Ramon: Any deal reached at Annapolis will go to referendum if gov't collapses

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will take any peace deal formulated at the Annapolis peace conference to a referendum if his coalition breaks up following the conference, Vice Premier Haim Ramon told the Knesset Channel Monday afternoon. However, Ramon said that even if a framework for a final status agreement is outlined at the conference, it will not be implemented until the Palestinian Authority, led by PA president Mahmoud Abbas and prime minister Salaam Fayad, is strengthened. The vice premier said that Israel would not make any concessions until the PA leadership reins in terror groups and proves its ability to be responsible for the Palestinian territories. "The implementation of this process will take a long time," he warned.