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Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas meeting in Jerusalem on Tuesday. (GPO)
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PM, Abbas discuss three major final status issues
By Aluf Benn, Barak Ravid and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents, and News Agencies
tags: Olmert, Abbas, Summit 

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas held one-on-one talks Tuesday on the three issues that are at the heart of a final status agreement - borders for a Palestinian state, the future of Jerusalem and the right of return of Palestinian refugees to Israel.

It was the first time the two men discussed these matters in depth, according to an Israeli official. The two aim to bring an "agreement of principles" to an upcoming international summit on Middle East peace, set to take place in November.

These core issues have to be discussed on the way to finding a diplomatic solution of two states for two peoples, an official in the Prime Minister's Office quoted Olmert as saying. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the two leaders spoke privately.
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David Baker, an official in the PMO, said ahead of the talks that they would center on "the development of Palestinian governing institutions, bolstering Abbas' government and issues concerning Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side."

Olmert believes that the two leaders must meet at least once or twice more before handing over to aides who will hammer out the details of an agreement.

Aside from their face-to-face meeting, Olmert and Abbas were joined by their advisors to discuss security cooperation. Olmert thanked Abbas for the actions of the Palestinian security forces who rescued an Israel Defense Forces officer from an angry mob after he unintentionally strayed into Jenin on Monday.

Abbas headed into the talks warning that the planned conference would be pointless if it failed to address the core issues of Palestinian statehood - borders, refugees and Jerusalem.

"If there is a clear framework including final status issues, we will welcome this and go to the conference," Abbas told Voice of Palestine radio.

He pressed Israel to be more specific on how it plans to approach peace talks, saying Olmert's proposed declaration of principles would not suffice.

The PA chairman had also expressed concern Monday that the summit would be a "waste of time" if it limited itself to a "declaration of principles."

Hamas called the Abbas-Olmert meeting another attempt to isolate it.

"The meeting will end in complete failure. Such meetings can never achieve anything as long as the Israeli occupation continues to deny the rights of our people and continues its aggression against them," said Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas official.

Olmert and Abbas last met in the West Bank city of Jericho at the start of August, at which time the prime minister told Abbas that he would push for the establishment of a Palestinian state as "fast as possible."

Though it has been announced that the conference would be held in November, Abbas said he is still unsure about the timing, participants and agenda of the planned summit.

"There are no answers to these questions," he said after talking with United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice by telephone. "I spoke with Dr. Rice today and she has no answers either," he said.

Earlier Monday, a senior government official said the framework of discussions between Israel and the PA will be expanded to include the establishment of negotiating teams for each side, which will discuss the agreement of principles to be prepared ahead of the peace summit.

Meetings between Olmert and Abbas have so far been private, but the framework will now be expanded in order to "reach November with a logical product," the official said.

Olmert and Abbas are expected to meet again before the Rosh Hashanah holiday next month; sources in the Palestinian Authority said that in their next meeting, Olmert and Abbas will try to agree on as many issues as possible, in order to be able to present both their points of contention and agreement to Rice when she comes to the region in mid-September.

However Palestinian sources also said that while progress had been made, Olmert seemed interested only in a declaration of intent, while Abbas wanted to formulate a detailed document that would set out the Israeli position on the main issues.

The main development in the talks so far has been Olmert's acceding to the inclusion in the agreement of principles of the "core issues" - Jerusalem, permanent borders and refugees. This represents a reversal of his earlier position that raising these issues might lead to a breakdown in the negotiations.

The government official explained that Olmert has been persuaded to present the Palestinians with a political horizon, "so that Abbas will not lose the support of the Palestinian masses."

Referring to the appointment of Salam Fayad as Palestinian prime minister, the official said "two months ago a partner was born, and we must now talk to him about everything. We want to bring other countries into the process and reach more significant conclusions."

The source also said that "implementation will be subordinate to the road map," meaning that Israel will insist on the disbanding of terrorist organizations at the outset and the establishment of a Palestinian state in stages, rather than a final-status arrangement in one move. Thus it seems Olmert is willing to be flexible on a declarative level, while leaving "safety valves" on the road leading from principles to action.

