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Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
 Dudu Bahar
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Last update - 08:19 28/04/2009
Barak: Israel can and must make peace within three years
By Gidi Weitz
Tags: Israel News, Mideast Peace 

"I am certain it is possible and certainly necessary to act with all our might to achieve peace even before I turn 70, which will be in three years," said Defense Minister Ehud Barak in his first extensive interview since joining the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"You have to understand that in their consciousness, the leaders are not so far apart in terms of what the final settlement will look like," Barak said, adding that he believes Netanyahu will present the U.S. administration a diplomatic plan in line with the principle of "two states for two nations" during his upcoming visit to Washington.

"Bibi [Netanyahu] accepted the Oslo accords at the time. And it is clear that when a political settlement is signed with all the neighbors, it will stipulate a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, with the two living side by side. I believe that even now, during Netanyahu's visit to Washington, Israel should come up with a formula about how it intends to move ahead, and that formula will not propose three states for eight nations," he said.
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"Bibi has a hard choice to make: Does he want to be [Yitzhak] Shamir or [Menachem] Begin?" he asked. "There is deep understanding between us on the need to address the political issue, and that it is impossible to leave things in a state of paralysis. If we sink into paralysis, we may find the world losing interest in Israel and in this conflict - or, in an even worse scenario, acceptance by the world that the solution is not two states for two nations, but one state for two nations, which for us is a concrete risk, a slippery slope."

On Iran's nuclear program, Barak struck a blustery yet pragmatic tone. "There is no one who will dare try to destroy Israel. We are not in a position of being able to tell the Americans whether to talk to the Iranians. I told American leaders: First learn from the professionals about what is going on in Iran, what they are doing behind the smoke screen, acquaint yourselves with the intelligence material, and from this you will understand they are working determinedly to deceive, confuse and blur things, and that under the headline of 'nuclear power for peaceful purposes,' they are trying to achieve military nuclear capability.

"I told them negotiations should be short and have a deadline, accompanied by 'soft' sanctions such as limitations on money transfers, while preparing the ground for harsh sanctions that involve authorizing action afterward. This has to be done in deep cooperation with the Russians and the Chinese, and we say we are not removing any option from the table. We have a tendency to hope for a heroic operation that will end everything, as with the bombing of the Iraqi reactor in 1981. Is that realistic?

"There is no comparison," he said. "In the Iraqi case there was one target that existed and was working, and a surgical strike eliminated it. We thought we were delaying the project for three to four years, whereas in practice it was delayed forever. Here we are up against something far more complex, sophisticated and extensive."

"The Iranians don't play backgammon, they play chess, and in fact they invented the game. They are proceeding with far greater sophistication and are far more methodical. The Iranian nation is a collection of people held together by an identity that includes the perception of being an empire from the dawn of history. Part of their nuclear pretensions have nothing to do with Israel, but with their place in the world and the Orient."

