PLO Central Committee Begins Discussion on StatehoodThe Palestinian Liberation Organization's Central Committee convenes in Gaza Sunday to discuss preparations for a Palestinian state later this year.One hundred and twenty-nine members of the committee from various PLO factions attended the two-day meeting. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has said that he is determined to declare an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital this year - with or without a peace treaty with Israel. Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Ahmed Qurei, who heads the Palestinian team to the final-status talks, predicted there would be a decision to declare statehood this year. |
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