Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., March 06, 2008 Adar1 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 21:49 (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

Defense Minister Ehud Barak meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Jerusalem on Tuesday. (AP) Last update - 22:00 05/03/2008 Jerusalem official: Peace talks may resume as early as Thursday By Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent, and News Agencies Tags: U.S., Palestinians  The stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians may resume as early as Thursday, a senior official in Jerusalem said Wednesday evening. According to the official, a low-level meeting will be held Thursday while efforts to coordinate a meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will continue in the coming days. A meeting will also be set up between chief negotiators Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and the top Palestinian advisor Ahmed Qureia. Advertisement Earlier Wednesday, Abbas agreed to resume peace talks with Israel, only hours after he conditioned talks on a cease-fire with Israel in the Gaza Strip. Abbas announced his change of heart in a statement from his West Bank headquarters. "The peace process is a strategic choice and we have the intention of resuming the peace process." Abbas suspended talks at the beginning of the week to protest an exceptionally deadly Israeli military assault in the Gaza Strip, where militants affiliated with the ruling Islamic Hamas movement have been pounding southern Israel with rockets. In response, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum criticized Abbas' stance reversal, saying "Abu Mazen [Abbas] is a weak man, who couldn't protect the Palestinian people." "America and Israel don't take him into account, but only use him as a tool to pass their plans on the Palestinians," he added. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also said Wednesday that the Palestinians and Israel plan to return to the negotiating table, concluding a brief troubleshooting mission to the region on a positive note. Under pressure from Rice, Abbas backed down from his earlier truce demand, allowing her to announce that talks would resume, U.S. officials said. "I've been informed by the parties that they intend to resume the negotiations and are in contact with one another as to how to bring this about," Rice said at a news conference in Jerusalem following a meeting with Livni. Rice pointedly did not call for a truce and urged Hamas to halt its rocket fire. At the same time, she urged Israel to do its best to protect Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire. "There are enemies of peace that will always try to hold hostage the Palestinian cause and the future of the Palestinian people for their own state," she said." And Hamas, which in effect holds the people of Gaza hostage in their hands is now trying to make the path to a Palestinian state hostage to them. We cannot permit that to happen." Abbas did not say when talks would resume, but Rice said that a U.S. general would come to the region next week to prod peacemaking along. A senior U.S. official said Rice had agreed to dispatch Lieutenant General William Fraser III as a gesture to the Palestinians, who hope for American pressure on Israel. In January, U.S. President George W. Bush appointed Lt. Gen. William Fraser III to monitor both sides' compliance with the road map peace plan. The plan's initial stage calls on Israel to stop settlement activity and obliges the Palestinians to clamp down on militants. Abbas, however, controls only the West Bank and has no influence over Gaza, which has been ruled by Hamas since a violent takeover in June. Both sides, Rice said, need