Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., November 27, 2008 Cheshvan 29, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:34 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

Olmert, in Washington: Israel-PA peace still possible this year By Aluf Benn Tags: Israel News, Ehud Olmert  WASHINGTON - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has asked U.S. President George W. Bush to convince Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to accept Olmert's suggestion to establish a Palestinian state and sign a peace deal with Israel by the end of the year, Olmert told reporters Tuesday. "We have reached the moment of decision, and now we need to decide. We don't need months for that," said Olmert, who met with Bush during a farewell visit to the White House on Monday. "The decision is tough, but I am ready to make it and hope that the other side will make it." Olmert said he told Bush his proposal to Abbas was more far-reaching than any previous offer the Palestinians have received from Israel. He said that time was pressing because the American administration and Israeli government would soon be replaced, and Abbas is due to complete his term on January 9. Advertisement Bush wants to reach an agreement, but is doubtful one can be reached in the next few weeks since Abbas has expressed his opposition. The Palestinian leader will be invited soon to his own farewell meeting with Bush, who is expected to discuss the possibility of reaching a peace deal and the future of PA rule. "I want to sign a peace agreement with the Palestinians," Olmert told reporters Tuesday. "This isn't a discussion that began in the last few weeks. I've been speaking with them since December 2006, in a continuous and routine process, and almost every week with the seniormost Palestinian representative - Abu Mazen, Dr. Mahmoud Abbas. I don't think an Israeli prime minister has ever conducted such intensive negotiations with a Palestinian leader as I have conducted with Abu Mazen over the past two years." Olmert said that even if a deal were reached now, it could not be implemented before the road map, which requires the Palestinians to fight terror and Israel to evacuate settlements. "You don't need to deal with every detail to reach a decision," he said. "There are a few central issues that determine the essence of the political and security reality that will be in our region, and an agreement must be reached on those. Never has immediate implementation been discussed, because first the road map must be implemented. But there is no obstacle to reaching a decision in principle on the core issues within a short time." Olmert also reiterated his position that Israel is not facing a choice between the status quo and the establishment of a Palestinian state, but between a two-state solution and the concept of one state for two peoples, which some Palestinians, Europeans and Americans support. Related articles: Apres moi le deluge Olmert wants to generate 'final tailwind' on Syria, says aide As he heads to Washington, Olmert prepares his comeback Bookmark to del.icio.us   Who's missing? Haredi parties absent from Jerusalem coalition for first time in decades. 'Kavosh 2' Amid nuclear tensions, Iran says it successfully launched rocket.   1.   Olmert and Israeli Endless Lies 03:24  |  American 26/11/08   2.   when is moron mert going to be gone?why is he still making these 04:45  |  glenna 26/11/08   3.   oldmert just wants to use the IDF to evacuate more Israelis; 04:51  |  glenna 26/11/08   4.   Smoking 05:21  |  Baz Mann 26/11/08   5.   The man has become totally unhinged 05:24  |  Mark Lincoln 26/11/08   6.   PM Olmert is right! Peace deal still possible... 05:34  |  Smadar 26/11/08   7.   Cinderella has stayed too long at the ball 07:09  |  Natallie Durson 26/11/08   8.   The solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? 07:24  |  Jean Van Daem 26/11/08   9.   Israel Again Is Made The Fool, With a Goal 07:31  |  Dav Lev 26/11/08   10.   Maybe NOT So Crazy 07:46  |  Mark of Lewiston 26/11/08   11.   Omert can continue negotiations from his jail cell 07:55  |  IW 26/11/08   12.   OLMERT OUTGOING PRIME MINISTER! no longer PM 08:11  |  Dagma 26/11/08   13.   Just do it 08:28  |  English Resident 26/11/08   14.   Where is MAZUZ at this important moment. 08:41  |  Natasha 26/11/08   15.   Olmert is Mentally Ill and needs to be put in his cell Already 08:48  |  Baruch Gold 26/11/08   16.   To Natallie Durson # 7 - A Splendid Analysis! 08:48  |  Dagma 26/11/08   17.   Olmert, oh Olmert..... 08:49  |  Esther 26/11/08   18.   Jean Van Damn # 8 - There is but ONE SOLUTION 09:40  |  Natasha 26/11/08   19.   Mark of Lewiston 09:47  |  Mark Lincoln 26/11/08   20.   Baruch Gold # 15 - Olmert mentally ill? No, only Revengeful. 10:05  |  Josephus 26/11/08   21.   To Mark Lincoln # 5 - Olmert Unhinged? Not at all. 11:39  |  The Threadmill 26/11/08   22.   If there`s peace Iran nor any enemy will want to attack Israel 12:16  |  Ben Menachem 26/11/08   23.   The Thredmill 16:55  |  Mark Lincoln 26/11/08

Read & React Documents reveal IDF killed wanted Palestinians against court guidelines Responses: 178 Israel asks Bush to explain its 'special relationship' with U.S. to Obama Responses: 115 Settler teens rampage through Palestinian neighborhood in Hebron Responses: 126 Aluf Benn: Obama's challenge will be to persuade Netanyahu to advance peace Responses: 57 Judea Pearl: Israel and Palestinians should apologize to each other Responses: 52 More Headlines 01:11 At least 80 people dead, hostages taken in multiple Mumbai attacks 23:55 AG seeks to indict Olmert over double-billing affair 22:07 Pines-Paz: It's a tragic day for Israel when a PM is indicted 23:44 Barak: We will evacuate settlers from Hebron house, by force if necessary 18:30 Lebanon asks Iran to supply its army with midsize weapons 23:40 UN watchdog clears Syria bid for atomic aid, despite world doubts 01:30 Who stole Hitler's golden bookmark? 17:27 Holocaust survivor to meet her Polish savior after 60 years 19:25 Haredi parties absent from Jerusalem coalition for first time in decades 18:29 Amid nuclear tensions, Iran says it successfully launched rocket 21:46 Borat's brother - a.k.a. Erran Baron Cohen - releases Hanukkah CD 18:28 Livni urges Thailand to commute Israeli drug smugglers' death sentence 18:28 Hamas, Fatah women brawl in Gaza as factional tempers flare 18:19 Short on fuel, Gazans use car batteries to restart power plant 13:31 Ban: Israel, Lebanon must 'seize the moment' and make peace 18:22 Settler rabbi: Peace Now chief should be jailed for treason Previous Editions Select Day 26 nov 25 nov 24 nov 23 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov

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