Palestinian official: Israelis aren't serious
Palestinian advisors to President Abbas seem divided over atmosphere at negotiations table on eve of Annapolis conference, with Nabil Shaath spouting optimism and Nabil Abu Rdeneh doubting any progress can be made 'when the Israelis are divided amongst themselves.' Meanwhile Livni, Rice and Qureia gather for last-ditch effort to draft joint statement
WASHINGTON - "Israel just isn't ready for peace, it would seem," Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a senior advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said on Sunday.
Speaking with Israeli reporters in Washington as the eve of the much-anticipated Middle East peace conference draws near, Abu Rdeneh presented a pointedly bleak outlook compared to counterpart Nabil Shaath, who was slightly more optimistic.
"The Israeli negotiations team isn't serious. You can't reach an agreement when the Israelis are divided amongst themselves," said Abu Rdeneh. If (Israeli Prime Minister) Olmert is serious – let him show it in actions and not words."
But according to Shaath, the Palestinian delegation remains increasingly hopeful that the conference, scheduled to begin on Tuesday at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, will set the stage for genuine negotiations with Israel.
A remarkable majority of Palestinians adamantly support the summit, he said, citing a recent poll that put the figure at 72%.
What's more, said Shaath, recent polls conducted in the Palestinian Authority indicate a growing tide of support for Fatah (45%) compared to rival party Hamas (now down to 10%).
Shaath brushed aside concerns that the sides' apparent failure to agree on a joint political statement in time for the conference may prove the conditions are not yet ripe for talk of a final settlement.
Shaath said the Palestinian delegation had three goals for Annapolis – an Israeli-American-Palestinian declaration of commitment to the implementation of the Road Map, for Israel to consign itself to realize the first stage of the Road Map in full – meaning freezing all expansion of settlements in the West Bank, evacuating illegal outposts and easing travel restrictions – and the outlining of a timetable for future negotiations in accordance with the Road Map.
An acceptable timetable, said Shaath, would be for negotiations to be completed within a year – while US President George W. Bush is still in office.
Livni to coordinate position with Rice, Qureia
In an eleventh-hour attempt to draft the elusive joint statement, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is scheduled to meet later in the day with top Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The three are also expected to coordinate their separate statements for Tuesday.
Meanwhile on Sunday President Bush reiterated his "personal commitment" to the two-state solution.
"I remain personally committed to implementing my vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine,
living side by side in peace and security.
"The Israelis and Palestinians have waited a long time for this vision to be realized, and I call upon all those gathering in Annapolis this week to redouble their efforts to turn dreams of peace into reality," said Bush.
Full coverage of the Annapolis peace summit