to carry out their road map obligations to have robust peace negotiations. Rice said the Palestinian president would like to see an end to violence, but added: "This is not a condition." Abbas had said earlier Wednesday that peace talks could not resume until Israel agrees to a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. "The negotiations must be started, but after the truce," Abbas said. "Once the truce is achieved the road will be open for negotiations." He said Rice told him she would send an envoy to Egypt, which often mediates between Israel and Hamas. "There are real efforts being exerted by Egypt for the truce," Abbas said. Although Abbas did not mention Hamas by name, his aides said the Islamic group must clearly be part of a deal. Hamas seized control of Gaza from Abbas' forces last year, and he wields little influence in the area. The aides said Abbas has proposed a package in which Hamas halts its relentless rocket barrages on southern Israel if Israel ends its attacks on Palestinian militants and Egypt reopens its border with Gaza. Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev declined to discuss the parameters of any possible deal but suggested Israel could be open to a cease-fire. "If they were not shooting at our civilian population, we would not have to respond," he said. Also Wednesday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Rice that Israel would not be deterred from conducting a major military offensive in the Gaza Strip. "Israel is committed to the security of its citizens, and while we do not want a wide operation in the Gaza Strip, we will not be deterred from it," said Barak. Rice met Palestinian negotiators Ahmed Qureia and Saeb Erekat in a final effort to convince the PA to resume negotiations, prior to her meetings with Barak and Livni. Related articles: Bush says optimistic Israel-PA peace deal possible in 2008 Abbas: I'm ready to negotiate a truce between Israel, Hamas White House blames Hamas for sparking violence in south Israel Bookmark to del.icio.us   Halimi, relived A Jewish teen is tortured where Ilan Halimi died in similar circumstances. Bus-bomb capital Four buses designed to thwart suicide bombings are tested in J'lem.   1.   Why bother? 12:19  |  spyguy 05/03/08   2.   Rice talk to Hamas: Talk to Dahlan 12:43  |  theolive-branch.org 05/03/08   3.   The onyl way.....link WB to Jordan and Gaza to Egypt 12:45  |  maurice 05/03/08   4.   Rice/Abbas show sincerety 12:55  |  theolive-branch.org 05/03/08   5.   Hypocrisy 12:58  |  Ehud 05/03/08   6.   Article in Vanity Fair details the quisling-collaborator`s 12:59  |  lakshmi 05/03/08   7.   TERRORIST WITH A SUIT ABU-BLUFF SEEKS DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL! 13:09  |  WARRIOR 05/03/08   8.   C`mon spyguy, tell us all what *is* fair 13:12  |  MaryRose 05/03/08   9.   Nothing to talk about. 13:14  |  Wise Saba 05/03/08   10.   if you stop acting like an aphartied state they might stop firing 13:15  |  Tupac 05/03/08   11.   If Condhimmi wants a two-state 13:18  |  MaryRose 05/03/08   12.   Abbas wants truce in Gaza 13:20  |  Hilda 05/03/08   13.   Hail Abbas 13:21  |  P 05/03/08   14.   Olmert replies Talks hold until Gaza stop Rockets 13:26  |  The Archives 05/03/08   15.   damned if he does, damned if he doesn`t 13:39  |  r.m. 05/03/08   16.   thank you abbas 13:39  |  geroge 05/03/08   17.   Abbas is no less terrorist than Hamas. Rice is quite ridiculous. 13:44  |  Pavel 05/03/08   18.   "Hudna" may be THE magic word to Israeli blissfulness 13:46  |  Swiss (Dino) 05/03/08   19.   #8 Maryrose, you just don`t get it ... 13:48  |  spyguy 05/03/08   20.   A Fair Truce 13:49  |  Avi 05/03/08   21.   To # 1 spyguy - Where do Palestinians go.....? 13:51  |  Dagma 05/03/08   22.   