A two-state solution?

INTERNATIONAL
Alan Fisher on encouraging diplomatic moves
in the Middle East

Benjamin Netanyahu

Sunday 17 May
Israel's prime minister is preparing to fly to Washington to discuss the latest proposals for peace in the Middle East. Barack Obama differs from his two most immediate predecessors in that he had made the Middle East an immediate priority rather than wait until the dog days of the administration, casting around in the hope of developing a legacy.
     The ground is already being softened up by those working with Benjamin Netanyahu. For the second time in three weeks, his respected defence minister, Ehud Barak, has said a deal could be struck within three years that would bring a two-state solution to the region. The words 'two-state' have only ever come from Netanyahu in a dismissive fashion. He's refused to discuss it, saying only he's after a 'fresh approach'. But Obama is behind the two-state solution, while accepting that there are other problems including 'the right of return' for Palestinian refugees, Israeli settlements on the West Bank and perhaps most contentious of all, the status of Jerusalem.
     Netanyahu continues to play the game of refusing to commit to two states, aware it's his biggest bargaining card. He will talk instead of 'two peoples living side by side in peace and mutual respect.' History shows it's right-wing governments like the one currently in power in Israel that are more likely to deliver some sort of peace deal. But there are those in Netanyahu's party who cannot agree to anything they believe would create an armed state next to Israel, which they insist would threaten its security. 
     Obama is unlikely to hand over a document and say 'This is the plan – you need to sign' but at last in the Middle East, something appears to be moving in the right direction. There's been no comment from the quartet's Middle East envoy. Remember Tony Blair has been appointed by Russia, the USA, the EU and the UN to help bring economic development and stability to the area – when he's not lecturing, public speaking or chasing the job of EU president.
 
Monday 18 May
Sri Lanka has declared victory in its fight with the Tamil Tigers. For 25 years, it has been battling the group which demanded a separate state for Tamils in the north and east of Sri Lanka. The war has been bitter and bloody. The Tamil Tigers were the first group to develop suicide bombers. They grew strong with money pouring in from those who supported their aims. The money was not only used to build a big and strong army but a navy and an air force too. But the Sri Lankan government decided it was finally going to crush the group and in the past few months has pounded Tiger positions to clear out the last rebel-held territory.
     There have been huge celebrations in the Sri Lankan capital. Yet, experience tells us that there are still a lot of people who hold the dream of a separate Tamil homeland, and peace deals are rarely won at the end of the gun. So perhaps the Sri Lankans can celebrate winning the battle. It's just too early to say if they've won the war.