Palestine

Natan Sharansky opines in the OpinionJournal about prospects of a mid-east peace following the Palestinian elections:

Whether the election of Abu Mazen will be a turning point in the search for peace depends critically on whether the Free World, led by the U.S., is prepared to link its policies toward his new government to the degree of freedom the Palestinian Authority affords its own citizens. Though many of Abu Mazen's recent statements are not encouraging--from pledging to follow in Yasser Arafat's path to assuring Palestinian terrorists that he will protect them from Israeli reprisals to demanding a so-called right of return to pre-1967 Israel--George W. Bush's understanding that the key to peace lies in building a free society for the Palestinians is a source of optimism. If Mr. Bush makes it clear that the U.S. will support him only if he dedicates himself to expanding freedom within Palestinian society rather than on feeding resentments, then the chances that Abu Mazen will become a genuine partner will improve immeasurably.

He makes some very good points and I agree with him on the steps the Palestinians need to take. I am very skeptical that Abu Mazen will be interested in taking these steps however. He has inherited Arafats position, and with it the money that can be funneled from the Palestinian people. In truth, it would take a very impressive person to voluntarily let such a sweet deal go. I hope I am wrong though, and that Abu Mazen is a lot more than he appears to be.