Avigdor Lieberman Tough Rhetoric Shows Eminent Fear but Underscores Apodictic Two State Path

Tough Guy or Nice Guy

Top AP Photo: Israel Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman-The Jerusalem Post. Photo: David Vaaknin/Associated Press
Bottom AP Photo: Avigdor Lieberman has generally opposed the plans laid out
in the Middle East peace talks held in Annapolis, Md., in 2007. The NY Times

Avigdor Lieberman's tough words underscores the worst and the best of Israel's fears and expectations. Eminent War is something all humans fear but when backed in a corner by continuing threats from Iran, and neighbors, Israel will not back down, and in turn that creates a fear in the Arab/Muslim diatribe.

But looking closer Avigdor Lieberman's "bark may be louder than his bite at the moment." The tough language is not a threat to any other nation but underscores the nature of the kind of negotiation, and foreign policy that Israel is returning to and which is prevalent in the Middle East known as "Tough Bargaining."

Avigdor L. statements are no more than a declaration to say that their is a "New Sheriff in Town." He is distinguishing himself from the Foreign Ministry of Tzipi Livni, and the failed Annapolis approach. However in a war prone region his words can be taken as a threat.

More importantly, it introduces A. Lieberman to the world in a big way by breaking from the slave mind numbing tone of protocol, and failed concessions. Although this might be a reach; He maybe also positing himself for a future spot as prime minister.

If he was thinking Prime Minister spot he may have thrown that opportunity "Out the Window," but that will all depend on his acumen and ability to reach a real two-state solution. Herb Keion further analysis Avigdor Lieberman's comments when writes at the Jerusalem Post, in his article titled: Analysis: Avigdor's accent, Arik's voice

But, again sounding like Sharon, Lieberman said that the road map must be adhered to by the letter, and it must be implemented phase after phase. What this means is that negotiations for a final agreement are to take place at the end of the road map, not at the beginning: not before terrorism is eradicated, not before Palestinian institutions are created, not before the Palestinians show real security capabilities.

What this means is that Israel wants real peace, and not a "head-fake." The terms are honorable to the future Palestinian state, but also realistic, tough, pragmatic, necessary, and attainable if the players are willing to undergo real change.

The real promise of "the tough negotiator" is their willingness to abide by the agreed upon conditions, in other words Mr. Avigdor Lieberman is willing to follow agreed upon rules, and it reveals his pragmatism and willingness to reach a two-state solution. In fact according to Keion, in The Jerusalem Post, Lieberman has "pledged allegiance to follow the road map which is called "A Performance-based road map to a permanent two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

For further analysis read Herb Keion's short but insightful article in the Jerusalem Post here:

or copy and paste this link:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1238562884900