It’s the same old song

The palestinians are making pre-summit demands, as usual. Here’s what they want in order for Abbas to meet with Ariel Sharon:

The source added that the PA is demanding Israel determine clear criteria to decide the number of prisoners set to be released, their identities and a specific schedule.

Once again the Palestinians are demanding Israel release among others, prisoners who were detained prior to the Oslo accords.

“Also on the ground, the Palestinians are demanding an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank towns – their demand is the withdrawal from Bethlehem with a clear schedule of this move,” he said.

And if Sharon doesn’t agree to the demands?

“Should no agreement regarding Bethlehem and the prisoner release be achieved, I do not foresee the summit taking place on Tuesday,” he added.

By the way, you can read and reread the article as many times as you like. Nowhere will you find the palestinians offering anything like, say, disarming terrorist groups, which is their responsibility under the Road Map that they seem to hold so dear.

You can also read the AP spin, which puts the entire blame on Israeli refusal to meet palestinian demands, here.

Update: And it’s over. The meeting is off. Gee, big surprise.