Arabs criticise unilateralism in Israeli elections

KHARTOUM, Mar 29 (Reuters) Arab ministers meeting in Sudan today criticised the unilateralist trend in Israeli politics, reflected in the election win of the Kadima party.

But while some expected little change in Israeli policies, the two Arab countries which have peace treaties with the Jewish state held out hope that negotiations could resume at some stage between Israelis and Palestinians.

With votes counted from 99.5 per cent of polling stations, the Kadima party of interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had 28 seats in the 120-member parliament, more than any other party.

Olmert plans to retain parts of the occupied West Bank in which there are large Jewish settlement blocs, give up other areas and impose a border unilaterally on the Palestinians.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the election result would make no difference unless Olmert changed his policies.

''This result will not change (anything) as long as the agenda of Olmert himself does not change and he does not abandon the question of 'unilateral agreements','' Abbas told reporters in Khartoum, where he was attending the annual Arab summit.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said Kadima's victory was expected and it was more important to see the shape of Olmert's coalition and ''what its course would be -- peaceful or not''.

JUDGMENT WITHHELD ''The ball is in the Israeli court because during these years since the launch of Madrid (the 1991 Madrid peace conference), Israel with all its ruling parties has put obstacles in the way of attaining peace,'' he added.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said: ''It's not comprehensible leaving the issue of Jerusalem or accepting unilateral withdrawals according to Israeli whims. This will not work but will only lead to worsening matters more and more.'' ''It is impossible to accept Israeli proposals that we have seen so far. Is there anything new the new Israeli government can come up with? Many Arabs don't think so,'' he added.

Withholding judgment were Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdelelah al-Khatib, whose governments have diplomatic relations the Jewish state.

''Let's see ... if they (the Israelis) will apply unilateral steps or not. If they apply unilateral steps then that would complicate the situation,'' said Aboul Gheit.

''It's too early to judge,'' said Khatib. ''We hope the elections will contribute to creating the right conditions for resuming negotiations.'' An Arab summit, which ended in Khartoum today, renewed an Arab offer of peace with Israel in exchange for withdrawal from territory occupied since the 1967 West Asia war. Israel has in the past rejected the offer.

The summit opposed unilateral steps by Israel, calling for a return to negotiations under international supervision.

REUTERS SY RAI1812