RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- Palestine's de facto president Mahmoud Abbas is demanding that the US adminsitration offers 'guarantees' before resuming peace talks with Israel, despite Washington recently announcing its failure to sway Israel toward a three month settlement construction freeze.
A Fatah authority official, who declined to be named, dispatched chief negotiator Saeb Erekat to the US administration with a message pleaing for US guarantees and answers to questions about upcoming direct or indirect peace talks.
“Abbas is waiting for America's response to his demands, which are expected to be carried by Mitchell during a meeting between the two on Tuesday in Ramallah.” But Mitchell speaking at a press conference following the meeting never brought up any demands from the Palestinians, but only said: Washington is determined to pursue efforts to reach a peace agreement.
According to the source, Abbas demanded “serious guarantees for any upcoming peace process by providing the basis for talks that would lead to a comprehensive solution in the region based on the two-state solution.” He further pleaded for a third international force on the future Palestinian border and a resolve to all final status issues, especially the issue of refugees ïn accordance with UN resolutions.
US special envoy to the Mideast George Mitchell posed new ideas to Abbas when meeting with him Tuesday to relaunch the stalled peace process. World media reported that Mitchell is pushing for Ramallah's approval to discuss fundamental issues in the conflict through indirect peace talks with Israel.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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