Posted on 09/22/2006 1:40:40 PM PDT by Valin
Israeli PM: I was very impressed with King Abdullah's insight and sense of responsibility.
JERUSALEM - Israel and Saudi Arabia have been conducting secret negotiations, the top-selling Hebrew daily reported on its front page Friday. "Secret negotiations between Israel and Saudi Arabia," headlined Yediot Aharonot, reporting that contacts had begun during the recent 34-day war in Lebanon between Israel and Shiite militant group Hezbollah. Asked whether there were secret talks going on with Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was quoted as saying: "I don't have to answer every question".
Olmert was quoted as saying, however, he was "very impressed with various acts and statements connected with Saudi Arabia, both those that were made publicly and others as well. "I am very impressed with King Abdullah's insight and sense of responsibility," he added, when asked about whether he regarded a Saudi peace initiative favourably.
Meanwhile, the Saudi foreign minister on Friday urged Palestinian leaders to find a united stance towards Israel and clarify whether they accept the Arab peace initiative of 2002 which recognises the Jewish state. Referring to a suggested unity government to include Hamas and Fatah, and the parties' contradictory stands towards Israel, Prince Saud al-Faisal told Al-Arabiya television: "I hope that positions will become clearer because there is (now) an international consensus (supporting peace talks) and a serious chance to discuss matters seriously." He added: "If there is not a united Palestinian position regarding what they wish, a precious chance will be wasted."
A new unity government including Fatah, which is led by the Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas, has been proposed based on a national reconciliation document drawn up in June which implicitly recognises Israel. Abbas told the UN General Assembly late on Thursday that any new Palestinian unity government including Fatah will recognise Israel. But Hamas leaders, whose party swept to election victory earlier this year, say the accord does not include recognition of Israel. The Saudi minister told the Dubai-based television channel: "Hamas officials say they adhere to the decisions of the Arab League. Does that mean they accept the Arab (peace) initiative?" presented by Saudi Arabia at an Arab summit in Beirut in 2002.
In March 2002, the Arab League adopted the Saudi proposal that would see the Arab world normalise relations with Israel in exchange for a withdrawal from all land occupied since 1967 and a negotiated solution to the Palestinian refugee issue.
"Israel and Saudi Arabia have been conducting secret negotiations, . . ."
Not anymore.
Interesting.
The New York Times working in Israel?
Not really. Both nations, a Jewish nation and a salafist nation, are concerned about the rise of radical shia fundamentalism perpetrated by Iran.
I wonder how much of this had the Bush admins hand in it? Regardless, Im pleased to hear they are talking...
They both are equally threatened with being taken over by radical Islam. So I can see where there would be some cooperation.
If the Saudi regime in total isn't "radical Islam" then nothing is.
The Royal Family are a primary target of Bin Laden and Co. to overthrow.
No one ever said the radical Islamists are unified, adn Al Qaida isn't the only "radical" Muslim gruop out there.
Saudi Arabia is BY FAR the most strict Muslim nation on earth.
Saudi Arabian Imans routinely call for Jihad against the West, call Christians and Jews apes and pigs, etc.
Saudi Arabian school textbooks are full of hatred for everything non-Muslim.
I would not be surprised if part of those negotiations deal with how to contain Iran, and whether Israel might consider giving the Saudis nuke technology.
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This is not news. The Saudi rulers have always prefered Jewish physicians and like Israeli products for their personal use.
Israel is a whore to be used, but never acknowledged.
bump
There's nothing like mutual self-interest to bring people together, Kumbaya.
Nuke tech given to Saudi Arabia? I would be surprised if that was ever the case. The leadership in Saudi Arabia isn't immune from a radical uprising or coup, and it could happen at any time.
We would be foolish to give them any nuke tech. Besides, they could get it from Pakistan (if they heaven't already benefitted from the well-shared work of Abdul Qadeer Khan, the "father of the bomb").
I agree with that. But I betchya the Saudis are exploring the possibility of getting nukes from the Israelis, even so. Afterall, everyone knows that the Israelis have them, and that the Saudis need them to defend against Iran. It would be very difficult for the Saudis to obtain nukes on their own. They need to get them from someone who already has them. And that doesn't leave them too many options.
Maybe they could buy NK's nukes. Or possibly from Pakistan. But if none of those pan out...
I wonder how much of this had the Bush admins hand in it?This is something the Bush Administration has been working towards since the very beginning. I've been predicting since the Israelis left Gaza that there will be formal talks between Israel and either the Saudis or the entire Arab League before President Bush leaves office.
-Eric
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