invited at the Conference and would definitely play its role. We think – every one recognizes that solution of the Palestinian problem will have soothing impact in the Middle East – for all times to come. ●