Friday February 25, 2005

I've Been Thinking:

This week, Palestinians discovered and then shut down 12 more underground tunnels used to scuttle arms from Egypt to Gaza.

Last week 4 Palestinian police were caught in another arms tunnel, one of them died when the tunnel collapsed.
Egyptians are also beginning to stop the construction of terrorist tunnels for the purpose of smuggling arms into Gaza.

Enforcing the clampdown in both directions makes it all that more effectual.
These are all small, important steps forward aimed at reducing terrorism.

As significant as these are to the West, they are also in the interests of the involved countries.
Egypt wants to show the US that she can command and take charge. Palestinians want to show the US and Israel that they are capable of leadership and keeping the peace.

Good will gestures, even if borne out of self-interest, should not be minimized.