Mutual optimism between Barak and Arafat

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said after his meeting with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat yesterday that he expected to start implementation of the Wye River accord within two months.

When he was leaving the Erez border point, Barak said meetings are to continue between the two sides after his return from abroad to implement the agreements.

Barak was eager to declare that his government will implement the Wye River accord also asserting his insistence on searching for peace.

Arafat said he will work hard with Barak like he did with former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in order to achieve peace on all tracks, including the Syrian - Lebanese track.