Arafat confers with Australia's foreign minister
Palestine-Australia, Politics, 5/2/2000

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said he considers the settlement policy pursued by the current Israeli government led by Prime Minister Ehud Barak to be destructive for the Middle East peace process and that it will affect the negotiations for reaching a framework agreement.

Arafat told journalists following his meeting with Australian Prime Minister John Howard that the US, Europe and the UN also consider the settlement process as destructive to the peace process, adding that the new Israeli government issued during one year some 7,128 licenses to build settlements inside and outside Jerusalem and attempted to besiege Bethlehem from all directions.

Arafat added that the Palestinian delegation which started on Sunday a new round of talks with Israel had protested against Israel's policy of building of settlement units, adding that this Israeli policy will have an impact on the negotiations to reach a framework agreement.

Replying to a question on declaration of a Palestinian state this year, Arafat stated, "The Palestinian state is a natural right for us and it is included in the agreements we have reached." It was due to announce this state last year according to Sharm El-Sheikh agreement as well as the guarantees from the US and Europe which considered September 13 a date set to reach the right to establish a Palestinian state, but he said the Palestinians received recommendations from friends to postpone declaration of their state until after the Israeli elections.

For his part Howard stressed that his country wants to give every help to provide success for the peace process. He indicated he does not belittle difficulties, however, he said he sees a genuine opportunity to achieve progress, especially as the US and several states are working to give Middle East peace a push forward.

Howard indicated that he felt a personal readiness and good intention in the two sides to reach peace. He called on the world's countries to help them reach an agreement by September 13.

Howard announced that his country will continue its economic backing for the Palestinians and will annually increase its donations to UNRWA by US $1 million.

Previous Stories:
  Ross to visit Israel next Tuesday   (4/29/2000)
  Ross arrives at the area in coming week   (4/26/2000)
  King Abdullah meets Arafat   (4/25/2000)

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