PA 'not closing door' on Quartet proposal

In interview with Ynet, PLO official Hanan Ashrawi says PA will respond to Quartet call to resume peace negotiations from Ramallah; describes Netanyahu's UN address as 'public relations ploy'

Elior Levy|Published: 09.24.11 , 11:35

Palestinian Authority looking into Quartet proposal: PLO Executive Committee member and Palestinian delegate to the UN Hanan Ashrawi said Friday that the Palestinians will have to decide whether to accept the Quartet's call for a resumption of peace negotiations aimed at achieving an agreement by 2012.

"Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) will return to the PA and discuss the proposal together with the Palestinian leadership," she told Ynet in a special interview. "We are not closing any doors, but will respond to the proposal from Ramallah."

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The International Quartet of Middle East mediators proposed on Friday that Israel and the Palestinians should meet within one month to agree an agenda for new peace talks with a goal of a deal by the end of 2012.

Quartet of Mideast mediators (Photo: AP)

In a statement, the Quartet - the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia - said it wanted to see comprehensive proposals within three months on territory and security, and substantial progress within six months.

The Quartet noted previous peace plans such as George Bush's 2002 road map. Meanwhile, Lebanon's UN ambassador said that the Security Council will convene on Monday for an initial consultation regarding the Palestinian bid for recognition.

Referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech before the General Assembly, Ashrawi said she was left unimpressed. "I listened to the speech very carefully, but I can say it was nothing more than a public relations ploy. If he wants to do PR he must understand that there is no time left for tricks as the situation is very sensitive. He must realize – this is the moment of truth."

Adressing Netanyahu's call to Abbas to meet in the UN building, Ashrawi said: "The president is always willing to meet, but is Netanyahu willing to stop settlement construction? Is he willing to negotiate the 1967 lines? Is he willing to accept UN resolutions? If his answer is positive then we can meet. We have been engaged in negotiations for 20 years now, we are tired of requests to meet for the sake of meeting."

Ashrawi and Abbas. 'President always willing to meet' (Photo: AP)

Ashrawi criticized the Israeli argument that Israel is a small country surrounded by enemies. "Stop using this excuse. Small countries can make peace too. We agreed to live on 20% of historic Palestinian land, that's a generous offer."

Referring to Israel's demand that the PA recognize it as a Jewish state, Ashrawi said: "The Israeli state can be Christian, Jewish or Buddhist as far as we're concerned. It doesn’t concern us, and we don't care how you define yourselves."

The Palestinian official also addressed Hamas criticism over Abbas' speech saying that the speech was a national address aimed at Palestinians of all factions. She added that the PA has no fear that Hamas will rear its head as the delegation returns from New York. "We know that the Palestinian public opinion is very supportive of us and the steps we have taken," she said.

Erekat: Stop colonizing West Bank

Meanwhile, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat called on Israel to take advantage of the Quartet proposal. "We are willing to meet our commitments in the framework of the road map and international law but Israel must be responsive and stop the colonization of the West Bank."

On Friday, Abbas announced at the General Assembly that he has asked UN Chief Ban Ki-moon to accept the Palestinian membership bid. In his speech, he fiercely attakec Israel but noted he would be willing to negotiate so long as Israel stops settlement construction.

Thousands of Palestinians took the streets in celebration in the West Bank.

Netanyahu followed Abbas on the General Assembly podium and claimed the Palestinians want a state without peace. He stressed he would not compromise on security and called on Abbas to immediately resume negotiations.