Palestine- Israel talks up to Palestinian government's views
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 5/16/2000

Foreign Minister Amr Moussa Monday said the channels of Palestinian-Israeli talks are up to the Palestinian authority to decide upon.

Moussa was commenting, to reporters, on news confirming that the Palestinians and Israelis are holding secret talks in Sweden.

"What was confirmed reflects that the PA is flexible vis-a-vis negotiating with Israel," he said, adding that budging the situation is demanded at present.

Palestinian Negotiator to the permanent status talks, Yasser Abd Rabbo, submitted his resignation to Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in protest.

The top diplomat hailed the transfer of three villages in the West Bank by Israel to the PA as a positive step.

The Israeli Cabinet on Monday approved the transfer of Abu Dis, Izzariah, and Sawahrah a-Sharkieh to an`` area under the PA control."

Moussa said this decision should be a starter for additional decisions to build confidence, which is falling apart due to delay, hesitation and intransigence, and not a last step.

The Minister was alluding to the Israeli anti-peace practices.

Asked whether leaving Abu Dis means that Israel would declare Jerusalem as a unified Israeli capital, Moussa said that handing Abu Dis over will be a positive step, but the fate of Jerusalem would be determined on the table of negotiations through considering the rights of the various parties.

Parties should think about the interests and religious sentiments of Muslims and Christians besides the Jews, because all three divine creeds have sanctities in this holy city.

Asked whether a date was set to Egypt-Israel nuclear disarmament talks, Moussa said Egypt did not receive anything on that issue, but welcomed any serious talks.

The top diplomat said that Cairo is waiting for the outcome of the New York 2000 Review Conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to deal with the only nuclear state in the region and its moves towards joining the NPT.

Israel is the only nuclear state in the Middle East and it rejects joining the NPT.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak welcomes decision to hand over West Bank villages to Palestinian government   (5/15/2000)
  Difficulties facing peace process on various tracks   (5/11/2000)
  Mubarak, Arafat discuss outcome of Palestinian-Israeli talks   (5/10/2000)

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