The peace process is frozen but it might die if it does not get a real boost, top PLO official Yasser Abed Rabbo said during an interview aired Monday on Army Radio.
Abed Rabbo added that US Mideast envoy George Mitchell "did not bring us any new proposal" during his last visit to the region, following a deadlock in negotiations.
"We submitted a complete portfolio to the Americans about our perceptions on the issue of borders and security, and we expect the Israelis to do the same," the Palestinian negotiator said.
Abed Rabbo also explained the current condition of the process as seen through the eyes of the Palestinian side and said "we went two steps back, there are no direct talks or indirect talks."
"We live in a critical time, that will either be remembered as a huge missed opportunity or a huge opportunity [for peace], Abed Rabbo warned.
Abed Rabbo's comments come a day after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas revealed that Israel and the Palestinians came closer to reaching an agreement when Ehud Olmert was prime minister than had previously been thought.
Abbas was speaking to a delegation of more than 60 left-wing politicians and activists at the Mukata compound in Ramallah that was organized by the Geneva Initiative.
Abbas disclosed that he and Olmert had finalized an agreement on security issues, which was approved by the Bush administration, Olmert himself and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The document remains in the possession of the US National Security Council, he said.
Olmert’s associates later confirmed that Israel and the US had reached such an agreement, but said they were surprised that the Palestinians were now saying they had accepted it, too.
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