E.u. Members Offer New Me Peace Plan - Political Forum

CHUQ · 11-17-2006, 05:16 AM

Germany, Spain and France have offered a new ME peace plan

Spain, France and Germany offer proposal for Mideast peace - Europe - International Herald Tribune

CHUQ · 11-17-2006, 05:18 AM

Olmert's comments may be a signal.

A break for Israeli town hit by rocket fire - Africa & Middle East - International Herald Tribune

superbug · 11-17-2006, 08:16 AM

Let's see, Spain get's bombed and they back down from the war effort. Germany and France did everything that they could to keep this from happening. Honestly, I don't care what they think.

Voland · 11-17-2006, 10:11 AM

Apart from the fact that the new spanish governement withdrew its troops from Iraq to fulfil an election promise that was made months before the attacks it is not countries , but political leaders and people that think. Also Iraq and Palestins are two different pairs of shoes.
Olmert had time enough to crack down on the Palestinians with very little sucess. Neither has the soldier Gilad Shalit been freed nor the Kassam attacks been stopped. All that was accomplished is further bloodshed among civilians which makes it difficult for moderate voices on the palestinian side to call to reason. The only way to solve this is by talks . And the Europeans are completely right to come up with a strategy of their own since the Bush administration has not even tried to.

CHUQ · 11-17-2006, 12:58 PM

Talking is the only way to solve the ME probs. A friend of mine had this idea, he to take Hamas leadership and the Olmert leadership, arm them the same with the identical ordinance put these leaders in a village and let them fight it out until one is victorious. The idea is a bit simple, but at least innocent civilians on both sides would not have to suffer.

superbug · 11-17-2006, 01:12 PM

Talking isn't going to solve anything.

Slartibartfas · 11-17-2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHUQ

Talking is the only way to solve the ME probs. A friend of mine had this idea, he to take Hamas leadership and the Olmert leadership, arm them the same with the identical ordinance put these leaders in a village and let them fight it out until one is victorious. The idea is a bit simple, but at least innocent civilians on both sides would not have to suffer.

That wouldnt be a bad, idea. But in the ME conflict I fear hatred and distrust has already spread so far and deep that its not only the leaders anymore that are the problem. Its an frighteningly broad extremist part of society that kidnapped the more moderate majority.

I am not sure if the ME conflict could be solved at all, without one side being annihialted, but if it can, than just by the moderates taking over the power and silencing the extremists again on BOTH sides.

WRT the initiative, I am supporting any initiative that has the tiniest chance of reducing the blood to be shed. Military operations have no where else proven better that they just make it worse. It does not work without the military, but with it, it works even worse.

I consider it to be very very astonishing that Olmert did not oppose it openly. Perhaps Israel thinks the proposal is not even worth a comment? Or does the Israel government really think about getting more possible options to act, which would include the possibility for not killing the peace inititative earlier than there is a need to...

... apart from that, I apply my usual procedure when it comes to the ME: Hope the best, prepare for the worst.

CHUQ · 11-18-2006, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbug

Talking isn't going to solve anything.

So far violence has not accomplished anything but a deep hatred between the two. At least if they call a cease fire and actually begin constructive talks; innocent civilians would not be dying.

superbug · 11-19-2006, 08:42 AM

Talking hasn't worked either.

CHUQ · 11-19-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbug

Talking hasn't worked either.

I would prefer the talking. We are trying to force these people into a national identity, a concept that is quite new to the Arab world, old hatreds and new are driving the occurances in the ME at this time. Will they move beyond this? Only time will tell. The more options, or plans, if you will, that are on the tables they more chances one may be effective.