[Ha'aretz] Aluf Benn - In talks with Mahmoud Abbas and Secretary of State Rice on Monday in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Olmert demanded that the Palestinian unity government recognize Israel, renounce terror and accept previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements, as specified by the Quartet. Israel will not have any contact with Palestinian figures who are considered moderates if they serve in a government that does not accept the Quartet's conditions, Olmert said. He rejected the suggestion that Israel negotiate with the PLO, headed by Abbas, thereby freeing Hamas of the requirement to recognize Israel. He also demanded that the Palestinian government release captive soldier Gilad Shalit, stop the arms-smuggling between the Sinai and Gaza, and deploy forces in northern Gaza to prevent rocket fire at Israel.
2007-02-20 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive