John Kerry, a secretary on a mission
By David Ignatius, WashPost, Published: February 7
Secretary of State John Kerry was trying to choose his words carefully in talking about his negotiations for a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran and a “framework agreement” between Israelis and Palestinians. As recent experience has shown, one loose statement from Kerry — say, about the risk of a boycott of Israel if the peace talks fail — can mean days of damage control.
But Kerry isn’t very good at dissembling, and he answered some questions even after saying he shouldn’t. It was an example of an impetuosity that has propelled him across diplomatic minefields many thought were impassable. Kerry may yet stumble, but he’s clearly enjoying his hour as “the man in the arena,” in Theodore Roosevelt’s phrase.
Kerry began our interview by explaining that as part of his Israeli-Palestinian framework, he wants to allow each side to express its reservations about the U.S.-drafted parameters. This opportunity for dissent has been a controversial subject in the private talks, with some negotiators on both sides arguing that it’s a mistake to allow any such wiggle room.
But Kerry disagrees. He argues that for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, such caveats are “the only way for them to politically be able to keep the negotiations moving. . . . For them as leaders to be able to embrace an endgame, they need to have the right to be able to have some objection.”
(More here.)
Secretary of State John Kerry was trying to choose his words carefully in talking about his negotiations for a comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran and a “framework agreement” between Israelis and Palestinians. As recent experience has shown, one loose statement from Kerry — say, about the risk of a boycott of Israel if the peace talks fail — can mean days of damage control.
But Kerry isn’t very good at dissembling, and he answered some questions even after saying he shouldn’t. It was an example of an impetuosity that has propelled him across diplomatic minefields many thought were impassable. Kerry may yet stumble, but he’s clearly enjoying his hour as “the man in the arena,” in Theodore Roosevelt’s phrase.
Kerry began our interview by explaining that as part of his Israeli-Palestinian framework, he wants to allow each side to express its reservations about the U.S.-drafted parameters. This opportunity for dissent has been a controversial subject in the private talks, with some negotiators on both sides arguing that it’s a mistake to allow any such wiggle room.
But Kerry disagrees. He argues that for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, such caveats are “the only way for them to politically be able to keep the negotiations moving. . . . For them as leaders to be able to embrace an endgame, they need to have the right to be able to have some objection.”
(More here.)
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