05/09/2010 Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonoth said that “Palestinian optimism” about direct talks in Washington were dimming as Chief PA Negotiator Saeb Erekat accused Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu of applying stall tactics to negotiations, and that all of his suggestions thus far have been rejected by the PA. 'Peace in the West Bank will demand Israel tear down settlements,' he said.The newspaper’s Internet site (Ynet) claimed that Erekat told Jordan's al-Dustour Newspaper that the Israeli prime minister suggested forming 12 committees dedicated to the various issues of the peace process, but his suggestion was rejected.
Speaking to the Israeli Army radio Sunday, however, Erekat denied the claims. "I never said that," he stressed.
"I was asked why didn't we form these committees," the chief PA negotiator said, adding that he answered that "had [Netanyahu] asked for these committees he would be wasting time."
According to to Ynet, Erekat further confirmed that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will attend the negotiation session set for September 14-15, and that the meeting's agenda has been agreed upon, as well. "The agenda will include Jerusalem, the settlements, borders, the refugees, water, security and prisoners' release."
While Erekat clarified that should an agreement be reached regarding the borders, the rest could be discussed, he was less than optimistic. "If an agreement is not reached about the 1967 borders, it will be a problem. If there is an agreement on the borders, it would make it easier to see progress on the issue of the settlements and on all other issues."
Turning his attention to the settlement activity and east Jerusalem, he added that "When Israel decided to strike peace with Egypt it tore down settlements in Sinai. When it decided on a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, it tore down settlements in Gaza.
"I hope Israel knows that peace in the West Bank will demand it does so again. Peace and the settlements are two parallel lines that do not meet," he said.
Speaking to the Israeli Army radio Sunday, Eerekat estimated that a final status deal could bring Gaza back into the Palestinian fold, saying that if the two sides "sign an endgame agreement on all core issues I believe we will bring Gaza back."
Erekat added, however, that he feared the "Palestinian Authority will dissolve if we fail to reach an endgame agreement."
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Tripoli Saturday to update Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on the first round of re-launched peace negotiations in Washington.
Fatah Central Committee members Nabil Sha'ath and Muhammad Shtayyeh, Abbas' spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaineh and Palestinian ambassador to Libya Atef Audah also attended the meeting with Gaddafi. Abbas is scheduled to visit Tunis on Sunday to update Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on the status of negotiations.
Source: Israeli Media
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