We take Saudi peace plan seriously, Olmert says
Prime minister says ahead of meeting with Palestinian president, ‘Israel is following with great alertness developments in the Arab world and the policies of the moderate Arab states.’ Abbas: Arab peace initiative will not be altered
“We must treat the Saudi initiative, especially its positive elements, seriously” declared Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday as he prepared for his afternoon summit meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
At the weekly Sunday morning cabinet meeting, Olmert said that “Israel is following with great alertness developments in the Arab world and the policies of the moderate Arab states.” As for the original Saudi peace plan, which was adopted by the Arab Summit in Beirut (2002), the prime minister said that he is willing to adopt parts of it, emphasizing that the initiative includes positive elements.
“We have said more than once that the Saudi initiative is a matter that we treat seriously, and this is still our position,” declared Olmert. “We hope that at the summit of Arab heads-of-state that will be held in Riyadh, the plan’s positive elements will receive special emphasis, increasing the chances of negotiations between us and the Palestinian Authority.”
A week and a half ago, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni rejected the Arab plan, saying in an interview with the Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayam that “it is impossible for Israel to accept the Arab peace plan in its current form.” She emphasized that the Arab initiative is problematic mainly because of its references to the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees.
'Israel disappointed with Mecca summit'
On Saturday Abbas met with Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi and told him that “the Arab peace initiative will not be altered,” adding that it is a “general initiative that must be revived and furthered. Those who criticize it would do well to read it carefully.”
What will Olmert ask of Abbas at this afternoon’s meeting?
Olmert is expected to demand that his Palestinian interlocutor stop immediately all arms smuggling and all attempted terror attacks. Israel, in exchange, will offer to implement steps aimed at making life easier for the Palestinian population. “I would like to emphasize yet again that we are not at war with Palestinian civilians. We must do everything possible to improve their lives.”
Sources in Olmert’s office said that the prime minister would emphasize to his guest that any Palestinian government that does not accept the terms set down by the Quartet, including the recognition of Israel and of all previously-signed agreements, would be boycotted by Jerusalem.
On Sunday morning, in the run-up to the summit, Olmert mentioned Abbas’ promise that a Palestinian Authority unity government would not be formed until the kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit has been freed.
He mentioned Israel’s disappointment with the Mecca summit and expressed his hope that future get-togethers with the Palestinian president will take place in Palestinian cities, on the basis of reciprocity.
