Abbas with Clinton (Archive)
Photo: AP
Clinton meets Abbas, PA sees 'difficult dilemma'
Palestinian source tells Ynet peace talks may be renewed without preconditions on settlements
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Saturday with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the renewal of the peace process, which sources close to Abbas called "a difficult dilemma".
Clinton is scheduled to arrive in Israel in the evening in order to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"At the end of the current round the renewal of negotiations will probably be announced," a Palestinian source told Ynet. "We are witnessing pressure from the Americans and a number of Arab elements to stop conditioning the renewal of negotiations on the halting of settlements."
The source added, "In both scenarios, the Palestinian Authority will not come out strong. If the renewed negotiations don't produce results, this will harm Abbas and the authority. If negotiations are not renewed this will also harm us, but less. This is why the dilemma is difficult."
Palestinian sources assume Abbas will not be able to postpone negotiations much farther but say he is making an effort at acquiring certain Israeli commitments, even if they are not made public prior to the talks.
Sources in Jerusalem have expressed little optimism for Clinton's attempt to renew the peace process. The secretary is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman before meeting with the prime minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
