President Bush coughed up a speech in the Rose Garden today that can only be described as the proverbial 50 pounds in a 5 pound bag. The disastrous "Road Map" to no peace in the Middle East that appeared to be well on its way to the oblivion it deserved has now been resurrected in all its putrefaction on the basis of the absurd parody of "reform" that the palestinians are in the process of delivering still-born.
Said Bush:
To be a credible and responsible partner, the new Palestinian prime minister must hold a position of real authority. We expect that such a Palestinian prime minister will be confirmed soon.
Immediately upon confirmation, the road map for peace will be given to the Palestinians and the Israelis.
But the palestinians have already announced that the new "prime minister" will have no authority whatsoever. To quote their own doublespeak,
As for the authorities of a new PNA prime minister, Abed Rabbo emphasized that the amendments made to the “Basic Law” give the premier “real, genuine” powers, which cannot be exercised except through “permanent, continuous coordination with President Arafat”, as well as the different Palestinian parties and institutions.
Is this the price of passage for the Security Council Resolution? If so, it's certainly understandable that the President would rearrange his priorities in order to obtain that consensus, and presentation of the "Road Map" means little more, practically speaking, than the beginning of another round of negotiations. But by appearing to buy one pack of lies in an attempt to put paid to another, the President is in danger of undermining his own policy objectives. Just one more reason why we need to get on with it, already.
