Israel closes coastal road to Gaza, as Palestine refuse postponing statehood
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 1/21/1999

The mini Israeli Cabinet on Wednesday morning discussed the current security conditions in Hebron following confrontations that took place in the city, as well as the tense conditions near Gush Katif settlement near Gaza.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army announced that the coastal road to Gaza, which is near the settlement, is a "closed military zone," and prevented the Palestinian cars from using this road at the request of the settlers.

Meanwhile, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat met with the European Union's Middle East special envoy, Angel Miguel Moratinos, in Jericho on Wednesday. Moratinos expressed deep concern over the stalemated negotiations and over not implementing the agreements signed between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Erekat indicated that the European countries will hold meetings to discuss the stalemate in negotiations, noting that the German foreign minister, whose country is presiding over the current rotating presidency of the European Union, will visit the region on February 12 in an attempt to give the Middle East peace process a push forward.

On the other hand, the Palestinian government refused the proposal made by Israeli Knesset member Yossi Beilin to postpone the announcement of the Palestinian state on May 4.

Spokesman for the chairman of the Palestinian government, Nabil Abu Rudinah, said the postponement of announcing the Palestinian state for seven month is "unacceptable."

For his part, Moratinos denied a statement by Beilin about the intentions of the EU on postponing the announcement of the Palestinian state. Moratinos said on Wednesday from Jerusalem that the EU did not take a position in this respect, saying "We are still discussing the matter with the two sides."

Beilin said earlier that the EU agreed to his proposal on asking Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to delay the announcement of the Palestinian state for six months.

Beilin explained in a statement to Israel Radio that his proposal states that Israel will announce its readiness to immediately recognize "an arms-free Palestinian state and to withdraw from 50% of the West Bank's territories," if such a Palestinian state is announced in the first of January 2000 instead of May 4, 1999.

Beilin added, "I have been working for one year to prevent Arafat from announcing this Palestinian state on May 4," because, according to Beilin, this will put an "end to Oslo agreement" and lead to Israel's annexation of the occupied Arab territories and a Palestinian violence explosion.

Beilin added that he submitted his proposal to the EU officials, who agreed to issue by the beginning of March an announcement asking Arafat to delay the announcement of the Palestinian state for six months.

On the other hand, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, currently on a Middle East tour, said that Arafat should seek to reach a comprehensive settlement with Israel instead of "hurrying to announce the establishment of a Palestinian state."

Ahern stressed that his country supports the right of the Palestinians to self-determination, but he noted that the optimum objective is to reach a comprehensive peace agreement. He added that it is a grave mistake to announce a Palestinian state, unilaterally.

If Arafat announces the establishment of a Palestinian state, Ahern said, the situation will be then different from it is now and Europe will then reconsider the way it will deal with the new conditions.

Previous Stories:
  Israel calls on Palestinians to suppress resistance, strengthen security cooperation   (1/20/1999)
  US - Palestinian - Israeli meeting in Washington on Wye implementation   (1/18/1999)
  Israel threatens to close Gaza Airport   (12/30/1998)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search