The official said Olmert would not offer Abbas any new gestures involving an easing of restrictions on the Palestinians. The security establishment has still not completed its plans for removing road blocks and obstacles in the West Bank, which Olmert had pledged to Abbas more than two months ago.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak held a preliminary meeting last week and asked the army to present a detailed proposal that would include new operational roads. Barak is said to support temporary "flying roadblocks" in the West Bank that could replace permanent ones, thus easing passage for Palestinians while making it more difficult to carry out attacks. However he reportedly believes that moving to a new operational concept will require new deployment and training in the IDF, which will take time.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Fayad agreed at their meeting in Jerusalem Monday to strengthen civilian and economic ties between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. To this end, they resolved to establish committees for economics, social affairs and the environment. It was also suggested that meetings between mayors from each side be organized to promote joint projects.

The meeting between Livni and Fayad was their fourth since Fayad took office in June.

Livni told Fayad she appreciated the actions of the Palestinian security forces Monday, in assisting the Israeli officer who mistakenly entered Jenin.

Over the past few days, a special team has been set up in the Foreign Ministry to deal with preparations for the regional conference in November. The team will be headed by Foreign Minister Director General Aharon Abramovich, and a number of relevant department heads will also be included.

A senior government source noted that the team will prepare a number of position papers for Livni to submit to Olmert. The team will work mainly to prepare a plan of action to show the international community and the Arab world, in order to draft support for the regional conference and for subsequent talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

The team members are to prepare a list of steps Israel will take, and steps that Israel will ask the Arab world and the members of the Quartet to take. "The goal is to be ready with plans for the continuation of negotiations" following the summit, the official said.

