Palestinian Government Asks For A Chance

But Impasse Overshadows Mideast Summit, Rice

(AP)  Hoping to turn the page on six years of stalled Mideast negotiations, the U.S. instead found itself boxed in Sunday by a characteristically complex political impasse involving ally Israel and the Palestinians.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice came to the region intending to lead a symbolic peace summit. Her plans, however, have been eclipsed amid uncertainty and disagreement over how to handle last week's sudden announcement of a power-sharing deal to end internal Palestinian fighting.

Rice met for two hours with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, resolute in his position that he must govern hand-in-hand with Hamas militants who refuse to moderate anti-Israeli policies. The United States consider Hamas a terrorist group.

Later Sunday, the U.S. diplomat held a similarly long meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert over a similarly hard-line position.

Israel will not recognize a Palestinian government that refuses to renounce violence, honor past commitments and accept Israel's right to exist.

Olmert says Washington agrees and will shun the new government. U.S. officials, however, are not going that far — yet.

The United States, still hoping Abbas will change Hamas or change his mind, says it will reserve judgment until the planned Palestinian government takes shape.

Rice acknowledged that the moment is awkward for discussions of peace. But she wanted to go ahead with Monday's summit with Abbas and Olmert.

"We could have decided not to meet during this time, but I actually think that when people have questions and want to explore issues that arise out of something like the agreement to form a national unity government that it's better that they be able to do it face to face," Rice told reporters.

The meeting was planned before Abbas made his pact with Hamas. The gathering was meant to offer weary Palestinians a brighter vision for their future by opening a discussion of the contours of an eventual Palestinian state.

It also was a way to strengthen Abbas in his power struggle with Hamas, which surprised the Bush administration by defeating Abbas' secular Fatah Party in elections 13 months ago.

Although U.S. officials brush off any suggestion the pact has tainted Abbas, diplomats have not hidden their displeasure with both the content and timing of the deal he made.

Neither the United States nor Israel has said it would boycott Abbas, who is widely known by his nickname, Abu Mazen. As head of the Palestine Liberation Organization, he would represent the Palestinians in any peace talks. Negotiations broke down more than six years ago in an explosion of violence between the two sides.

[pwrslm]

Every hypocrit hides behind the INETERESTS.

Posted by grazinggoat at 09:48 PM : Feb 18, 2007


I have no idea what an ineterests is. Maybe thats why hypocrits hide behind it. It must be a good hiding place, eh?

[pwrslm]

Yeah...they'd probably lie about someone having WMD's to justify an illegal invasion.

Posted by formrusmcsgt at 05:34 PM : Feb 18, 2007


I already invited you to prove that WMD's were a lie, you fell flat on your face.

Wanna try to prove that anyone lied now? From what I see, the only liar is formrusmcsgt. You can take that to the bank "former Marine". (ya, i know your a wanna be, once a marine always a marine, there is no such thing as a former marine...)

[grazinggoat]

the usa can protect it's self and it's interests with or without the un.....
Posted by lars008

-Yo larsehole007. Is it free for all in this world. Can someone define what are the USA or any other nation's INTERESTS?

Every hypocrit hides behind the INETERESTS.

HEY this is the Nation's INTEREST... interest... my A$$, in the last IRAQI war, there were no interest for the USA. It's only Cheney's Haliburton and PNAC's interest.

[formrusmcsgt]

Is Abbas a fool or a tool? The present Israeli and U.S. rulers are not interested in negotiation.
Posted by feelfree1 at 06:00 PM : Feb 18, 2007

Agreed They want status quo ad infinitim while giving lip service to real progress.

[feelfree1]

Re: "Israel will not recognize a Palestinian government that refuses to renounce violence"

It seems reasonable that the Palestinians would take a similar position with respect to Israel.

Is Abbas a fool or a tool? The present Israeli and U.S. rulers are not interested in negotiation.

[formrusmcsgt]

Nice list!
Posted by feelfree1 at 05:52 PM : Feb 18, 2007

Sad, but true.

[feelfree1]

formrusmcsgt,

Ha, ha!

Nice list!

[formrusmcsgt]

The following is a list of Rice's diplomatic sucesses:

[formrusmcsgt]

You can never trust an Arab or a Muslim. They all lie for there own agenda.
Posted by elgraz at 05:13 PM : Feb 18, 2007

Yeah...they'd probably lie about someone having WMD's to justify an illegal invasion.

[elgraz]

Hey George,
I think that you need a piece of arse. Your wife is not cooperating with you as I can see.....that is very evident. Check Hillary Clinton she may be of help. Bill really could care less.