MOSCOW. Jan 29 (Interfax) - There are some questionable provisions in Washington's peace plan for the Middle East, but if the "deal of the century" fails to happen, the beginning of constructive dialogue would also be good, Federation Council Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Konstantin Kosachyov said on Facebook.
"With all those reservations, we can only wish a successful deal to the Middle East. If the deal of the century doesn't happen, the beginning of constructive dialogue would also be good. In fact, this is what we have always been campaigning for as we have tried to maintain equal relations with each side without violating UN resolutions," Kosachyov said.
There are a number of disquieting issues in Trump's initiative, judging from available information, he said.
First of all, lots of measures Israel was supposed to take consistent with UN Security Council resolutions, such as termination (rather than suspension) of construction of settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, are presented as achievements, Kosachyov said.
"The UN General Assembly held a vote on the establishment of two states on those territories back in 1947. The Assembly reaffirmed Palestinian sovereignty over East Jerusalem on May 6, 2004, [Resolution 58/292], which means this is not 'a present' for them," he said.
Kosachyov is also concerned about important unilateral steps that have been taken to the benefit of Israel before the elaboration and implementation of the U.S. plan: the United States recognized Jerusalem as its capital and moved its embassy there.
"This is not the way to do it if you want to be a peacekeeper and an impartial arbiter," he said.
It does not look like negotiations with Palestine and Israel have been equally intensive, Kosachyov said, adding that "Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has voiced [Israel's] full support for the U.S. plan."
"As you know, it takes two to tango, and these two are not the United States and Israel," he said.
Trump is relying on a $50 billion economic offer to the Palestinians, "which he, a businessman, views as hefty and reasonable," Kosachyov said.
"However, the economy is not the root of this conflict, and it can definitely not be resolved by buying someone's loyalty. Everyone has to save face and get what several generations have been aspiring toward. Blood has been spilled in the course of this pursuit, and this is more than a mere territorial dispute," he said.
Trump's "deal of the century" requires detailed analysis of not so much its content as the reaction of both parties to the protracted Middle East conflict, Kosachyov said.
"But if, who knows, all of them will at least agree to make peace on the basis of Washington's plan, even if they don't accept it unconditionally, that would be a victory for everyone, and I don't think it matters who will be its 'father.' The stance of the Obama administration played a huge role in the Iran nuclear deal, and everyone, including my country, gave them credit without being jealous because everyone wanted it to succeed," he said.