Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., October 01, 2008 Tishrei 2, 5769 | | Israel Time: 08:48 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Condoleezza Rice meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Washington in June. (GPO) Last update - 18:32 25/08/2008 ANALYSIS / As Rice arrives in region, Israel and PA far from peace accord By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Condoleezza Rice, Ehud Barak  The visit of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will seek to determine whether it will be possible to present an Israeli-Palestinian accord to the world, or even a partial document of agreement, before the end of the current year. Nine months have passed since the Annapolis conference, which was held at the behest of Rice and where the participants promised to "make every effort" to reach a settlement by the end of 2008. Any attempt to redeem that promise will take place in the shadow of a political crisis in Israel. Is a settlement possible? There are serious disagreements in the Israeli leadership over the answer to this. Before bridging the differences between Israelis and Palestinians, Rice will have to pave the way between the contradictory viewpoints of her hosts in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert believes that it is possible and necessary to reach a "shelf agreement" now - a deal whose implementation will be spread over a decade. The agreement would determine the boundaries of a future Palestinian state, security arrangements and resolve the refugee question. Olmert believes that the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, also would like to reach such an agreement, and so do the Americans. The Bush administration is eager to have some diplomatic achievement before the end of a disappointing tenure. The candidates who hope to succeed him, John McCain and Barack Obama, have told Olmert that they would be glad if Bush would lift the burden of negotiating the Israeli-Palestinian peace from their shoulders. Olmert faces opposition from both Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. In their view, Israel must not rush. Livni believes that detailed negotiations must continue on all issues, and that Israel should avoid an unclear agreement. She also supports deferring resolution of the Jerusalem quagmire. Barak has warned against dangerous illusions, at a time when the gap between the two sides remain substantial. Advertisement The respective political interests of all those involved is obvious. Olmert is due to step down and wants to end his shortened tenure with a diplomatic achievement. Livni and Barak, who will soon face voters in elections, would prefer to wait for him to go. The prime minister rejects their criticism. His aides say that he is not rushing, and will not relinquish any essential Israeli interests for the sake of a mere document. The principles of the agreement are clear, the aides say, all those involved in it favor the agreement, and it would be a shame to miss this opportunity because of domestic political differences. On one issue, all three agree: They reject the idea put forth by Rice, to publish a document of partial agreements detailing the positions of each side on different issues. In their view, such a document would only harm Israel and would serve as a basis for pressure in the future. Following a meeting in Washington with Rice and Abbas in late July, Livni is of the opinion that the idea will be dropped. However, Rice is keen on showing gains, especially in light of the growing criticism directed against her in the United States. The columnist Jim Hoagland of The Washington Post wrote Sunday that the secretary of state had been "ineffective, petulant and overly tactical" in responding to the crisis in the Caucasus. Hoagland lay responsibility on Rice for the failed Russia policy of the Bush administration and wrote that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates dealt with the crisis in Georgia directly vis-a-vis his counterparts in Moscow, whereas the Russian Foreign Minister screened the calls from Rice. Thus, wounded and eager for some sort of positive legacy, Rice was to arrive Monday on another frustrating mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah. Related articles: Still aiming for 2008 peace deal, Rice heads to Israel, West Bank U.S. says settlements are 'problem' as Israel-PA talks shift to Washington Plans underway for November Mideast peace summit in Moscow Bookmark to del.icio.us   Gilad, forgive us On Rosh Hashanah, Noam Shalit says abduction happened 'on Olmert's watch.' Rosh Hashanah wishes Obama calls to achieve 'peace, security for Israel' on the Jewish High holiday.   1.   Abbas will be gone in 2009 05:30  |  Harold 25/08/08   2.   Is peace ALL that Palis have to offer??????????? 05:36  |  Akiva P 25/08/08   3.   Let?s be realistic. 07:17  |  Jean Van Daem 25/08/08   4.   No shelf agreement,final status talks now! These are 08:11  |  lakshmi 25/08/08   5.   "end his shortened tenure with a diplomatic achievement"? 09:01  |  redmike 25/08/08   6.   And the Israeli (political) "disease" goes on and on and on...... 10:04  |  Swiss (Dino) 25/08/08   7.   Fatah option Condi-Olmert fiction that doesn`t exist in reality 11:05  |  G Marcus 25/08/08   8.   #4 Lakshmi- your answers 11:43  |  David G 25/08/08   9.   so what now....? 12:56  |  ravi 25/08/08   10.   8 David G. here`s my answer 14:06  |  lakshmi 25/08/08   11.   Too little too late 14:06  |  Natallie Durson 25/08/08   12.   #10;lakshmi, lets at least get the facts right! 15:26  |  Doc Holliday 25/08/08   13.   there`s no time for postponements of any central issues anymore - 16:08  |  ivo 25/08/08   14.   Advice for Rice 16:57  |  Brod 25/08/08   15.   12 Doc Holliday,what facts are you talking about? 17:06  |  lakshmi 25/08/08   16.   # 8 david 17:56  |  Axel 25/08/08   17.   lakshmi - UNGAR 181 - was declined by Arabs 18:23  |  17 25/08/08   18.   Next election I am voting the Swiss (Dino) to become our prime 18:26  |  Gadi 25/08/08   19.   Really absurd to agree to anything with Abbas 19:31  |  Voice of Reason 25/08/08   20.   PLEASING Bush/Rice, Israel Releases MURDERERS for Jihad 20:04  |  Linda Rivera 25/08/08   21.   # 18 gadi 20:07  |  Axel 25/08/08   22.   #4 lakshmi...Abbas just turned down an offer 20:26  |  Lynn 25/08/08   23.   axel. Did I say IDF? 21:00  |  David G 25/08/08   24.   Only Israel`s Peace Movement can achieve a solution 21:01  |  Charlie 25/08/08   25.   #22 Lynn 21:07  |  Smadar 25/08/08   26.   Why the rush to create Hamastan? 21:10  |  Jewboy 25/08/08   27.   #22, Lynn 21:18  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 25/08/08   28.   With each effort to make peace 21:34  |  Jay Colbe 25/08/08   29.   doc holliday 12 21:40  |  potobac 25/08/08   30.   Hyperbolic Linda Rivera 22:10  |  Hola Mamasita 25/08/08   31.   #15 Lakshmi: Pals REJECTED UNR 181 !!!! 22:53  |  AliciaYasmeen 25/08/08   32.   Biblical is the only way to do this 23:16  |  Shimon Cleopas 25/08/08   33.   # 23 david 23:34  |  Axel 25/08/08   34.   Condi Rice Talks concerning Palestine State 23:50  |  C. Cannon 25/08/08   35.   The danger lies in Haaretz 04:04  |  K 26/08/08   36.   #20 Rivera, starting a war with Islam 04:17  |  spyguy 26/08/08   37.   Abandoning the right of return 05:30  |  david singer 26/08/08   38.   Diplomats, Politicians and the pious 05:53  |  Shimon Cleopas 26/08/08   39.   #15;lakshmi, you simply didn`t address the points 07:01  |  Doc Hollida 26/08/08   40.   #29 you are the delustional fool! Israel does have God on their 07:20  |  glenna 26/08/08   41.   Linda Rivera - you should THINK before you "speak". (silly girl) 08:12  |  PADDY 26/08/08   42.   I hope the US deals with Israeli delay tactics for Settlers 09:25  |  Ivar 26/08/08   43.   Glenna, 32, presumes to speak for God and Bible 10:23  |  Ivar 26/08/08   44.   #29;potobac, how would you define it? 16:02  |  Doc Holliday 26/08/08   45.   #43 you keep believing in your web sites;I choose to believe God 16:56  |  glenna 26/08/08   46.   Israel and PA far from peace accord 21:58  |  Howard Pettyjohn 19/09/08   47.   The so-called highway to peace 07:09  |  drillsarge 01/10/08

Read & React Prof. Sternhell: Supporters of occupation are not Zionist Responses: 168 Discontented Fatah politicos consider launching third intifada Responses: 89 Olmert: Israel must quit East Jerusalem and Golan Responses: 317 Gershom Gorenberg: The settlement movement began in self-deception Responses: 46 McCain camp: Claim that Palin endorsed Hamas is 'libel' Responses: 58 More Headlines 07:55 Israel cuts U.S. cluster bombs for homemade self-detonating brand 08:37 U.S. approves sale to Israel of 25 F-35 fighter jets 08:24 Report: Syria FM met with Rice in NY last week 08:05 Bush: Failure to save financial bailout will inflict 'painful, lasting damage' 07:15 McCain camp: Claim that Palin endorsed Hamas is 'libel' 06:39 Austria election results / When an efficient far-right meets a deficient center 15:55 Jewish World / I am warmly disposed toward Reform and Conservative Jewry 13:33 Gaffes and brimstone, as McCain, Obama proxies spar in Jerusalem 09:49 Haaretz.com: The year in review 00:19 Federal judge upholds right of U.S. terror victims in Israel to sue PLO 15:53 Will Israeli inventor's electric car be the smooth ride it claims to be? 05:09 Israel slams fresh Arab move to isolate it at IAEA 09:51 Olmert: Israel must quit East Jerusalem and Golan 19:44 ANALYSIS / Olmert's epiphany is too little, too late 19:16 Hang glider, 23, dies after crashing into Haifa-area home Previous Editions Select Day 30 sep 29 sep 28 sep 26 sep 25 sep 24 sep 23 sep 22 sep 21 sep 19 sep 18 sep 17 sep

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Dial 013 for your long-distance calls and get all your money back US CITIZENS Vote for real change. Request your ballot today! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt