Settlements issue, Still overshadowing Palestinian-Israeli negotiations
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 12/31/1999

Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said that Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat briefed President Hosni Mubarak on the present situation as regards the implementation of the interim stage as well as the final status negotiations especially the settlements issue.

In statements following the talks held between the two leaders earlier on Wednesday, Moussa said that discussion dealt with progress achieved on negotiations of the Palestinian-Israeli track.

A breakthrough has been made as regards the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, he added.

Discussions also touched on the ongoing negotiations on handing over the five percent of West Bank lands, he said.

The settlements issue is still overshadowing the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, he said.

Moussa said that the Egyptian-Palestinian talks dealt with consultation over the future of the negotiations and activities expected in the year 2000 as regards the Palestinian track.

On the issue of maps that define the areas from which the Israeli troops will withdraw, he said that this issue will be discussed, referring to pessimism about maps that express the Israeli intention to keep holding a large area of lands.

This is a dangerous matter, he said. This is not considered either a withdrawal or a settlement but reflects the way of thinking of Yitzhak Sharon and the Likud, he added.

There are no official maps at present, he said. In reply to a question on whether not defining specific areas for Israeli troops` withdrawal is a breach of Sharm El Sheikh agreement, he said that the agreement aims at facilitating the implementation of the previous accord namely Wye River.

The Wye River Accord is also based on the previous agreements and logically there are no breaches of Sharm El Sheikh agreement, he added.

The Egyptian and Palestinian Leaders tackled the future of Palestine-Israel talks in the coming year, Moussa said.

On the issue of maps, Moussa said it will be subject to consideration.

There is pessimism about reports that Israelis version of maps is a means to have control over a large area of lands, Moussa said, terming that matter as serious.

Pulling out from lands according to such maps is not considered a settlement or even withdrawal, but a situation that reflects Ariel Sharon's Likud's line of thinking, he said. The Egyptian Diplomat added that there were no official maps now. The issue of maps will set the general climate and possibility of agreement, Moussa added.

Asked about whether Jerusalem could be a capital to two states, Moussa said some ideas covering Jerusalem have been raised already and they might be a start for tackling the situation of the Holy City and having two parts: an Arab and an Israeli. But such visions are still in the beginning and cannot be commented on, he said, affirming the possibility that Jerusalem could be the capital for two states.

Moussa uncovered that President Mubarak may embark on another Arab tour shortly, but did not reveal any dates.

On any progress made to coordinate between the Palestinians and Syrians, Moussa expected such progress to be forthcoming.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister revealed that Syrian and Egyptian officials would exchange visits soon.

Asked whether an Arab state was brokering a deal with the Sudanese parties, Moussa dismissed such reports. All the Arab states are satisfied with the developments seen in Sudan, he said.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak holds two meetings with Arafat   (12/30/1999)
  Moussa underlines important of inter-Arab coordination   (12/29/1999)
  Palestinian - Egyptian summit   (12/28/1999)

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