Pacific McGeorge Law Professor and Middle East Peace Negotiator Omar Dajani Available to Discuss Impact of Imminent Palestinian Elections on U.S. Efforts in Iraq and War On Terrorism.
January 03, 2005For Immediate Release - January 3, 2005
Contact: Janet Konttinen, 916.739.7047
Professor Omar Dajani served as legal advisor to the Palestinian negotiating team during the last phase of peace talks with Israel from Sept 1999 to June 2001, taking place at Camp David, Taba, Eilat, and Washington D.C.
"Whatever one thinks about President Bush's goal of democratizing the Middle East, bringing democracy to Palestine is something we can actually achieve. And the benefits, in terms of our efforts in Iraq and the war on terrorism, are difficult to overstate," professes Dajani. As advisor to U.N. envoy Roed-Larsen, Dajani played a key role in the negotiation and drafting of the Middle East Roadmap, which the Bush Administration regards as the framework for future peace efforts.
Dajani cautions, "Building a democracy requires more than holding elections. It is critical that Israel give the Palestinians the physical and political space necessary for democracy to flourish. The U.S. and Israel are now presented with a rare thing in Middle East politics: a second chance."
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