Max Cleland: “the latest round of violence in the Middle East has dealt more pain and suffering to the people of that region, as well…”

“the latest round of violence in the Middle East has dealt more pain and suffering to the people of that region, as well as another blow to the peace process. And though I remain firmly convinced that a final status agreement--which provides firm and enforceable security guarantees for Israel--remains not only the most desirable way out of the cycle of violence but indeed the only way to achieve lasting peace and security for all of the people in the region, the fundamental problem at present is whether or not Yasir Arafat is capable of ever becoming a reliable partner in the peace process. The answer, as unfortunate for future generations of Palestinians as for Israelis and for all of those who crave peace in the Middle East, would seem to be an emphatic NO, as indicated by his dismissal of the historic compromise offered by then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak late last year. Unless and until Chairman Arafat, or a successor, can demonstrate the capacity to make peace as well as war, the outlook for the Middle East peace process will remain bleak.”