M I D - E A S T  R E A L I T I E S - LIE OF THE WEEK

[MER - Not only is Hebron now divided - literally with American money paying for a barricade down a main street. Moreover the Israelis and the Americans now maintain that whatever other "redeployments" are to take place in the West Bank before "final status negotiations" are solely up to Israeli to decide. A short passage in a recent WALL STREET JOURNAL article highlights the "realities" that lurk behind the deceptive Hebron Agreement. For "auto- nomy" in part of Hebron along with a few pistols and rifles to "control" the people of Hebron (and much money), the Arafat regime has taken one more step into the Israeli trap set for them in the wake of the Gulf War. "Final status" is sure to be only a repackaged continuation of the oppression, subjugation, and deception the Palestinian people have now faced throughout this century leading to their new status as residents of modern-day Reservations or Bantustans.]

     "...[L]ast night’s agreement doesn’t even touch the issue of the scope of the three planned Israeli withdrawals. The Palestinians control about 3% of the West Bank an partially control 27%. The Palestinians contend that after three withdrawals, they should be in charge of virtually all the West Bank. The Israeli press reported that Mr. Netanyahu has indicated he plans to give back only 10% more territory, retaining the vast majority as possible bargaining chips in coming negotiations with the Palestinians over the final borders.

     "In an interview Sunday, Mr. Netanyahu had refused to be specific about the extent of future withdrawals but said that under the 1995 peace accord, Israel has the right to unilaterally decide their extent."

Amy Dockser Marcus The Wall Street Journal - 1/15/97