Obama Calls Palestinian Leader, Says Peace Vital

[Hope And Change]

Obama Calls Palestinian Leader, Says Peace Vital

By AP Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008

(RAMALLAH, West Bank) — A Palestinian negotiator says U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has called the Palestinian president and told him that peace is a vital interest for Israelis and Palestinians.

Negotiator Saeb Erekat says the phone call took place Tuesday.

Erekat says Obama told President Mahmoud Abbas that he will spare no effort to facilitate a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

A year of U.S.-backed talks has not yielded tangible results and the fate of the negotiations is uncertain.

Israel is holding elections in February. Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would not continue peace talks in the current format. Also, Abbas faces a new political showdown with rival Hamas in January when the Islamic militants say his term expires.


http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1860508,00.html">AP

[LeftishBrit]

1. Glad Obama is taking this seriously!

Unfortunately, Abbas isn't in a strong position, and the Israelis are in the midst of their own elections. But let's really hope something comes of this.

[Kurska]

2. The players might not even be in the game come march

All the more reason to start working the problems out of the Saudi plan instead of wasting time talking to Abbas and Olmert.

[shaayecanaan]

3. Wheehee

A Palestinian negotiator says U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has called the Palestinian president and told him that peace is a vital interest for Israelis and Palestinians.

A president mouthing inanities and banal platitudes at a Palestinian leader? Thats what I call Change We Can Believe In (TM).

[oberliner]

4. The Obama-bashing is starting early

He hasn't even taken office yet - there is very little he would be able to say to Abbas at this point other than what he did.