Maverick Mideast Peace Plan Wins U.S. Backing (Geneva accord)

[papau]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA4TMKFQMD.html

Maverick Mideast Peace Plan Wins U.S. Backing
By Steve Weizman
Associated Press Writer

RAM, West Bank (AP) - An informal Mideast peace plan drafted by prominent Israelis and Palestinians got a boost Friday with a letter of support from Secretary of State Colin Powell.Powell's praise for the "Geneva Accord" came despite Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's vehement opposition to the plan.

His letter was addressed to the leaders of the initiative, former Israeli Justice Minister Yossi Beilin and former Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo, the two told a news conference.

"Dear Yossi and Yasser," the letter read, according to a Beilin aide. "The president remains committed a two-state solution ... but we also believe that projects such as yours are important for sustaining hope and understanding."

The Geneva plan proposes a Palestinian state on nearly all the land Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast War. It would also give Palestinians control of a disputed Jerusalem holy shrine, known to Muslims as the Haram as-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount.

In return, Palestinians would give up their demand for the "right of return" of about four million Palestinian war refugees and their descendants to Israel. <snip>

[54anickel]

1. The "Fundies" will not let this go unchallenged

It would also give Palestinians control of a disputed Jerusalem holy shrine, known to Muslims as the Haram as-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount.

Would not be surprised if attempts to destroy the shrine are not revived.

[papau]

2. Below text link:Temple Mount excludes Wailing Wall- right of return gone

http://informationclearinghouse.info/article5019.htm

5. al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount (Compound)
(a) International Group
i. An International Group, composed of the IVG and other parties to be agreed upon by the Parties, including members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), shall hereby be established to monitor, verify, and assist in the implementation of this clause.

ii. For this purpose, the International Group shall establish a Multinational Presence on the Compound, the composition, structure, mandate and functions of which are set forth in Annex X.

iii. The Multinational Presence shall have specialized detachments dealing with security and conservation. The Multinational Presence shall make periodic conservation and security reports to the International Group. These reports shall be made public.

iv. The Multinational Presence shall strive to immediately resolve any problems arising and may refer any unresolved disputes to the International Group that will function in accordance with Article 16.

v. The Parties may at any time request clarifications or submit complaints to the International Group which shall be promptly investigated and acted upon.

vi. The International Group shall draw up rules and regulations to maintain security on and conservation of the Compound. These shall include lists of the weapons and equipment permitted on the site.

(b) Regulations Regarding the Compound
i. In view of the sanctity of the Compound, and in light of the unique religious and cultural significance of the site to the Jewish people, there shall be no digging, excavation, or construction on the Compound, unless approved by the two Parties. Procedures for regular maintenance and emergency repairs on the Compound shall be established by the IG after consultation with the Parties.

ii. The state of Palestine shall be responsible for maintaining the security of the Compound and for ensuring that it will not be used for any hostile acts against Israelis or Israeli areas. The only arms permitted on the Compound shall be those carried by the Palestinian security personnel and the security detachment of the Multinational Presence.

iii. In light of the universal significance of the Compound, and subject to security considerations and to the need not to disrupt religious worship or decorum on the site as determined by the Waqf, visitors shall be allowed access to the site. This shall be without any discrimination and generally be in accordance with past practice.

(c) Transfer of Authority
i. At the end of the withdrawal period stipulated in Article 5/7, the state of Palestine shall assert sovereignty over the Compound.

ii. The International Group and its subsidiary organs shall continue to exist and fulfill all the functions stipulated in this Article unless otherwise agreed by the two Parties.

6. The Wailing Wall
The Wailing Wall shall be under Israeli sovereignty.

7. The Old City
(a) Significance of the Old City
i. The Parties view the Old City as one whole enjoying a unique character. The Parties agree that the preservation of this unique character together with safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the inhabitants should guide the administration of the Old City.

ii. The Parties shall act in accordance with the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List regulations, in which the Old City is a registered site.

