Abbas Proposes Back-Channel Talks With Israel

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas wants Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to agree to back-channel talks to jumpstart negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. According to ‘Abbas, the talks would not be secret, but they would be private and unreported by media. He pitched the idea to Olmert when the two met in Jerusalem on Saturday and told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak of his plan on Wednesday during a visit to Egypt. ‘Abbas told reporters in Cairo that the talks might include "one or all members of the Quartet to discuss all the issues of the final status." The closed-door talks would focus primarily on the most difficult issues, including the Palestinian demand for a right of return and the future status of Jerusalem. ‘Abbas and Olmert will next meet on January 4 at the Sinai resort of Sharm A-Sheikh.