Livni: No alternative to direct talks with PA, Syria
Prior to leaving for Quartet conference in Egypt, Kadima chairwoman tells Ynet, 'There's no reason Obama administration won't agree that the current peace process is preferable to hasty negotiation.' Arab world’s involvement in the peace process is very important, she adds
The Arab peace initiative cannot be an alternative to holding direct talks with the Palestinian Authority and Syria, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told Ynet just hours prior to her departure for Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt to attend Sunday's Quartet conference marking the one-year anniversary of the Annapolis peace summit.
"We've seen some progress in the talks with the Palestinians (since Annapolis), but there are many more issues on the table," the Kadima chairwoman said. "The process will continue, and I prefer to continue negotiating until we reach an agreement that coincides with Israel's security interests."
Livni added that the current process was preferable to "a hasty process that will end with a piece of paper that does not represent anything.
"The process must be conducted with the backing of the international community and through direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians," the FM said, adding that she would make her stance clear during the Sharm conference.
Asked about the possibility that US president-elect Barack Obama's administration would pressure Israel into expediting the negotiations with the PA, the Israeli premiership candidate said "until now I have been successful in convincing the entire world that this was the right way to conduct the talks. I see no reason why the Obama administration won’t be convinced as well."
Are you prepared to determine a deadline for ending talks with the Palestinians?
“No way am I willing to accept a deadline. We are making every effort. We are discussing all the relevant issues and you can’t give it a time limit.
“If a timetable will be forced upon the sides, the outcome can be like the one we attained after Camp David in 2000,” said Livni, referring to the talks conducted by her competitor for the prime ministerial position, Labor Chairman Ehud Barak, with the Palestinians.
Regarding the position of the Arab peace initiative in the process, Livni said, “The Arab world’s involvement in the peace process is very important.”
According to her, the Arab peace initiative is significant and she does not rule out its principals despite her reservations about some of its clauses, including the refugees.
“However, the Arab initiative cannot replace direct talks with the Palestinians. There is no alternative for these negotiations,” the Kadima chairwoman said.
“The direct talks opposite the Palestinian Authority need to continue as they are today; detailed and complete until we reach agreements in accordance with Israel’s interests,” said Livni.
Part of the Arab peace initiative includes returning the Golan Heights which leads us to indirect talks with Syria. Should we continue the process opposite Syria?
“The Arab peace initiative relates to the entire Middle East, but the negotiations with Syria need to continue as conducted at present, meaning through bilateral talks between the sides.
“What I am saying is that on this issue, like on that of the Palestinians, this needs to continue, but in a direct manner between the sides. All the relevant issues need to be discussed there.
“This is the only way to attain agreements that will lead to regional peace. All of this of course, under the auspices of the international community and the support of the Arab world’s leadership,” said Livni.
