Palestinian FM rejects Quartet proposal for not addressing settlements, Israeli withdrawal [View All]

[Jefferson23]

Proposal calls for setting agenda for new peace talks with a goal of a deal by the end of 2012; U.S. says timeline is 'realistic and serious.'

By Natasha Mozgovaya, Barak Ravid and Avi Issacharoff

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki rejected on Saturday the Quartet's proposal to renew peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Speaking to a Palestinian radio station, al-Malki said that the Quartet's proposal does not call for a settlement freeze and an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 lines, and therefore isn't sufficient.

In a statement on Friday, the Quartet - the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia -- said it wanted to see comprehensive proposals within three months on territory and security, and substantial progress within six months.

The statement followed a day of high-stakes diplomacy over the Middle East which saw Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas submit a formal application to the UN Security Council for recognition of a Palestinian state.

Also on Friday, a U.S. official said that the proposal by the Quartet of Middle East mediators - according to which Israel and the Palestinians should meet within one month to agree an agenda for new peace talks with a goal of a deal by the end of 2012 – was "realistic and serious."

in full: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/palestinian-fm-rejects-quartet-proposal-for-not-addressing-settlements-israeli-withdrawal-1.386482