Palestinians Frustrated by Lack of Progress in Talks: ArafatPalestinian leader Yasser Arafat said on Saturday that the Palestinian people have been frustrated by the lack of progress in their peace talks with Israel.Arafat told Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during a meeting that Israel is not moving in the final-status talks and fails to make serious proposals on solving the thorniest issues of which nothing has changed, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr said after the meeting. Arafat accused Israel of not being serious and not moving in any of the main issues in the negotiations, including the final border of a future independent Palestinian state, the status of Jerusalem, Jewish settlements and the fate of Palestinian refugees, Moussa told reporters. Arafat arrived in Cairo late Friday from Geneva to brief Mubarak on his talks with U.S. President Bill Clinton in Washington on Thursday. He often visits Egypt to consult with Mubarak on the negotiations with Israel. During his talks with Clinton, Arafat called on the United States to pressure Israel into budging the peace process. Clinton, however, turned down the demand. Meanwhile, U.S. Mideast envoy Dennis Ross reportedly would visit Israel early next week, followed by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright later June, to assess if conditions are ripe for a meeting of Clinton, Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Referring to the proposed summit, Arafat said there are many difficulties and obstacles in its convocation. He added that preparations have to be made to create suitable climate for it. The summit is intended to seek breakthroughs in the Palestinian- Israeli negotiations for a final peace treaty by September 13. The two sides have made little progress in the so-called final-status talks. |
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