Posted By James Besser
Not a Soldier's Job? / James Besser in Washington
This week's groundbreaking Annapolis declaration, which will in theory result in the immediate start of "final status" negotiations for creation of a Palestinian state, has revived a familiar problem: monitoring and ensuring implementation.
This time around, Israel and the Palestinians have decided to trust the Americans with the job of determining whether both sides are complying with their obligations under the Mideast Road Map, the outline for the resumed negotiations.
The State Department's choice for the job: retired Gen. James Jones, a onetime NATO commander, who will serve as special U.S. envoy for Middle East security.
Jones is a former Marine Corps Commandant with more than 40 years of active duty service.
"I believe that we need an experienced leader who can address the regional security challenge comprehensively and at the highest levels and who can provide the full support of our government to the partners, as they work to meet their responsibilities," Rice said in making the announcement on Wednesday. "General Jones is the person we need to take up this vital mission."
(Watch Secretary Rice's post-summit wrap up here)
The question is, what KIND of experience; some Jewish leaders quickly questioned whether a military man is the right choice for a job that involves security but also delicate questions of diplomacy and Mideast politics.
"He's an excellent marine, but this is not a job for a soldier," said Shoshana Bryen, special projects director for the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA). "The mandate is political, by nature."
Other observers wonder how Jones will perform the first time his views about Palestinian security efforts clash with Israeli intelligence and military assessments.
This week's groundbreaking Annapolis declaration, which will in theory result in the immediate start of "final status" negotiations for creation of a Palestinian state, has revived a familiar problem: monitoring and ensuring implementation.
This time around, Israel and the Palestinians have decided to trust the Americans with the job of determining whether both sides are complying with their obligations under the Mideast Road Map, the outline for the resumed negotiations.
The State Department's choice for the job: retired Gen. James Jones, a onetime NATO commander, who will serve as special U.S. envoy for Middle East security.
Jones is a former Marine Corps Commandant with more than 40 years of active duty service.
"I believe that we need an experienced leader who can address the regional security challenge comprehensively and at the highest levels and who can provide the full support of our government to the partners, as they work to meet their responsibilities," Rice said in making the announcement on Wednesday. "General Jones is the person we need to take up this vital mission."
(Watch Secretary Rice's post-summit wrap up here)
The question is, what KIND of experience; some Jewish leaders quickly questioned whether a military man is the right choice for a job that involves security but also delicate questions of diplomacy and Mideast politics.
"He's an excellent marine, but this is not a job for a soldier," said Shoshana Bryen, special projects director for the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA). "The mandate is political, by nature."
Other observers wonder how Jones will perform the first time his views about Palestinian security efforts clash with Israeli intelligence and military assessments.