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Levy Urges Palestinians to Make More Concessions
Israel is interested in participating in a Washington summit to negotiate settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian issues, but much more work is needed for preparation of such a summit, said Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy Wednesday.
Talking to reporters after his talks with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Levy said the Palestinian side should make necessary concessions to guarantee the success of the summit.
The Israeli-Palestinian final-status talks have entered a crucial stage and big gaps still remain between the two sides on almost all key issues and these gaps are hindering the success of the summit, he said.
Levy, who has recently said he is opposed to a summit at this moment, criticized Prime Minister Ehud Barak Tuesday night, saying he can not understand the enthusiasm for the summit and broadly hinting Barak is misleading the negotiations.
Levy told the Israeli television that he believes Barak is rushing toward a summit without heeding clear signs that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is not ready to make any concessions.
Albright said her talks with Levy was balanced and they discussed various elements regarding the convening of the summit. The purpose of her visit to the region is to study whether the time is ripe for such a summit and she will report to President Bill Clinton who will decide whether to organize the summit in Washington, she said.
Albright returned to the region Tuesday evening and is going to hold talks with Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah before holding another round of talks with Barak later in the day. She met with Barak late Tuesday night and the two discussed the status of the Israeli-Palestinian talks and assessed various aspects for holding the summit which Barak wants to be held early July.
For the summit, Barak is reportedly offering the Palestinians a "peace package" consisting of following points:
-- Both sides will declare the termination of the conflict between the two peoples and the resolution of any future claims by means of talks and other peaceful means.
-- Israel will recognize an independent Palestinian state and transfer more than 80 percent of the West Bank territories to the Palestinians. The Jordan Valley will remain under Israeli control for 10 to 12 years.
-- The Palestinian state will not be permitted to maintain an army with heavy weapons and the Israel Defense Force (IDF) will be able to maintain early-warning stations in Palestinian territories and deploy forces there in the event of an invasion from the east.
-- An agreed-upon mechanism will be set up for future talks on Jerusalem and other issues that have not yet been solved.
-- Israel is ready to have international religious figures assist in administrating the Temple Mount.
-- The Palestinian refugees will not be permitted to return to sovereign Israeli territories under the "right of return," though Israel will take in refugees for humanitarian reasons and for family reunion, and an international body will be established with Israeli participation to decide on compensation and rehabilitation for the refugees in their countries of residence.
-- The two countries will sign a free-trade agreement and Palestinians will be able to continue working in Israel.
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