Good news from Pres. Obama? the window for creating a Palestinian state is closing

IMRA
11 September '10

Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

It should be kept in mind that the words of an American president are carefully scripted.

Here is what he said:

"...President Abbas...understood the window for creating a Palestinian state is closing."

How are we to interpret this message - especially in light of the Palestinian plan that in the event that the negotiations with Israel end without the creation of a state (including if Mahmoud Abbas walks away because the settlement freeze is not extended) the Palestinian state will created via a process without Israel's consent (for example, via action at the United Nations)?

Why would the "window" be "closing" if the Palestinian state would be created via the UN? If anything, assuming that the PA continues with its "institution building" program, as time goes on they will be in a better position to argue in the UN that they are prepared to be an independent state. So the "window" for a Palestinian state via the UN rather than talks with Israel doesn't seem to be "closing".

And yet, here is the president of the United States saying that the window is closing.

Does this mean that the United States won't go along with the creation of a Palestinian state through a process that does not include a Palestinian-Israeli agreement?

On the other hand, Mr. Obama says that "if these talks break down, we're going to keep on trying."

"Trying" what?

Since President Obama says that "the window for creating a Palestinian state is closing" it would appear that the "trying" relates to "trying" to get a Palestinian-Israeli agreement.

After all, the creation of a Palestinian state at the UN - as reckless, dangerous, disruptive, etc. as it may be would not be a matter of "trying" on the part of the United States.

============
The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release September 10, 2010 Press Conference by President Obama
11:02 A.M. EDT
www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/10/press-conference-president-obama

...

Natasha Mozgovaya of Haaretz. Is she here? Natasha -- there you are back there.

Q Mr. President, back in the region, the Palestinian and Israeli leaders, they sound a bit less ready for this historic compromise. President Abbas, for example, said the Palestinians won't recognize Israel as a Jewish state. The question is, if these talks fail at an early stage, will this administration disengage? Or maybe you're ready to step up and deepen your
personal involvement.

THE PRESIDENT: President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu were here last week, and they came with a sense of purpose and seriousness and cordiality that, frankly, exceeded a lot of people's expectations.

(Read full transcript)

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