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World Jewish News
'Two-state solution condition for unity'
15.03.2009
"Without an agreement on the two-state solution and Annapolis [process] - there will be no deal," said Kadima leader Tzipi Livni on Sunday, regarding the possibility of her party joining the Likud in a national unity government.
"This is a fundamental choice Bibi [Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu] must make - will he go with the Right, or with us? [A national unity government] should give an equal partnership and have diplomatic understandings, otherwise there will be no deal," Livni said.
On Saturday night, a senior Kadima official confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that Kadima and the Likud had renewed discussions on a possible national unity government.
The latest round of talks between the two largest parties were initially brokered by Likud negotiation team chief MK Gideon Sa'ar and Kadima MK Tzahi Hanegbi, but sources in the parties said that subsequently, Prime Minister-designate Netanyahu and Livni held direct talks.
Netanyahu and Livni have reportedly already held one meeting together, and more are likely.
Livni was willing to compromise on the issue of a rotation for the premiership, with Netanyahu serving for three years in the top spot, and Livni completing the final 21 months of the scheduled term, Kadima officials said.
Livni is reportedly insisting on managing foreign policy if she joins the next government, with Kadima being allowed freedom of action on the international stage.
Also Sunday, Likud and Israel Beiteinu were set to renew their coalition talks, which were believed to be close to conclusion on Thursday evening.
Should a broad coalition be formed, Israel Beiteinu would likely be forced to give up some of the five ministries it has been offered, including the Foreign Ministry, and Israel Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman told Israel Radio on Sunday that "no portfolio will be an obstacle" to his party joining such a government, indicating that he would be willing to let Livni have the Foreign Ministry.
He hinted that Likud and Israel Beiteinu would be vital in solving the conflict with the Palestinians, saying that Kadima should acknowledge that without the two parties it had "gone ahead with the Annapolis process and the Gaza disengagement" and "not got anywhere."
The Israel Beiteinu chairman also noted that Kadima had in the past voted against changes to the electoral system, which his party was pushing for.
Lieberman said his party intended to sign a coalition deal with Netnayhu's party. He stressed that the country needed a stable government as soon as possible, calling the current situation in which a transitional government continued to be in power "irresponsible."
Rebecca Anna Stoil contributed to this report.
Источник: JPost.com
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