Israel Matzav

Saudis happy Livni in charge of 'negotiations' because she'll keep Netanyahu from being 'difficult'

Israel's chief negotiator bottle washer Tzipi Livni met in Germany over the weekend with Saudi Prince and former ambassador to the United States Turki al-Faisal. Among other things, Turki told her that he's glad that she's 'in charge' of the 'negotiations' because she will prevent Prime Minister Netanyahu from being difficult looking out for Israel's interests.

The Saudi prince, the former ambassador to Washington who also headed his government’s intelligence apparatus, is thought to be a powerful emissary in the eyes of Western diplomats given his intimate familiarity with Riyadh’s foreign policymakers. 

Turki and Livni discussed the Saudi peace initiative. Introduced in 2002 under the auspices of the Arab League, the proposal entails full normalization between Israel and the surrounding Arab countries in exchange for a withdrawal to the pre-1967 lines.

According to Israel Radio, Turki told Livni that the House of Saud was pleased she was named as head of the negotiating team in talks with the Palestinians since it would “ensure that [Prime Minister Binyamin] Netanyahu would not be so difficult.”

Livni responded that she viewed the Arab initiative as “very positive,” adding that the Israeli leadership “believes that the price of not reaching an agreement is steeper than reaching an agreement.”

 I wonder why Turki wasn't willing to meet with her openly.... /sarc

Labels: Middle East peace process, Saudi Arabia, Saudi plan, Turki al-Faisal, Tzipi Livni

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:21 PM