Mideast-- Gaza, Arab-Israeli engagement; Sco Paulo

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000015 SIPDIS STATE INR/R/MR; IIP/R/MR; WHA/PD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP XM XR XF BR SUBJECT: Mideast-- Gaza, Arab-Israeli engagement; Sco Paulo The Gaza Strip and the challenges of 21st Century war Article in business-oriented Valor Econtmico (1/9) says: "The fundamental complexity of this war is the State's involvement with a terrorist organization with military power.... The combat in Gaza shows the new reality of the challenges in international security in the 21st century: not the classic battle between nations on an open field, but rather the struggle between nations and terrorist organizations.... From a security point of view it is clear the State had to act to protect civilians just like any other sovereign State. However, from a political standpoint, Israel's political leadership...has the challenge of clearly indicating the success of the new security situation." No eyes in Gaza Article by former President Jose Sarney in liberal Folha de S.Paulo (1/9) states: "Israel has the right to watch over its borders that are threatened by Hamas. But its reaction cannot be disproportionate so that it jeopardizes its image.... Egypt found peace, Israel solved most of its problems as a State, but their martyrs, victims of radicalism, might have been sacrificed in vain. Today, [though we make believe that it is otherwise] the UN really has no eyes in Gaza." Eyes in Gaza Article in liberal Folha de S.Paulo (1/9) says: "Brazil cannot recuse itself. Neither can it overestimate its chances of intervening. There is no military solution to the conflict. Left to themselves, the adversaries will not find the way to peace..... It is not a matter of labeling the reaction as disproportionate. Does it accomplish any productive results? So many questions, so many deaths." WHITE