The Need To “Speak Arabic”

Russia’s failure to implement any of the nuclear security weapons inspection agreements announced by President Clinton and President Yeltsin at their summit meeting last May, is another indication that the political winds in Russia are changing. The Russians have suspended the talks which would work out he logistics of the agreement and no plans have been made to proceed with the negotiations.

Russia’s failure to implement any of the nuclear security weapons inspection agreements announced by President Clinton and President Yeltsin at their summit meeting last May, is another indication that the political winds in Russia are changing. The Russians have suspended the talks which would work out he logistics of the agreement and no plans have been made to proceed with the negotiations.

While it is not exactly clear why adherence to the agreements is being withheld, it is evident that the provisions of the agreement, which include data exchange and on-site inspection, will not be implemented anytime soon. The U.S. has refused to allow Russian inspectors to visit an American nuclear weapons dismantlement facility in Amarillo, TX because of Russia’s refusal to allow American inspectors at a comparable Russian site. This situation alone would not normally threaten U.S.-Russian relations; however, given the recent political developments in the country – Yeguenei Primakov was appointed Foreign Minister and almost all the pro-Western reformers in Yeltsin’s government were removed from their posts – this turn of events does not bode well for U.S.-Russian relations or American security.
_______________________________________________________

Israeli Brig. General (MK, Labor) Avigdor Kahalani, recently elected Chairman of the new political movement “The Third Way,” addressed a group of JINSA members in New York last week. In his detailed update on the current political and security situation in Israel, Gen. Kahalani emphasized that the Israeli public – left, right and center – is mentally exhausted, particularly by the events of the last three years. This fatigue, he cautioned, could have grave security consequences as it may cause resignation among the general population to whatever the politicians decide.

Kahalani also warned that Israelis need to learn to “speak Arabic” at the negotiating table with Arab partners because “they speak Arabic, but we speak Yiddish.”

Kahalani explained to the JINSA group that he supports the principle of a negotiated settlement with Syria, but questioned what he perceives as a rush to return territory. He stressed that a treaty should mandate a prolonged period of time for the Israelis to assess the quality of Israeli-Syrian relations before there is a transfer of territory.
___________________________________________________

Also last week in New York, JINSA Israel trip alumnus Gen. Donn Starry, USA (ret.) made a presentation at Congregation Shaaray Tifila. Before an enthusiastic audience, he discussed the Middle East Peace Process (and prospects) from the U.S. military’s point of view.