Mideast ‘quartet’ seeks post-Gaza peace dividend

UNITED NATIONS – The international “quartet” seeking Middle East peace met here yesterday facing new Israeli-Palestinian tensions as it tries to reap dividends from Israel’s landmark withdrawal from Gaza.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her partners from the European Union, United Nations and Russia were to hash out ways of reviving implementation of their “road map” for a comprehensive peace. It was the quartet’s first talks since the Gaza withdrawal, billed as a milestone in efforts to achieve a final settlement based on the creation of an independent Palestinian state.But with Israelis and Palestinians weighed down by lingering mistrust and distracted by internal political squabbles on both sides, there has been little sign of movement on the larger issues.Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told a UN summit last week that it was up to the Palestinians to make the next move in the peace process by cracking down on anti-Israeli militants.But the Palestinians fear the Israelis will use the success of their first pullout from occupied territory in 38 years as cover to avoid new concessions and strengthen their position on the West Bank.”Today we have before us an opportunity to relaunch the peace process,” Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said in a speech read out for him on Thursday at the UN General Assembly.”It is incumbent upon Israel to turn this unilateral withdrawal into a positive step,” said Abbas.- Nampa-AFPIt was the quartet’s first talks since the Gaza withdrawal, billed as a milestone in efforts to achieve a final settlement based on the creation of an independent Palestinian state.But with Israelis and Palestinians weighed down by lingering mistrust and distracted by internal political squabbles on both sides, there has been little sign of movement on the larger issues.Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told a UN summit last week that it was up to the Palestinians to make the next move in the peace process by cracking down on anti-Israeli militants.But the Palestinians fear the Israelis will use the success of their first pullout from occupied territory in 38 years as cover to avoid new concessions and strengthen their position on the West Bank.”Today we have before us an opportunity to relaunch the peace process,” Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas said in a speech read out for him on Thursday at the UN General Assembly.”It is incumbent upon Israel to turn this unilateral withdrawal into a positive step,” said Abbas.- Nampa-AFP