Erekat: End to Israeli settlement building key to talks

Ma'an - Chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat reiterated Saturday that Israel’s acceptance of 1967 borders, with approved land swaps, and an end to settlement construction are preconditions for direct talks to resume.

Erekat’s comments were made during meetings with British Consul General Richard Makepeace and German representative to the Palestinian Authority Goetz Lingental.

He added that there is still time for progress in the US-initiated proximity talks mediated by US peace envoy George Mitchell. A time limit of four months was set for the indirect talks, which will expire on 4 September.

President Mahmoud Abbas presented Mitchell with the Palestinian position on all final-status issues, based on international law, the Road Map, and the Arab Peace Initiative, Erekat explained, noting that “we did not receive any stance from the Israelis at all.”

The negotiator pointed out that the international community supported Abbas’ position, referring to the Middle East Quartet’s statement of 19 March, and the EU’s December 2009 statement, which both call for a two-state solution on 1967 borders, and an end to settlement building.

By rejecting these calls, Israel is rejecting credible talks, Erekat said.

The US has called on Palestinian and Israeli officials to ensure that the current round of talks move swiftly into direct negotiations, which were broken off in December 2008 as Israel launched Operation Cast Lead.