Carol C: The question of whether or not Palestinians should have their own country and govern themselves has already been established. Both sides just need to come to an agreement as to the territory that will be governed by each.

According to reports I have heard (FOX New Network, Sunday April 21, Britt Hume filling in for Tony Snow)Arafat was offered 97% of what he had been demanding in 1997 or 98, I forget which date. He accepted the agreement, but then refused to perform any of the tasks required of him to implement the agreement. This was reported on the program by a member of the Clinton administration who was present during the negotiations.

This same former government official opined that he thought the reason Arafat does not want to agree to a settlement of the dispute is because the dispute has been Arafat's life. He has always been a terrorist, and that is the only life he knows. If there is no dispute, there is no reason for life. That's his opinion anyway, and it seems plausable to me.

Troll: thanks for posting that Wall Street Journal article. I think it is one of the fairest appraisals of the situation I have read.

Carol C: I think if you will take a good dose of Castor Oil, that feeling of agreement you have with Novak and Buchanan will pass. :>)

DougR