PA (Palestinian Authority) chief negotiator Ahmed Quriea (Abu Ala) announced on Tuesday that if the negotiating process with Israel fails, then a return to violence would be a legitimate means for the PA to achieve its objectives.

Some PA officials are optimistic, preferring what they perceive as Tzipi Livni’s direction, detailed talks on a final status agreement instead of the ongoing conceptual talks as has been the case in negotiations with Ehud Olmert.

Deputy Minister Chaim Ramon, a close Olmert associate, commented on Tuesday that Olmert’s imminent departure will distance the chances of reaching an agreement with the PA.

On the Syrian front, the Tishreen newspaper reports that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is hinting that once Livni is in office, it may signal a possibility to turn to direct talks with Israel instead of the current arrangement of negotiating via Turkey acting as an intermediary.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)