'Direct talks not justified'
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says the lack of progress made so far in proximity peace talks with Israel rules out moving to direct talks.

by Staff, Jerusalem Post
July 28, 2010

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will tell the Arab League's peace process committee on Thursday that the lack of progress made so far in proximity peace talks with Israel rules out moving to direct talks, a Palestinian official said Wednesday, according to a Reuters report.

"Abbas will tell them that, until this moment, there is nothing to convince us to go to direct talks," the official told Reuters. "There is nothing new."

Abbas is scheduled to brief the Arab League committee on the progress of the proximity talks on Thursday. The Arab League approved the talks, being mediated by US Special Middle East Envoy George Mitchell for a period of four months, which is scheduled to end in September.

Both the US and Israel have been outspoken in their insistence that Abbas agree to move to direct talks without preconditions.

Abbas in turn has been adamant in his stance that no such move can occur until he receives certain assurances from Israel regarding borders and security.

The Arab League peace process commitee, made up of Arab foreign ministers, is scheduled to decide on Thursday at their meeting in Cairo whether they favor a move to direct talks or support the Palestinian position that US shuttle diplomacy should be allowed to run its course.