(Reuters) Douglas Hamilton - Responding to reports of an expected move from indirect talks to direct negotiations on the Middle East conflict, former Middle East adviser Aaron David Miller said, "It would be a mistake of epic proportions to conclude that we've now reached a fundamental turning point that is going to produce quick or easy progress, let alone results." President Obama would do better to "park" the issue until after November mid-term congressional elections, rather than risk "another fight with the Israelis," Miller said. "Between the years of 1993 and 2003, direct talks on (Middle East) permanent status issues have started ten times," said Miller, now a policy analyst at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington. The problem is that even if the two sides can now agree on sitting face-to-face in the same room, they are so far apart and entrenched on the main issues that there is little hope that these talks will not fail like all others have before them.
2010-08-18 09:10:36Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive