Little cause for optimism

Although Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak's struggle to make peace should be given full credit, there is little cause for optimism. Discord could arise among his Labor Party and the other ruling parties in the process of resumed peace negotiations.

In addition, Barak has taken an uncompromising attitude toward the dispute over the divided holy city of Jerusalem. The Palestinians want traditionally Arab East Jerusalem as their capital, while the new Israeli prime minister has maintained that Jerusalem should remain undivided and under Israeli sovereignty.

All this may make it difficult for Barak to make headway in negotiations with the Palestinians, Lebanon and Syria.

The Palestinian Authority, which postponed a unilateral declaration of independence in May, has welcomed the Barak administration. The time has come to take concrete action to restart the peace process and end the decades-long strife.

It is essential for the international community to help bring the peace process to a successful conclusion. Among other things, we hope the administration of United States President Bill Clinton will play an active role in mediating the process.

-- Yomiuri Shimbun, Tokyo