Cheney holds Middle East peace talks

Ray · 03-23-2008, 14:49 PM

Quote:

Cheney holds Middle East peace talks

23/03/2008 - 10:25:44 AM US Vice President Dick Cheney began Easter Sunday with a prayer and the singing of “Amazing Grace” at a tiny chapel in Jerusalem, then launched into a day of talks about the Mideast peace process and the rising influence of Iran in the region.

US Vice President Dick Cheney began Easter Sunday with a prayer and the singing of “Amazing Grace” at a tiny chapel in Jerusalem, then launched into a day of talks about the Mideast peace process and the rising influence of Iran in the region.

“We are obviously dedicated to doing all we can as an administration to try to move the peace process forward, and obviously actively involved in dealing with the threats that we see emerging in the region – not only threats to Israel, but threats to the US as well,” said Cheney, a strong supporter of Israel, in a meeting with President Shimon Peres.

It was clear that Cheney was referring to Iran, but Peres was more specific, saying the anti-Israel declarations that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad makes against Israel, and Iran’s support for Lebanese and Palestinian militant groups, cannot be ignored.
IOL: Cheney holds Middle East peace talks
“We have this problem of the Iranians who want to build two satellites, the Hezbollah (in Lebanon) and the Hamas in Gaza. … Nobody can control us and say that declarations by Ahmadinejad are less serious,” Peres said. “We have to take it seriously.”

He said time is of the essence in the peace process, but that he believes progress is achievable.

“The mere fact that in spite of the differences the negotiations go on is a great hope for the future,” Peres said.

Israel has been pursuing peace with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas since the two sides relaunched talks at a US-sponsored conference in November. At the same time, it has been battling Hamas, which wrested control of the Gaza Strip in June from Abbas-allied forces and has bombarded southern Israel with rockets.

There has been a recent lull in the Gaza violence, however, amid Egyptian efforts to broker a truce.

Nimer Hamad, a political adviser to Abbas, said he saw no chance for an agreement in 2008 if Israel continued settlement expansion and its military incursions: “Without strong American intervention and pressure on Israel, there will be no progress in the peace talks,” he said.

With the Bush Administration on its way out, how far should this be taken seriously?

The next President will surely have to focus on the US economy that is stated to be in recession as also on the future of US troops in Iraq. Obviously, the President would not find the Middle East peace to be so high on the agenda to pursue.

If so, is this a mere token gesture for history to judge and having no real significance?

Stan187 · 03-23-2008, 17:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Obviously, the President would not find the Middle East peace to be so high on the agenda to pursue.

Sir,

You don't think that peace in the Middle East could have significant beneficial consequences in terms of economics? Consider the economic boom in trade after the end (or shall we say subsiding) of Cold War animosities. Not that I think peace in the Middle East is going to happen, but there are definitely dividens to be received in the economic realm if it were to happen. What I'm trying to say is, pursuing peace in the Middle East and having a focus on economics are complementary rather than contradictory goals.

Ray · 03-23-2008, 23:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan187

Sir,

You don't think that peace in the Middle East could have significant beneficial consequences in terms of economics? Consider the economic boom in trade after the end (or shall we say subsiding) of Cold War animosities. Not that I think peace in the Middle East is going to happen, but there are definitely dividens to be received in the economic realm if it were to happen. What I'm trying to say is, pursuing peace in the Middle East and having a focus on economics are complementary rather than contradictory goals.

I was referring to the current trends towards recession in the US and its effect on the US domestically and its effects on the world

BBC NEWS | Business | Recession in the US 'has arrived'
Deep recession feared in U.S.
U.S. undoubtedly in recession: Jim Rogers | Reuters

I believe it will not go away in a hurry. Therefore, the new President will have his/ her hands full steering the ship of USA to be concerned about the Middle East.

In light of the above, no matter what the current Administration does, one wonders if the new Administration will be in a position to continue the momentum and instead would be more occupied to issues that directly concern the citizens of the USA like shoring up the economy and bringing some of the troops back from Iraq.

There is no doubt that the Middle East beggars a solution, but will the new Administration have the time to pursue the same vigorously?

If I recollect correctly, each Administration raised hopes at the end of their tenure, but thereafter, with the next Administration the hope petered off!! The next Administration, after Bush, will have its hands full worrying about the economy and so will it be different from the other Administrations?

