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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Obama warns Abbas against rejecting direct talks
2010-08-01
[Al Arabiya Latest] U.S. President Barack Obama warned Mahmoud Abbas in a letter that U.S.-Palestinian relations might suffer if the Palestinian leader refuses to resume direct peace talks with Israel, a senior PLO official said Saturday.

Obama made the warning in a letter to Abbas but also pledged to rally Arab, European and Russian support for the Palestinians if direct negotiations resume, the Palestinian official said on condition of anonymity.

"In the letter, President Barack Obama warned president Mahmud Abbas that his refusal to enter into direct negotiations with Israel next month will have consequences for American-Palestinian relations," the official said.

The 16-point letter had a "carrot-and-stick approach," he added.
What about a carrot for Israel? Or does President Obama still have an Israel problem, despite all that fussing when Prime Minister Netanyahu stopped by?
Obama stressed "it is high time to resume direct negotiations with Israel" and told Abbas that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "is ready to resume direct negotiations."

The letter warned that "Obama will absolutely not accept the rejection of his recommendation to move to direct negotiations and that there will be consequences for such a rejection in the form of a lack of trust in president Abbas and the Palestinian side," the official said.
Golly, lack of trust! What does that mean when it's at home, I wonder.
Posted by:Fred

#1  The 16-point letter had a "carrot-and-stick approach," he added.

More like a carrot and noodle approach would be my guess.
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Colorado   2010-08-01 00:45  

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