Incisive Journalism in Cameroon: The Best of ��Cameroon Report�� (1978 � 1986)

47. Cameroon Report 17/01/1982: Palestinian Autonomy

177 47 Cameroon Report 17/01/1982: Palestinian Autonomy Introduction: There is still no break-through in the deadlock between Egypt and Israel over proposed Palestinian autonomy talks. After discussions with Egyptian leaders, U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig said he was encouraged by progress made so far, but a report carried by the authoritative Cairo daily newspaper AI Ahram said Egypt’s position on the autonomy talks remains the same as at the beginning of the negotiations two years ago. The Israelis, who are pressing for an agreement by April 25 - for fear of losing their only leverage when they hand over the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in three months time, say they will make no further concessions. Against this background, news analyst Ben Bongang wonders whether the American Secretary of state had any grounds for optimism: It would be naive at the moment to express any optimism for a dramatic solution to the problem of Palestinian autonomy which is, in effect, the real cause for all the upheavals the Middle East has experienced and lived with all these years. If anything at all, Mr Haig’s Middle East tour has the only merit of reminding some of the parties concerned and the international community of America’s interest and determination to be the centre of all negotiations in the Middle East. The American Secretary of State’s visit has been made at an inopportune moment. Coming after yet another Israeli 178 surprise move: the annexation of the Golan Heights and her stubborn insistence on granting no further concessions, it would be wishful thinking to expect a solution to the problem. The question that comes to mind is – on what grounds should any optimism be based when almost all Middle East negotiations till today have failed to bring together all the parties concerned? If the problem is that of Palestinian autonomy, the Palestinians should take part in the negotiations. Unfortunately, not only are the Palestinians out of the discussions concerning their future, they have rarely seen eye to eye on the elements of negotiations tabled by Egypt which claims to represent the Arab cause. While the Palestinians do not recognize Israel, the Jews on their part, have not yet accepted the principle by which Palestinians should be granted any autonomy. The Irony of these conflicting views held by parties which should have been discussing together but are not, is disheartening and puts back to square one any autonomy. It is clear that if any head way is going to be made as regards this issue, the rules of the game have to be changed and drastically too. These changes should be deep-rooted and based on a genuine desire by the parties concerned to move from negotiations to much more concrete goals. Real change in the Middle East means genuine acceptance by Israelis and Palestinians of each other’s right to exist. Only after such a framework has been laid, can all the parties get down to real and meaningful discussions. 179 Otherwise, the innumerable missions like the recent trip to the Middle East by Alexander Haig will remain unnecessary and meaningless diplomatic exercises. Ben Bongang 180 ...