Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., September 17, 2008 Elul 17, 5768 | | Israel Time: 22:35 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
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
Last update - 13:10 17/09/2008
Palestinian official: Olmert, Abbas to meet as long as PM stays in office
By News Agencies
Tags: Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert 

A Palestinian official says President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will continue to met for peace talks as long as Olmert remains in office.

Olmert has pledged to step down over corruption allegations but he could stay in his post until next year if his resignation leads to a new election.

He and Abbas met Tuesday and an Israeli official said afterward that the two would meet again after Abbas returns from the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.
Advertisement
Briefing reporters Wednesday on the previous evening's meeting Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said: "Olmert asked for more meetings, we said we're OK with that...Olmert is the prime minister of Israel, and until he leaves office, we will still be dealing with him."

Olmert and Abbas discussed core peace issues at a summit meeting Tuesday, an Israeli official said, in a push to forge a peace agreement by the end of the year.

The talks came a day before Olmert's Kadima Party chooses a new leader in a process that could put peace efforts on hold for several months. Olmert has said he will resign over corruption allegations after the Wednesday party primary, though he could remain in office until next year if his resignation leads to a new election.

After the two-hour meeting late Tuesday, government spokesman Mark
Regev did not point to progress, but said the main issues of the conflict were discussed. He did not elaborate, but those issues are known to include borders, Palestinian refugees, Jewish settlements and Jerusalem.

Regev said the two would meet again after Abbas returns from the UN General Assembly in New York later this month. He said Olmert will continue to press ahead with the talks as long as he is prime minister.

Olmert and Abbas have met regularly since last November, when they renewed peace talks and pledged to try for an accord by January. Regev said Olmert believes that is still possible. What is required is effort, creativity and flexibility, he told reporters outside Olmert's residence, where the meeting took place. We on the Israeli side are committed to that effort.

But other Israeli officials, including Vice Premier Haim Ramon, are
pessimistic. Ramon said this week he did not expect an agreement this year or next year.

There was no immediate Palestinian comment. Before the meeting, negotiator Saeb Erekat said there are still gaps on all issues, adding the Palestinian insistence on a comprehensive solution. Either we have an agreement on all issues or no agreement, he said.

Internal Palestinian violence in Gaza Tuesday between the ruling Islamic Hamas and an outlaw clan underlined a basic problem facing Abbas and Olmert - Abbas rules only the West Bank. His Fatah forces were expelled from Gaza by Hamas last year. Israel believes no accord can be implemented until Abbas regains control of Gaza.

The overnight violence, which left 11 dead and more than 40 wounded, showed the extent to which Gaza has become a difficult to rule armed camp of competing forces.

Two bystanders, including a boy, were among the dead in the clash.

Related articles:
  • Official: Hamas held secret leadership election
  • Olmert warns of binational state if no peace deal reached
  • Abbas to Haaretz: Deal unlikely in '08
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Unexpected guest
    Clinton cancels spot at Jewish groups' anti-Iran rally over Palin invite.
    Critique served cold
    Ex-IDF chief Ya'alon says the air force failed in the Second Lebanon War.
      1.   olmert`s last push to destroy the State before going to jail 02:42  |  Arie 17/09/08
      2.   Is Olmert manipulating again, playing with words..... 07:47  |  Dagma 17/09/08
      3.   And Olmert lied again and is not going to leave as promised! 09:11  |  redmike 17/09/08
      4.   Israel must admit Settler Enterprise blocks possibility of peace 13:32  |  Ivar 17/09/08
      5.   Palestinians must admit PLO & Hamas Charters block peace 15:05  |  x-ray 17/09/08
      6.   Mr.Olmert and Mr.Abbas, cruising after dark. 15:35  |  Stephen. 17/09/08
      7.   ivar and the ancient right to occupy estonia 17:41  |  v.hardman 17/09/08
      8.   Are they discussing retirement funds in brown envelopes 17:43  |  xyz news 17/09/08
      9.   israel WILL NOT make peace... 17:45  |  ravi 17/09/08
      10.   #8ravi which comes first peace over kashmir 17:56  |  v.hardman 17/09/08
      11.   Egypt to arrange for them to share jail cell 18:12  |  Voice of Reason 17/09/08
      12.   no..9..hardman 18:25  |  ravi 17/09/08
      13.   #.10.Voice of Reason. Hamas will tunnel ... 19:18  |  Stephen. 17/09/08
      14.   #12 ravi swaps his naan for chapati and pitta 22:31  |  v.hardman 17/09/08
     Read & React
    U.S. Jews outraged over phone campaign alleging 'Obama gave money to PLO'
    Responses: 142
    Clinton cancels spot at Jewish groups' anti-Iran rally over Palin invite
    Responses: 93
    Settlers: IDF backed down from plan to evacuate West Bank outpost
    Responses: 103
    IAEA shows photos alleging Iran nuclear missile works
    Responses: 50
    Ex-IDF chief Ya'alon: Air force failed in Second Lebanon War
    Responses: 39


    More Headlines
    22:35 Exit Polls predict: Livni wins Kadima primary
    18:36 Kadima leadership race: What happens next
    18:43 Clinton cancels spot at Jewish groups' anti-Iran rally over Palin invite
    21:07 Hamas: West Bank militants must forcefully resist PA police
    18:21 U.S.: Strike on Yemen embassy was attempt to breach its walls
    21:15 Paris prosecutors: No anti-Semitic motive in attack on 3 Jewish youths
    22:02 Survey: Anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim feelings growing across Europe, world
    20:35 Israeli bank stocks, bonds hit further by U.S. banking crisis
    11:01 Settlers face down IDF, prevent evacuation of West Bank outpost
    18:07 Auschwitz security officers arrest Nazi memorabilia dealer
    19:09 Catholic Poles take initiative to save Jewish cemeteries
    14:24 Panel: State failed to include funds for earthquake safety in 2009 budget
    11:15 U.S. Jews outraged over phone campaign alleging 'Obama gave money to PLO'
    13:28 Police arrest fifth suspect in connection with senior physician
    13:10 Palestinian official: Olmert, Abbas to meet as long as PM stays in office
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    USA CITIZEN
    Change We Need Vote From Israel Elections 2008
    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
    ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel
    Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th
    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