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Last update - 08:08 19/11/2008
Peres: Obama told me he was 'very impressed' with Arab peace plan
By Anshel Pfeffer
Tags: Barack Obama, Palestinians 

LONDON - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama proclaimed himself "very impressed" with the Arab League's peace plan when he discussed it with President Shimon Peres during a brief visit to Israel four months ago, Peres said Tuesday.

Peres, who had just arrived in London for an official visit, made the comment in interviews to be published in the British media. He was responding to questions about whether he thought Obama would advance the Middle East peace process in general and the Arab League's plan in particular.

But he denied a Sunday Times report earlier this week which claimed that Obama had said Israel would be "crazy" to reject the Arab initiative.
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On Monday, former American envoy to the Middle East Dennis Ross, who has been advising Obama on the subject, also denied reports that Obama had said while visiting Israel in July that he supported the Arab initiative and would base his own diplomatic policy on it.

The plan, originally proposed by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in 2002 and later adopted by the Arab League, states that Israel would receive full relations with the entire Arab world in exchange for a full withdrawal from all the territory it captured in 1967, including East Jerusalem, plus a solution to the refugee problem. The Bush Administration has said it views the plan positively, but its own road map peace plan and the understandings reached at last year's Annapolis summit have served as the basis of its diplomatic program.

Peres said the Arab initiative was "not perfect," mainly because it fails to address Jewish rights. Nevertheless, he said, it is worth negotiating, alongside the bilateral talks with the Palestinian Authority.

The plan's big plus, he explained, is that it represents "a sea change" from the famous "three noes" - no peace with Israel, no recognition and no negotiations - of the Khartoum summit in 1967. In addition, he argued, it enables Israel to obtain peace with all the Arab states for the price of an agreement with the Palestinians.

Peres, who said the Arab plan was becoming "serious," added that he did not think the United States would need to pressure Israel to advance the peace process, since Washington and Jerusalem "see eye to eye" on how to solve the conflict with the Palestinians.

Addressing the issue again during a visit to London's old City Hall, where he received an honorary doctorate from University College London, Peres claimed that agreement had already been reached with the Palestinians on most issues, and all that remained was to reach a deal on territorial exchanges comprising 4 to 5 percent of the West Bank.

However, he added, Israel must be given guarantees because "in Gaza we failed. We took down 30 settlements by force, and there is not one Israeli citizen or soldier there anymore. But instead of settlements, they've built launching sites for missiles. And I have to give an answer to Israelis who are asking: 'How can we be sure that it won't happen if we leave more settlements?'"

Discussing negotiations with Syria, Peres noted that both Egypt and Jordan got back all the territory they lost in the Six-Day War by signing peace agreements with Israel, and that "if Syria changes its ways and goes in the direction of Egypt, it knows what it will receive."

On another issue, Peres lashed out at repeated attempts by British university lecturers to impose an academic boycott on Israel, terming it "hypocritical."

"Will the academics defend us? Will they defend our children?" he demanded. "Will they defend Sderot, which is being hit by missiles every day?"

Tuesday night, Peres gave a talk on peace and globalization at Oxford University, where he noted that Zionism arose in response to anti-Semitism and racism, but Obama's election might herald the end of racism. He was periodically interrupted by pro-Palestinian hecklers.

