Contact: Rachna Sethi, 202-737-8400, for the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs Web site: http://www.jinsa.org

WASHINGTON, April 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The latest "road map" for peace in the Middle East will fail unless it is significantly revised, Tom Neumann, executive director of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, said today.

The plan, drawn up by the "quartet" of Russia, the European Union (news - web sites), the United Nations (news - web sites) and the United States, seeks to establish the ground rules for creating an independent, democratic Palestinian state within three years.

"In its present form, the so-called road map is seriously flawed," Neumann said. "It essentially represents the agendas of the three other members of the quartet, not the United States. The UN, EU and Russia worked hard to undermine the United States policy on Iraq (news - web sites). Now they are seeking to undermine US policy elsewhere in the Middle East.

"In short," he said, "the road map serves neither America's purpose nor the purpose of peace in the Middle East. It is full of flawed assumptions and impractical ideas."

The plan's call for comprehensive political reform, a new constitution and free elections for Palestinians within a few months is totally unrealistic, he said, given the long history of Palestinian failure to live up to its previous obligations, and the continuing leadership role of Yasser Arafat (news - web sites).

"As President Bush (news - web sites) said on June 24 last year, 'Peace requires a new and different Palestinian leadership, a leadership not compromised by terror.' We have yet to see this new leadership. Arafat handpicked prime minister Mahmoud Abbas, one of his closest lieutenants. This is hardly a break with the past, hardly a foundation on which we can move forward with any confidence."

Neumann noted that Arafat and his followers have continued to call for the total elimination of Israel. If they truly wanted peace, he said, no road map would be necessary.

The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs is an independent, non-partisan educational organization established in 1976 to educate the public on national and international security issues, including the importance of an effective US defense capability and the key role of Israel in promoting democratic values in the Middle East.

EDITORS: To arrange an interview with Neumann, call Rachna Sethi at 202-737-8400.

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