RAMALLAH, West Bank - A senior PLO official says President Barack Obama has warned the ineffectual Mahmoud Abbas in a letter that U.S.-Palestinian relations might suffer if the Palestinian leader refuses to resume direct peace talks with Israel.
What, we'd pull the money? Fat chance ... | The White House has been pushing Abbas hard in recent days to move quickly to face-to-face negotiations, but had no comment Saturday.
Didn't we try this face-to-face thing before? Some camp somewhere? | The PLO official says Obama sent the letter July 16 -- the strongest U.S. warning to Abbas yet. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the letter has not been made public.
President Obama subsequently quietly upgraded the diplomatic status of the PLO mission in Washington, DC, as a pre-reward for future negotiations. They now outrank Taiwan, which is a genuine nation. | Abbas insists he will only negotiate once Israel commits to the idea of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem. Israel's prime minister refuses to be pinned down ahead of talks. |