« |
»
Revival of Saudi peace plan
munaeem | 29 March, 2007 13:19
he Arab League unanimously reaffirmed its support for a five-year-old Saudi peace proposal.
The plan calls for a “normalization” of relations with Israel who is to withdraw to its 1967 borders. It also allows for the formation of a Palestinian state and the return of Palestinian refugees.
The long-stalled Middle East peace process seems to have gained momentum with the visits of the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the past several days.
But local analysts said there are still major problems remain unsolved before Israel and the Palestinians could restart serious peace talks.
Meanwhile, in response to the Saudi initiative, Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Israel should propose its own peace plan.
He said :
"We must show courage and be willing to negotiate a permanent agreement. This will completely change the rules of the game and offer the Palestinians a political horizon which will neutralize extremist Arab figures, it will allow moderates to unite and reach an understanding with Israel. We must not forget that they have an interest to keep radical forces from leading the Arab world."
Moshe Arens, former Israeli foreign minister commented that he was not optimistic that Israel and Palestinians would restart peace talks in the near future.
"Don't hold your breath," said Arens, "let's see what will happen in the future meetings between Olmert and Abbas."
DEBKAfile reports :
"When she dined with Olmert in Jerusalem Sunday night, March 25, Rice urged the Israeli government to accept the joint US-Saudi plan."
Comments
