What a summit?

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and U.S. President George Bush
could have instead exchanged letters listing their agreement and
differences. Unless Sharon badly wanted to taste the famous Texan
steaks, there was no outcome that justifies the long distance travel.

Sharon was eager to hear the American President
assuring him that “nothing follow the disengagement,” at least in the
short run. To find himself facing a “pressing for more” International
community while liking the wounds of disengagement is what Sharon fears
the most.

As he sat off for Texas, Sharon saved no opportunity
to complain. “Seemingly we are on the edge of a civil war”; “I always
fought for the Jewish people, no I feel the need to protect myself from
them”; “Abbas is on the verge of collapsing, we need to discuss plans
for the post-Abbas era”; “Abbas is doing nothing to curb resistance, we
might be forced to do it ourselves”

Apparently Sharon used several ways to tell bush; Hey big brother save me your’ complains, I badly need your support.

In practice, Bush indirectly told Sharon. Hey
troublemaker, I went too far supporting you against my own interests in
the Arab world, against International law, and against a world that is
fed up with your lack of action, don’t make it even harder to me.

Bush wanted to hear from his guest that he is welling to coordinate disengagement with Palestinians, and he did.

Bush wanted to hear that Sharon is committed to fulfilling road map obligations, and he did.

Bush apparently did not pay much attention to
Sharon’s complains against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is
still seen as an indispensable partner by the American Administration.

Bush told Sharon you have my support in keeping hold
of major West bank settlement blocks, but “for now don’t work to expand
them”

Sharon’s only face saving mechanisms came through
reiterating his believes that the settlement of Ma’alee Adumim is an
integral part of the state of Israel that should enjoy territorial
contiguity with Jerusalem, and through insisting on no diplomatic move
until an entire end to all Palestinian acts of resistance.

So, what is new? The answer is: almost nothing.

Sharon has since long declared a “vague” commitment
to the road map obligations, but has resorted to various “technical”
and security hurdles to delay the practical implementation of those
commitments.

Also, since July 2004, Bush has handed Sharon a
letter of guarantees assuring him that Israel can hold to major West
bank settlements.

The summit is best described as disappointing. Many
regional and world leaders have been impatiently waiting for the
American move towards reviving the road map peace plan. Apparently,
Israel and the United states are still arguing modifications and
explanations.

According to a famous Arabic saying, “The Mountain
has once again given birth to a
mouse.”