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Mideast Quartet adopts wait-and-see stance on new Palestinian unity gov't

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Berlin, Feb 22, IRNA
Germany-Mideast-Quartet
The Middle East Quartet has adopted a wait- and-see position on the new Palestinian government of national unity following Wednesday evening's meeting in Berlin.

A carefully worded statement released by the Mideast Quartet reiterated three pre-conditions, namely, recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and acceptance of all past Israeli- Palestinian peace agreements for supporting the new Hamas-Fatah power-sharing accord.

The Mideast Quartet also avoided any clear support for the new Palestinian government.

While Russia and the European Union have signaled their support for the formation of the Palestinian government, the US has repeatedly expressed strong doubts whether such a government could jumpstart the bogged down Mideast peace talks.

Speaking at a news conference after the Mideast Quartet meeting at the German Foreign Ministry, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: "How can it be that you will have talks about peace if one party does not accept the right of the other party to exist. How can it be that you have discussions about peace when a party will not renounce violence."

The top American diplomat was referring to Hamas' steadfast refusal to recognize Israel.

Political observers in Berlin view Washington's skeptical view on the new Palestinian government as being linked to America's die-hard support for the Jewish state.

The fact that the US decided half-heartedly to join the Mideast Quartet talks in Berlin was because of its deep problems in other parts of the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, observers added.

The German media reported earlier that the US presence was also part of its efforts to restore its extremely negative image in the Middle East.

Although Germany has spearheaded efforts to rejuvenate the Mideast Quartet, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned of unrealistic expectations in reigniting the Mideast peace process.

German diplomats had also earlier lowered expectations ahead of the quartet meeting.

"Don't expect any major declarations," a German diplomat said, requesting anonymity.

As president of both the European Union and the G-8 group of industrialized countries, Germany did manage to reanimate the Mideast Quartet. However, the future Mideast peace process as such remains in a big limbo.

SN/2321/1414