Solana to visit J'lem first on ME tour

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, embarked on a six-day mission to the Middle East Wednesday, aiming to breathe new life into the stalled peace effort.

It was Solana's first visit to the region since the full deployment of an expanded UN force in southern Lebanon following the recent fighting between Israel and Hizbullah.

Following this summer's conflict, key Mideast players have been seeking to make a renewed push to restart talks between Israelis and Palestinians as part of a broader peace effort in the Middle East.

Solana wants to make clear to regional leaders that the 25-nation EU remains committed to promoting peace in the region. The EU is participating in the 7,000-strong mostly European UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

Solana's first stop will be in Jerusalem, where he will meet Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and other top political figures including Israel Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman.

Reviving serious talks between the two sides will be a challenge. One former EU Mideast envoy, Miguel Angel Moratinos, suggested Tuesday that the international community's main blueprint for resolving the conflict, the road map, was fatally stalled.

Moratinos, now Spain's foreign minister, told a parliamentary panel in Madrid that a new approach was needed and that any new negotiations should include Syria and take into account the Iranian nuclear dispute.

The EU envoy is also expected to visit Ramallah in the West Bank and meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and top Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

The EU refuses to talk with government officials of Hamas because of its refusal to recognize Israel, end violence and accept Israel as a peace partner. The group is on the EU's list of terrorist organizations.

Direct international aid to the Palestinian Authority has been suspended since Hamas took power after its January election victory.

Solana is expected to press Abbas to continue efforts to get Hamas to moderate and to form a unity government with his Fatah party, an effort that has so far been fruitless.

The EU foreign policy chief will also head to Beirut to visit Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, to Amman, Jordan, to meet King Abdullah II and to Cairo to visit with President Hosni Mubarak.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=114230
Skeptical Solana Talks with Lieberman
18:27 Oct 25, '06 / 3 Cheshvan 5767

(IsraelNN.com) Javier Solana, foreign policy chief of the European Union (EU) met with Israel Is Our Home (Yisrael Beiteinu) leader Avigdor Lieberman. The EU official is visiting Israel in an effort to revive peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Lieberman, whose party has joined the government coalition and who is to become a Cabinet Minister responsibile for handling the Iranian crisis, explained to his visitor how he intends to carry out his responsibility.

Solana, who said before the meeting he has serious disagreements with MK Lieberman's views, said following the meeting that he has worked well with Israeli leaders and hopes he can continue to do so with the new government partner.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1159193520911&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Oct. 25, 2006 16:02 | Updated Oct. 25, 2006 16:29
Solana: PM, Lieberman at odds on Iran
By GIL HOFFMAN AND AP

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his incoming minister without portfolio who will be responsible for strategizing on the Iranian threat, Avigdor Lieberman, are at odds about how to handle Iran, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana told The Jerusalem Post, following a meeting with Lieberman at the Knesset.

Solana to visit J'lem first on ME tour
Solana said that he was en route to meet with Olmert, but that from his many past conversations with Olmert about Iran, "It will be difficult for Lieberman to be compatible with Olmert's ideas on the matter."

Solana said prior to the meeting that he wanted to meet with Lieberman in order to learn about his position on Iran, even though he himself has never agreed with him. Lieberman, meanwhile, said the meeting was an opportunity to exchange ideas. "My approach is more humane and comprehensive than any other on the table today," Lieberman said.

Earlier Wednesday, Solana kicked off a Mideast trip with a tense exchange with Lieberman, about whom he said, "I have disagreed with my entire life."

Lieberman quickly interjected, urging the European envoy to give him a chance.

Solana arrived in Israel at the beginning of a six-day mission to the Middle East, aiming to breathe new life into peace efforts.

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