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Last update - 09:40 21/07/2008 Carter proposal: Exchange Shalit for dozens of Hamas politicians By Barak Ravid and Amos Harel Tags: Hamas, Jimmy Carter, Israel Former United States President Jimmy Carter is trying to achieve a breakthrough in the negotiations over the release of kidnapped Israel soldier Gilad Shalit. A senior adviser to Carter, Robert Pastor, visited Israel last week, as part of a regional tour that included visits to the Gaza Strip, Damascus and Cairo. Pastor met with Shas leader Eli Yishai, and said that Carter would like to arrange a tripartite meeting with a senior Hamas figure. An Israeli source said that Pastor also presented a new initiative to expedite the deal. Advertisement Under the deal, Israel would release several dozen prisoners a confidence-building measure, including Hamas parliamentarians and ministers arrested after Shalit's abduction in June 2006. In return, Shalit would be brought to Egypt, where his family would be able to visit him. After this stage, negotiations for the release of more Palestinian prisoners and Shalit's return home would continue. Meanwhile, ministers who participated in cabinet deliberations on the matter yesterday with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said that Israel will have to show greater flexibility in its negotiations with Hamas in order to free Shalit. Meanwhile, a Hamas delegation from the Gaza Strip is expected to visit Cairo later this week in order to discuss an Egyptian proposal to renew the indirect negotiations between the two sides. If there is progress in the talks between senior Egyptian intelligence officials and Hamas representatives, Israeli negotiator Ofer Dekel will also travel to Cairo for talks next week. Olmert is likely to resume cabinet discussions on the criteria for which Palestinian prisoners can be released in exchange for Shalit, the Israel Defense Forces soldier who was abducted from Israeli territory two years ago. A similar discussion took place six months ago, headed by Vice Premier Haim Ramon. Security and political sources said yesterday that the restrictions on the prisoner criteria must be relaxed in order to achieve progress on the talks. To date, Israel has agreed to release 71 of the hundreds of people proposed by Hamas. Ministers involved say they have no illusions of reaching an agreement unless dozens of prisoners sentenced to life are released - including those who were involved in serious terrorist operations. Israel is also hoping that Egypt will increase its pressure on Hamas to be more flexible. Defense Minister Ehud Barak believes that it is important to utilize the tahadiyeh (cease-fire) in order to push through a deal for Shalit. During discussions yesterday, Barak said he believed a gag order might be necessary, because Hamas may try to use the Israeli media in its bargaining. This comes following the recent negotiations for reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, Barak explained, as well as "loose talk" from ministers who stated that Hamas will up its demands in exchange for Shalit. "It is essential to impose a heavy curtain of censorship in order to bring Gilad [Shalit] home," Barak said yesterday. "We must not conduct this struggle with our cards open - it gives a significant and unjustified advantage to the other side." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Brown's ultimatum British PM to Knesset: Iran must suspend nuclear bid or face global isolation. One giant leap VIDEO: Israeli-developed device allows paraplegics to walk again.   1.   To raise the price? Is this pacifist? mmmmm 09:55  |  Alain 21/07/08   2.   Who is worse, Jimmy or Nateuri Carter 10:14  |  Harvey (Chaim) 21/07/08   3.   Carter proposal 10:24  |  Ralph 21/07/08   4.   CARTER is/was very quiet on the Hesballah"exchange" 10:25  |  PETER SM 21/07/08   5.   A wonderful way with words, that.... 11:21  |  Johnboy 21/07/08   6.   Carter is a Bigot and Hamas Agent 17:31  |  Liliane 21/07/08   7.   Prisoner exchange 20:04  |  Fido 21/07/08   8.   Carter 21:38  |  peacenik 21/07/08   9.   Carter is the idiot who..... 23:49  |  leo 21/07/08   10.   carter has always nurtured terrorists, he has been supporting 01:28  |  Avram 22/07/08

Read & React Brown to Knesset: Iran must suspend nuclear bid or face global isolation Responses: 145 Report: Israel willing to free Barghouti for Shalit Responses: 160 Yossi Sarid: Obama has already changed things for the better Responses: 90 Yoav Orgad: Before the Muslim minority becomes a majority Responses: 96 IDF reservists rail at having to guard former Jewish terrorist Responses: 40 More Headlines 00:08 Prosecution leans toward charging Katsav with rape 01:42 Talansky tries to hide pain, anger in final day under fire 23:37 Olmert's Kadima sets date for party leadership battle 21:31 McCain: Sanctions might stop Iran, but U.S. won't allow second Holocaust 23:03 Court rejects petition to keep Talansky in Israel for further questioning 19:16 Brown to Knesset: Iran must suspend nuclear bid or face global isolation 01:17 Ex-panel head: Olmert not implementing Holocaust survivor promises 22:13 Lawmakers pass three no-confidence votes against gov't 22:12 MKs okay preliminary reading for NIS 1.8b higher education budget hike 23:10 VIDEO / Soldier filmed shooting bound Palestinian: Commander told me 'shoot him' 15:04 Report: Israel willing to free Marwan Barghouti for Shalit 19:23 Palestinians: West Bank settlers fired makeshift rockets at us 19:09 VIDEO: Israeli-developed device allows paraplegics to walk again 21:35 Fearing Haredi ire, Knesset choir excludes women singers at Brown session Previous Editions Select Day 21 jul 20 jul 18 jul 17 jul 16 jul 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul

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