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      1.   Truth and nothing but the Truth 17:02  |  Afghan 01/11/09
      2.   And Israel`s nuclear pretensions are what? 17:02  |  BBSNews 01/11/09
      3.   "No one will dare try to destroy Israel" 17:02  |  Peter Williams 01/11/09
      4.   empire from the dawn of history 17:02  |  Paul 01/11/09
      5.   2 nations ?...in two years ????...NO !!!! 17:02  |  Akiva P 01/11/09
      6.   Peter williams of Brisbane: Name them 17:02  |  No dope 01/11/09
      7.   BS News, have you eliminated your nukes already? 17:02  |  Dan 01/11/09
      8.   And BS News pretensions are what? 17:02  |  Dan 01/11/09
      9.   Who cares what Barak says? 17:02  |  B 01/11/09
      10.   No one will dare try to destroy Israel 17:02  |  Natallie Durson 01/11/09
      11.   BBS News 17:02  |  Brad 01/11/09
      12.   #1 Always nice to reminded why we need our security 17:02  |  Ilan 01/11/09
      13.   BBS Iran told USA to eliminate their nukes. Do as you are told 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      14.   Barak asked Obama to learn from the professionals... 17:02  |  JustMe 01/11/09
      15.   if only one could believe Barak... 17:02  |  Gentile 01/11/09
      16.   Internationally recognized borders please Mr Barak 17:02  |  sh 01/11/09
      17.   i know why no one "will" dare 17:02  |  VIPER 01/11/09
      18.   #3, NO DOPE, a dope 17:02  |  VIPER 01/11/09
      19.   #4&5, DAN, oblivious to the past 17:02  |  VIPER 01/11/09
      20.   Make Peace with who??? 17:02  |  Baruch Gold 01/11/09
      21.   Barak and Chabad and Now! 17:02  |  Zev Davis 01/11/09
      22.   Over 75% of Palestine is in Jordan 17:02  |  yonatan 01/11/09
      23.   Defence Minister Barak`s comments. 17:02  |  David Nigel Braham 01/11/09
      24.   destroy isreal*!!! 17:02  |  FAJR III 01/11/09
      25.   "Within three years" or else? 17:02  |  Joe 01/11/09
      26.   Three years nonsense. Peace arrived in 2002, but was rejected 17:02  |  Ivar 01/11/09
      27.   Rogue BBS speaking from nowhere 17:02  |  Israeli citizen 01/11/09
      28.   so barak is a fool yonatan,but don`t worry one bit 17:02  |  paz 01/11/09
      29.   Loser Barak again with his "time limits" while pals still demand 17:02  |  Absolute Sweden 01/11/09
      30.   Barak you can and must resign within 3 days 17:02  |  dudu 01/11/09
      31.   paranoia and illusions are yours 17:02  |  just facts 01/11/09
      32.   Get this through your head;idiot barak!the only thing that is 17:02  |  glenna 01/11/09
      33.   BANISH GREED........ 17:02  |  ravi 01/11/09
      34.   Insanity 17:02  |  r cummings 01/11/09
      35.   rough and backvard.... 17:02  |  ajrolaf 01/11/09
      36.   No, Ehud Barak, I`m afraid you only have 1 year..... 17:02  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/11/09
      37.   IVAR Bigger nonsense Arabs rejected peace 60 years ago. 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      38.   Jerusalem 17:02  |  Lisa Javner 01/11/09
      39.   Barak talking like Olmert. (2nd try) 17:02  |  Akram Zekaria 01/11/09
      40.   cummings, u prefer ethnic cleansing of Jews? 17:02  |  yonatan 01/11/09
      41.   20~ Swiss (Dino) "I`am afraid only have l year" 17:02  |  Akram Zekaria 01/11/09
      42.   Insanity of r lemmings #19 17:02  |  Hastaroth 01/11/09
      43.   Reflections..from DM.Barak. 17:02  |  Stephen. 01/11/09
      44.   #21, Dino 17:02  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/11/09
      45.   RAVI Forget maybe.If Hamas wants peace it can say so 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      46.   Bereshit 10:7 17:02  |  Monique 01/11/09
      47.   For Once He Is Right...Almost 17:02  |  MB 01/11/09
      48.   yonatan 17:02  |  A.M. 01/11/09
      49.   r.cummings then you must really be upset by the OFFICIAL policy 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      50.   unlike all other posters,i have no clue as to solution 17:02  |  eyal arod 01/11/09
      51.   The origin of chess. 17:02  |  A.M. 01/11/09
