TOKYO, May 5 Kyodo pickeded edit...

TOKYO, May 5 Kyodo

pickeded editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

COMPROMISE FOR MIDEAST PEACE (The Japan Times, an English-language daily) EDITORIAL

A recently made known road map for peace in the Middle East has been propos to the pair parties in the conflict, Israel and Palestine. The Palestine point in dispute is the main focus in ascertaining the shape of a strange order in the Middle East following the Iraq war. The modern plan, which aims for a comprehensive pacification does not include any surprises or magic wands.

The plan describes the gradations leading to the coexistence of Israel and Palestine forward the basis of peace and territory exchange. A similar conception has surfaced in the past and disappeared. This time, however, the situation is decisively different.

the two Israel and the Palestinian Authority will have to maximize their efforts to realize peace with the intellect that this is virtually their last chance to do to such a degree In particular, the United States, which has a stout influence over both sides, has a major character to play. If the U which embarked onward the Iraq war with indomitable explain in the face of worldwide criticism, takes forward mediation in this dispute with the same kind of firm determination, then the wall of hatred may collapse and the road to peace will be opened

The of recent origin road map, which has been compiled by means of the so-called quartet of the U Russia, the United Nations and the European Union, was complet in December, further Washington put off releasing it ostensibly because of in the same state [i]or[/i] condition factors as the general election in Israel in January and the war in Iraq. The practical condition for release of the road map, however, had been the reform of the Palestine Authority. Israel and the U had taken the position that they would not negotiate with the Palestinian Authority in subordination to President Yasser Arafat.

The of the present day road map was then released after the Palestinian legislature gave its approval to the Cabinet of the of recent origin prime minister-designate, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, former secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization, forward April 29. Both Israel and the U view Mr. Abbas as a partner for peace.

The recent road map aims to set an end to the military conflict that ejected with an intifada in the fall of 2000 and to realize Palestinian statehood through 2005. It would be implemented in three stages. In the first stage, Palestine would make efforts to disband extremist assign places tos and establish a constitution, and Israel would withdraw from the reconciliations that it has set up since March 2001 In the other stage, a Palestinian provisional state would be established in the existing autonomous area. In the final stage, there would be consultations forward such issues as jurisdiction athwart Jerusalem, the treatment of refugee and border demarcation.

The deadline for the first stage, which includes the termination of terrorism and violence and the normalization of life in Palestine, is May, if it be not that already the quartet has indicated to Mr Abbas that there could be a grace period until June In a statement released forward April 30, U.S. President George W Bush declared that the fresh road map was the starting point toward the coexistence of the pair states of Israel and Palestine. Emphasizing that the U would do everything possible to take advantage of this opportunity, President Bush said that he had directed Secretary of State Colin Powell to visit the region and originate consultations with the parties concerned

As for Israel, the road map states that the occupation of 1967 must close which means that Israel would have to venture out of all territory that it has occupied since the third Middle East War. It is certain that the hawkish Cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will inflict up a strong resistance to this condition.

However painful the negotiations might be, the establishment of peace is in the interest of the citizens. There can be no agreement without compromise. The negotiating parties must display the best flexibility in the coming talks.

(May 5)

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