Netanyahu pessimistic about future of peace talks

[Chris]

Netanyahu pessimistic about future of peace talks
By JPOST.COM STAFF 01/29/2012 12:27
At weekly cabinet meeting PM says Israel interested in continuing exploratory talks but "signs not particularly good."
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu By Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday was somewhat pessimistic about the prospects of future peace talks with the Palestinians, but expressed hope that exploratory talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Amman would act as a springboard for direct negotiations. "The signs are not particularly good, but I hope they will rebound and we can make progress," Netanyahu stated at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting. He announced that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon would be visiting Israel in the coming days to discuss the future of the peace process, as well as sanctions against Iran. The prime minister stated that Israel was interested in continuing exploratory talks with the Palestinians with a view of moving towards "concrete negotiations." He was critical of the Palestinians, saying that, thus far, "they have refused to discuss with us our security needs."

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[Chris]

Netanyahu: Prospects of progress in Mideast peace talks 'not good'
Speaking at weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister blames latest negotiations stall on Palestinians' unwillingness to discuss Israel's security demands.
By Barak Ravid

Peace prospects with the Palestinians are looking poor, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday after exploratory talks aimed at relaunching negotiations ended in deadlock. "As things stand now, according to what happened over the past few days - when the Palestinians refused even to discuss Israel's security needs with us - the signs are not particularly good," he told his cabinet in public remarks.

Netanyahu's comments came after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters in Ramallah on Saturday that Israel was to blame for the failure of the recent round of talks to relaunch direct talks. Abbas claimed that during talks mediated by Jordan in recent weeks, Israel had presented an unclear position on security matters and on the question of borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state. Palestinian sources said Israel's border proposal would have prevented the establishment a Palestinian state.

more.................Netanyahu: Prospects of progress in Mideast peace talks 'not good' - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News