Barak Suggests Permanent Accord

Barak told his One Israel parliamentary faction that this would actually be another interim agreement but "with a continuation to a permanent agreement."

It would have to "close" the parameters of other issues - an indication Barak wants to prevent an agreement that would leave enough loopholes for the Palestinians to present new demands after they agreement is signed.

The Palestinians have opposed concluding another interim agreement, and Monday Nabil Aburdeneh, a spokesman for the Palestinian Authority's president, reportedly reiterated their objections to another interim agreement.

Barak seems to be ready for another interim agreement of sorts because it seems impossible to conclude a permanent agreement. Israeli-Palestinian differences over the future of Jerusalem, the Palestinian refugees demand to return to their old homes and other such issues so far seem to wide to bridge.

Barak said that if the Palestinians will not agree to a long-term interim agreement, then a permanent agreement implemented in stages "is a possible goal for the negotiations."

Secret talks held so far between Arafat and Israeli Tourism Minister Amnon Lipkin-Shahak have led to meetings among officers to reduce fighting. Talks involving senior Palestinian officials, such as Minister Jamil Tarifi, with Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip Maj. Gen. Yaakov Or, have led to easing up on civilian hardships.

Israel has decided not to restrict the transfer of fuel, and a senior defense source told United Press International the Israelis would speed up clearing of goods destined for the Palestinian Authority. "There are very many donations to the (Palestinian) Authority," he said. They arrive through Egypt, Jordan, and the ports of Haifa and Ashdod. They will be released from within two days, he said.

Clashes continued, however. The Israel Defense Forces spokesman said that Palestinian policemen Monday fired at the southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Giloh from the Christian-Orthodox Club in Beit Jallah, near Bethlehem.

The fire damaged three apartments and barely missed a girl who had been in the kitchen. The IDF responded with rocket and machine gunfire, the army spokesman said.

Israel Radio said gunfire injured an Israeli woman travelling in a bus in Hebron. There were several other shooting and bombing attacks, but the army spokesman reported no Israeli casualties.

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