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US Middle East Envoy, George Mitchell, Frustrated by Israel's Lack of Seriousness' in Talks with Palestinians

Israeli press: Mitchell 'frustrated' by Israel

Published Tuesday 29/06/2010 (updated) 30/06/2010 17:52

Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies -

US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is frustrated by Israel’s lack of “seriousness” on core issues in proximity talks, a senior US official told Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz.

Mitchell, due in the region for further talks Thursday, wants “things to move faster,” the official added.

In four rounds of proximity talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has failed to outline his position on key issues such as borders, a senior Israeli source told Haaretz.

Netanyahu blamed the Palestinian side for the lack of progress, insisting Wednesday that, “the Palestinian Authority has no intentions of engaging in direct talks with us," Haaretz reported.

Despite describing his meeting with Hilary Clinton on Wednesday as “a dull moment” in the life of the White House, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said he is “fully committed” to the peace process.

President Mahmoud Abbas said he is awaiting an Israeli response to clear demands on borders, which "will encourage us to go into direct talks," adding that, “we hope to hear from them soon," government-run news service WAFA reported Monday.

Mitchell is due to return to the region on Thursday to present final positions in another round of indirect talks.

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