- Title: WEST BANK: Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says talks with US will continue
- Date: 24th April 2010
- Summary: RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (APRIL 23, 2010) (REUTERS) PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE OF PALESTINIAN PRESIDENTIAL COMPOUND US MIDDLE EAST ENVOY GEORGE MITCHELL AND PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR SAEB EREKAT WALKING DOWN STAIRS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR SAEB EREKAT SAYING: "We, like the President (Abbas) said, are exerting every possible effort to give a chance to the Obama administration in their quest to accomplish a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in this region, as they (referring to Mitchell and team) said. They emphasized that a comprehensive peace and the creation of a Palestinian state is an American high interest, like it is a Palestinian interest, it is an interest to peace in this region." PALESTINIAN FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR SAEB EREKAT SAYING: "When we talk about stopping settlement activities, including natural growth, and removal settlement outposts, opening closed offices in Jerusalem, removal of barriers and closures, removal of blockade, the freeing of detainees - we are not talking about preconditions, these are commitments." SECURITY PERSONNEL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR SAEB EREKAT SAYING: "Our talk tonight was very profound, and, I cannot say that we included all the topics. Our talks between us and the American side will continue, whether with Senator Mitchell, or with his deputy Mr. David Hill who will stay in the region." MEDIA CREWS EREKAT WALKING AWAY
- Embargoed: 9th May 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA4X7HKQEQZCX203YYUX59WUC9H
- Story Text: Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat summarizes meeting with US Middle East Envoy George Mitchell, says, talks with US will continue.
Top Palestinian aide in the West Bank, negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Friday (April 23) that there will be no resumption of proximity talks with the Israelis in the coming days.
Abbas was still waiting for answers from Mitchell regarding Palestinian demands for a full stop to Israeli settlement activity, and Mitchell would return in May.
"We, like the President (Abbas) said, are exerting every possible effort to give a chance to the Obama administration in their quest to accomplish a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in this region, as they (referring to Mitchell and team) said. They emphasized that a comprehensive peace and the creation of a Palestinian state is an American high interest, like it is a Palestinian interest, it is an interest to peace in this region," Erekat said.
Netanyahu and Obama have been sharply at odds over Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, land Palestinians want for their state. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refuses to resume talks suspended in December 2008 until settlements stop.
"When we talk about stopping settlement activities, including natural growth, and removal settlement outposts, opening closed offices in Jerusalem, removal of barriers and closures, removal of blockade, the freeing of detainees - we are not talking about preconditions, these are commitments," Erekat told reporters following the meeting with Mitchell.
Mitchell is seeking Netanyahu's response to Obama's request for certain confidence-building measures to persuade Abbas to enter "proximity" talks.
The suggestions were handed to the Israeli leader at a low-profile meeting with Obama one month ago.
"Our talk tonight was very profound, and, I cannot say that we included all the topics. Our talks between us and the American side will continue, whether with Senator Mitchell, or with his deputy Mr. David Hill who will stay in the region," Erekat added.
Mitchell has visited the region over a dozen times in the past year without managing to revive talks stalled for 16 months now over the Palestinian demand for a total settlement freeze that Israel rejects as an unacceptable precondition.
Abbas has dismissed a partial, 10-month moratorium on construction ordered by Netanyahu five months ago.
Netanyahu said on Thursday he would not freeze building in East Jerusalem, captured from Jordan in 1967 and annexed as part of Israel's capital in a move not recognised internationally. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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