backbone -- at last 13:52  |  Susan Sarandon 05/03/08   23.   # 5 eHUD AMEN AMEN THEY CAN`T FIND PEACE AMONGST THEMSELVES. 13:58  |  petra 05/03/08   24.   #9 EXCELLENT IDEA! 13:59  |  petra 05/03/08   25.   If Road Map Is Build For The Kill Then Burry Road Map And 14:11  |  Joseph . E 05/03/08   26.   One state solution! 14:16  |  Boris 05/03/08   27.   Palestinian Peace Talks - Today`s Oxymoron 14:16  |  Bill Foonman 05/03/08   28.   Appease Sderot`s Children , Ashkelon , Netivot .... 14:21  |  Joseph . E 05/03/08   29.   Abbas is in no position to negotiate anything 14:22  |  Bo 05/03/08   30.   Tupac tell Hamas to stop acting like a terrorist state 14:22  |  theolive-branch.org 05/03/08   31.   No Hudna 14:23  |  David Teich 05/03/08   32.   Lakshmi tell Hamas to talk peace 14:23  |  theolive-branch.org 05/03/08   33.   Spyguy talk peace: Tell Hamas to talk peace 14:24  |  theolive-branch.org 05/03/08   34.   So what?! 14:24  |  Protected Civilian 05/03/08   35.   Talks were OK While Hamas Shells Sderot ? 14:37  |  Hypo Crite 05/03/08   36.   Mark Regev, as usual...... 14:39  |  Yaakov Sullivan 05/03/08   37.   FIRST - Palestinians have to change their charter...... 14:39  |  Dagma 05/03/08   38.   Anybody out there want to buy the Brooklyn Bridge? 14:41  |  Who`s Sderot? 05/03/08   39.   When Bush Say Road Map Regardless of Terror , Then Terror 14:41  |  Joseph . E 05/03/08   40.   India has condemned israel for disproportionate use of force! 14:57  |  lakshmi 05/03/08   41.   "Surrender or I`ll blow my brains out,... 14:59  |  Gideon Reader 05/03/08   42.   Abbas links up with Hamas officially now we can see 15:08  |  Simon 05/03/08   43.   16 Dagma,the Palestinians already have a state!The UN Resolution 15:15  |  lakshmi 05/03/08   44.   Yessuh, massuh 15:40  |  Clickfool 05/03/08   45.   Preparing the road for Hamastan in the West Bank. 15:41  |  Fortuna Benmayor 05/03/08   46.   Rice---Spectacular Failure 15:48  |  Ben 05/03/08   47.   When Rice Say Truce Thru Egypt , Abbas Say Hamas Part of Deal 15:55  |  Joseph . E 05/03/08   48.   Brilliant, Abbas, Just Brilliant! 16:07  |  Jeff Northridge 05/03/08   49.   Abbas just sold 1.5 Million Pals, it will make him 16:18  |  Kris 05/03/08   50.   Not a surprise 16:18  |  Mahdy 05/03/08   51.   sad 16:28  |  rm 05/03/08   52.   Humor: How many fantasizers does it take.. (re theolive-branch) 16:36  |  Tosefta 05/03/08   53.   abbas strategic choice;money 16:45  |  d 05/03/08   54.   Is Abbas after a US passort or something? 16:47  |  Michael 05/03/08   55.   Attempted deligitimizers of Israel 17:02  |  Chayim 05/03/08   56.   48 Howdy jeff Northridge . . contd.,just so that you are informed 17:12  |  lakshmi 05/03/08   57.   abbas a failure in the eyes of jews. he could 17:13  |  bozhidar 05/03/08   58.   Pure face-saving 17:21  |  US Observer 05/03/08   59.   Spyguy`s right to resistance 17:22  |  utagawa 05/03/08   60.   spyguy fatalistic dream 17:23  |  peter 05/03/08   61.   An entirely expected move by Abbas 17:24  |  Tosefta 05/03/08   62.   How About Smuggling Peace? 17:39  |  Markus 05/03/08   63.   59 utagawa to spyguy,silly argument,since that conquest took 18:16  |  lakshmi 05/03/08   64.   RICE 18:18  |  jw 05/03/08   65.   Abbas is strong 18:25  |  Edifice 05/03/08   66.   Venezuela 18:29  |  American Christian 05/03/08   67.   Our ?partner in peace.? 18:33  |  Jean Van Daem 05/03/08   68.   MR BARAK,JUST REMIND MS RICE... 18:38  |  Ian 05/03/08   69.   Israel should attend the Arab summit in Damascus 20:18  |  Observer 05/03/08   70.   # 63 lakshmi...you have used the same argument 20:19  |  Lynn 05/03/08   71.   #26 Boris 21:31  |  Mike 05/03/08   72.   #69 Observer. "To attend?"-A wise advice.-Please tell us "HOW?" 22:16  |  Vittorio 05/03/08   73.   