U.S. Diplomacy

On Friday the State Department announced that Nicholas Burns, Undersecretary for Political Affairs, will be retiring from the number 3 post in the Department. Burns said he was leaving because it is “time for me to meet my obligations to my wife and three daughters, and it’s time to pursue other ventures outside the government.”

Click below to watch Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s farewell remarks.

Burns’ departure also brought kind words from President Bush and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos (also scheduled to retire at the end of his term). After 27 years of service, Burns is the highest ranking career diplomat in the foreign service.

The State Department announced Burns’ replacement–William Burns Ambassador to Russia up until today when the President recalled him from the Moscow embassy (Nicholas and William are of no relation).

An editorial in the Middle East Times calls Burns’ departure a “big loss” for the Bush administration, “coming at a time when the president hopes to shift the Middle East peace talks into high gear…

“Burns’ departure will deprive the administration of an experienced diplomat, one who understood the Middle East better than his bosses. In fact, Burns, who speaks Arabic, began his career in North Africa and the Middle East, first as an intern at the U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania, then vice consul and staff assistant to the ambassador in Cairo, (1983-1985), and then political officer at the American Consulate General in Jerusalem from 1985 to 1987. In this position, he coordinated U.S. economic assistance to the Palestinian population in the West Bank and East Jerusalem…”

The editorial continues: “…In selecting William Burns to replace Nicolas Burns, Bush and his secretary of State demonstrated the president’s commitment in trying to extract a peaceful solution in the Middle East before he leaves office exactly a year from this Monday.”

While some are hopeful about William’s appointment for the prospects of peace in the Middle East, others are weary that Nicholas’ departure will short circuit on ongoing nuclear negotiations with India. The Associated Press reports in an article titled “Diplomat’s Departure Muddles Nuke Deal:”

“…The departure of the State Department’s No. 3 official adds uncertainty to a U.S. nuclear deal with India that is already in deep trouble.

…The deal would allow the United States to send nuclear fuel and technology to India, which has been cut off from international atomic markets because of its refusal to sign nonproliferation accords or accept their inspection regimes and its testing of nuclear weapons.

Although most major opposition in Congress has been countered, the deal still faces tough questions in India. The government has set up a committee to examine the pact, which Indian critics say could cap the country’s nuclear weapons program and would allow the United States to dictate Indian foreign policy…”

Yet the Times of India reports that President Bush expects Nicholas Burns will “continue to serve in an advisory capacity as the United States continues to make progress on the historic civilian nuclear agreement with India.”

Burns will be no slouch up until he leaves his post in March. The Agence France Presse reports that Burns will accompany Secretary Rice for key talks next week with her counterparts from Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany in Berlin to discuss the new sanctions on Iran.

Tzipi Livni, negotiating on behalf the Israeli government, and Ahmed Qurie, negotiating on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, began talks on core issues today. It’s fair to acknowledge the both sides are nowhere near agreement on any of the major issues. However, keep in mind the slow, yet significant progress made on lesser issues in recent months:

Israel releases 429 Palestinian Prisoners

Olmert denounces illegal settlements

Abbas institutes a security crackdown in the West Bank

Past history has shown that final-status issues typically illuminate the disparity on both side’s positions, leading to the collapse of negotiations (i.e. Barak-Arafat). Theses discussions will be a good indicator for future progress or lack thereof.

The United States faces numerous challenges abroad looking ahead into 2008. On the diplomatic front few loom larger then Israeli-Palestinian relations. In December, the Annapolis Conference opened the door for direct negotiations, with the United States and the international community urging for progress on the sidelines.

President Bush landed in Israel earlier this week in an effort to bring negotiations back into the forefront. At a press conference today, Bush, exuding confidence in both Olmert and Abbas stated “I believe it’s possible - not only possible, I believe it’s going to happen - that there be a signed peace treaty by the time I leave office. That’s what I believe.” A bold statement from a President who was disinterested in resolving the conflict through most of his two terms. That said, the reinvigorated (diplomatically speaking) President Bush must continue to push both sides to make significant concessions, in order for his prediction to come true.

Ghassan Khatib, writing in the Daily Star, articulates three challenges facing President Bush:

· The split between Gaza and West Bank, which undermines the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority

· Expansion of Israeli settlements

· Addressing final-status issues

One should note that Khatib is a former minister in the Palestinian Authority; therefore the challenges are skewed in one direction. Nevertheless, the issues he raises are all valid.

It can not be stated enough how difficult it will be to reach agreement on final-status issues. In particular, that is where the President or anyone representing the Untied States can really make a difference. Acting as an honest broker (no easy task on final-status issues) will be needed.

Khatib’s concern over the settlements has President Bush’s attention, which he has cited as an impediment to peace.

However, dealing with Gaza and specifically Hamas remains out of the picture for President Bush.