While Palestinians continue to resort to violence on the West Bank, Clinton spouts the rhetoric of peace agreement generalies, but is he offering Netanyahu and Israel bribes in private negotiations?

Netanyahu welcomed Clinton to Israel Saturday this way, " The President of the United States is always welcome in Israel ". Notice he didn't say Bill Clinton is always welcome in Israel. I believe that Netanyahu was showing respect for the office of the U.S. Presidency and not the person of Clinton. During the week, and after the State Department issued strong language urging Israel to impliment the Wye accords as signed, Israel accused the current administration of being in the pocket of the Palestinians.

Now on Sunday, it is being reported that in a meeting with Netanyahu, Clinton said he would ask Congress for $1.2 billion in special aid to help carry out the accords and security measures connected to them. All of sudden, Netanyahu warms up to Clinton and says, " If there is anyone who can help bring the peace process to a satisfactory conclusion, it is you ". But he added that Israel could not honor " a phony peace on paper '' which is " not honored in practice ". Could this change of position or public rhetoric be attributed to some behind the scenes negotiations? Remember, Clinton's weapon of choice has become the almighty American taxpayer dollar!

How about this little reported fact. It was reported Thursday by Pentagon spokesperson Kenneth Bacon, that three batteries of Patriot missiles would be moved to Israel from Europe. Supposedly, the batteries will participate with American helicopters in an exercise called ' Mobile Shirley '. What happens to them after the exercise is over? Do you really think they are going to take them back to Europe? I assume they will be remaining in Israel, as an additional bribe for Netanyahu's warming up to Clinton, to create better media, ' wag the dog ', photo opportunities!

Another sticking point in the Wye accords was Clinton promising and talking back the promise to release the Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard ( I believe he should stay in jail ). I believe and news sources reported, Israeli officials insisted in October, as Clinton helped ' negotiate ' the Wye accords, they had an understanding that Pollard would be released. Clinton again said he had asked for recommendations from his advisers? Man, he is ' waggin ' hot and heavy here, as a multitude of legislators and justice officials have told him directly not to release Pollard. If Pollard is released, there will be absolutely no doubt about Clinton's ' wag the dog ' diplomacy!

Perhaps the greatest sticking point, is the Palestinian intention to declare an official state in May 1999. Beside the American taxpayer dollars offered to Arafat as a bribe for peace, Clinton has decided to fly into " Terrorist International Airport " in Gaza. Reportedly, he will be welcomed with all the trappings of a state visit, which includes an address to the Palestinian National Council. This could easily be seen as a rubber stamp on Palestinian statehood. This one really sticks in Netanyahu's craw!

The last question may be whether or not the Palestinians will remove the portions of it's charter calling for the destruction of Israel from it with an official vote ( and not some meely mouthed voice agreement ). Netanyahu addressed the spirit of this problem with, " No Israelis go to Gaza, it would be a death sentence, but Palestinians walk free on the streets of Israel ".

We were all wondering what foreign entity was going to play the part of dog to wag, as the House began it's formal impeachment process on Bill Clinton. The current answer is Israel!

- Bongo ( Who is next, on the Clinton hit parade? )