Palestinian minister pessimistic on the results of Oslo 2

Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Jamil Al Tarifi said today that the Palestinian side did not expect much of the Oslo trilateral summit in which US President Bill Clinton, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak participated.

In press statements, he said that final status negotiations are complicated, with important causes on their agenda topped by Jerusalem, the borders, the refugees and the settlements, and if Israel is really serious, the negotiations can be convened at their specified time.

He also emphasized the importance of the USA's resumption of its role as a full partner in the peace process, stating that Israel does not want US participation.