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.
Copyright 2000 by United Press International.
All rights reserved.
© 2021 Newsmax. All rights reserved.