PLO, Fatah approve proximity talks
Official sources in Ramallah say Palestine Liberation Organization, Fatah central committee approve indirect talks with Israel; senior PA official says decision premised on US pledges, guarantees
PA President Mahmoud Abbas' right-hand man, Yasser Abed Rabbo, said the decision was "mostly premised on pledges and guarantees made by the Americans to the Palestinian side in respect to the issue of settlements and the basis for negotiations – Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the Road Map, and the Arab peace initiative."
The US has pledged to ensure that all core issues of the conflict will be discussed in the proximity talks, he said, adding that the Americans "made it clear that they will adopt a very determined stance in the face of possible provocations which the Israeli side may try to undertake in order to disrupt the talks."
'Our position is clear'
During the indirect negotiations, US special envoy George Mitchell will convey messages between the two sides. The process is intended to lead to direct peace talks.On Friday Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with special US envoy George Mitchell in Ramallah. The two discussed the efforts to jumpstart the indirect peace talks.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Friday that within the next two days the Americans will respond to a Palestinian demand that Washington guarantee Israel's commitment to the process, particularly with regards to settlement construction.
"We've made our position on this matter clear," Erekat said after the meeting, adding that Abbas and Mitchell are expected to hold additional talks on Saturday and Sunday.