On Wednesday, Peres will address both houses of Parliament, and on Thursday, he will meet with Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Related articles:
  • Peres' speech in U.K. disrupted by anti-Israel protesters
  • Report: Meshal says Obama has no choice but to talk to Hamas
  • Carter: Obama will waste no time pursuing Middle East peace
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      1.   There`s that darn Saudi Plan again... 02:46  |  BBSNews 19/11/08
      2.   This Tells You All You Need to Know About Obama`s Intentions 02:54  |  Tod Zuckerman 19/11/08
      3.   The `Mule` of `Balaam` has more Common Sense Than Peres 02:57  |  Joseph.E 19/11/08
      4.   wrong 02:57  |  Mark 19/11/08
      5.   If Headline is true than Obama is as a Shame to America 03:04  |  Joseph.E 19/11/08
      6.   Repeating the same nonsense 03:04  |  MichaelN 19/11/08
      7.   Peres Power 03:15  |  Ralph levy 19/11/08
      8.   peace and occupation 03:28  |  Baz Mann 19/11/08
      9.   Let Obama speak for himself 03:38  |  MichaelF 19/11/08
      10.   By the way Haaretz on that Dennis Ross claim... 03:43  |  BBSNews 19/11/08
      11.   May the America People be Blessed with Long Life And Prosperity 03:52  |  Joseph.E 19/11/08
      12.   To all you Israel-haters, what exactly is this peace you describe 04:18  |  McQueen 19/11/08
      13.   A matter of convenience... 04:22  |  Blogowitz 19/11/08
      14.   peace with palestinians 04:24  |  real vision 19/11/08
      15.   obama impressed 04:34  |  frank mazuca 19/11/08
      16.   BBS news ..... 04:44  |  Brad 19/11/08
      17.   SAUDI PIECE PLAN 04:57  |  Steve 19/11/08
      18.   Arab liquidation of Israel Plan 05:37  |  paulo2005 19/11/08
      19.   UN 242 is the only basis on which peace will ever come to this 06:01  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 19/11/08
      20.   Is Peres saying that Israel no longer needs to exist? 06:02  |  Matt C 19/11/08
      21.   We don`t delete stories Brad... 06:14  |  BBSNews 19/11/08
      22.   Read it again Matt C... 06:37  |  BBSNews 19/11/08
      23.   Obama is pleased,but Ben Jabo Ben Tize is not pleased w peace pla 06:37  |  Aounist 19/11/08
      24.   Hey McQueenie... 06:52  |  BBSNews 19/11/08
      25.   President Shimon Peres exemplifies positive persona of Israelis.. 07:02  |  Smadar 19/11/08
      26.   Obama still wearing velvet gloves to deal with Israel 07:03  |  Natallie Durson 19/11/08
      27.   A senile Peres & 3 more months of lame duck Olmert.Ugh !!! 07:03  |  Sarah 19/11/08
      28.   Peace In The Middle East. 07:24  |  Daniel Garcia 19/11/08
      29.   tO # 1 BBSNews - "that dam Saudi Plan again\` 07:27  |  Dagma 19/11/08
      30.   Mark #4 07:29  |  David Zukerman 19/11/08
      31.   Adding to comment on Mark#4 07:40  |  David Zukerman 19/11/08
      32.   peace plan 07:43  |  Ralph 19/11/08
      33.   #1 bbs CAN talk but STILL - sigh - CANNOT read 08:19  |  CK Tan 19/11/08
      34.   A thief goes to a farm and steals 5 oranges. The next day he stea 08:23  |  Maronite 19/11/08
      35.   Impressed? Impressed? 08:39  |  Angel 19/11/08
      36.   FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, TAKE IT, ISRAEL 08:42  |  indrajaya 19/11/08
      37.   Two States for Two Peoples...... 08:42  |  The Threadmill 19/11/08
      38.   #19 What are you talking about, Jehudah? 08:54  |  Johnboy 19/11/08
      39.   he`s right... 09:10  |  ravi 19/11/08
      40.   To Maronite # 34 - A thief is a thief is a thief..... 09:11  |  Dagma 19/11/08
      41.   arab peace plan 09:13  |  Harry Murphy 19/11/08
      42.   The "reactionary forces" in the U.S. will try to kill the plan 09:48  |  Swiss (Dino) 19/11/08
      43.   @Maronite 10:01  |  Ralph 19/11/08
      44.   this could be an early SUCCESS for obama... 10:06  |  eric 19/11/08
      45.   BSNews and his Saudi Plan obsession 10:39  |  SDHD 19/11/08
      46.   Not an Arab Plan 10:42  |  Adel 19/11/08
      47.   BSNews doesn`t grasp what "peace" is 10:43  |  SDHD 19/11/08
