Reuters : Israel urges Abbas to be cautious over unity govt

Israel urges Abbas to be cautious over unity govt

Reuters | September 13, 2006

WASHINGTON, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said on Wednesday her government would continue to deal with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has agreed on a unity coalition with the militant group Hamas.

But Livni, on a visit to the United States, said Abbas would have to make tough decisions about his relationship with Hamas, which ousted his Fatah party in elections last January.

"This is a moment in time (for) Mahmoud Abbas to decide whether the Palestinian Authority will operate on his terms or on the terrorists' terms," she said at a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"I hope that they will take the right decision in order to change the situation," she added.

Palestinian leaders have urged Washington and others to accept a planned unity coalition, hoping such a move could end an international aid embargo imposed on the Hamas-led government and possibly revive peace hopes.

But Livni reiterated Israel would not deal with Hamas until it agreed to conditions laid down by the Quartet of Middle East negotiators -- the United States, Russia, European Union and the United Nations -- to recognize Israel, renounce violence and agree to past accords between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

"We expect the Palestinian Authority and the future government to meet this requirement fully and completely and we believe that these requirements are not negotiable," she said.

Rice said the outcome was not yet clear of the proposed unity government but she reiterated Washington would not deal with Hamas until it agreed to the Quartet conditions.

"It goes without saying that it's hard to have a partner for peace if you don't accept the right of the other partner to exist," said Rice.

While skeptical about Hamas's role in a new unity government, Rice stressed Washington would continue to work very closely with Abbas.

"We hope that the opportunities will present themselves for the United States to continue to engage him and to continue to try and improve life for the Palestinian people," said Rice.

Livni visited the White House before her discussions with Rice and an Israeli Embassy spokesman said President George W. Bush had dropped in on her meetings with top officials and spoke to the foreign minister for about 45 minutes.

Livni will be in New York next week for the U.N. General Assembly and is set to meet Rice again there.

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