Arafat Meets with US Special Envoy for Middle EastPalestinian leader Yasser Arafat met with US special envoy for the Middle East William Burns at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah on Sunday.The meeting was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk and U.S. Consul-General in Jerusalem Ronald Shelker, the Palestinian News Agency reported. During the talks, the two sides discussed Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people and recommendations made by the International Inquiry Commission chaired by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, the news agency said. Following the talks, Palestinian Minister of Local Government Saeb Erekat told reporters that the meeting was positive and discussed the Mitchell report, a timetable for full implementation of the recommendations in the report and the Egyptian-Jordanian initiative. The meeting will also be followed by more meetings between Burns and Arafat and a Palestinian team. Meanwhile, Burns said that the meeting was positive and tackled the current situation and how to return to the negotiating table. In this context, contacts are underway with international parties and Indyk and Shelker will meet with officials of the two sides, he added. |
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