EDITORIAL
'Road map' requires three-way commitment

Israel is clearly grateful to the United States for removing Saddam Hussein — a proven threat to its security — from power, and for showing the Arab world that America is no paper tiger.

In return, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ought to make the necessary compromises to implement the U.S.-backed "road map" to peace in the Middle East.

After all, much of the terrorism aimed at the United States is rooted in anger toward Israeli expansionism and the treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories.

While we strongly support the goal to create an independent Palestinian state by 2005, we're also acutely aware that there are numerous hurdles in the way, and that this embryonic plan requires exhaustive negotiations.

And that's going to be tough because at this point, we're not sure who's in charge of the Palestinian Authority. The Bush administration has made it clear it will only negotiate with Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. But it's likely that Yasser Arafat is still the one calling the shots. Of course, all this means nothing if both sides are unwilling to do the dirty work.

For Sharon, that means relaxing roadblocks, dismantling settlements and withdrawing from the West Bank.

For Abbas, that means consolidating power and cracking down on militant groups that attack Israelis.

He must also give up demands for the right of Palestinian refugees to return and settle in Israel proper. Israel will never agree to that because, demographically, it would effectively destroy the Jewish state.

And for the U.S., that means exerting pressure on both sides so they can reach their destination.