Israeli and Palestinian negotiators at Taba in the Sinai
desert pushed ahead in an attempt to work out some agreement
before the Israeli elections on February 6 (13 Shevat).
There was no American presence at the talks, though both
sides said they kept in touch with the new U.S.
administration and the Palestinians issued a memorandum
detailing their objections to the American approach in the
past seven years. Both talks characterized the first day of
talks, Monday, as serious.
One Israeli source close to the talks said: "The
Palestinians finally exhibited an understanding of our
positions. These are the most serious talks we have had in
months."
The Palestinians agreed. "I can say there are very serious
discussions, all issues that are the keys to agreement are
under discussion," said Palestinian Legislative Council
Speaker Ahmed Qurei. "There are still gaps but we are
working very seriously to see if it is possible [to bridge
them]. All issues that represent the keys to an agreement
are in discussion."
Transportation Minister Amnon Lipkin-Shahak said that it is
a shame this did not take place three months ago, and
expressed doubts about the possibility of reaching an
agreement in the short time left before the upcoming
elections. "I don't think it is possible to reach a full
agreement in two weeks -- that is clear to everyone," he
said. "A full agreement will demand not only answers to
things raised here, but also many things that have not been
raised here."
One Israeli official said that the "understanding" of the
Israeli position the Palestinians are now exhibiting has to
do with a realization that Israel "was willing to go a long
way" to reach an agreement.
Another source attributed this new seriousness to a
"realization by the Palestinians that time is running out,
and that the opportunity may be lost." He said that although
it is highly unlikely that any breakthrough will be made on
the stormy issues that capsized the Camp David summit --
Jerusalem, refugees, and the Temple Mount -- there may be
some progress in other areas, such as security and
territorial issues.
The source attributed the change in Palestinian attitude not
necessarily to the fear of what will happen if Likud head
Ariel Sharon wins the election, but more to pressure within
Palestinian society. "After four months, many more dead than
we have, losses of millions of dollars, and much suffering,
they have little to show for their efforts. They are now
under pressure to show their public some achievement."
In their statement, that was signed by the Palestinian
negotiating team, the Palestinians suggested that the exit
of President Clinton and his team was one of the factors in
prompting the Palestinians to call for a new push to remove
the obstacles to a peace deal.
The current talks are held without the presence of any third
parties. No American representative is present, nor is any
Egyptian figure. Many observers say that direct talks are
the most productive.
Some observers recalled that similar negotiations were
conducted in the shadow of the 1996 elections between Shimon
Peres and Binyamin Netanyahu. Nothing was settled before the
elections that brought Netanyahu to power and the talks to a
halt.
The current talks have been criticized sharply by Likud head
Arik Sharon, who said that he would not feel himself bound
by any commitments made in the heat of an election campaign.
Barak is trailing by almost 20 percent in all the opinion
polls, and it is widely believed that the only thing that
may improve his chances substantially is some sort of
agreement with the Palestinians. However, even members of
Barak's cabinet have criticized the current talks, saying
that such serious matters should be left until after the
elections.
