Israel fears clash with U.S. over impasse in negotiations - Haaretz

Subscribe to Print Edition

Mon., December 24, 2007 Tevet 15, 5768

Israel Time: 02:43 (EST+7)

web haaretz.com

Back to Homepage

Rosner's Domain

Diplomacy

Defense

Jewish World

Opinion

National

Print Edition

Advertising

Books

Arts & Leisure

Business

Real Estate

Easy Start

Travel

Week's End

Anglo File

Hanukkah

del.icio.us

Digg It! new

Israel fears clash with U.S. over impasse in negotiations

By Barak Ravid

The Israeli and Palestinian Authority negotiating teams, headed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Ahmed Qureia, respectively, are to meet tomorrow ahead of Tuesday's meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and PA President Mahmoud Abbas. However, a senior adviser to Olmert said Israel may come into conflict with the United States over increased pressure by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to advance the talks.

The U.S. might want to up the pressure on Israel to fulfil its obligations in the first stage of the road map, the adviser said in private conversations, particularly removing illegal outposts and freezing construction in the territories.

	Advertisement

"Their demands from Israel will only increase and it is not certain that we can meet them under the circumstances," he added.

The adviser said that in Vice Premier Haim Ramon's talks with American officials, he had gone "too far in promising them things to please them."

Another senior government official involved in the talks also warned of expected crises with the Palestinians and the Americans.

"Israel has created a series of far-reaching expectations in the international arena," this official said, referring to the implementation of the first part of the road map, "but this is not going to happen."

"There is no political capability either to evacuate settlements or freeze construction in the settlements," the second official added.

According to this official, the problem will be even greater when negotiations begin on the core issues. "There are detailed files that include Israel's position on the day negotiations came to a halt in 2001," he said. "What will happen when they open the Jerusalem file, for example? They'll find that Israel's final position at Taba is light-years away from Israel's opening position today."

Israel's main problem is the Palestinians' lack of faith in Olmert's and Livni's intentions. Construction in Har Homa and reports of talks toward a cease-fire with Hamas in Gaza have created great suspicion on the Palestinian side.

The U.S. administration is not satisfied with Israel's conduct, especially with regard to the tender for new construction in Har Homa and reports of planning for a new neighborhood in Atarot in north Jerusalem. U.S. State Department officials have conceded there is a feeling in Washington that, "It isn't clear who's in charge in Israel - the government or the officials that approve the construction."

Assistant Secretary of State David Welch has even reportedly told Livni that the U.S. does not know what surprise might bog down the talks again. In comments behind closed doors, U.S. officials say that they want assurances from Israel that a Har Homa-style incident will not recur.

Livni, the main impetus behind the talks, reportedly wants to keep them low profile to avoid widely-publicized crises like those in the last round of talks between the teams. Olmert also wants to move the talks ahead, but to do so without breaking up the coalition. Meanwhile, sources in the Prime Minister's Bureau said that negotiations will not move ahead, at least not before President George W. Bush's visit on January 9.

One of the problems in the talks is that Israel has still not decided how the political-security establishment will prepare for them.

Olmert met with Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak Thursday to discuss the matter.

The main point of agreement among the three is to appoint Brigadier General Udi Dekel as head of the negotiation administration, although it is not clear whether he has accepted the post.

Bookmark to del.icio.us


	Christmas blues
	Gazan Christians keep low profile during Christmas after activist slain.


	Absent voice
	An Israeli think tank says Israeli Arabs should take part in negotiations with PA.

Today Online


	U.S. plans confidential appraisal of Israeli and PA peace moves
	Responses: 235


	Reform head: U.S. Jews mustn't oppose compromise on J'lem
	Responses: 63


	Israel expands plans for new homes in E. J'lem, W. Bank
	Responses: 76


	Meron Benvenisti: Israeli Arabs must stop mourning Nakba
	Responses: 83


	Security cabinet okays funding for 'Iron Dome' rocket defense system
	Responses: 54

More Headlines
02:34 PM mulls easing criteria for freeing prisoners


02:13 African refugees urge Israelis to 'help us help ourselves'


23:41 Security cabinet okays funding for 'Iron Dome' rocket defense system


00:23 Fayyad's police take over as Bethlehem becomes latest city in PA security drive


23:19 Immigration to Israel in 2007 down 6%, at its lowest since 1989


23:06 Panel postpones budget vote as gov't MKs balk at stipend cuts


21:19 Gaza's Christians keep low Christmas profile after activist slain


22:38 Lebanon's opposition threatens to boycott presidential vote


20:48 Report: German man jailed for teaching his dog to perform Nazi salute


19:05 Think tank: Israeli Arabs should take part in negotiations with PA