      52.   Barak says rely on Russia and China 17:02  |  Joshua 01/11/09
      53.   barak 17:02  |  joan 01/11/09
      54.   Barak--you could have made peace at Taba 17:02  |  Labhras 01/11/09
      55.   yonatan 17:02  |  joan 01/11/09
      56.   A.M. 17:02  |  yonatan 01/11/09
      57.   People aren`t waiting that long.... 17:02  |  Dutch 01/11/09
      58.   JOAN exactly Pals chose genocidal war over statehood 60 yrs ago 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      59.   Recipe for peace #20 17:02  |  Sam Soul 01/11/09
      60.   Israel and `Morality` 17:02  |  Matty Groves 01/11/09
      61.   Each day that passes... 17:02  |  Matty Groves 01/11/09
      62.   60 years, joan 17:02  |  yonatan 01/11/09
      63.   Doing what he does 17:02  |  Mark Lincoln 01/11/09
      64.   No one will dare destroy Israel but 17:02  |  Joe 01/11/09
      65.   BBS NEWS THE ARSIM 17:02  |  DANNY 01/11/09
      66.   SAM SOUL Admit Israels responsibilty for Arab war of annihilation 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      67.   The Arabs Need to Decide They Want Peace 17:02  |  Observer 01/11/09
      68.   TO NO 44 CIPORA. 17:02  |  DANNY 01/11/09
      69.   A love story: BBS and Swiss (Dino): against Israel 17:02  |  Israeli citizen 01/11/09
      70.   Love story BBS-Dino, in our Memorial day 17:02  |  Israeli citizen 01/11/09
      71.   have you noticed ? 17:02  |  o-brut 01/11/09
      72.   Spot on 17:02  |  Rob 01/11/09
      73.   #2 17:02  |  BAR-KOCHVA 01/11/09
      74.   Poor Peter Sm spends his every waking hour 17:02  |  Labhras 01/11/09
      75.   # 41 Akram # 44 Cipora, I have never said that.... 17:02  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/11/09
      76.   # 63 Israeli citizen, "against" means sometimes "in favour of" :) 17:02  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/11/09
      77.   joan, dear joan 17:02  |  yonatan 01/11/09
      78.   The policy of land for peace. 17:02  |  Jean Van Daem 01/11/09
      79.   "Joe" about as bright as midnight. 17:02  |  petra 01/11/09
      80.   The rubbish from Peter SM 17:02  |  Sam Soul 01/11/09
      81.   Genocidal war ????? 17:02  |  Sam Soul 01/11/09
      82.   #22 Yonatan right on!!! 17:02  |  petra 01/11/09
      83.   Hahaha, Now Lets Be Serious 17:02  |  UsedToPostHere 01/11/09
      84.   #67 17:02  |  jack 01/11/09
      85.   Durson: "change Israel behavior"--she`s an educator, man 17:02  |  Israeli citizen 01/11/09
      86.   BBS, Dino & Durson: why not found a school for wise people? 17:02  |  Israeli citizen 01/11/09
      87.   3 years? As in 2012..? 17:02  |  Jordan 01/11/09
      88.   UsedToPostHere 17:02  |  Persian Kitty 01/11/09
      89.   #11 to Brad 17:02  |  e.l 01/11/09
      90.   Let`s see 17:02  |  Jackie 01/11/09
      91.   DECEITFULLY CALLED Arab/Israeli Conflict, It`s GLOBAL JIHAD 17:02  |  Linda Rivera 01/11/09
      92.   #55 17:02  |  EHUD 01/11/09
      93.   Barak continues Labor`s decline 17:02  |  Gee 01/11/09
      94.   # 19 17:02  |  EHUD 01/11/09
      95.   If Bibi was a true leader, Barak would have no place in govt. 17:02  |  Chaim 01/11/09
      96.   yonatan dear 17:02  |  joan 01/11/09
      97.   Barak`s wish for peace. 17:02  |  sandra chitayat 01/11/09
      98.   The Settlements 17:02  |  Jasper 01/11/09
      99.   no, dear joan 17:02  |  yonatan 01/11/09
      100.   Labhras #54 17:02  |  Palestinian Prince 01/11/09
      101.   Barak - Diva Alert! 17:02  |  Elliott Daggett 01/11/09
      102.   #41 Akram Zekaria 17:02  |  Jim 01/11/09
      103.   #52 Joshua 17:02  |  Jim 01/11/09
      104.   Israel Making Consessions 17:02  |  Denise Phelps 01/11/09
      105.   #68, DANNY 17:02  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 01/11/09
      106.   Are you really serious?? 17:02  |  Sixpoint77 01/11/09
      107.   #54 Labhras 17:02  |  Jim 01/11/09
      108.   #107 and no one know better than jim an american 17:02  |  vhardman 01/11/09
      109.   102~Jim. God never promised this land to be divided ?(2nd try). 17:02  |  Akram Zekaria 01/11/09
