Olmert to meet Egytian president
Prime Minister Olmert, Egypt’s Mubarak set to meet Thursday, discuss Egyptian proposal to hold regional summit, halt in negotiations with Palestinians, weapon and funds smuggling into Gaza Strip
Israel had a positive stance on Egypt’s expected proposal to arrange a regional summit meeting between Olmert, Mubarak, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Jordan's King Abdullah.
Throughout the past week it seemed that Thursday’s meeting between the two leaders would deal with a prisoner exchange deal, whereas it now seemed the meeting would decide on details of the proposed summit.
Contrary to recurring announcements in the Arab press in recent days, Israel did not expect a breakthrough during Thursday’s meeting regarding the release of kidnapped solider Gilad Shalit.
There was still a gap between Israel and Hamas’ stance on the number of prisoners to be released. However, Olmert intended to bring up the issue during the meeting and to thank Mubarak and Egyptian Intelligence Head Omar Suleiman for their efforts.
Negotiations with the Palestinians, weapon smuggling through the Philadelphi route, funds entering the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing, and international actions to strengthen moderate Arab states in the Middle East were the issues to be discussed in Olmert and Mubarak’s meeting.
Prime Minister Olmert and Egyptian President Mubarak (Photo: AFP)
The meeting, which would take place at the presidential estate in Sharm A-Shiekh, was expected to last between one to two hours.
Egypt’s proposal was meant to strengthen the Fatah party headed by Abbas against Hamas, particularly in light of the current incessant conflicts in the Palestinian Authority. Negotiations between Israel and the PA appeared to be at a stand still despite Olmert and Abbas’s meeting in Jerusalem two weeks ago.
The United States has not yet made any suggestions as to how to get around the apparent dead end in talks.
A diplomatic source in Jerusalem said Wednesday, “Abu Mazen (Abbas) can’t lead to a breakthrough and Fatah is in a difficult power struggle in the Gaza Strip. The situation there could escalate and fire could be pointed towards Israel.”
“In such a case, the ceasefire could become very fragile and not necessarily lead to a solution. Any diplomatic initiative, even a formula for a regional council, could be a stabilizing factor that may lead to a breakthrough,” the source said.
Regarding other issues to be discussed during the meeting, Olmert was expected to express his disapproval of the continued smuggling of weapons and funds into the Gaza Strip from Egypt, and would request that Mubarak take action to change the situation which enabled the Hamas government to carry out the smugglings.
