Olmert sees 'dramatic' West Bank improvements
Prime minister says new Palestinian government free of Hamas will allow for serious change in current level of Israeli restrictions. In speech before Conference of Presidents prime minister also says diplomacy still preferable solution to Iranian threat
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday that Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank could expect dramatic changes for the better under a new emergency administration, according to an aide.
Olmert was meeting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the beginning of a three-day visit to the United States. He will meet US President George W. Bush on Tuesday.
"We can expect a dramatic change in access and movement of Palestinians in the West Bank," an aide to the prime minister quoted him as telling Ban during their meeting in New York.
"Israel will be a serious partner if there will be a serious partner in the West Bank. Israel will give tax money to a serious and responsible government."
Israel has withheld some $700 million in tax revenues it has collected over the past year for the Palestinian Authority.
Palestinians also have complained of Israeli military restrictions on their movements as a major hindrance in daily life.
Olmert during US visit, jogging in Central Park (Photo: GPO)
Israel and Western countries have said they will maintain an economic and diplomatic embargo of the Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip after its violent takeover of the coastal territory in the past few days.
The aide added Olmert told the UN chief that Israel would not get involved in the situation in Gaza but would deliver humanitarian assistance, if this should be required.
"We will take into consideration all humanitarian needs in Gaza," the aide quoted Olmert as saying. "We will not intervene, we will not move forces, but we will not stand by and say that the lives of innocent civilians are not our concern."
In a speech before the Conference of Presidents late Sunday evening Olmert also addressed the Iranian threat, saying that Israel would never allow a country like Iran to develop nuclear capabilities.
"I believe that Iran can be stopped by non-military force. If the international community, led by President Bush's administration, strives for this, it can happen. The sanctions against Iran are effective, and I will speak to President Bush about intensifying those measures," he said.
Olmert told the audience assembled in New York that Israel would be willing to negotiate with the new Palestinian government, however some things were non-negotiable. "We will fight the terrorists and make peace with the others. That is my new agenda," said Olmert, "we are willing to talk to the Palestinians, l
ed by Abbas, about the political horizon that we will turn into the base for a permanent agreement.
"I expect the leaders of Arab nations to invite me to their capitals and I am willing to invite them to ours. I expect of the moderate Arab countries to take harsh measures against radicals."
