Palestinian - Israeli negotiations to start in Washington, US - Egyptian efforts saved the peace process

Palestinian Minister of Local Government Saeb Erekat said that a Palestinian delegation will head today to Washington to participate in the peace negotiations with Israel that are to begin tomorrow at Bolling Air Force Base near Washington.

Erekat said the negotiations will last for eight days with the participation of Dennis Ross, the US peace envoy for the Middle East, saying that the discussions will tackle the unresolved issues from agreements on the transitional stages topped by the third stage of Israeli redeployment in the West Bank.

Erekat expressed hope that Israel will apply the signed agreements and UN resolutions, saying that the Palestinian delegation in these negotiations headed by Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo will include Palestinian Preventive Security Minister Mohammed Asalan and lawyers.

Meantime, Ahmed Qrei, chairman of the Palestinian Legislative Council, asserted that, "The US-Egyptian efforts exerted by President Mubarak and Bill Clinton lead to the detente in the peace process" at present, due to which the Palestinian - Israeli negotiations will be held tomorrow in Washington.

Qrei said, "We intend to reach an agreement to guarantee our legal national rights, saying that the new round of negotiations in Washington will be confronted by Israeli obstacles and expressing his hope that these negotiations will achieve their goal of establishing a framework agreement leading up to September 13 to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the area.