Saeb Erekat: Palestinians will only accept Jerusalem as a capital

Saeb Erekat, the top Palestinian negotiator, asserted in the transitional stage negotiations that he asked Oded Eran, chairman of the Israeli side in the negotiations, during their meeting yesterday for Israel's implementation of all rights of the final stages including withdrawing from 6.1% of the West Bank.

Erekat asserted that there are 32 rights of the transitional stage that Israel not yet implemented, emphasizing that Israel abide by peace requirements.

Erekat said that the USA must practice an effective role as U.S. President Bill Clinton promised Palestinian President Yasser Arafat during their last meeting.

Regarding reports concerning the village of Abu Dais and the possibility of this village being a capital for Palestine, Erekat said these are Israel's last (trial) balloons, and the Palestinian side will not accept anything but Jerusalem to be their capital.