      48.   Dagma #40, Ralph #43 Shalom 10:43  |  Maronite 19/11/08
      49.   INDRAJAYA YOU ALSO SAID SGTS.REGEV& GOLDWASSER WERE ALIVE 10:55  |  PETER SM 19/11/08
      50.   MARONITE.The Arabs rejected borders not Israel,now you cry victim 10:59  |  PETER SM 19/11/08
      51.   To Maronite @ 34 - Nothing was stolen..... 11:00  |  Dolly 19/11/08
      52.   To Maronite @ 34 - Nothing was stolen..... 11:00  |  Dolly 19/11/08
      53.   "Scuse me SDHD, you`re not quite "in sync"! 12:01  |  Will-o`-the-wisp 19/11/08
      54.   The Arab Ultimatum (Saudi Initiative) 12:57  |  Jeff Northridge 19/11/08
      55.   Saudi Arabia is a racist country!! 13:02  |  Dudi Misrachi 19/11/08
      56.   #53 Wrong in the 1st line, Jeff... 13:19  |  Johnboy 19/11/08
      57.   the Arab Trojan Horse Alternative 13:21  |  Erik 19/11/08
      58.   Obama vs Peres 13:32  |  Brod 19/11/08
      59.   Mark 13:49  |  fk 19/11/08
      60.   #5 Joseph E 14:24  |  John Allen 19/11/08
      61.   # 42, SWISS (DINO) 14:25  |  indrajaya 19/11/08
      62.   #8 Baz Mann 14:38  |  John Allen 19/11/08
      63.   #11 Joseph. Many thanks for your blessings. 14:49  |  John Allen 19/11/08
      64.   # 61 indrajaya 15:26  |  Swiss (Dino) 19/11/08
      65.   Johnboy # 56 What`s Wrong With The Arab Ultimatum? 15:32  |  Jeff Northridge 19/11/08
      66.   Johnboy # 56 What`s Wrong With The Arab Ultimatum? II 16:07  |  Jeff Northridge 19/11/08
      67.   #10 BBS...because Americans don`t care 16:13  |  Lynn 19/11/08
      68.   BBS News 16:57  |  John 19/11/08
      69.   Peace Plan 19:07  |  American 19/11/08
      70.   Johnboy STILL doesn`t know what NON-NEGOTIABLE means 19:42  |  SDHD 19/11/08
      71.   There cannot be a peace plan for Israel. 21:08  |  Stephen. 19/11/08
      72.   Israeli commandos have completed many incredible missions... 22:37  |  Jordan 19/11/08
      73.   to Jeff Northridge #66 - still dreaming 23:24  |  zeev 19/11/08
      74.   #51 Who attacked who? 23:58  |  Sammy 19/11/08
      75.   Will-o-the-wisps explosions 00:54  |  SDHD 20/11/08
      76.   Aounist, show your courage 01:20  |  * BEN JABO 20/11/08
      77.   Obama will eventually learn 01:20  |  David M 20/11/08
      78.   #12 McQueen I love You.I agree with all the posts you present us. 01:59  |  Israeli 20/11/08
      79.   #24 Whoever You are..McQueen Is not your lap dog! Respect? 02:12  |  Benny 20/11/08
      80.   #4 Mark take as the usual rhetoric.Nothing More Than that 02:16  |  Benny 20/11/08
      81.   Sammy`s who is who 04:59  |  SDHD 20/11/08
      82.   swiss64 about obama..and most americans 05:23  |  strange 20/11/08
      83.   Israel must come to terms with it`s racist policies 05:36  |  lomeshane 20/11/08
      84.   Racists must come to terms with Israel 07:15  |  SDHD 20/11/08
      85.   Three "no`s" and a "sea change" 07:43  |  Akiva P 20/11/08
      86.   Save your coy naïveté, SDHD 07:43  |  Will-o`-the-wisp 20/11/08
      87.   SDHD #69, the incurable dimwitted - 2nd try 07:48  |  zeev 20/11/08
      88.   to Jeff Northridge #66, still dreaming - 2nd try 07:53  |  zeev 20/11/08
      89.   Blogowitz, somewhere over the rainbow... 08:01  |  Akiva P 20/11/08
      90.   BBS News - Israel`s bonafide counteroffer 08:19  |  Reid 20/11/08
      91.   #80 loneshane and muslim apartheid revisited 08:47  |  victor hardman 20/11/08
      92.   #89 Ahem, Reid..... 10:09  |  Johnboy 20/11/08
      93.   #87 zeev - Peres also said Oslo was an opportunity 18:08  |  * BEN JABO 20/11/08
      94.   #64 Swiss (Dino) 18:13  |  * BEN JABO 20/11/08
      95.   to BEN JABO #93 - on Oslo and actual results 10:31  |  zeev 23/11/08
      96.   to BEN JABO #93 - addicted to false reasoning 13:16  |  zeev 23/11/08
      97.   #95/96 2ND TRY ZEV - I ask but one thing of you 23:14  |  * BEN JABO 24/11/08
      98.   to BEN JABO #97 07:45  |  zeev 25/11/08
      99.   #98 Zeev - Beer Sheva 04:22  |  * BEN JABO 26/11/08
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