Bush Presses for Legacy Deal: Qurei’ Says President Wants New Talks

Palestinian Chief Negotiator Ahmad Qurei’ said on Saturday that U.S. President George W. Bush wanted new talks to commence with the goal of securing an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians before he leaves office. The new talks will take the form of trilateral negotiations including the U.S., Israel and the Palestinians, and will be held in Washington and New York. The framework contradicts the long-held American position that only the parties themselves can reach an agreement. Qurei’s comments explain U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s invitation to the sides’ chief negotiators to come to the United States in July. Analysts at The Media Line report that some Israelis are concerned that beleaguered Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will see the opportunity for a dramatic diplomatic turn-of-events as salvation from his legal and political woes and rush to an agreement that fails to adequately address Israel‘s needs.