Israel to open cabinet-level talks with Palestinians: newspaper

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, October 27, 2003

Israel to open cabinet-level talks with Palestinians: newspaper

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Israel intends to begin talks with the Palestinians at cabinet level, but not a meeting between prime ministers as Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei has refused to meet his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon at present, Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported Sunday.

The Israeli delegation, headed by Dov Weisglass, director of theIsraeli Prime Minister's Bureau, will try to fathom Qurei's intentions and see whether the implementation of the internationally-backed roadmap peace plan can be advanced, the report said.

The Palestinian side will probably include Finance Minister Salam Fayad, the report added.

It said Sharon assumes that Qurei will not resign and will remain in office after his temporary appointment expires on Nov. 4.

Sharon held a special debate last Wednesday with heads of the defense establishment on Israel's policy towards Qurei and his cabinet, the report said.

The debate was not concluded and will continue in the next few days, it added.

The military's position was that Israel should prevent the complete collapse of the Palestinian National Authority, which may lead to chaos and subsequent resumption of Israeli military occupation that may strengthen PNA chairman Yasser Arafat.

According to the report, the Israel Defense Forces concluded that Israel had erred by supporting Mahmoud Abbas, former Palestinian prime minister, and presenting him as an ally without doing enough to establish his rule.

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