The voice of the Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs has also been heard in Israel. Ukraine’s intention to join the club of Middle East conflict mediators is beginning to assume a more or less clear shape. A rather ambitious proposal of Ukraine to the Palestinian and Israeli sides to hold negotiations in this country has found certain support in Israel.
On November 16, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres requested his Ukrainian counterpart Anatoly Zlenko at the UN headquarters in New York “to do the utmost to help settle the conflict.” Simultaneously he did not rule out the possibility of taking advantage of Ukraine’s “good offices” and holding peace talks at the territory of our state. “We welcome the steps Ukraine is taking to settle the Middle East conflict,” the Israeli diplomat noted. Earlier, Mr. Zlenko voiced the idea of holding Israeli-Palestinian talks in Ukraine to Palestinian Minister for Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Shaat, who visited Ukraine a month ago. Mr. Shaat looked with approval on the proposal but noted that its implementation would also depend on the Israeli attitude.
Ukraine redoubled its efforts in the Middle East very recently. Earlier, Kyiv’s mediating mission in the distant region was confined to infrequent meetings between Ukrainian representatives and the leaders of Israel and Palestine. Ukrainian involvement in the settlement has been more conspicuous since last year. First, a Ukrainian combat engineer battalion began its peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Then Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs instituted an office of Middle East envoy. Last month Kyiv opened the Palestinian Autonomy Office. In September 2001 the Ukrainian president ordered appointing a plenipotentiary representative of Ukraine in the Middle East settlement.
Yet, Kyiv’s Mid. East policies are still shrouded in secrecy. Despite a very remote prospect of cooperation between Ukraine and the countries of that region, we can hardly expect any other dividends than Ukraine being mentioned as a good partner. Kyiv is already used to making itself known by its occasional mediation efforts. Ukrainian diplomats played their role especially well during their non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council (this boon can only be granted for two years, and Ukraine will soon part company with this august body). Kyiv has long been attempting to lend a reconciliatory hand to the Abkhazians and Georgians as well as Transnistrians and Moldovans. But these two conflicts are still frozen. It is difficult even to imagine that Ukraine will manage to untie the Mid-East Gordian knot, a problem which even states wielding far heavier diplomatic clout than Ukraine have failed to solve.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the United States has noticeably changed its vision of Middle Eastern settlement after September 11. US President George W. Bush has even backed the establishment of a Palestinian state. Later, Ukraine also voiced its support, noting that it was simply reiterating its stand and that Kyiv had supported the establishment of the state of Palestine even earlier. Incidentally, Mr. Peres, addressing the UN General Assembly on November 15, said for the first time in public that there was a broad documentary basis for establishing an independent Palestine. In many respects, the world situation tends to favor the Palestinian autonomous area. The US administration is going soon to disclose new peace plans for the region. It is quite probable that the tone in this planning will be set by Muslim countries whose support Washington is so eager to enlist. Will the new plans hold a place for Ukraine?
COMMENTARY
Zeev BEN-ARYEH, First Counselor, Embassy of Israel, Ukraine:
“How does Israel assess Ukraine’s efforts to mediate in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations?”
“We appreciate the assistance of all those who can render it in the settlement of such a complicated conflict, which takes almost a daily toll of our citizens. In advancing its initiatives, Ukraine emphasizes they will not run counter to the efforts of other conflict mediators, such as the US, EU, Russia, et al. In this context, we welcome any assistance and support.”
“Has the Israeli side ever had an impression that Kyiv takes a more pro-Palestinian stand in the Mid-East settlement?”
“I find it very difficult to answer this question. This requires deep analysis. In any case, our leaders’ comments have never created this kind of impression.”
“Do you think Ukraine is prepared for hosting the Palestine-Israel talks?”
“This idea was expressed by Mr. Zlenko during the meeting with Palestinian envoy Nabil Shaat. Yet, it was only voiced and not put forward as a concrete proposal, say, by contacting our embassy. I am not sure this idea has been fully considered and discussed in Israel because it is of a general nature. I think the idea will be considered with due attention when forwarded to Shimon Peres. Meanwhile, in my opinion, the point is not in the premises or even the country where the talks will be held but in whether at least some significant success will be achieved. So far the Palestinians continue to commit acts of terror. We will only be able to hold talks when the terror has been stopped. And when we find a platform for the negotiations, I think we will also find a place. In any case, we are grateful to Ukraine.”
