In fact, it turned out to be nothing of the sort, though that did not prevent the PA from twisting the truth and making what was essentially a non-event into something much more.
The following is an excerpt from Arlene Kushner's January 19 edition of From Israel, entitled--"Not a Pretty Picture"
In a visit that was broadly touted as a diplomatic first, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev visited the PA and declared that nothing in Russian policy had changed. Russia had recognized a Palestinian state in 1988 (when Arafat declared the state from Algiers), and stands by that.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat called this "an historic move to make the Palestinians proud for a very long time to come." [link]
But that was Arab spin, for Medvedev hadn't made an historic move, he had only reiterated a decision that was more than 20 years old. Unfortunately, the world, reading press on this, is unlikely to grasp this.
And Erekat elaborated even beyond this, declaring, "We appreciate the Russian recognition of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders (sic) whose capital is East Jerusalem." In doing so, he went beyond spin to fabrication. Medvedev had said nothing about borders or East Jerusalem.
What Medvedev did do is sign some agreements with the PA regarding projects in agriculture, communications and sports. He also announced that Moscow would be transferring $10 million to the PA, and inaugurated a new Russian museum in Jericho. It was in Jericho that he made his statement about a Palestinian state.
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At the press conference held with Medvedev in Jericho, Abbas -- in the words of Khaled Abu Toameh and Herb Keinon. reporting in the JPost -- "urged the Quartet members, who are scheduled to meet in Munich next month, to issue decisions that would oblige Israel to return to the negotiating table..." [link]
"oblige Israel to return to the table" is diplomatese for forcing us to freeze all building so that they will then be willing to return, which in fact they could do at any time. The realities are simply being turned around here.
All of this feels a bit like a Palestinian Arab pincer operation, with everything being tried at once.
Abbas's comment at this press conference was that there were only two options: negotiations or violence and terrorism.
Interesting, this not-so-veiled threat. What happened to the option of getting international recognition -- which was what was supposed to make the Medvedev visit so important -- and securing a UN vote? These PA comments are tailored for the occasion and the listening audience.
© Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by Arlene Kushner, functioning as an independent journalist. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution
see my website www.ArlenefromIsrael.info
Unfortunately, neither listening audience will realize they are being fed lies--neither the Arabs nor the West.
Technorati Tag: Dmitri Medvedev and Saeb Erekat.
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