Palestinian source: Olmert, Abbas need each other
Senior Palestinian source says preliminary contacts regarding meeting between the two are already taking place. Says: 'Americans and international community need real steps on Israeli-Palestinian issue'
The official explained that, in talks between Abbas and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as in meeting with Russian, Italian and German foreign ministers this weekend, it became clear that "the unilateral approach has been thrown into history's dumpster, or more accurately, has been buried under the ruins of Lebanon and Gaza."
"The US and the international community need positive steps regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue, particularly at a time when issues such as Iran are on the agenda. The Palestinian side has asked Blair to ensure that Israeli voices calling for renewal of negotiations are genuine and not merely a diversion to turn attention away from Olmert's internal problems." he said.
"The critical question is whether this is just another Israeli attempt to satisfy the international community regarding the Palestinian issue, in order to recruit support for their demands concerning Lebanon and Iran." he added.
In response to the question of Israel's willingness to negotiate with a Hamas government, the source responded that "negotiations would be conducted opposite Abbas and the PLO. The Hamas government was used by Olmert as an excuse to advance his unilateral approach, which we hope has disappeared."
He mentioned that initial contacts for a possible meeting between Olmert and Abbas are underway. Leading the negotiations from the Palestinian side is PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.
Egyptians and European officials are rocking the boat, but according to the source, "it's too early to say that we are close to fixing a date for this meeting".
Israeli steps could lead to Palestinian steps
The source said that recent international visitors have enlightened the Palestinians that the issue of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is not an imperative starting condition for Israel, stating that "the Israelis now understand what they didn't understand before, that the influence of Abbas or even the Hamas government on this issue is practically nonexistent."
"Real political steps that will instill new life in a diplomatic process can bring about dramatic steps on our side, even a move towards a unity government," the source added.
He implied that, if Abbas sees that the political ramifications are sufficient, he won't hesitate to put an end to the endless infighting with Hamas regarding a unity government and, instead, create a new government headed by an independent professional.
The source posited that Abbas' imminent Sunday night meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and other Hamas government leaders would be direct and focused. The objective is "for the Palestinian people to know where things are going. When this is clarified in the upcoming days, there will be significant implications."
