U.S. Vows to Assign Blame if Israel-PA Talks Fail

Curt Here...

Thanks to an email from Jackie a fellow watcher for alerting me to the article posted below.

There has begun another push from the international community for a resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. This would be the latest in a long line of past failed negotiations. The difference in this latest push is that according to the article posted below the United States is prepared to assign blame to whichever party is responsible for the failed negotiations.

The article hints that the United States is prepared to take it a step further. According to a document sent by the US Administration to the leadership of the Palestinian Authority the US is prepared to take action if negotiations fail. Here is quote from that document, "We expect both parties to act seriously and in good faith. If one side, in our judgment, is not living up to our expectations, we will make our concerns clear and we will act accordingly to overcome that obstacle."

So what is this obstacle that has been so difficult to overcome in past negotiations you might ask? Some might even refer to this obstacle as a burdensome stone. It is without a doubt the attempt by many world leaders to create a Palestinian state and in the process split Jerusalem. Israel refuses to give up East Jerusalem and the Temple Mount and the Palestinians insist on having these areas in their future state.

Lately in the news you will find that there has been a very public rally from many leaders from across the globe to just forget the negotiations and unilaterally through the UN declare a state of Palestine. In my opinion this is where this is heading. The world leaders including ours here in the US are laying the groundwork for the appearance that there is no other option, (because of Israels failure to meet their previous agreements ENP,Road Map etc.) but to declare a State of Palestine.

Oh yes a Palestinian state is coming, whether Israel likes it or not.

Stay Tuned

Curt

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Exclusive: U.S. vows to assign blame if Israel-PA talks fail

The United States government has committed to playing a role in indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and promised that if the talks were to fail, the U.S. will assign blame and take action, according to a document sent by the U.S. to the Palestinian Authority, which Haaretz obtained on Friday.

The U.S. government sent the document to the Palestinians responding to their inquires regarding the U.S. initiative to launch indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

"We expect both parties to act seriously and in good faith. If one side, in our judgment, is not living up to our expectations, we will make our concerns clear and we will act accordingly to overcome that obstacle," it was written.

This commitment by the U.S. was a determining factor in the Palestinians' and the Arab League's decision to agree to the U.S. proposal on indirect talks.

The document also reveals that U.S. involvement will include "sharing messages between the parties and offering our own ideas and bridging proposals."

The U.S. also emphasized that their main concern is establishing a Palestinian state.

"Our core remains a viable, independent and sovereign Palestinian State with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967," the document read.

Regarding the settlements, the U.S. noted its continued commitment to the road map, which dictates that Israel must freeze all construction in the settlements, and dismantle all outposts erected since March 2001.

"Palestinian leaders gave the U.S. response a warm welcome"

A prominent Palestinian official told Haaretz that the Palestinian leadership welcomed the U.S. response, and the only reason PA President Mahmoud Abbas delayed responding to the U.S. initially was so he could receive support from the Arab League.

The Palestinians are especially satisfied from the U.S. commitment to put the blame on the side responsible if the talks fail.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1154406.html