On Arafat's visit to Damascus
Palestine-Syria, Politics, 6/13/2000

The Israeli radio on Monday interviewed by phone former chairman of the Palestinian National Council Khaled al-Fahoum on the visit of the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat to Damascus to take part in President Hafez al-Assad's funeral.

Replying to a question on whether Arafat's visit to Damascus will eliminate the tension between the Palestinian national council and the Palestinian government, al-Fahoum said: " I think there will be a serious step on the road of improving relations especially as the dispute was mostly on Oslo agreements and the great concessions given by the Palestinian Authority, according to these agreements."

Al-Fahoum added " I am confident that Arafat and our brothers in the PA will not give concessions in the final phase negotiations nor violate the red lines concerning the Palestinian rights. By these red lines I mean the return back of the Palestinian refugees, and Jerusalem to be an Arab and the capital for the state of Palestine and the Palestinian sovereignty on the soil."

Al-Fahoum added that these principled rights are totally in compliance with the Syrian stand, adding that the Palestinians also demand the implementation of UN resolution 242, provides for Israel's withdrawal to 1967 border lines. " therefore I think there will be a rapprochement between the Syrian, Palestinian and Lebanese tracks."

Al-Fahoum said that he had arranged for the invitation of Yasser Arafat to attend the funeral of President Hafez al-Assad.

Al-Fahoum said that authority transfer in Syria was made smoothly, noting that the Syrian public is all hope and confident in Bashar al-Assad " I do not expect any difficulty for Bashar in assuming his new post."

For his part, member of the Palestinian government Nabil Amre said that a new page of Syria's relations with the Palestinian government will be opened after the death of President Hafez al-Assad because the situation in the region necessitates the existence of a calm inter-Arab relations.

He stressed that all conditions are preparing for new relations because all sides are in need of relations as such which will open a good dialogue with ' our brothers, in Syria.

Previous Stories:
  Hamas denies news reports on its office in Damascus   (4/12/2000)
  On the meeting between Khaddam and Habash   (4/8/2000)
  Hamas delegation visits Damascus   (3/1/2000)
  Al-Sharaa discusses condition of Palestinian refugees in Syria with UNRWA chief   (2/11/2000)
  Palestinian opposition in Damascus lives in undeclared tension   (1/5/2000)
  On Syrian-Palestinian disputes   (6/16/1999)
  Damascus: Arafat's policy does not serve Palestinian cause   (2/12/1999)

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