Quartet to hold key talks in fate of its Mideast peacemaking role

Heads of the international Quartet will convene at the office of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday to discuss the future role of the U.S.-UN-EU-Russian grouping in the Middle East conflict with the talks centering on the possibility of backing away from the road map peace plan and ending Quartet mediation in the Mideast conflict.

A main issue in the talks will be whether to appoint a replacement for James Wolfensohn, the Quartet's former envoy for the Disengagement, or to refrain from further involvement in mediation between Israel and the Palestinians.

According to senior European sources, the Quartet officials will also weigh the degree to which the road map peace plan is relevant discussing whether to update the plan or to withdraw from it altogether.

Senior Quartet sources are voicing doubt regarding the continuation of international involvement in the Mideast diplomatic process. The doubt comes in the wake of the formation of the new coalition by Interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who has indicated that he intends to continue to pursue his policy of unilateralism, and following the rise of the Hamas government and the international boycott against it.

"The Quartet will need to take a principle decision regarding the continuation of its contribution to mediation between Israel and the Palestinians, if the reasons for Wolfensohn's resignation do not change," a European diplomat told Haaretz.

"If it is decided to name a new envoy, it will be necessary to formulate a mandate that is relevant to the new reality that has been created on the ground."

Haaretz.com 5/02/06