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NEWS
Serious Talks in Taba
by Yated Ne'eman Staff

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators at Taba in the Sinai desert pushed ahead in an attempt to work out some agreement before the Israeli elections on February 6 (13 Shevat). There was no American presence at the talks, though both sides said they kept in touch with the new U.S. administration and the Palestinians issued a memorandum detailing their objections to the American approach in the past seven years. Both talks characterized the first day of talks, Monday, as serious.

One Israeli source close to the talks said: "The Palestinians finally exhibited an understanding of our positions. These are the most serious talks we have had in months."

The Palestinians agreed. "I can say there are very serious discussions, all issues that are the keys to agreement are under discussion," said Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Ahmed Qurei. "There are still gaps but we are working very seriously to see if it is possible [to bridge them]. All issues that represent the keys to an agreement are in discussion."

Transportation Minister Amnon Lipkin-Shahak said that it is a shame this did not take place three months ago, and expressed doubts about the possibility of reaching an agreement in the short time left before the upcoming elections. "I don't think it is possible to reach a full agreement in two weeks -- that is clear to everyone," he said. "A full agreement will demand not only answers to things raised here, but also many things that have not been raised here."

One Israeli official said that the "understanding" of the Israeli position the Palestinians are now exhibiting has to do with a realization that Israel "was willing to go a long way" to reach an agreement.

Another source attributed this new seriousness to a "realization by the Palestinians that time is running out, and that the opportunity may be lost." He said that although it is highly unlikely that any breakthrough will be made on the stormy issues that capsized the Camp David summit -- Jerusalem, refugees, and the Temple Mount -- there may be some progress in other areas, such as security and territorial issues.

The source attributed the change in Palestinian attitude not necessarily to the fear of what will happen if Likud head Ariel Sharon wins the election, but more to pressure within Palestinian society. "After four months, many more dead than we have, losses of millions of dollars, and much suffering, they have little to show for their efforts. They are now under pressure to show their public some achievement."

In their statement, that was signed by the Palestinian negotiating team, the Palestinians suggested that the exit of President Clinton and his team was one of the factors in prompting the Palestinians to call for a new push to remove the obstacles to a peace deal.

The current talks are held without the presence of any third parties. No American representative is present, nor is any Egyptian figure. Many observers say that direct talks are the most productive.

Some observers recalled that similar negotiations were conducted in the shadow of the 1996 elections between Shimon Peres and Binyamin Netanyahu. Nothing was settled before the elections that brought Netanyahu to power and the talks to a halt.

The current talks have been criticized sharply by Likud head Arik Sharon, who said that he would not feel himself bound by any commitments made in the heat of an election campaign. Barak is trailing by almost 20 percent in all the opinion polls, and it is widely believed that the only thing that may improve his chances substantially is some sort of agreement with the Palestinians. However, even members of Barak's cabinet have criticized the current talks, saying that such serious matters should be left until after the elections.

 

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