In a land far away, both geographically and politically, a war for the ages continues to rage out of control. 

It is a war that affects us whether we like it or not because it has spilled onto our shores and will continue to do so.

If one needs more evidence than the World Trade Center attacks to prove, then that person truly is of the dense variety. 

But sadly it appears that the two leaders on each side of this conflict are sorely misrepresenting their people and leading them into an abyss of death. 

It appears that without strong third party intervention the bloodshed will continue for at least another generation.

It appears that strong third party intervention will not happen in the Bush administration.  The only non-ambiguous philosophy ingrained in his peace proposal, other than the “interim” Palestinian State, is the removal of Yasser Arafat. 

A good apple placed in a barrel full of bad ones will turn sour as well.

And it appears the true colors of the Bush foreign policy strategy will only add to the confusion.

Suggesting that an “interim” Palestinian state is the key element in ending 20 months of carnage is ridiculous.  

It is a plan that both sides will not accept and only serves to raise the stakes of violence.

While there is a need for new leadership for the Palestinians, the same applies to Israel. 

Ariel Sharon set this whole wave of violence off when he set foot in that mosque almost two years ago. 

Before then, the Fatah movement had been reduced to stone throwing and occasional small arms exchanges between Israelis settlers and angry Palestinians. 

Now he has said there will be no immediate peace plan. He will put up a fence around his country and that his people are prepared for 100 years of war. 

Does that sound like the words of a rational person?

It is clear that Israeli and Palestinian extremists are busy ensuring that the conflict deteriorates to the point where no plan will stop the killing. 

Israel’s plan, announced Wednesday, to reoccupy Palestinian-ruled areas is not a change of policy, it’s a continuation of Israeli behavior over the last five months.

The Palestinians still have a secular leadership that is committed to establishing an independent state alongside Israel — one that is not, as many falsely claim, dedicated to its destruction.

A recent working paper presented to the Bush administration by senior Palestinian officials reiterates several far-reaching concessions made in the 2001 Taba talks regarding borders, Jerusalem, demilitarization and refugees.

The majority of Israelis are still in favor of a two-state solution, and serious progress would surely revive the dormant Israeli peace movement. 

Most favored the Oslo Accords, which reduced the violence while the process was moving forward. 

A process that would have been fully in place by now if not for the pre-calculated disrupting moves of a man who wanted power more than peace.

Returning to the borders of 1967, as suggested by the Saudi Arabian Government, is also clearly not an option since many Arab governments and populations that are near to Israel have proven to be un-trust worthy. 

Forget not that most of the suicide hijackers were Saudi, Yemeni and Kuwaiti.

Undoubtedly, one can cite instances in our recent history where a preference for violence over diplomacy have apparently paid off.

 The President should push to restore the Oslo Accords, which both sides agreed to and not some anemic plan that will only guarantee more pain, sorrow and death.

Independence and sovereignty for the Palestinians along with peace and security for the Israelis are either fully realized or meaningless.

— Gary Anthony Ramsay is a weekend anchor
and journalist on the all-news
cable station NY1 and along-time resident of Queens.