to Dino "Hudna" no 18 22:21  |  Tina 05/03/08   74.   Where the fugitive can hide ? 22:26  |  Akram Zekaria 05/03/08   75.   Israel Justice: Teenager in prison for 4 months 22:28  |  Chris 05/03/08   76.   Nice photo Barak. Jews get bombed, you get the publicity 22:30  |  John the Priest 05/03/08   77.   Iakshmi # 58 For Your Information 22:32  |  Jeff Northridge 05/03/08   78.   Good Point #68 22:36  |  I Stand With Israel 05/03/08   79.   Move Livni to Sderot and watch Gazans get airborne 22:37  |  George Lechter 05/03/08   80.   to wise saba 22:42  |  Jeel 05/03/08   81.   Peace talks never STARTED ! 22:45  |  momo 05/03/08   82.   Abbas` seesawing is pathetic. 23:03  |  Fortuna Benmayor 05/03/08   83.   fundamental strategic reality 23:04  |  Paul Freedman 05/03/08   84.   Twigging post #2 23:06  |  sh 05/03/08   85.   Mike 23:09  |  Edifice 05/03/08   86.   #71 mike posts but knows less than f all 23:12  |  v hardman 05/03/08   87.   You want to "make" NA Christian territory 23:29  |  MaryRose 05/03/08   88.   A case of olive tree theft? (Sh #81) 23:46  |  Tosefta 05/03/08   89.   # 69 Observer.....one small problem 00:13  |  Lynn 06/03/08   90.   Israel`s school bully antics 00:22  |  Nick 06/03/08   91.   Yeah spyguy, I do get it 00:27  |  MaryRose 06/03/08   92.   India disposes of her women in hideous ways 00:31  |  MaryRose 06/03/08   93.   #44 We all know what pols are 00:39  |  MaryRose 06/03/08   94.   #84 How is it different? 00:43  |  Mike 06/03/08   95.   To lakshmi 00:45  |  dovale 06/03/08   96.   It`ll be interesting to see... 00:47  |  Colin Wright 06/03/08   97.   #50 Mahdy 01:00  |  MaryRose 06/03/08   98.   Abbas S Gets HIs Marching Orders 01:18  |  TOBIA 06/03/08   99.   Jeff Northridge, your folly knows no end? 01:27  |  Ibrahim 06/03/08   100.   A case of olive tree theft? (Sh #81) 02:18  |  Tosefta 06/03/08   101.   The advantage of fantasy - Tosefta 02:33  |  Mark Lincoln 06/03/08   102.   #96 the naive colin joins the naive condi 08:51  |  v hardman 06/03/08   103.   101: Mark`s almost right, hallelujah! 13:53  |  David Teich 06/03/08   104.   102: No, hardman, Colin`s not naive 19:38  |  David Teich 06/03/08   105.   No Jeel (#80), that would be Arabia 21:42  |  Polybios 06/03/08   106.   Mahdy #50 - definitions of "dignity" 21:45  |  Polybios 06/03/08

Today Online Olmert: Talks with Syria worth serious consideration Responses: 93 Settlers agree to leave several illegal West Bank outposts Responses: 107 Gaza humanitarian situation said at worst point since 1967 Responses: 204 Soldier killed in strike on IDF jeep near Gaza border Responses: 132 Hamas: Cease-fire deal with Israel must include West Bank Responses: 64 Rosner's Domain Dennis Ross: I am not an Obama advisor (WTR) Poll: Should Abbas and Olmert continue their talks? What does the American voter want? The Israel Factor: What's wrong with Obama? Rosner's Mailbox: McCain is a trimmer Sharon More Headlines 21:49 At least seven killed in terrorist attack at Jerusalem yeshiva 20:57 Four wounded as Qassam rocket hits Sderot home 19:35 Soldier killed, three others hurt in attack on IDF jeep near Gaza border 18:20 Hamas: Cease-fire deal must include West Bank 19:54 Damascus, Tehran sign eight memorandums of understanding 18:08 Those who left Hillary for dead, get ready for a long fight 20:21 Swastika daubed on grave of 18th-century rabbi in Poland 20:50 Who leaked the details of a CIA-Mossad plot against Iran? 18:27 U.K. Jewish school sued for barring pupil over conversion 20:53 UN Human Rights Council condemns IDF actions in Gaza 12:33 Barak refuses to exempt 1,000 Haredi men from army service Previous Editions Select Day 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb

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