I wonder if I have been able to explain what I am seeking.

Stan187 · 03-24-2008, 18:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

I was referring to the current trends towards recession in the US and its effect on the US domestically and its effects on the world

BBC NEWS | Business | Recession in the US 'has arrived'
Deep recession feared in U.S.
U.S. undoubtedly in recession: Jim Rogers | Reuters

I believe it will not go away in a hurry. Therefore, the new President will have his/ her hands full steering the ship of USA to be concerned about the Middle East.

In light of the above, no matter what the current Administration does, one wonders if the new Administration will be in a position to continue the momentum and instead would be more occupied to issues that directly concern the citizens of the USA like shoring up the economy and bringing some of the troops back from Iraq.

There is no doubt that the Middle East beggars a solution, but will the new Administration have the time to pursue the same vigorously?

If I recollect correctly, each Administration raised hopes at the end of their tenure, but thereafter, with the next Administration the hope petered off!! The next Administration, after Bush, will have its hands full worrying about the economy and so will it be different from the other Administrations?

I wonder if I have been able to explain what I am seeking.

Think about it, one of the largest impact of the position that we are in now is a weak dollar and high commodity prices. A peace deal in the Middle East could turn at least oil prices around if it is negotiated with a regional framework/possible OPEC participation. Pursuing that would, in fact, be shoring up the economy. I don't think that a regional peace settlement is possible at this stage, however, not in the next four years.

Ray · 03-25-2008, 00:27 AM

Is the oil prices because of the ME problem?

I am not to conversant with economics and so I would be grateful if the interconnection is explained.

I know that there is the stranglehold of the OPEC, but could it be explained in a simplistic manner?

Stan187 · 03-25-2008, 00:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Is the oil prices because of the ME problem?

I am not to conversant with economics and so I would be grateful if the interconnection is explained.

I know that there is the stranglehold of the OPEC, but could it be explained in a simplistic manner?

I think I'm being pretty simplistic. Oil prices are not only because of a ME problem, but that is certainly something that contributes. Prices for all sorts of things just drop when there is less threat of conflict, there is less to worry about for investors. These are general principles rather that a specific policy prescription. That's why I'm saying, including members of OPEC in negotiations/regional peace talks would make sense. They get security assurances, they give so slack in the resource stranglehold. It's just a thought, again, not something that will actually happen.

zenon · 03-29-2008, 05:49 AM

Cheney and peace...LOL

**Officer of Engineers** · 03-29-2008, 09:38 AM

Enough of the one liners.

nkaptan · 03-29-2008, 18:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenon

Cheney and peace...LOL

You got the point

Stan187 · 03-29-2008, 19:57 PM

Wow, some of you new fellas sure got a knack for making useful contributions and insightful comments, not to mention that you are all so quick to take the instructions of moderators to heart.

03-29-2008, 09:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
Officer of Engineers Moderator Scotch taster Join Date: 08-06-03 Posts: 14,876 Country:	Enough of the one liners. __________________ Chimo

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Reviving the cold war in the Middle East and in the World?	Ray	International Defense Topics	0	12-04-2007 04:10 AM
The New Middle East	Ray	The War in Iraq	8	08-14-2007 06:20 AM
British India	Grundy	Political Discussions	187	07-01-2006 07:39 AM
How Strong Is the Arab Claim to Palestine?	rhytha	Israeli-Palestinian Conflict	79	09-19-2004 17:14 PM
S Ossetia peace talks falter	Ironduke	The Western Alliance	1	07-01-2004 22:09 PM

03-25-2008, 00:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 24,972 Country:	Is the oil prices because of the ME problem? I am not to conversant with economics and so I would be grateful if the interconnection is explained. I know that there is the stranglehold of the OPEC, but could it be explained in a simplistic manner?

03-29-2008, 05:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
zenon New Member Join Date: 08-06-07 Posts: 6	Cheney and peace...LOL

03-29-2008, 19:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
Stan187 WAB BOUNCER *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 11-24-06 Posts: 2,152 Country:	Wow, some of you new fellas sure got a knack for making useful contributions and insightful comments, not to mention that you are all so quick to take the instructions of moderators to heart.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)