Months after Annapolis, Israel-PA talks remain low-key

Two and a half months after the Annapolis summit that was supposed to be the starting point of a new round of final-status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, it seems like very little has happened. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. President George Bush designated the end of 2008 for reaching an outlined agreement over the core issues, but the feeling is that talks between Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia are taking place in an alternate universe.

Indeed, negotiations are being held in a very unusual manner. While both sides say time is not working in their favor, talks are far from being intensive. For example, Livni and Qureia meet only once a week, following a preparatory meeting attended by senior aides. Olmert and Abbas meet once every two weeks.

Livni's chosen approach to handling the negotiations is one of great secrecy, with a minimum number of people involved: Only five Israel officials are today engaged in the talks. In addition, neither side has put together proper negotiation teams for the issues of water, infrastructure or security arrangements. Creating headquarters to handle negotiations has yet to become a reality.

Livni has come under attack for her approach. "This is not what a serious negotiation looks like," said a member of the Knesset experienced in negotiations with the Palestinians. "Where are the negotiating teams? Weekly meetings will not lead to an agreement even in 20 years."

An MK with ties to senior PA officials spoke of the growing frustration on the Palestinian side, partially caused by Livni's policies. Palestinians have taken to calling Livni an "Israeli Assad," because of her never-ending speeches, the lawmaker said.

A few weeks ago, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat was quoted as criticizing Livni in an extensive feature on the foreign minister in a U.S. magazine geared to women. "She has to realize she isn't the first to participate in talks," he said. "She can learn from the experience of others who participated in talks in the past."

However, both Livni and Qureia have expressed optimism. Israel says some progress has been made in talks, and Qureia added last week that an agreement in 2008 was still possible. Also, many observers believe that the shortage of press leaks are an encouraging sign to the serious intent of both parties.

The international community who embraced the Annapolis process so wholeheartedly is careful not to criticize negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. One of the few who have raised criticism is the Quartet's envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair. In interviews with the British press, he said that if both sides really want an agreement by the end of 2008, then "negotiations must be more focused and more urgently." To make sure Olmert and Livni got the message, he told them the same thing behind closed doors.

The conduct of the negotiations is also worrying the politicians, even more so after the Winograd Committee's report. Standing in one corner is Shas, which is threatening that talks over dividing Jerusalem are crossing a red line that will result in its leaving the government. In the other, Labor has been largely willing to ignore the Winograd report in order to advance the peace process. A few politicians are warning that diplomatic foot-dragging could lead to the party's departure from the coalition. "If Olmert and Livni will not be serious, we will not have any business being in the government," a Labor MK said.

Olmert continues to project optimism. In all talks he holds he emphasizes "anyone who would have walked in on the meeting between me and Abbas would not have believed there was a conflict." In recent meetings, he has also repeatedly assured Labor MKs of the seriousness of his intentions.

The prime minister knows that in May Bush will return to the region, and significant progress in talks will have to be presented. Olmert and his people have been very careful not to criticize Livni and stressed he has no intention of replacing her as chief negotiator. Still, they have said that they would "certainly like to see things moving forward a little bit faster."