In 1938 Neville Chamberlain came back to England from the Munich Peace Conference. He was waving a piece of paper when he descended from the plane. It was a declaration signed by himself and Herr Hitler saying that Britain and Germany would live in harmony together. The mantra for the next twelve months was:
"Peace in our times"
Fast forward.
In the last forty years I can recall the expressions of hope from the various foreign ministers who have engaged the Nation of Ishmael and the Nation of Israel in the business of reconciliation.
Henry Kissinger called his shuttle diplomacy:
"Working for a middle East solution"
Warren Christopher termed his efforts:
"The Middle East Peace Process."
Condoleesa Rice drew up a treaty called:
"A road-map to peace"
George Mitchell called his solution: "The wider peace accord"
Yesterday Hilary Clinton opted for:
"A Broader Middle East Calm"
My sister Anne, ever a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, said to me over the phone : "Ian, we must hope."
To which I must reply: "Dream on, Sis"
There will be no peace until the Prince of Peace returns, and that's what the message of Christmas is all about.
Jubilate.
Ian
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