Palestinian Unity Government Talks
Featuring:
The Middle East Institute is pleased to welcome Diana Buttu, a former negotiator and PLO legal advisor, and Robert Malley, currently Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at the International Crisis Group, for a discussion on the efforts to reach a unity government agreement between the Hamas and Fatah parties.
Ms. Buttu, currently a professor at Birzeit University and a practicing attorney residing in the West Bank, previously served as a legal advisor to both Presidents Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas. A participant in the last round of negotiations at Taba in 2001, she was also appointed lead advisor to President Abbas on the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip.
Prior to joining the International Crisis Group, Mr. Malley served from 1994-1996 as the National Security Council’s Director for Democracy, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Affairs, and as Executive Assistant to National Security Advisor Samuel R. Berger from 1996-1998. He was also Special Assistant to President Clinton for Arab-Israeli Affairs, a position he held from 1998-2001.
