ROAD MAP REDRAWN?

Prime Minister Sharon of Israel has called a meeting of his Cabinet today to approve his recommendation that the “road-map” for peace between Israel and a Palestinian state should be accepted. The Palestinian Authority committed itself unreservedly to the proposals some weeks ago but there has been strong opposition in Israel to some of its provisions. Mr Sharon has communicated his objections to the plan, said to number a dozen, to Washington. Yesterday Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice issued this statement: “The United States government received a response from the government of Israel, explaining its significant concerns about the road map. The United States shares the view of the government of Israel that these are real concerns and will address them fully and seriously in the implementation of the road map.” As a result of this statement Mr Sharon has felt able to recommend the road map to his Cabinet. It would be interesting to know whether the Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, was consulted about Mr Powell's and Ms Rice's statement. If Washington does indeed believe that Israel's objections are “real concerns” and should be “fully and seriously” addressed then the road map seems to be flawed even before the journey towards a permanent peace between Israel and Palestine begins. If, on the other hand, these were simply placatory words to help Mr Sharon at today's Cabinet meeting, they may fail in their intention. In Paris yesterday Mr Powell said that there was no significant change in the road map. He cannot have it both ways.