Text size this story is by  The doubts expressed of late by
British and American statesmen to the effect that "the
Palestinian state will not be established in 2005" can generate
only bitter laughter, as when one hears an exaggerated
understatement: A Palestinian state? An actual state? Next year
already? In the chaotic realm of the Palestinian Authority,
where it's doubtful that one can establish a chicken coop
safely?  Even the most ardent supporters of the Palestinians -
from the UN's Terje Roed Larsen to newspaper columnists in the
Western world - are by now asking themselves about how ready
they are to establish a state entailing sovereignty and
responsibility for its fate, not to mention democracy. Indeed,
beyond Israel's assaults on that sovereignty, and more
especially in light of the missing of every opportunity that
has, despite everything, been given the Palestinians to
establish "a state in the making" - one that will attest, even
by the merest hint, to the ability and desire to create a law-
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