Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh told news agencies Thursday that his government would consider any negotiation offers presented by Israel.
Haniyeh, who has refused to formally recognize Israel or declare an end to the violence, added that he would not rule out certain contacts or diplomatic talks with Israel.
In another interview the Palestinian PM said PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas was free to hold negotiations with Israel, adding that his government would take control over the Palestinian security forces.
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According to Haniyeh, nothing is preventing the (Palestinian) ministers from discussing day-to-day, economic or business-related issues with the Israelis. As for diplomatic negotiations, this may pose a problem because the ministers are committed to a certain political vision. We shall wait and see what the Israelis will offer us, study their offer and then decide on our standpoint.”
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is working these days to form a new coalition, has announced in the past that he would not negotiate with a Hamas and would prefer to advance the convergence plan.
Within the framework of the pressure applied on the Hamas-led Palestinian government, Israel has frozen the transfer of some USD 50 million a month to the PA.
Haniyeh, who is well-aware of the Authority’s dire economic situation, said he may not be able to pay salaries to the PA’s 140,000 employees.
“We are making every effort to pay the workers despite the financial crisis,’ he said.
“The Ministry of Finance has inherited an entirely empty treasury, in addition to the debts of the ministry and the government in general."
Meanwhile, Abbas on Thursday appointed a loyalist to head three security services, widening his authority at the expense of the new Hamas government, Palestinian officials said.
Abbas appointed Rashid Abu Shbak as head of internal security, putting him in control of three services - Preventive Security, police and civil defense. Abu Shbak would technically report to the Hamas-appointed interior minister. However, in the event of a dispute, final authority lies with the National Security Council, headed by Abbas.
‘Unfortunately he talks of the region without Israel’
The PA’s economic situation may deteriorate should the U.S. and European Union follow through on their threats and freeze contributions to the Authority if Hamas does not recognize Israel and end the violence.
This is apparently the reason that led Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar to
send U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan a letter stating that the new Islamist government was looking for peace and independence side-by-side with its neighbors while not specifically mentioning Israel.
"We look forward to live in peace and security and for our people to live a dignified life in freedom and independence, side-by-side with our neighbors in this sacred part of the world," the text said.
The language was similar to an internationally backed Roadmap peace plan which calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel, which has been rejected by Hamas.
Its most eye-catching reference was to hopes for the realization of a two-state solution, albeit mixed with blame for Jewish settlement activities and accusing Israel of seeking to annex the occupied Jordan Valley.
"This will ultimately diminish any hopes for the achievement of settlement and peace based on a two-state solution," it said.
Al-Zahar later told the BBC that reference to the two-state solution had been included as a result of a bureaucratic error by a colleague who sent the letter.
"I asked him please cancel this but they didn't. That's the mistake," he said.
Initial reaction from the Israeli government was cool.
"In this letter, the Palestinian foreign minister talks about cooperation and peace in the region, but unfortunately he talks of the region without Israel," foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev told AFP. "In no part of this letter does he mention the existence of Israel."
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