Resumption of Israel-Palestine Talks Raises Hope to Peace

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, July 10, 2002

Resumption of Israel-Palestine Talks Raises Hope to Peace

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Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres has met with two Palestinian ministers in the past two days in Jerusalem, raising a hope for the two sides to end their prolonged deadlock to resume the peace process.

On Tuesday, Peres met with the newly-appointed Palestinian Interior Minister Abdel Razik Yehiyeh in addition to an earlier meeting between him and Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayadin on Monday.

The peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have suspended for about 21 months since the beginning of the Palestinian intifada (uprising) in September 2001 because of deteriorating situation of violent conflicts between the two sides.

In a statement issued after Peres' Tuesday meeting with Yehiyeh,Israeli foreign ministry's media adviser Yoram Dori noted that "there will be a follow-up to the meeting as both sides are aware ofthe importance of continued dialogue."

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, who also attended the meeting, disclosed that during the meeting Yehiyeh asked Israel to withdraw from all Palestinian-controlled towns and cities, as a first step, so that the PNA can start to re-exercise its authorities in the areas.

"The meetings themselves were not important, but the authority granted to Peres was significant," he said, adding that it is too soon to speak about any progress after one or two meetings between the two sides.

On Peres-Fayad Monday meeting, Peres' spokeswoman Yaffa Ben-Ari said that the meeting was aimed at resuming dialogues between the two sides to pave the way for resumption of the peace process.

The two sides discussed the possibility to transfer the taxes that Israel has collected from Palestinian trades over the last three years.

The United States have proposed that Israel unfreeze 10 percent of the Palestinian assets it is holding and hand it over to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

The money, under international supervision, could be used for improving the economic situation in the Palestinian territories, USofficials said, adding that this will constitute a good gesture on Israel's part and it will also be a test to Palestinian intentions to implement reforms.

The recent talks between Israeli and Palestinian ministers came following PNA leader Yasser Arafat' efforts of of reforms in civil and security institutions.

Arafat implemented the reforms under the pressure of the United States President George W. Bush and the Israeli government. Bush has asked to change the current leadership and find an alternative to Arafat.

The Israeli government had been refusing to renew talks with Arafat or any of his aides as it accused Arafat of supporting and encouraging suicide bombing attacks against Israel.

However, the recent meetings between Peres and Palestinian ministers have been approved by both Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Arafat.

Ben-Ari said Sharon had appointed a team of ministers, headed byPeres, to deal with economic and security issues with an aim to improve the security situation.

"First of all, terrorism must be stopped. Simultaneously, ways must be found to improve the conditions of the Palestinian population," said the female official.

Later on Tuesday, Peres met with Sharon, Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer and Finance Minister Silvan Shalom. Sharon authorized the establishment of a committee that would discuss the possibility of easing the conditions of the Palestinians.

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