      110.   # 104 denise from Illinois 17:02  |  Axel 01/11/09
      111.   he meant to say 300 years. 17:02  |  American in NY 01/11/09
      112.   # 107 17:02  |  OZ 01/11/09
      113.   yonatan 17:02  |  A.M. 01/11/09
      114.   Iran`s current chess game beats Israel`s 17:02  |  binny 01/11/09
      115.   Yonatan the view from Houston 17:02  |  Mark Lincoln 01/11/09
      116.   Peace 17:02  |  robt wilson 01/11/09
      117.   That arrogant little Napoleon.. 17:02  |  Michael Dar 01/11/09
      118.   Baruch Gold 17:02  |  rm 01/11/09
      119.   Let Barak speak! Agree or not; focus on his work as Defense Min. 17:02  |  EL 01/11/09
      120.   SOUL Azzam Pasha sec.Arab league`48"War Of Extermination" 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      121.   BEN AMI Arafat`s rejection of Clinton`s peace plan a crime -- 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      122.   CLINTON Blamed Arafat for the walkout ! He commenced his intifada 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      123.   ISRAEL SHOULD SEE ITSELF FOR WHAT IT TRULY IS! 17:02  |  Micah 01/11/09
      124.   If you buy this bull I`ve got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. 17:02  |  Jeff M. 01/11/09
      125.   UsedToPostHere # 83 please define we? 17:02  |  American in NY 01/11/09
      126.   SOUL Azzam Pasha sec.Arab league`48"War Of Extermination" 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      127.   CLINTON Blamed Arafat for the walkout ! He commenced his intifada 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      128.   BEN AMI Arafat`s rejection of Clinton`s peace plan a crime -- 17:02  |  PETER SM 01/11/09
      129.   re: Persian Kitty 17:02  |  UsedToPostHere 01/11/09
      130.   so what does Barak know that we don`t? 17:02  |  rm 01/11/09
      131.   We must 17:02  |  Gili 01/11/09
      132.   re: American in NY 17:02  |  UsedToPostHere 01/11/09
      133.   Linda Rivera- you show your ignorance 17:02  |  Many 01/11/09
      134.   #108 PSM here it is again--from someone who was there 17:02  |  Labhras 01/11/09
      135.   PSM--So what---Ben Amis, s statement still stands 17:02  |  Labhras 01/11/09
      136.   #122 labarse of arabia does not explain why arafat accepted oslo? 17:02  |  v hardman 01/11/09
      137.   110. 17:02  |  Angela K. 01/11/09
      138.   To Gili 17:02  |  Sam Soul 01/11/09
      139.   to Denise #104 17:02  |  Sam Soul 01/11/09
      140.   v hardman 17:02  |  Sam Soul 01/11/09
      141.   #129 Sam Soul re Hardman aka Paul Harris 17:02  |  Labhras 01/11/09
      142.   # 104 denise 17:02  |  Axel 01/11/09
      143.   Peace for peace. No more Israeli concessions ever. 17:02  |  Chaim 01/11/09
      144.   yonatan - look up "private property" 17:02  |  Don 01/11/09
      145.   # 123 usedtopost 17:02  |  Axel 01/11/09
      146.   Yes, do get it straight, Don 17:02  |  yonatan 01/11/09
      147.   Chaim #134 17:02  |  Hank 01/11/09
      148.   Sam Soul # 130 17:02  |  Philippe 01/11/09
      149.   #114 Micah 17:02  |  Jim 01/11/09
      150.   Timetable 17:02  |  TonyC 01/11/09
      151.   He`s Lying 17:02  |  Taco Delmar 01/11/09
      152.   #95 Chaim 17:02  |  Jim 01/11/09
      153.   Respond to 91 17:02  |  Indian Muslim 01/11/09
      154.   UsedToPostHere # 123 about popcorn glowing in the dark. part 2/2 17:02  |  American in NY 01/11/09
      155.   Don #135 learn some facts 17:02  |  Gee 01/11/09
      156.   Slight correction 17:02  |  BazMann 01/11/09
      157.   UsedToPostHere 17:02  |  Persian Kitty 01/11/09
      158.   UsedToPostHere # 123 about popcorn glowing in the dark.part 2/2 17:02  |  American in NY 01/11/09
      159.   re: Persian Kitty 17:02  |  UsedToPostHere 01/11/09
      160.   UsedToPostHere # 123 about popcorn glowing in the dark.part 1/2 17:02  |  American in NY 01/11/09
      161.   Stupid Article Title 17:01  |  Kerry 01/11/09
      162.   re: American in NY 17:01  |  UsedToPostHere 01/11/09
      163.   re: Axel 17:01  |  UsedToPostHere 01/11/09
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