DATE=04/05/02

TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP

TITLE=U.S./ MIDEAST

NUMBER=6-125631

BYLINE=JOHN GUCHEMAND

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=

CONTENT=

INTRO: The United States' renewed interest in the Middle East crisis is being debated daily in American newspapers. Whatever the opinion, the U-S is now decidedly involved in the heightening turmoil of the Middle East.

Here with a sampling of U-S editorial comment is V-O-A's __________.

TEXT: President Bush has spoken clearly that two things must happen in the Mideast; Israel must withdraw from Palestinian areas and cities, and the Arab world must condemn suicide bombers who President Bush calls murderers, not martyrs.

The Washington Post writes the Arabs and the Israelis have so far either ignored or contradicted Bush's efforts towards peace. "In effect, all sides called the bluff of an administration that until now has been seen as lacking the grit and determination needed to play broker in the Middle East."

VOICE: Mr. Bush must act forcefully to change those perceptions, or lose any chance of success. ...In particular, the administration appears to be ratcheting up its pressure on Mr. Sharon - a difficult but necessary step given the mounting casualties and international outrage produced by the Israeli offensive. While he may begin a limited withdrawal from two towns, the Israeli prime minister also seems to be hunkering down. ... Mr. Sharon is on the brink of eliminating, not Palestinian terrorism, which will surely continue, but Mr. Bush's own initiative. ...Saudi Arabia, which has been promoting a regional peace plan, nevertheless has not renounced the cash payments it has been been making to the families of Palestinian "martyrs," including the suicide bombers. ...if [the Arabs] are serious, they must embrace rather than oppose Mr. Bush's initiative.

TEXT: The Baltimore Sun seconds the opinion that Mr. Bush has been largely ignored by both parties.

VOICE: ...Mr. Powell is not a man to be envied. The former general's reputation as America's top diplomat will be tested on this trip. And America's allies in the Mideast are not making it easy for him. ...Mr. Powell does not arrive in Israel until the end of the week, which is more than enough time for Mr. Sharon to extricate his troops from the areas of the West Bank.

At the same time, Arab leaders have to realize that encouraging young Palestinians to strap on bombs in suicide missions robs Palestinian society of its most precious resource. To indulge this murderous mindset sullies the Palestinians' cause and undermines their legitimate right to live freely in their own state.

...Not so long ago, Israelis and Palestinians embraced the idea of putting aside mistrust, hatred and pain for a better life, for a better future. As the president said, violence and grief have been the region's past. The children of Abraham have to decide if violence and grief will also be their fate.

TEXT: The New York Times boldly calls Mr. Sharon's insistence on occupying the West Bank, "an insult to Mr. Bush and the United States."

VOICE: ...It is increasingly clear that the costs to broader Israeli interests far outweigh whatever short-term security benefits this military operation may be yielding. Mr. Sharon's actions may be netting some terrorists and some of the terrible tools they employ, but they are inflaming the fury of thousands more Palestinians and millions of Arabs whose governments are being asked by Mr. Bush to press for more responsible Palestinian leadership. ...A wise Israeli leader would use the Bush initiative to show that he stands ready to talk peace with any responsible partner. Instead, Mr. Sharon embarrasses Mr. Bush and gives the Arabs easy excuses.

TEXT: The Philadelphia Inquirer gives a Palestinian-Israeli perspective at home, in the United States. It writes:

VOICE: War has a way of pushing passions beyond the battlefield's physical boundaries. That is important to remember, because hatred can grow in the absence of efforts to promote understanding... "This week's series of events sponsored by the Philadelphia area's Jewish Americans and Arab Americans is just such a worthwhile effort. The events started Sunday at a Sufi mosque on Overbrook Avenue, where about 100 people - Muslims, Jews, and Christians - came to read poetry and talk about peace against the backdrop of Middle East fighting. ...as Mr. Marwan Kreidie of the Philadelphia Arab-American Community Development Corp. points out: "As Arab Americans and Jewish Americans, we try to make a point to keep our relationships friendly in Philadelphia."

TEXT: That concludes today's sampling of U-S newspaper editorial pages.

NEB/TG/RAE