Livni: We expect Shalit freed before new PA gov't

Haaretz.com ^ | 3/12/2007 | Haaretz Service

[edpc]

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Monday that Israel expects captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit released before Hamas and Fatah form a new unity government.

She spoke after officials in Hamas were quoted as saying that the creation of the new Palestinian unity government and Shalit's release were in no way connected to one another.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during their meeting Sunday that he would make an effort to secure the release of Shalit as soon as possible, and perhaps before the formation of the unity government.

Livni said Abbas now had more influence on Hamas, which is keen to form a coalition with Abbas' Fatah movement.

"Abu Mazen has stated that before establishing a new Palestinian government, he wants Gilad released," Livni told Army Radio, referring to Abbas by his nickname.

"If in the past he could say that he was separate from Hamas and had no power to influence them, today his situation has changed. Today, with Hamas wishing to form a government, and, with Abu Mazen moving toward an agreement with Hamas, we expect that the release of Gilad Shalit will be part of this process."

According to Livni, "This is an Israeli demand, and I believe it should be an international demand as well. Now we must see if [Abbas] is capable of keeping this [promise]."

[edpc]

Mahmoud Abbas told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during their meeting Sunday that he would make an effort to secure the release of Shalit

Making an effort is not good enough. If Abbas cannot get this done, he should have no standing as a recognized authority. These overtures have been made before and nothing has come of it. I cannot be anything but pessimistic about this latest promise.

[edpc]

Tagline ping.

[agere_contra]

Israel - switch their electricity off until Shalit is returned!

[Bahbah]

Thanks for the ping, edpc.
We are still praying for you, Gilad, and for the others.