Mahmoud Abbas. Concerned.
Photo: AP
Olmert. Preoccupied?
Photo: Reuters
Election frenzy in America
Photo: AP
Abbas fears Olmert probe may hold up peace talks
Senior aid to Palestinian president says peace negotiations in danger of being pushed to sidelines as election race intensifies in US while Olmert preoccupied with bribery allegations
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday he feared a criminal investigation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and looming US elections could hold up Middle East peace talks.
'Olmert Weak Now'
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Senior Abbas aide Tayeb Abdel-Rahim reported the Palestinian president's briefing comments to his ruling Fatah faction in the West Bank city of Ramallah on the latest developments in US-brokered peace talks with Israel.
Abdel-Rahim said Abbas "hopes that recent events, such as the obstacles facing the Israeli prime minister, and American preoccupation with elections would not obstruct the peace process desired by Palestinians".
Israeli police questioned Olmert on Friday for a second time. Investigators suspect Olmert has taken cash-filled envelopes from New York fundraiser Morris Talansky.
Olmert, who was first questioned three weeks ago, has denied any wrongdoing but said he would resign if indicted.
On Thursday, Abbas said negotiations with Israel on sensitive final status issues were continuing, but that gaps were still wide between the sides
Western diplomats and Palestinian officials said Abbas had told them he believed Olmert was serious about reaching a final deal with the Palestinians despite his domestic worries.
Olmert and other Israeli officials have reported some progress in the US-sponsored talks but chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia said no agreement had been reached yet on any of the issues under negotiation.
The Palestinians are also worried that the Americans' preoccupation with presidential elections, scheduled for November, will push peace moves away from the spotlight.
"It will take the new administration time to settle in before it turns its attention to our problems," a Palestinian official said.
Israeli and US officials have said even if a deal is reached this year, it will not be implemented as long as Hamas continues to control the Gaza Strip.
Abdel-Rahim said Abbas told Fatah officials on Wednesday that "internal Palestinian divisions, and Hamas' coup ... have weakened the Palestinian negotiating) position".
