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Saudi plan offers a lifeline

Simon Tisdall

FEARFUL THAT the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority could collapse under the weight of its violent contradictions, Israeli leaders are refocussing on the 2002 Saudi peace plan as a way of inducing the Palestinians back into substantive negotiations.

Extremists apart, both sides say they want to talk. Helping create a format in which they can do so is Tony Blair's self-appointed task during his coming Middle East visit.

Defence Minister Amir Peretz on Sunday became the latest Israeli politician to advocate reviving the Saudi plan, which envisages a return to the 1967 borders in exchange for a comprehensive settlement between Israel and Arab League countries.

Israel "must deal with the Saudi initiative as a basis for negotiations," Mr. Peretz said, adding that the Palestinians should be offered a "real political horizon." And Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made his own peace pledge during a recent visit to the grave of Israel's founding father, David Ben Gurion, the paper reported.

"The voices emanating from those [Arab] states regarding the need for recognition and normalisation of relations with Israel — including for example, some parts in the Saudi peace initiative — are positive," Mr. Olmert said.

Tzipi Livni, Israel's Foreign Minister, who held private talks with Mr. Blair in London last month, said there was an urgent need to build a regional "coalition of moderates" — language reminiscent of Mr. Blair's Guildhall speech. It was in Israel's interest to have "a responsible, viable Palestinian state that is not a rogue or failed state. With moderate Palestinians we have to advance towards a two-state solution. It's not a zero-sum game ... Stagnation is not in our interest," she said.

Next month, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will return to the region, presumably to build on Mr. Blair's groundwork.

On Tuesday, U.K. Development Secretary Hilary Benn announced £76 million in additional British aid to Palestinian refugees. Mr. Benn cannot make peace. But he may make Foreign Secretary one day soon.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

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