Egypt follows up Taba negotiations

Egypt is following up the negotiations taking place at the moment in Taba resort between the Paleatinians and Israelis through the reports coming from there, Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said in statements on Tuesday," I will not voice my assessment (of the negotiations) now," he said.

Moussa said the two sides are now presenting their suggestions, he noted, adding that it would be better not to talk about any evaluation now.

On whether the American proposals were still the basis of negotiations, Moussa said that the US ideas were still on the table, but that each side was giving its own suggestions on the main issues under discussion.

On how the situation would look like if the Likud leader Ariel Sharon won the upcoming Israeli elections, and whether negotiators, efforts would be endangered, Moussa said if such efforts were sound and leading to sound results, they would never be "in the direction of winds, but will rather be very crucial in determining the ultimate framework.

On the so-called red lines which Barak put forth in face of the current negotiations with the Palestinians, Moussa said it seems that the circumstances surrounding the elections have an Influence on some statements.

It is not useful to get involved in conflicting statements at a time when we know the objectives of those statements, he noted.