I assume that this link points to a story on the Dutch fiasco in the former Yugoslavia. The correct conclusion is not that UN deployments are not a viable option, but that when UN deployments are made, they have to be made in effective strength.

The Israeli/Palestinian confrontation is a very chaotic situation, and what will happen over time is anyone's guess...

My guess is that Powell has probably bought about 3 weeks wiggle room, and then that will come to an end. Powell has put in a magnificent performance so far, but whether other factors will throw his strategy off in the future is beyond knowing. It's a chaotic situation.

Bottom line, my guess is simply that Sharon wishes to seize the West Bank and Gaza, and will do whatever is necessary to allow the settlements to continue. Even if negotiations begin, he intends to continue to expand the settlemtns while negotiations are held, and later when there is a vote of no confidence in his government which will bring any "negotiations" to a stop. I don't think anyone is going to buy this.

I don't expect Sharon to withdraw, and I don't expect that the suicide bombings will stop. I give Powell's current effort about 3 weeks, and when the tanks do not leave, economic pressures to be put in place. I don't know if Powell's efforts have taken the US out of the "line of fire" of economic sanctions. They may have... or may not have. I don't know...

We can all try to pretend here, or we can face the situation... I just can't seem to find much cause for optism, other than that there are individuals far more intelligent than any of us here, and we pay them good money to work on this for us... mabe they can see a way through this mess to a stable future...

The UN has been effective when US troops are deployed in mass, say in S. Korea and Kuwait. In the current confrontation, while the troops will have to be for their main part not US troops, the US could provide massive logistical support.

ep