Brussels, 01/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - Javier Solana, EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, who was in Israel on Monday 31 August as part of his trip to the region, expressed optimism that the peace process with Palestinians may possibly be reactivated. “There is a real chance of rekindling the talks”, he said, saying it is expected the gap will be closed between all players involved - Israel, Palestine and also the Americans, Europeans and more generally the members of the Quartet who are to meet in two weeks' time on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Despite denials by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has just completed a visit to London and Berlin in search of support for a compromise that would allow him not to put a complete freeze on settlement expansion, Solana intimated to the press that a timetable is being studied, a timetable that would allow conditions to be met for a credible and sustainable resumption of the negotiation process between Israelis and Palestinians. “We must not miss this opportunity”, he said, going on to add that “partners within the Quartet are working together to this end” and putting “joint pressure on for a halt to the colonies”. Tony Blair, who represents the Quartet, was on visit to Israel at the same time. The Jerusalem Post, however, contains a statement by Netanyahu, who says: “There have been no agreements or decisions. There are unfounded rumours and an attempt to fill the gaps”.
Javier Solana was received by Head of State Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Netanyahu as well as Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, although the latter is considered as being on the fringe of talks with Washington and the EU which are unfolding mainly under the aegis of Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak. Mr Peres said that the prospects of reaching a settlement and resolution of the two-state idea recommended by the international community are less dependent on settlement policy being frozen than on the need to strengthen Palestinian structures to make them capable of heading a state. His country would be willing to help lift this obstacle, he said. During these talks, the European high representative formally stated the EU's support for the government's programme which was made public at the end of last week by Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyadh. “We strongly hope the next UN General Assembly will grant the possibility to create such a Palestinian state”, he added, repeating this during a press meeting alongside Mr Lieberman, and others. Mr Lieberman asserted he was opposed to this, sounding a note of caution against accepting such a “unilateral” initiative. The scenario for proclaiming a Palestinian state, which was not accepted by Israel but which is said to enjoy international backing and is in favour of a major annual UN meeting, seems to be taking shape. Along these lines, Palestinians call on the international community to “shoulder its responsibilities”. Nabil Shaat, the Palestinian negotiator, states Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, is resolved to resume dialogue with Israel without imposing any pre-established conditions, although the achievements of past phases of negotiation, including the total freeze of the settlement colonies, must not be swept aside. “We shall not be going back to zero”, he said. Mr Solana then went to Ramallah, where he met the Palestinian prime minister with whom he spoke of the new government programme. His interlocutor stressed how urgent it was to lift the blockade on the territory of Gaza in order to promote rebuilding and the rehabilitation of goods and services.
Mr Shaat, however, states the resolve to rekindle the peace process remains, under pressure to be exerted by the international community and by the United States in particular in order to give resumed dialogue a serious basis. “Everything depends on Obama”, Shaat stressed in unison with all the specialists on the region who say that, for the new US president, this task will be determining for showing proof of the credibility and strength of his commitment to peace in the region, at a time when he has become bogged down not only on the Afghan issue but also concerning the Iranian nuclear programme. There have been comments, however, about the relative reduction in American pressure on the question of resettlements in order to ensure that Netanyahu is not embarrassed when facing members of his internal coalition. “Derogations” are said to be allowed and, according to the Israeli press, Mr Abbas has no other choice than to agree to this, although Nabil Shaat states he already has a ready-made answer for the US administration: “I would say to Mr Obama - we love you but, and I am very sorry about this, this is not enough for us to become involved in a real peace process”. (F.B./transl.jl)