Conflicting statements on holding Palestinian meeting in Cairo

There is an intention to expand the Palestinian consultations through holding an expanded national discussion through a meeting in Cairo between the Palestinian president Yasser Arafat, the secretary-general of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Nayef Hawatme, as well as the secretary-general of the People's Front for the Liberation of Palestine, George Habash.

The secretary-general of the Palestinian presidency, El-Taiyeb Abdul El-Rahim, confirmed that the DFLP's representatives held a meeting with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Hawatme and that Arafat agreed in principle on the Cairo meeting.

He also stated that there will be a bilateral discussion with the Palestinian Liberation Organization's factions in Cairo, Amman and Tunis.

DFLP sources confirmed that discussion of this meeting came through its delegation's recent meeting with Arafat in Gaza, adding that the meeting in Cairo will also discuss arranging Hawatme's return to the Palestinian territories.

DFLP political bureau member Taiseer Khaled said the meeting between Arafat and Hawatme will be held within the coming few days to methods of overcoming the Israeli refusal for Hawatme's return".

Hawatme denied having any news about convening a Palestinian meeting in Cairo.

The PFLP also denied having news of a Cairo meeting or having any arrangements for convening it.