Saturday, July 17, 2010

Abbas dictates terms for direct talks

From Reuters Africa, Sat Jul 17, 2010:

RAMALLAH West Bank - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel must agree to the idea of a third party guarding the borders of a future Palestinian state before direct peace talks can begin.

...Abbas said Israel must also agree in principle to an equitable land swap that would compensate the Palestinians for West Bank land absorbed by Jewish settlements in any peace deal.

...Speaking to the Jordanian newspaper al-Ghad, Abbas said ..."If they agree to that, this is what we would consider the progress that we want and that would make us go to direct negotiations..." ...

...Israel, however, wants to maintain a presence in the Jordan valley along the West Bank's eastern border with neighbouring Jordan....

1 comment:

Bill in Australia said...

Abbas also demands a halt to Jewish building in "occupied territories" including East Jerusalem. He also demands Palestinian rule over the old city in Jerusalem. He will not even begin talks unless Israel agrees in advance to divide Jerusalem and surrender much of the holiest part. Israel does not claim Mt Sinai, but Islam demands Israel's holiest place. NO! NO! NO!