Diplomatic activity is to be renewed next week with the end of the summer vacation. Assistant U.S. Secretary State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch is to come to the region ahead of Rice's planned visit. The Quartet's Middle East envoy, Tony Blair, is also expected to visit the region soon
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  1.   Just start PEACE TALKS NOW PLEASE!!! 04:00  |  Moshe 28/08/07
  2.   Abbas is right - now please formulate a coherent strategy 04:00  |  Daniel Shapiro 28/08/07
  3.   IF YOU WANT PEACE MY FELLOW ARABS OR JEWS READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 04:03  |  ALI 28/08/07
  4.   No palestinian state while Hamas exists 04:07  |  Voice of Reason 28/08/07
  5.   Summit pointless if Abbas just sits there waiting for concessions 04:17  |  Sam 28/08/07
  6.   Keep them Honest Abbas 04:26  |  Danite 28/08/07
  7.   Nothing is going to happen without Hamas` co operation,everybody 04:46  |  lakshmi 28/08/07
  8.   The clear 04:52  |  Mark Lincoln 28/08/07
  9.   #5 Care to examine the form of these Israeli "concessions", Sam 04:56  |  Johnboy 28/08/07
  10.   umm are you in control of gaza? 05:01  |  vik 28/08/07
  11.   Pal state pointless If Hamas takes over,Hamas stronger than Fatah 05:04  |  Joseph E . 28/08/07
  12.   Sellout of Israel by US 05:06  |  ralphsrant1 28/08/07
  13.   Another Chance 05:18  |  Abe 28/08/07
  14.   Israel has no intention of peace, now or ever 05:18  |  Natallie Durson 28/08/07
  15.   Abbas and the Summit 05:25  |  Siva 28/08/07
  16.   Abbas-Fayyad have only support of fatah , not pals masses 05:49  |  Joseph E . 28/08/07
  17.   Pointless 05:50  |  Joseph 28/08/07
  18.   In Summary for the Summit... 05:50  |  Smadar 28/08/07
  19.   clear waste of time 06:12  |  arab 28/08/07
  20.   mark Lincoln talks foolishness 06:29  |  Danite 28/08/07
  21.   Abbas: Summit pointless if only about principles 06:38  |  Martin List,M.D. 28/08/07
  22.   #9 johnboy`s fantasy dialogue for his Punch & Judy show 06:47  |  CK Tan 28/08/07
  23.   Peace in forseeable future? 06:55  |  Otto Rand 28/08/07
  24.   # 19 arab ` work your BS on Smadar # 17" 07:02  |  Joseph E . 28/08/07
  25.   Abbas talking over Olmert`s head and straight to Bush 07:10  |  Johnboy 28/08/07
  26.   Same Old Delay Tactics 07:15  |  Moshe 28/08/07
  27.   pointless, now you knew it 07:15  |  Adnan 28/08/07
  28.   Abbas is right - No peace is possible 07:29  |  spyguy 28/08/07
  29.   #22 And a Great Big Yawn towards CK Tan 07:46  |  Johnboy 28/08/07
  30.   Abbas is right, and even Hamas is interested 08:04  |  Ivar 28/08/07
  31.   The problem is NOT what/how/when but it is OLMERT! 08:32  |  S 28/08/07
  32.   SO WHAT, ABBAS, ARE GOING TO CRY RIGHT NOW? 08:48  |  indrajaya 28/08/07
  33.   #29 johnboy`s yawn 09:24  |  CK Tan 28/08/07
  34.   Fake indrajaya 32 ALERT 09:52  |  indrajaya 28/08/07
  35.   HAMAS IS RIGHT, ABBAS WRONG 09:55  |  indrajaya 28/08/07
  36.   Two months ago an Uncle Tom installed a nodding dog 10:12  |  Clickfool 28/08/07
  37.   Although these meetings are but to try and manage current matters 10:18  |  Avihu 28/08/07
  38.   Reality collides with propaganda 10:19  |  Clickfool 28/08/07
  39.   Abbas is Pointless Himself 10:20  |  Wissam 28/08/07
  40.   Call for immediate Israeli elections 10:21  |  Avi 28/08/07
  41.   Kadima Gang is loosing Israel sovereignty 10:43  |  Joseph E . 28/08/07
  42.   # 39, WISSAM 11:41  |  indrajaya 28/08/07
  43.   I agree with our first four points, Avihu, but what do you mean 11:47  |  Tzion Blila 28/08/07
  44.   to # 39 WISSAN 13:24  |  indrajaya 28/08/07
  45.   Abbas can`t deliver,should be tried for treason against the 13:25  |  lakshmi 28/08/07
  46.   Talking 13:51  |  Mark Lincoln 28/08/07
  47.   # 39, FAKE INDRAJAYA 13:53  |  indrajaya 28/08/07
  48.   Tzion, all that I meant to add under my fifth point, and could 13:54  |  Avihu 28/08/07
  49.   # 44, FAKE INDRAJAYA 14:50  |  indrajaya 28/08/07
  50.   Summit shmummit....... 15:04  |  Esther 28/08/07
  51.   As long as the US is in trouble in Iraq, Olmert`s in trouble too 15:22  |  Michael 28/08/07
  52.   Why does PM Olmert meet with other holocaust deniers but not me? 15:25  |  David Irving 28/08/07
  53.   9Johnboy,well said,but while the Palestinians have right on their 15:26  |  lakshmi 28/08/07
  54.   lakshmi,why should people read your posts? 15:30  |  infidel 28/08/07
  55.   Abbas should prove that he is able ti stop terror! 15:30  |  Vittorio 28/08/07
  56.   #38 The "Greater" Israel is chopping up his territory 15:49  |  Alicia 28/08/07
  57.   End this bloody story 16:32  |  dan 28/08/07
  58.   This style of peace process is how Hamas was elected 16:50  |  A Bethlehemite 28/08/07
  59.   Falsity of Arab (aka Ismael) claims to Land of Israel 16:51  |  Reuven Ben-Daniel 28/08/07
  60.   to # 39 Wissan 16:53  |  indrajaya 28/08/07
  61.   lakshmi thinks she`s Che Guevara 17:08  |  Sam 28/08/07
  62.   Olmert - EXPERIENCE Your Peace Process: Move to Sderot ! 17:14  |  Linda Rivera 28/08/07
  63.   Won`t All the Naysayers Be Humiliated If Abbas Wins 17:19  |  Jane 28/08/07
  64.   Negotiations 17:22  |  Mordecai Ben Natan 28/08/07
  65.   A Palestinian state can be created without Hamas involvement 17:23  |  Maurice 28/08/07
  66.   "support of the masses" 17:24  |  B 28/08/07
  67.   What About Olcity, Mount Of Olives! 17:27  |  Ben 28/08/07
  68.   Bury them in paperwork 17:28  |  B 28/08/07
  69.   #7 lakshmi 17:32  |  B 28/08/07
  70.   54Infidel,reading my posts may clear the cobwebs from your brain! 17:32  |  lakshmi 28/08/07
  71.   lakshmi #53 17:40  |  B 28/08/07
  72.   Hamas Is correct they are isolated and left behind 17:45  |  Hausman 28/08/07
  73.   Call me crazy, but I think there will be a 2-state sol`n ASAP 17:46  |  Richard S 28/08/07
  74.   PEACE - Requires A Referendum 17:48  |  Double Click 28/08/07
  75.   response to # 7 Lakshmi 17:49  |  Shepherd 28/08/07