Mofaz demands debate in Kadima before peace summit - Haaretz

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Tue., September 04, 2007 Elul 21, 5767

Israel Time: 02:19 (EST+7)

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Mofaz demands debate in Kadima before peace summit

By Mazal Mualem

Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz yesterday warned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert not to make "irreversible concessions" in the peace plan being discussed with the Palestinians. Mofaz demanded a debate in Kadima to set "red lines" before November's peace conference in Washington.

The reports of progress in talks between Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas over an agreement of principles to be presented at the Washington conference have raised tension and criticism in Kadima.

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Kadima members are demanding that Olmert show them the agreement being drafted for the conference. Some said they were troubled by far-reaching, irreversible concessions.

Kadima MKs Zeev Elkin, Shai Hermesh and Otniel Schneller yesterday told cabinet secretary Oved Yehezkel that they were concerned over the goings on. Yehezkel told them the talks were in the "tete-a-tete" stage and when the time is ripe, Olmert would fill them in and try to muster broad support for the move.

Kadima's council is scheduled to discuss the agreement on September 20; Olmert is expected to give a speech. Mofaz proposed setting up discussion groups to formulate a paper everyone could agree on. In a letter to faction members, Mofaz said the Washington conference opened a window of opportunity to advance vis-a-vis the Palestinians but warned of moving toward a final arrangement due to the PA's weakness.

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter also urged holding a debate in the party about the peace negotiations. "Our duty is to make sure the PA passes several stages before we can conduct peace talks with it," Dichter said at the opening of "Kadima House" in Beit Shean.

Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni told Kadima activists in Holon she believed in dialog that reflects Israel's national and security interests.

Olmert's aides said he had no intention of overlooking faction members. When the time came Olmert would discuss matters with Kadima's faction members, they said.

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