Ex-U.S. envoy: Livni told Palestinians to reject Olmert peace offer
Livni denies comments made by Indyk at Peres conference, says she wasn't party to Olmert-Abbas talks.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Ehud Olmert Middle East peace Israel newsDuring her tenure as foreign minister, Tzipi Livni advised the Palestinian Authority to reject then-prime minister Ehud Olmert's proposals for a peace agreement, former U.S. ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk said on Thursday.
"The prime minister was about to have an indictment filed against him and the foreign minister herself specifically told both the Americans and the Palestinians: Don't you dare sign the agreement," Indyk said, during a panel discussion at President Shimon Peres' Presidential Conference in Jerusalem.
He made the comment the panel's facilitator, Channel 2 reporter Udi Segal, asked whether the Palestinians had missed an opportunity in rejecting Olmert's peace offers.
Livni on Thursday denied Indyk's appraisal, telling Army Radio she had not been involved in the discussions between Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
"I wasn't party to the Olmert-Abbas contacts, and only once the proposal was released did I publicly say that it was unacceptable to me," said Livni. "There was no need to speak behind Olmert's back.
The opposition leader added that she had objected to the clauses in the proposal which would see thousands of Palestinian refugees returned to Israel, as well as a transfer of Jerusalem to international control."
Indyk, who served as ambassador in 1995-1997 and in 2000-2001, was not an official in the Bush administration at the time of Livni's alleged warning.
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What wouldn't she do for her ego rather than for Israel and its people. Sucking up to PA? Is she demoniac? Still she hasn't shown anything positive since she appeared on the market.
I have zero respect for Tzipi because she showed herself to be a self promoter who will selfishly sellout her country for political power. Now Tzipi is backstabbing Natanyahu's government and embarrassing Ambassador Oren by supporting the leftist group J-Street. Israeli politicians need to learn that they will be responsible for the demise of Israel if they are not talking with one voice when it comes to peace talks. Every hack like Livni or Barak want a Nobel Prize and are willing to sell half of the country away to Palestinians for their 15 minutes of fame.
time to pullout the tape recording from the meeting and I'd bet it exposes yet another self-serving corrupt politician. Maybe two?
... nobody prevails ...
Is Livni Israel? Do some math.
"as far as i remember, the pals at the time never presented even an alternative proposal to olmert`s." Glad to know a person who was present at the Olmert-Abbas meetings and can provide first-hand information about who said this and offered that ...
Its funny, but there is something missimg in this picture: the timing: Indyk at the President's Forum, then the immediate response from Livni which is out of context. He claims, she claims; who's right. I am more incline to accept Indyk version of the event rather than Livni's, just because it does not give a rational explanation to rhe charge. Livni is a very ambitious politician, and I wish her the best, but like any Israeli politician, she one a hell of free-agent, me me me the hell with the collective interest of the People.
btw, who says olmert's proposal was the ultimate option? for livni to have objections to parts of it was only legitimate. but she never had as FM any authority to overrule the PM, so what's the point? as far as i remember, the pals at the time never presented even an alternative proposal to olmert's.
Very strange for a highly intelligent man to make a comment like that and not provide a source,knowing without one he has a serious credibility gap. "Trust me"-not a great resource.
nothing surprise me on Israel official conduct!! Israel was never a partner for peace.