The US and Israel appear to be on a course to settle their
differences over the separation fence in the usual manner:
avoiding the problem.
The Israeli prime minister's bureau chief Dov Weisglass and
Defense Ministry Director-General Amos Yaron went to
Washington early this week to present Israeli views of the
fence and hear American reactions. They are reportedly
returning to Israel with an American agreement to wait for
Israel to make a final decision on the exact route of the
separation fence before deciding whether or not to deduct
costs of the fence from American loan guarantees to
Israel.
The U.S. has indicated that should the fence be built around
the city of Ariel that is located deep in the middle of the
Palestinian population, its construction costs would be
deducted from loan guarantees to Israel.
The Americans are demanding that the fence not deviate
significantly from the Green Line boundary in the Ariel
area.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has backed a plan put forward by
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz which would suspend construction
of the fence in the Ariel area. A gap of several kilometers
would be left in the fence that would be heavily patrolled.
The rest of the fence, which is less controversial, would be
built.
Ariel has a perimeter fence that surrounds it now, but it
would like to be connected to the main Israeli fence making
travel back and forth easier and safer.
Israeli and American officials also discussed the crisis in
Palestinian leadership and the demands made by Palestinian
Prime Minister-delegate Ahmed Qurei.
The Israeli representatives presented US security head
Condoleeza Rice with the plan for the fence's route, but
emphasized that a final decision has not yet been made on the
barrier's route in the problematic Ariel area.
Rice said after the meeting, "It is extremely important, if
it [the fence] is going to be built, that it, as much as
possible . . . not intrude on the lives of the Palestinians,
and, most importantly, that it not look as if it's trying to
prejudge the outcome of a peace agreement."
Rice added that it "is not really consistent with our view of
what the Middle East will one day have to look like -- two
states living side by side in peace."
Weisglass was accompanied at the meeting by Israeli
Ambassador to the U.S. Dan Ayalon and Yaron, while Rice was
joined by her deputy, Steven Hadley; Elliot Abrahams, head of
the Middle East department of the National Security Council,
and Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
William Burns.
The first installment in American loan guarantees -- $1.6
billion -- has already been handed over to Israel. Deductions
will be made from future loans to make up for money Israel
invests in the territories -- including in projects not
connected to the security fence.
The Israeli mission also met with deputy Secretary of State
Richard Armitage, who was scheduled to arrive in the region
two weeks ago. His trip was cancelled due to an escalation in
violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
