Olmert warns of high price for delaying ME peace
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who could step down later this week, warned yesterday against delaying a peace deal with the Palestinians.
"Every day that goes by without our reaching a deal with the Palestinians is a day we may regret in the future," an aide quoted the once-hawkish Olmert as telling parliament's powerful foreign affairs and defence committee.
Olmert's briefing was likely to be his last as he plans to step down after his Kadima party elects a successor on Wednesday.
On Sunday, Olmert said Israel must give up parts of the West Bank.
"The idea of a 'Greater Israel' is over. There is no such thing. Whoever says so is just misleading himself," Olmert said.
"I used to think that the land between the Jordan river and the sea was all ours. But ultimately, after a long and torturous process, I reached the conclusion that we must share it with those who live here with us."
Olmert is to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas for a new round of US-backed talks in Jerusalem on Tuesday, a senior Israeli official said.
The two leaders have held regular talks, usually meeting twice a month, since the peace process was relaunched at a US-hosted conference in November.
But Olmert's decision to step down has cast doubts over the future of the already slow-moving peace process.
Olmert announced his decision on July 30, as allies and rivals alike clamoured for his resignation over a string of corruption and influence-peddling scandals.
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