Mideast Leaders Say Settlement Is Closer

T A B A, Egypt, Jan. 27, 2001 -- The Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in thisRed Sea resort concluded today without any agreement, leavingfurther peace efforts to a possible meeting between Israeli PrimeMinister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Though an accord was far from reach, a joint statement issued bythe sides said the six-day Taba talks were "unprecedented in theirpositive atmosphere" and left them closer than ever to anagreement.

"Given the circumstances and time constraints, it provedimpossible to reach understandings on all issues despite thesubstantial progress that was achieved in each of the issuesdiscussed," the statement said.

Barak and Arafat May Meet

Officials on both sides said Barak and Arafat may meet in Europenext week in a last-minute effort to forge a deal before Israel'sfateful Feb. 6 elections. Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Amisaid international efforts were under way to arrange theBarak-Arafat meeting, and Israel radio said the two may meet in theSwedish capital of Stockholm.

Even if the meeting were arranged, it was highlydoubtful the two leaders would be able to overcome wide gaps on thetouchiest issues.

Success in peace negotiations is crucial for Barak, who isrunning an uphill race against hawkish challenger Ariel Sharon.Sharon, who led Israeli forces during the 1982 Lebanon invasion,opposes many of Barak's painful peace compromises.

A Sharon victory, Arafat told the Italian daily La Republica inan interview published today, would cause "an escalation of theconflict. With him in power we cannot have peace."

Despite the perceived urgency, the Taba talks left both sidesdisappointed and without tangible results to take home. Palestiniannegotiators said the teams were close on the issues of security andborders of a future Palestinian state, but far apart on the thornyquestions of Jerusalem's future and the fate of the millions ofPalestinian refugees who want to return to former homes in what isnow Israel.

"There is still a big gap on everything," said the Palestinianteam leader, parliament speaker Ahmed Qureia. But, he added, "I'msure that whatever we achieved … will be the starting point ofany new negotiations."

Refugees, Territory Under Discussion

At the talks Friday and at informal meetings today, the sideswere discussing the complex refugee question. The Palestinians havebeen demanding that all refugees and their descendants, about 4million people, be allowed to return to Israel, but Israel hasrejected that.

"Nothing had been achieved on the refugee issue," Qureiaadmitted. "This is a fierce battle, a battle which has two redlines — one set by us and, unfortunately, one set by them. If theywill not recognize the right of return, there would be noprogress."

Other working groups were dealing with Jerusalem, borders andsecurity matters. According to Palestinian negotiators, the sideswere close to a deal in which Israel would get about 4 percent ofthe West Bank and the Palestinians would receive some Israeliterritory in return.

The fate of Jerusalem, Israel's proclaimed unified capital,presented a more serious problem. Israel is reluctant to give thePalestinians what they want there — full control over the city'seastern Arab part, which includes Jewish neighborhoods and sitesholy to both Judaism and Islam.

Qureia said the issue of Jerusalem was discussed for the firsttime in detail, with the Palestinians demanding that Israel alsodismantle satellite towns around Jerusalem built on Palestinianland. In security talks, the Palestinians rejected Israeli demandsfor control over their air space and for military outposts in thestrategic Jordan Valley, he said.

Barak Appears Optimistic

Despite the difficulties, Barak put on an optimistic facetoday, telling supporters from among Israel's artists andintellectuals the sides "have almost reached an accord."

"We can see through a crack in the door between us but time istoo short," Israel army radio reported.

Arafat, in turn, reaffirmed his commitment to peace.

"The just peace, peace of the brave, is the choice that we willnever abandon, and it is the way to achieve our national rights,"he said on Palestinian television. Yet he also blasted Israel overthe use of "power and steel" against the Palestinians and theblockade of their areas, and he called on the internationalcommunity to put an end to what he called Israel's aggression.

Also today, President Bush called Barak to express the beliefthat "a secure Israel" is a key element of Middle East peace,White House officials said. The two leaders spoke for seven minutesin what was described as "an introductory call" initiated byBush.

"President Bush reaffirmed the close relationship with Israeland his desire for peace in the region based on a secure Israel,"said Mary Ellen Countryman, a spokeswoman for the president'sNational Security Council.

The Taba negotiations were held in the shadow ofIsraeli-Palestinian bloodshed that erupted on Sept. 28. Since then,375 people have been killed, including 318 Palestinians, 13 IsraeliArabs, 43 Israeli Jews, and one German doctor.