Diplomatic door closed

Editorial

Israel should not be expected to deal with the murderer Yasser Arafat. Efforts toward peace must be predicated on the absence of the man whose word has proved, again and again, to be worthless.

Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon issued a statement on Aug. 28 to that effect, in light of the impending convention of the Palestinian Authority's legislative council.

"The state of Israel will neither recognize nor accept any Palestinian cabinet led or managed by Yasser Arafat," Sharon said in the statement. So far, so good. But the prime minister, unfortunately, went on. "Moreover, the state of Israel will not recognize any new Palestinian cabinet that is established without having been preceded by basic and genuine reforms in all areas, especially regarding security, the war on terror, financial affairs and the struggle against corruption."

The specific demand for security, an end to terror and a clean-up of finances and corruption is warranted. But surely the prime minister and his diplomatic colleagues know the implication of the phrase "reforms in all areas." This is something that most certainly will not be accomplished by the Palestinian Authority, or any other Palestinian government, for years. There may be minimal headway made in initiating reforms, but that is the best one could hope for, given the level of corruption and irresponsibility that has existed in the Palestinian government for so long.

This sort of blanket statement by Sharon can only be detrimental to the Israeli government; it will be seen by Israel's allies and enemies alike as an indication that Israel is not interested in negotiations for peace at all. Based on this declaration, Israel will always be able to find an example of Palestinian malfeasance to justify a refusal to recognize a new Palestinian leadership.

The statement will close more doors than it opens.

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