Palestinian official says Rice mediation efforts failed
Senior PA source voices concern new police investigation against Olmert will impair talks, accuses Israel of failing to implement pledge to ease restrictions
A senior Palestinian Authority official referred to visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's mediation efforts as a "failure" and expressed hopes that President George W. Bush's scheduled visit to the region next week will lead to a breakthrough in the peace negotiations with Israel.
Jewish Housing
Livni: Israel not seeking land grab in West Bank / Roni Sofer and AP
'I can assure you Israel has no hidden agenda regarding the expansion of Jewish housing in the territories,' FM tells reporters following Jerusalem meeting with Rice; says she has complete faith police will investigate Olmert without bias
"There is no easing of restrictions on the Palestinian population, and recent weeks have only seen the erection of additional roadblocks and barriers (in the West Bank) despite Israel's promises to remove them," the official said.
He said the new police investigation launched against Olmert would impair peace talks and said the current Israeli leadership is incapable of making significant decisions.
"The (Israeli) government is riddled with contradictions and is home to several extremists who would be welcomed in the Likud and far-right," the official said. “Israel’s policy is leading the region to a dead end, a vast island of obscurity and instability.”
Abbas, for his part, indicated on Sunday that the talks were progressing at an optimistic pace.
"Ninety percent of the negotiating work has been completed," he stated during a joint press conference with Rice in Ramallah.
The secretary told reporters she believed the year-end goal for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal was still "achievable."
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