Egyptian troops start deployment on frontiers with Gaza
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 9/12/2005

Egyptian troops Saturday started deployment on frontiers with Gaza in line with the agreement reached with Israel, according to an official source.

The source said that deployment of 200 Egyptian soldiers Saturday represents the first stage of deploying a total of 750 Egyptian soldiers.

Minister Omar Suleiman is expected to arrive in Gaza Sunday in a bid to help conclude a Palestinian Israeli agreement on Rafah crossing.

The Associated Press noted that Israel has agreed in principle on a suggestion by Minister Suleiman on the deployment of foreign inspectors at Rafah crossing until it has been re-opened.

However Israel says that the conclusion of a final agreement on the crossing would depend on how can the PA resist Palestinian armed groups.

Meantime, Shimon Peres, the Deputy Israeli Prime Minister ruled out prospects for having peace talks following Gaza withdrawal if the Palestinian Authority did not demonstrate capability to maintain control on Palestinian territories.

This statement dispels hopes that withdrawal would be the beginning of international talks in line with the Roadmap peace plan.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that she will meet in New York on the sidelines of the new United Nations General Assembly session with the other International Quartet members to discuss the step which is to follow Israel's withdrawal from Gaza Strip.

At a press conference Friday night, she said that the Roadmap is a chart that outlines the way towards a two-state solution.

The Quartet will try to capitalize on the momentum brought about by the Gaza pullout to return to the Roadmap with a new momentum, she said.

There are other sources to add to this new momentum, such as the Sharm el-Sheikh understandings and the pledges made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, she added.

Meantime, Saeb Erekat, the Chief Palestinian negotiator said that the United States pledged to the Palestinians that Gaza would not turn into a big prison following the end of the Israeli withdrawal.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian forces will deploy between Israel, the Palestinians   (9/1/2005)
  Zahar: Consultations on new round of inter-Palestinian dialogue in Cairo   (8/31/2005)
  Palestinians hail Egypt's role in supporting the Palestinian people   (8/30/2005)

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