Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., August 03, 2008 Av 2, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:10 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Olmert to continue peace talks despite impending resignation By Barak Ravid In the days preceding his announcement of his planned resignation, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert thought about what his role in the peace process should be for the remainder of his term. The first option was to stop peace talks and leave the process to his successor. However, he eventually decided to continue negotiations with the Palestinians and Syria. According to an Olmert associate, this decision stemmed from the fact that peace talks are included in the government's guidelines, and "freezing talks entails far greater danger than continuing them." Advertisement "Stopping the peace process could lead to a violent outburst," he added. "We plan to continue the talks on both fronts, but that doesn't mean there will be agreements." Olmert believes that to some degree, announcing the impending end of his term has given him more public legitimacy to make progress in the peace process. "It is now clear to everyone that this is not about political survival or the desire to attract voters," explained an aide. "He could have said, 'I am not going to work any more, apres moi le deluge' and just dealt with urgent problems." Olmert's associates emphasized that any agreement would be ratified in a democratic manner. They added that the prime minister promised opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu to consult him if the talks reach a critical stage, and his opinion will be considered when the government decides what ratification process to use. The premier faces negotiations on four tracks. The first is completion of the prisoner swap with Hezbollah: In the coming weeks, he will submit a list of Palestinian prisoners to be released in the final stage of this deal for cabinet approval. The second is the effort to conclude a deal for the return of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit. Olmert's confidants said he will not relax his efforts to bring Shalit home by the end of his term. The third track is talks with the Palestinians. On Wednesday, while Olmert was announcing his impending resignation, the Palestinian and Israeli negotiating teams were meeting in Washington in the offices of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice - though Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was instead watching Olmert's speech, and the reactions from various political parties. Both sides reiterated at that meeting that they prefer a complete agreement to a partial one, even if that means talks continue into 2009. Rice would like an achievement by the end of the year, but that may not be possible. Olmert would also like to chalk up an achievement in this category, but the fact that he cannot commit to concessions will make that difficult. The fourth set of talks is with Syria. Olmert aides Yoram Turbowicz and Shalom Turgeman returned this week from a fourth round of indirect talks with Syria via Turkish mediation. They reported a good atmosphere at the talks and said they were convinced the Syrian channel is not closed. Two more meetings have been scheduled for August and September, but at this stage, it does not look like it will be possible to move to direct talks. Bookmark to del.icio.us   History in the making N.Y. governor pays historic visit to Orthodox synagogue for Sabbath services. Under the rubble Five Palestinians suffocate to death after Egypt blows up tunnel.

Read & React Report: Hezbollah planning to 'force' IAF to cease overflights Responses: 305 Be firm with Iran, Mofaz urges U.S. leaders Responses: 217 Obama helps U.S. woman fight Palestinian husband for their daughters Responses: 151 Poll: Kadima led by Livni would edge out Likud in elections Responses: 114 Opinion: U.K. better than most of Europe at reporting anti-Semitism Responses: 77 More Headlines 00:18 150 Fatah men enter Israel after fleeing Gaza violence 01:06 ANALYSIS / Gaza infighting could topple Israel-Hamas truce 23:42 Ahmadinejad: Iran won't retreat one iota from its nuclear rights 19:57 Israel set to free 5 Palestinians in final stage of prisoner swap with Hezbollah 18:54 Palestinian man infiltrates IDF base in Jordan Valley 17:47 N.Y. governor pays historic visit to Orthodox synagogue for Sabbath services 06:17 Unknown assailants hurl brick at car in West Bank, injuring 7-year-old Palestinian girl 17:14 Mofaz on Iran: We won't allow a second Holocaust to occur 11:58 Five Palestinians suffocate to death after Egypt blows up tunnel 14:47 Man found in moderate condition after being robbed, stabbed by friends 20:29 German museum displays Hitler's art online Previous Editions Select Day 01 aug 31 jul 30 jul 29 jul 28 jul 27 jul 25 jul 24 jul 23 jul 22 jul 21 jul 20 jul

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Isaac Maimon at Dreamshoppe Special summer sale. Make an offer now. You will be surprised. MBA in Israel in English APPLY NOW! Limited spaces available Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Yossi Avrahami Presents: New Luxurious Projects in North Tel Aviv & Eilat Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved