Palestinian and German Leaders Meet in Berlin

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie arrived in Berlin on Monday, where he was greeted by German President Johannes Rau. The embattled leader is hoping to raise his profile and gather support for the Palestinian cause a few weeks before his expected meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The meeting with Sharon will be a watershed moment for Qurie -- an opportunity for the prime minister, who is engaged in a power struggle with the Palestinian President Yassir Arafat, to gain credibility with the Palestinians.

On Tuesday, Qurie met with both German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer. They sorted through various peace plans currently circulating and attempted to re-energize the peace process, which has stalled amid renewed violence and the continued construction of a security fence by the Israelis.

After meeting with Qurie, Schröder called on both parties -- the Israelis and Palestinians -- to return to the "road map" meant to pave the way to a stable peace and fulfill their obligations. He also welcomed the possibility of a meeting between Qurie and Sharon. "Only through direct talks will the peace process get back on track," said Schröder.

Many plans on the table

At the moment numerous Middle East peace plans are currently on the table, including the original "road map" offered by the Americans, and the Geneva Initiative, an unofficial peace plan drawn up by leading Palestinian politicians and left-wing Israeli figures that was unveiled in Switzerland in November.

Last week at a security conference in Munich, Fischer surprised the international community by announcing his own plans for a Middle East peace initiative, which called for NATO to play a central role along with the EU and Arab states.

Though criticized by some in Europe, including the French -- who say Fischer failed to consult them first -- the foreign minister's efforts have added momentum to the stalled peace process; yet they have also complicated the discussions by throwing another component into the picture. After meeting with Qurie, Fischer once again stressed the need for increased European efforts. "This is our neighboring region -- we must help find an answer," he said.

Israel critical of Qurie

A week before Qurie's arrival, the Israeli government voiced criticism. Shimon Stein, Israel's ambassador to Germany, said Qurie was a "failed leader," who "should do his work at home before travelling to Europe," referring to Qurie's inadequate efforts -- in the opinion of the Israeli government -- to stop terrorists attacks.

All the same, Qurie has signalled his desire to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, which he hopes will happen during the next two weeks. Representatives from both sides will come together on Thursday to work out the logistics of such a meeting.

After having already stopped in Rome and Brussels, Qurie will leave Berlin for Paris on Wednesday. It remains to be seen, however, if the prime minister has the power and influence to turn this good-will tour into substantive policy. His predecessor, Mahmoud Abbas, resigned after just one hundred days in office, mainly due to a power struggle with Yassir Arafat.

Likewise, Qurie has struggled with Arafat, at times threatening to resign himself. But during his trip to Berlin, he denied rumors that he had again threatened to step down. "Resign? Why would I?" he said. "I am here as the Palestinian prime minister. It hasn't even occurred to me."