CIA and Wye

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rose to power promising Jewish settlers he’s rather fight than cede any more territory on the West Bank. Now, his career rests on swapping land for peace.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has kept his people unified to a considerable degree by accepting, if not flat out endorsing, car bombs as a necessary tactic for the powerless. Now, he must renounce terrorism and trade peace for land.

These are remarkable conversions and absolutely vital if the Mideast is to have any hope for a future beyond fear and bloodshed. These two leaders have taken bold steps and already are fighting for their political lives. Mr. Netanyahu survived a no-confidence vote in his parliament Monday, but that minor victory will not stop the extremists — once his allies, now his enemies — who seek to topple his government. Mr. Arafat already has dealt with the violent demonstrations of his own extremists and, with the murder of an Israeli security guard in Hebron, already must make good on his promise to hunt down and prosecute terrorists.

A third transformation is necessary if the Wye Plantation accord is to bear olive branches — the CIA must adapt to its new role as policeman/arbitrator. More to the point, Congress must allow the CIA to adapt.

This job of monitoring and mediating isn’t totally new to the CIA; it has some experience verifying that terms of peace agreements are met and certainly knows a thing or two about providing intelligence support to diplomacy. It’s the out-front, high-profile nature of this assignment that has some lawmakers worried.

The Senate Intelligence Committee will hold hearings on the Wye accord and will define the CIA’s precise role. Unfortunately, Sen. Richard Shelby, Republican of Alabama and committee chairman already seems to have decided the role should be scrapped.

For the committee to approach these hearings with its mind made up that the United States should become a bystander to the peace process now that the guests have gone home would be tragic. Somebody has to make sure Arafat diligently pursues terrorists and that the Israelis who remain in the ceded West Bank lands do not incite violence. Who better than the intelligence corps of the world’s only superpower? Actually, who else?

The Wye accord does not ensure peace, but if it falls apart, peace in the Mideast could be lost for decades and a major conflict could well involve a lot more Americans than the CIA can muster. There are so many perils already — the review of the Pollard case, the future of Jerusalem, water rights to name a few — that the addition of a narrow, Cold War interpretation of what the CIA is for must not be added to the list. Netanyahu and Arafat showed great courage in changing their positions. It’s not too much to ask the United States Senate to show a little flexibility.