Black Box Recorder

'"Road map" fading from radar'

Ha'aretz analysis of the "road map" and Powell's current visit to the region. The article argues that the road map will be pushed to the background as Sharon presents his "reservations" to the US administration:

And what will happen with the road map? It will remain in the background as a signal to the sides - "a political horizon" that will instill hope in the Palestinians, and a possible whip to apply pressure in the event of mutual breaches or foot-dragging.

Abu Mazen will ask Powell to pressure Israel into adopting the road map as is; but Sharon is standing firm on his demand to make changes to it, or at least come to an understanding with the Americans on issues of principle on which Israel has a different view to that expressed in the plan.

Sharon will make it clear to the secretary of state that if Israel's positions are accepted, it will be easier for him to receive the cabinet's approval for the road map. To demonstrate his political difficulties, Sharon will introduce his American guest to senior ministers and the heads of the coalition factions. Hearing from Effi Eitam and Avigdor Lieberman will convince Powell that Sharon is the moderate member of the gang.

Yes, Eitam and Lieberman - two fine gentlemen who demonstrate that Israeli democracy is surely a paradigm for the rest of the Middle East, even if they are not quite as "moderate" as Sharon.

Eitam heads the National Religious Party, which represents many of the settlers in the West Bank. Here is a little from the past of Eitam:

Eitam was the army's highest-ranking combat officer of religious background. A controversial and charismatic figure, Eitam faced military charges when he gave the soldiers in his command the illegal order to "break the arms and legs of the Palestinians" during the first Intifada (1987-92).

More recently, he was quoted by Ari Shavit in an interview in Ha'aretz (March 22) as saying: "First, get rid of this leadership [Yasser Arafat]. Second, enter Area A [under full Palestinian control] and uproot the military terrorist capability. Third, make it clear that there will be no foreign sovereignty west of the Jordan River. I am not sure this is the time to organize what will happen east of the Jordan. But as for the area west of the Jordan, we have to state that no sovereignty will be established there other than that of Israel."

Writing in The Jerusalem Post (April 8), Laurie Copans reported, "Eitam speaks unabashedly of his controversial dream: 'One day, the more than 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip will move to Jordan.' "

How about Lieberman? Lieberman once stated that "There is nothing undemocratic about transfer" - i.e., expelling people from their homes and lands.

"Moderate" indeed.