Palestinian Negotiators Agree to Summit

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 01, 2003

Palestinian Negotiators Agree to Summit

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A U.S. envoy voiced concern about a West Bank separation barrier in talks with Israeli officials on Sunday, while key Palestinian negotiators agreed to attend the launch of a symbolic peace accord after initially canceling.

Two Palestinian Cabinet ministers and two legislators at first said Sunday they would withdraw from the ceremony that is to take place in Geneva on Monday, but changed their minds by the end of the day.

The change of heart came after Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat backed the group's participation, overriding criticism from hardliners in the ruling Fatah group.

"We said that we are not going without the clear authorization," said Palestinian Cabinet minister Qadoura Fares. "Now we have received a clear authorization from the head of the Palestinian Authority.

Arafat initially refused to give written approval for the trip. Fares will now make the trip to Geneva, along with Cabinet minister Hisham Abdel Razek and legislator Khatem Abdel Khader, all Fatah members. Lawmaker Mohammed Horani, who was initially set to go, said he will stay home to help market the agreement. The Palestinians' national security adviser, Jibril Rajoub, will join the delegation at the request of Arafat.

The absence of key Palestinian officials would have weakened the impact of the "Geneva Accord," which has no official standing but signaled to Israelis and Palestinians that a peace deal is still possible. A would have send a message to Israelis that they may not be a reliable peace partner on the Palestinian side.

The accord, which would involve unprecedented concessions by both sides, enjoys significant support among Israelis and Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has denounced the agreement as subversive, saying that opposition legislators have no right to make concessions in Israel's name. Arafat has expressed general support, but stopped short of a formal endorsement.

Hardliners in his Fatah movement expressed their opposition in recent days, saying concessions made in the symbolic deal, including giving up the "right of return" of Palestinian war refugees, would prejudice future negotiations.

The leading opponents are members of Fatah's "old guard," while those who negotiated the Geneva Accord are from the younger generation, suggesting that a power struggle within the movement contributed to the dispute.

On Saturday, the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a militant group with ties to Fatah, issued a leaflet branding the negotiators as "collaborators."

On Sunday, about 200 Palestinians, including supporters of Fatah and of Islamic militant groups, attacked negotiators leaving the Gaza Strip on their way to Geneva.

Meanwhile, Israel and the Palestinians continued efforts to arrange a summit between their leaders. Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat met Sunday with Dov Weisglass, the chief of Sharon's office, to prepare the agenda.

The U.S. envoy, William Burns, met Sunday with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom after talks a day earlier with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia in Amman, Jordan.

Burns is trying to revive the stalled U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan, which envisions a Palestinian state by 2005.

Burns urged Israelis and Palestinians to resume implementation of the peace plan, and said he expressed concern about construction of the West Bank barrier. "In our active conversations with Israelis, we have expressed our concerns about the course of the fence," Burns said.

The barrier of fences, ditches and barbed wire is a top Palestinian concern.

The Palestinians say the barrier, which in some sections dips deep into the West Bank, is an Israeli land grab. Israel says security fence is needed to block suicide bombers.

Qureia said Sunday that the Palestinians are committed to the road map. But he also asked the United States to pressure Israel to halt construction of the barrier and freeze settlement activity.

Qureia said he would also seek greater U.S. involvement.

On Saturday, Qureia said he sees no need to meet with Sharon if Israel isn't willing to compromise on the barrier and other issues.

Sharon has said he will not accept any preconditions for a meeting with Qureia.

In recent days, the Israeli prime minister has said he plans a series of "unilateral" steps if peace talks with the Palestinians fail.

Sharon has not detailed the steps, but media reports have said they could include dismantling isolated Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza.

Source: Agencies

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