Optimistic for Success at Annapolis

For decades we have witnessed countless disturbing reports and pictures of the devastating conflict and violence between the Israeli and Palestinian people. The Middle East Peace Summit taking place today in my home State of Maryland is symbolic of the hope and courage being exercised by Israelis and Palestinians as both parties try to reach a fair compromise and bring an end to this painful and emotional struggle. I commend all parties who have gathered today to offer their support to this very important cause. Stability in the Middle East -- whether in this particular conflict or the one Iraq -- hinges on the support of multilateral and bilateral initiatives in the region.

It has always been clear that any success in finding peace amidst this turmoil would depend on the unabashed support of the international community -- including a major role played by the United States. When George W. Bush assumed the presidency, he introduced a 'Road Map for Peace' in the Middle East. While this outline to find peace initially showed promise, it failed to yield substantive long-term results as President Bush neglected to assume the critical position of driving the region to the final destination on the map. In fact, he never even got into the bus. This peace process has been stalled for seven long years, in part because the Bush Administration neglected to give it the high priority that was both necessary and deserved.

Any efforts to bring together the leaders of this region for the purpose of realizing peace in this conflict are encouraging signs of progress. Such progress is worthy of the time and focus of our nation's leaders, both in an effort to advance our policies of promoting peace throughout the world and in our ability to succeed in our mission in Iraq. It should be noted that the Iraq Study Group has acknowledged that dealing directly with the Arab-Israeli conflict is essential to achieving regional stability.

In recent years, the moral authority of our nation has been greatly diminished. The importance of restoring our credibility cannot be emphasized enough. I am pleased with President Bush's apparent decision at this late hour to take the lead in bringing about a fair and lasting peace -- a move that may help put us on the path toward achieving this vital goal.

I am truly optimistic that the summit in Annapolis will result in substantive resolutions to initiate the arduous journey toward peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people. The U.S. absolutely must continue its newfound efforts to actively facilitate discussion, progress, and success on this journey. I hope that when a new President assumes office in 2009, the continuation of these efforts will begin on the first day, not the eleventh hour.

Comments

[WorkingClass]

There will be no peace in the Middle East until Israel recognizes the Palestinians right to exist. There will be no Peace anywhere as long as president pissypants is in office.

[quadman]

Desire for peace is not a partisan issue, at least it shouldn't be. I am wary of Iran and Hamas and a tad suspicious of Syria but I can't help to fall into the same bit of hope as Rep. Cummings. I don't see anything bad coming from this but I do see immense potential for good coming from it. Lasting peace in the Middle East has eluded every modern president. With the events in the Palestinian territories and the Lebanon war, hopefully both sides are ready to make real lasting concessions. War has always been a failure and is almost always avoidable. Maybe now the voices of reason may start to prevail.

Peace.

[amberglow]

This whole thing is a blatant farce--they're busy planning Iran behind the scenes, and ensuring that the leaders present are either amenable or ready to clamp down on any local uprisings. It's a deadly farce.

If they were serious about peace, they would have held it in a neutral country--and invited Iran.

[jeskiley]

I'm happy to hear the criticism along with the commendation, and feel so thankful to hear compassionate recitations like, "hope and courage being exercised by Israelis and Palestinians as both parties try to reach a fair compromise and bring an end to this painful and emotional struggle."

I just personally believe in the maxim, "we all do the best we can at every moment, with what we know at that time." I can't imagine that this resolution was kept at a lower priority anymore than past disgraces or violations of liberty were left unresolved for too long due to lack of priority. There is a season for everything. Not that suffering is the greatest use of life, but sometimes it is inevitable that we fall to the greatest depths before we rise to our greatest heights.

I have hope.

[Rubiconski]

This is another farce of a meeting where Israel will dictate their policy, and Bush, like a good mutt will just whimper "yes". And israel will continue its land theft.

nothing new here...same old crap...just a different decade.

[Zhonni]

I want to say, I do agree that Bush never got on the bus. It is not because the bus left him behind but because he refused to get on it.

I am an optimistic person, but I think this is a little too late for Bush. He want to be able to say he tried and possibly that the President that came after him screwed it up!

I will be happier when Bush is gone. He just did nothing to bring the country together, and the secrecy in his administration and the bending of the truth has certainly made me a no Bush fan.

[outnow]

When people get sick and tired of being sick and tired, they ask their leaders to call a halt to the madness. If that doesn't work, they have the means to elect new ones. So long as Bush and Cheney spent all their time rattling their sabers, they would not get on that bus.

What is humbling to us all is that we dared to believe that our military might alone could bend the world to our way through the strength of our will. Since 1947, we Americans have had our own security state, yet we blame others for our preoccupation with violence and set the worst imaginable example. This is not leadership. Our false sense of individualist is an illusion. We are all connected despite our riding around in our SUV bubbles in our gated communities which are bubbles.

Let us all get out of our bubbles and open our eyes to the new reality that we are all in the same boat. After all, globalization implies that reality; that what you do affects everyone else.

[Crowhaul]

Nice to know that someone is optimistic about this. Can't imagine that the Hamas-affiliated elected leaders are too optimistic...

[stlrfan]

With Hamas in it's strongest position ever, this is going nowhere. Irianian mullahs are laughing up their sleeve knowing they hold all the aces.