PROVIDING THE PLA THE COVER IT NEEDS:

Saudis Push Bush Team On Peace Plan: Riyadh Assuring Palestinians That Arab States Will Back Deal (Nathan Guttman, Jan 19, 2007, The Forward)

Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to make its peace initiative -- based on a quick Israeli return to the 1967 borders and prompt establishment of a Palestinian state -- a key plank in American foreign policy.

According to American and Arab diplomatic sources in Washington, the Saudis have been pressing for a more active role in attempting to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [...]

In addition to attempting to line up Israeli and American support, Saudi leaders have been assuring the Palestinians that they would have wide Arab support for a final deal with Israel, diplomatic sources said.

The Palestinian leaders obviously won't get the borders they want, but the Sa'uds and others will provide the imprimatur they need to take a deal to the country.

Posted by Orrin Judd at January 18, 2007 5:46 PM