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Friday April 20, 2007

Shorts: Mideast

Olmert expresses optimism on peace as U.S. defense secretary visits

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said this week that he is hopeful of achieving peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors, some of whom were showing “first signs of understanding” toward the Jewish state.

“The road remains long and our enemies are many, but there are also first signs of developments that point to the chance that in the coming year we will manage to make progress toward resolving the conflicts with our neighbors, especially with the Palestinians,” he said at an Israel Bonds gathering.

His optimistic remarks came the same day that Robert Gates became the first secretary of defense to visit Israel since William Cohen in 1999. Gates came to offer support to Israel while at the same time urging Syria and Iran to work peacefully with the West.

In other developments this week:

• Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had what was described as a “very positive” meeting with their aides and then alone in Olmert’s home Sunday, April 15. They are to meet again in Jericho.

• The Arab League appointed Egypt and Jordan to hold talks with Israel on a Saudi initiative for regional peace. Israel has voiced interest in the proposal despite misgivings over its call for a full withdrawal from territories and ambiguous language on the Palestinian demand for a refugee “right of return” to Israel. Olmert asked the Arab League to intervene rather than have negotiations only with the Palestinian authority.

• Olmert has rejected the list of prisoners Palestinians want freed in exchange for a captured Israeli soldier. He said the proposal “creates expectations we cannot meet.” — wire services

Soldier held captive promoted to sergeant

Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held hostage in the Gaza Strip, was promoted in absentia.

Military officials said that Shalit, who was a corporal when he was abducted by Hamas-led gunmen in June, has been made a sergeant. Ranks in Israel’s conscript military are mainly a function of time served in uniform rather than merit. — jta

Sharon responsive, recovery in doubt

Ariel Sharon’s condition has improved and he is responsive, a relative was quoted as saying. Israel’s Channel 10 television quoted the former prime minister’s son, Omri, as saying that his bedridden father watches television and can answer questions such as “Does it hurt?” by moving his eyes and clenching his hand.

Sharon is in a long-term coma ward and is not expected to make a recovery. — jta

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