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Tags: Palestine's | P.M. | Urges | Israel | Accept | Road | Map

Palestine's P.M. Urges Israel to Accept Road Map

Sunday, 04 May 2003 12:00 AM EDT

Abu Mazen, the first Palestinian prime minister, refused any changes in the text of the original copy of the plan, adding that if each side began changing the plan, "it would never end."

Speaking to reporters at a special meeting with the Palestinian media in Ramallah, Abu Mazen said the road map -- proposed by the so-called Quartet of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia -- had been delivered to both sides, and that the Palestinians had officially accepted it.

"The ball is now in the Israeli playground, and we are waiting for their acceptance," he said.

"Instead of thinking about changing the text of the plan, the Israeli government should soon think about implementing the plan, because the Palestinians are totally committed in implementing their part," Abu Mazen told reporters.

The Quartet announced they would set up a committee to observe the plan's implementation of the plan, which Abu Mazen called to have happen soon.

Official Israeli sources had said earlier that there are preparations to hold a joint Israeli-Palestinian security meeting to discuss the renewed security coordination and to prepare for a meeting between Abu Mazen and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Abu Mazen denied that there are any security meetings to be held, adding that any joint security meeting "must be according to what has been mentioned in the road map plan."

U.S. peace envoy to the Middle East William Burns is scheduled to meet with Abu Mazen and other Palestinian officials in the West Bank town of Ramallah to discuss the plan's implementation, Palestinian officials said Sunday.

Abu Mazen said he is looking forward to meet with Sharon, adding, "Israel is the only first and basic address that we are referring to in order to discuss several outstanding issues and try solving them together."

"We certainly want to meet with him (Sharon)," he said, but added that the Palestinians were waiting for an answer to their demands for a preparatory meeting with Israeli leaders before the meeting with Sharon.

"This is what we are going to tell Mr. Burns on Monday," Abu Mazen said. "When Sharon says yes to the road map, it doesn't matter for us who would say no to the plan because he is the only one that is committed to the plan."

Copyright 2003 by United Press International.

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Pre-2008
Abu Mazen, the first Palestinian prime minister, refused any changes in the text of the original copy of the plan, adding that if each side began changing the plan, "it would never end." Speaking to reporters at a special meeting with the Palestinian media in Ramallah,...
Palestine's,P.M.,Urges,Israel,Accept,Road,Map
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2003-00-04
Sunday, 04 May 2003 12:00 AM
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