(b)IVG Role in the Old City
i. Cultural Heritage
1. The IVG shall monitor and verify the preservation of cultural heritage in the Old City in accordance with the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List rules. For this purpose, the IVG shall have free and unimpeded access to sites, documents, and information related to the performance of this function.
2. The IVG shall work in close coordination with the Old City Committee of the Jerusalem Coordination and Development Committee (JCDC), including in devising a restoration and preservation plan for the Old City.

[The Magistrate]

3. As There Has Been No Serious Attempt To Destroy The Monumental Mosque, Sir

It is rather a misnomer to speak of such attempts being revived.

The "Geneva Plan" is a good one. Among other features, it provides for Israeli sovereignty over the remnant of the Herodian temple, a thing long opposed by the Waqf.

Endorsement by Powell, of course, means very little: he is not of a power at court.

[54anickel]

4. Agreed, the Geneva Plan is a good one

I apologize for possibly not being as well read or educated as you sir. I simply speak from a background of being raised as a "fundie". As an "enlightened fundie", the things that I and many others were taught scares the heck out of me.

I was raised to believe there were attempts to destroy the temple and as a good Christian we were to support the efforts of groups such as the The Temple Mount Faithful in preparation for the 2nd coming of Christ.

http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/1196/9611016a.html

I thought that perhaps some here would like a perspective from this Darker side. With groups such as the Heritage Foundation having such pull with this current admin, we should all attempt to understand what we are up against.

I will attempt keep my thoughts to myself and simply read the posts you all make here at DU. Your posts help to enlighten me, but I must say that some of the "elitist" attitudes (not directed at you) that I have seen here do not invite participation of those with different, if somewhat mixed up views.

[The Magistrate]

5. Do Not Sell Yourself Short, Sir

Express yourself, by all means, and welcome to the forum.

There have certainly been dreams of destroying the monumental mosque, and even a few crack-pot plans, but nothing close to the required amounts of explosives or heavy machinery.

The fundamentalist view in this question is well known here, and has been much discussed, from a variety of perspectives.

[J B]

6. Colin Powell's career. R.I.P.

I never liked you, but you don't deserve to be destroyed as an anti-Semitic bigot, which you now will be.

Rest in peace.

[The Magistrate]

7. As A Point Of Curiousity, Sir

Do have any basis for that statement?

This is one of the more wretched rhetorical ploys employed in the debate concerning Israel v. Palestine: the pre-emptive charge by persons critical of Israel that they will be called Anti-Semites, in order to cast a prejudicial light on any disagreement with their criticism, and to wrap themselves in the mantle of victim-hood and bold defiance of un-seen powers. It is transparent as the Emperor's clothes....

[J B]

8. Yeah, Yossi's considered a traitor already,

and the Swiss, a hostile anti-Semitic power...

Sharon's cheerleaders will surely destroy Powell now. After all, Powell is also involved in a ruinous power struggle in Washington that already has him weakened. Siding with 'enemies of Israel' will be the cause for a final, extraordinary assault on his character, morality, sanity, and political purity, which he is unlikely to survive. After all, Bush needs the Jewish and radical Christian vote next November.

That's my basis. I don't consider him a bigot. I consider him ready to be nominated as one, by bigots.

[Paschall]

9. "U.S. Backing" ?!?

Powell's letter is nothing more than a pat on the back. "Keep up the good work, boys. Does you good to meet on the edge of Lake Geneva, I'm sure."

As the story says, this is merely a letter of "support" from Powell. And it's miles from being a US endorsement. Hard to imagine ShrubCo endorsing a plan drawn up by Israeli and Palestinian leftists.

Meanwhile, Wolfowitz is pushing another plan. And although the "road map" is now being touted as "Bush's road map," the EU and other partners--without Shrub--drew it up. And it took some mighty heavy arm twisting to get His Dimness on board.

I firmly believe this administration's plan for Palestine has been, and will continue to be, More Thumb Twiddling.