Progress on the Road Map Means Progress on Democracy

Here is a heretical thought: Israeli security is not the only measure of progress in the Road Map. The administration has to judge not only the hudna, but progress toward the requirement that the “Palestinian people have a leadership acting decisively against terror and willing able to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty.” It is this practicing democracy, and only this, that ensures the long-term stability of any agreed upon modus vivendi between Israel and the Palestinian state-in-waiting.

Here is a heretical thought: Israeli security is not the only measure of progress in the Road Map. The administration has to judge not only the hudna, but progress toward the requirement that the “Palestinian people have a leadership acting decisively against terror and willing able to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty.” It is this practicing democracy, and only this, that ensures the long-term stability of any agreed upon modus vivendi between Israel and the Palestinian state-in-waiting.

In the document are “performance based” markers to which Abu Mazen can be held:

• Palestinian security organizations consolidated into three services reporting to an empowered Interior Minister; Arab states cut off public and private funding and all other forms of support for groups supporting and engaging in violence and terror; and all donors providing support for the Palestinians channel these funds through the Palestinian Ministry of Finance’s Single Treasury Account.
• Immediate action on credible process to produce a draft constitution. As rapidly as possible, a constitutional committee circulates draft Palestinian constitution, based on strong parliamentary democracy and cabinet with empowered prime minister, for public comment/debate. Constitutional committee proposes draft document for submission after elections.
• Appointment of interim prime minister or cabinet with empowered executive authority/decision-making body.
• Continued appointment of Palestinian ministers empowered to undertake fundamental reform. Completion of further steps to achieve genuine separation of powers, including any necessary Palestinian legal reforms for this purpose.
• Establishment of independent Palestinian election commission.
• Palestinian performance on judicial, administrative, and economic bench-marks, as established by the International Task Force on Palestinian Reform.
• As early as possible, and based upon the above measures and in the context of open debate and transparent candidate selection/electoral campaign based on a free, multiparty process, Palestinians hold free, open, and fair elections.

We would add words from President Bush’s landmark speech of 24 June 2002, calling for the Palestinians to work toward a “vibrant economy where honest enterprise is encouraged by honest government,” under a “system of reliable justice.” He added, “Any reform must be more than cosmetic change or veiled attempt to preserve the status quo.” And most important, “Ultimately these steps toward statehood depend on the Palestinian people and their leaders.”

Not on Israel. Not on a prisoner release that isn’t in the Road Map, or on the dismantling of “illegal outposts”–that is. Not on American money, although that may be useful. On the Palestinian people and their leaders. President Bush said, “If Palestinians embrace democracy, confront corruption and firmly reject terror, they can count on American support for the creation of a provisional state of Palestine.”

For that, and for nothing less.