Volume 30, Number 9 · June 2, 1983
Can Begin Be Stopped?
By Bernard Avishai
Is the Reagan plan dead? On April 10, King Hussein announced that Jordan would neither act 'separately nor in lieu of anybody else in Middle East peace negotiations.' This has seriously undermined hopes that President Reagan's call on September 1 for Palestinian self-rule in association with Jordan would revive the 'peace process.' The king's statement also releases Reagan from the promise he made to Hussein in December that if Jordan were willing to enter talks, he would confront the Israeli government over its settlement policies in advance of any negotiations. As if to underscore the threat of that promise being made again, the World Zionist Organization (which does what the Israeli cabinet wants) revealed in early April a plan for fifty-seven new settlements in the West Bank to be completed by 1987. Some would be added to those in the heart of Arab-populated areas, between Nablus and Jenin. Also planned are 250 miles of new roads and up to 125 acres a year for industrial projects 'to encourage private initiative.'[1]
Feature, 5583 words
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