Livni: Israel to take dramatic decisions during peace talks

Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni pledged Tuesday to adopt what she termed as "dramatic" decisions during the peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Livni, Israel's top negotiator, said "there are arguments between negotiators but this is only happening inside rooms dedicated for negotiations. " The Israeli radio said Livni's remarks came after Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas announced progress in the peace talks, before accusing Israel of hampering the negotiations through the construction of settlements. Israeli and Palestinian negotiators held the third round of talks in occupied Jerusalem today, said the radio but did not elaborate on the content of discussions. "The peace talks with the Palestinians will lead to results related to Israel's dramatic decisions," Livni was quoted by the radio before the third round. She acknowledged that only one party, the Jewish Home, in the Israeli government coalition that opposed the US sponsorship of the peace talks. "This partner opposes the creation of an independent Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel," said Livni. Palestinians and Israelis resumed their peace talks last month following a three-year lull due to the Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. The first session was held in Washington and the second in Jerusalem. But the talks were overshadowed by Israel's plans to build more than 1,000 housing units in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The direct negotiations are dealing with final-status issues like Palestinian refugees, security, borders, Palestinian prisoners, Jerusalem, settlements and the independent Palestinian state.