Netanyahu's U.S. trip

Fresh from talks with (Palestinian leader) Yasser Arafat, Netanyahu is now in Washington, stressing to President Bill Clinton that the kind of peace he seeks is one founded on security. In this, there is nothing new.

He again shirked tackling the delayed redeployment of Israeli forces in Hebron, arguing that prematurely doing so could lead to an explosive situation that may derail the peace process. Again, in this, there is nothing new.

Prior to his arrival in the U.S., he stated that he wanted to see the implementation of an extensive autonomy for Palestinians, but security-related matters would remain in Israeli hands. In no unclear terms, he said no to an independent Palestinian state. And in this, too, there is nothing new.

The land-for-peace agreement, as a precondition for restarting the stalled negotiations with Syria, was also indirectly shot down.

No preconditions, he said, except those which Israel chooses to lay down. These are, of course, the same words to the same time-worn tune he has been humming since his election in May, and so, are nothing new.

Netanyahu must be given credit for being consistent. He has been consistently closed-minded, short-sighted and hypocritical. Where compromise would be prudent, he is intransigent. Where cooperation is imperative, he seeks unilateral security guarantees and concessions. And where the roots of peace would be laid now lie the seeds of discontent. Peace may top the agenda, but given his actions, or lack thereof, this is the last thing on his mind.

And the first step, he notes, is to build a foundation for peace based on words. Yet, he refuses to honor the letter and spirit of agreements signed by the previous Israeli administration.

One must then wonder, if Netanyahu is so willinq and eager to abrogate the agreements reached over the past few years, does the same hold true for the Camp David Accords and the Egyptian- Israeli peace treaty?

-- al-Ahram Weekly, Cairo