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Palestinians Ask US to Clarify Stand over Jerusalem
Nabil Shaath, Palestinian minister of international cooperation, on Thursday called on Washington to clarify its stand over Jerusalem after U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said that the city is the Israeli capital.
Shaath said, in an interview with Egypt's Middle East News Agency from Gaza Strip, that no country has so far recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, adding that the Palestinians need explanations from Powell.
Powell reportedly told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday that President George W. Bush will stick to a plan to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to "Israel's capital Jerusalem," though the plan will be implemented cautiously in light of the complicated situation in the Middle East.
Shaath said that Powell's remarks amounted to the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's eternal capital, adding that this was "a big gift" for the new Israeli government led by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who was sworn into office on Wednesday.
The Palestinian minister said that Powell's words aroused suspicion of U.S. sincerity in pushing forward the Middle East peace process.
Meanwhile, he said that he will head to Cairo on Friday to convey a message from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories.
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