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Arias: Palestinians Don't Need Army
By
Netanel Shlomovich / Israel News
The recipe for peace between Israel and the
Palestinians includes negotiations, honesty,
immediate talks on the core issues, and the
establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian
state – this is the vision presented by
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias in a
special interview with Ynet.
Arias, who is currently visiting Israel and
the Palestinian Authority, boasts extensive
experience in mediating peace agreements;
his efforts prompted his Nobel Peace Prize
win in 1987.
In an interview with Ynet after meeting with
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Arias
said his attempt to promote
Israeli-Palestinian peace stems from Costa
Rica's unique history. In 1948, the year
Israel was established, the Latin state
approved its new constitution, which
abolished the army.
"I think the whole world expects both sides
to return to the negotiating table," Arias
said, adding that he shared with Netanyahu
his personal peace-making experience.
Contacts must be held at the highest levels
and the talks must be personal, he said.
"You have to look your opponent in the eye,"
he said, noting that late PM Rabin also
stressed that peace is made with enemies.
'Peace requires hard work'
Arias added that his experience as mediator
taught him that peace talks need to raise
all important issues for discussion early,
rather than delaying talks on the core
issues to the end of the process.
"If we won't do it at the beginning of the
road, it will only get harder," he said.
"Peace requires hard work, patience, and
perseverance."
The Costa Rican president said he accepted
Netanyahu's call for a demilitarized
Palestinian state. He noted that in his
talks with the Palestinians he seeks to
convince them to do without a military.
"A small, poor state like Palestine doesn't
need an army," he said, adding that some
courage is needed to take such decision and
expressing his hope that the Palestinian
Authority will have the courage to adopt
such step. |
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