On Palestinian-Israel agreement

The Palestinians and Israelis have finally succeeded in stitching together a new agreement that would outline the framework for the implementation of the 'old' Wye River memorandum.

In essence, the new accord is a new version of Wye and purports to pin down the exact procedure and detailed mechanics for the faithful implementation of the revised Wye River pact and lay the groundwork for the final status talks.

With the signing of this new deal in Sharm El Sheikh ... in the presence of King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Secretary Albright, both Barak, Arafat are now more committed than ever to proceed at full speed to bring the entire Palestine-Israel negotiations to early fruition.

Perhaps the region is entering a new era thanks in no small part to the determined and persistent efforts of Washington, with Albright removing the remaining knots and the vital involvement of Mubarak in all the phases of talks between the two sides.

Still there is no certainty of the future since the parties have signed so many accords only to see them frozen. Let's hope that this time Israel puts its money where its mouth is.

-- The Jordan Times, Amman, Jordan