France calls for self-control in Israeli - Palestinian negotiations

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine asked Israel and the Palestinian government not to take unilateral measures and to begin the final status negotiations, but he didn't mention more details in his statements yesterday in Ramallah, following his meeting with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat at the conclusion of his five-day visit to the region.

Palestinian senior negotiator Saeb Erekat expressed relief on the part of the Palestinian leadership over Vedriena's statement, saying, "Israel should submit to the international efforts exerted for pushing the peace process forward."