Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar Assad (AP)
Environment, economy and peace can go hand in hand.To many people, the project [rebuilding an old hydro-electric power station] is a symbol of hope that the region’s people can live together and constructively resolve the crucial problems they face. Progressive politicians from the respective peace camps unsurprisingly embrace the project. It is the reaction of the Israeli and Jordanian military, however, which have been most open to help cross border activities, including access to closed military areas, that has been surprising. …
Without understating the difficulties, the frustrations and, at times, the genuine threat to individuals involved in advancing cross-border community cooperation, cautious optimism has been created. Through water issues the project has touched the hearts and minds of people at the community level and helped bridge the River Jordan with hope for a more constructive future. Access the full article (PDF)>>
