Editorial: Talks fail for now, but keep hope alive

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak went as far as he possibly could in trying to reach a compromise, but unfortunately Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat just wouldn't budge on pivotal issues, including the future of Jerusalem. The key now is how all sides involved in the conflict react to this impasse. It shouldn't come as a surprise that those who have no desire for peace will do everything they can to pour fuel on the fire. For instance, immediately after the announcement came this vitriol from Hamas leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin: "This failure is another indication that the only choice we have is resistance. Only by force are we able to retain our rights. ... We are ready to become martyrs."

President Clinton is to be commended on his time-consuming efforts to help both sides reach an acceptable pact. Yet in the end, reaching an agreement within two weeks on what seemingly are intractable issues was realistically a distant prospect. Still, it is this yearning for a lasting peace that should continue to prod Israelis and Palestinians to continue talking, even if an agreement isn't quite yet in sight. After all, a dialogue certainly can't worsen what already is a tinderbox in the Mideast.

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