Israel stalls as US says Palestinians have done what was called for
Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 11/4/1998

US White House spokesman Joe Lockhart yesterday voiced support for the Palestinian efforts to facilitate the Wye Plantation agreement with Israel, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed any Israeli action on each of the last three days.

Lockhart said, "We believe that the Palestinians have done everything they're supposed to do for the agreement to enter into force."

On Monday, Netanyahu indicated that Israel would not begin implementation of the agreement because it had not been approved by the Israeli Cabinet or Knesset. Arafat agreed to this delay after discussions with Netanyahu, and the Palestinians went forward with their part of the deal. Yesterday Netanyahu held off on discussing the issue in the Cabinet, citing a wish for further details in the Palestinian security report. Today Netanyahu delayed the Cabinet and the Israeli government published a list of 30 "terrorist fugitives" the Palestinians are to deliver to Israel under the Wye accords, some of whom Palestinian President Yasser Arafat indicated were already under arrest.

Lockhart said, "Prime Minister Netanyahu has raised some concerns, and we are working to try to work them out," indicating that Netanyahu has indicated that he plans to implement the accord. When pressed by reporters, Lockhart stopped short of saying that the US disagrees with Netanyahu's concerns, reiterating, "I'm suggesting that the Palestinians have done what they need to do for the agreement to enter into force."

Netanyahu's media advisor said that the Palestinians have not completed the security plan and that Israel will wait until the Palestinians submit a new plan to the US. He also indicated that Netanyahu had spoken today with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and told her that the Israeli government cannot consider approving an partial agreement.

Previous Stories:
  Israel settlement expansion begins as government delays implementation of peace deal   (11/2/1998)
  Palestinian minister supports Wye agreement   (10/31/1998)
  Palestinian official: there is a Palestinian security plan   (10/29/1998)

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