Word: branegan
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Branegan: Yes, the problem is that, like with so many things in this conflict, in order to get the two parties to agree you have to leave so many things vague and undefined that each side walks away with its own understanding of what exactly has been agreed. And that's a recipe for things to come very quickly unstuck. Already it's being debated whether the "confidence building" measures begin during or after the "cooling off" period...
...Branegan: Often times, that's useful. U.S. pressure provides an excuse for leaders on both sides to do things that own public may be reluctant to accept...
...Branegan: Sure, this was never going to be easy. It's the art of the possible. Powell is going because Washington believes the current cease-fire process is the best chance of curbing the violence in the region. But the fact that it's the best chance doesn't mean it's a particularly good chance...
...Branegan (Washington): The bar for success is being set a lot lower; he's not going there to try and restart the Camp David talks. If the cease-fire is still in place after three weeks, that's a success. But his higher goal of locking both sides into a timetable for implementing the Mitchell proposals and reopening talks may not be achievable on this trip. Clearly, there are differences of interpretation, such as whether ten days without violence precedes a "cooling off" period, or whether that in itself constitutes a "cooling off" period. Sharon has gotten some credit from...
...Branegan: Bush praised Sharon for his patience, and that helps buy the Israeli leader some political cover. Because he's under pressure at home to not show any more patience. Certainly in public, the two sides maintained a solid front. What it means for peace in the region, however, is hard to say right now. We're going to have to see what happens when Powell comes back from his trip next week. In fact it's probably more important what happens between Powell and Sharon than between Bush and Sharon, because Powell is getting into the nuts and bolts...