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Israel Resource Review |
28th January, 2001 |
Contents:
Official PA radio news
P.B.C. VOP (Voice of Palestine) Radio: January 28th, 2001
Summary and Analysis
On the morning after the conclusion of the Taba talks, VOP took a
slightly more upbeat approach than it had on Saturday night immediately
following the talks, asserting that the two sides had never been so close to
agreement. (Note: the night before this was reported as Ben-Ami's analysis,
and even today, Sunday, it was again reported as Ben-Ami's analysis-"never
been so close to agreement etc"-in the news bulletin headlines throughout
the day. The inconsistency suggests a certain discomfiture with the
"closeness.")
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There was an unusually long set of headlines for the morning news
round-up, but it was noticeable that the Palestinian Leadership was
stressing in several ways that it had not made concessions on the rights of
refugees.
It is apparent that the PA does not want to hurt Barak's chances in the
elections with public pronouncements:
- There was NO coverage of Muhammad Dahlan's comment to the Israeli
press that the talks were kharta-barta -- rubbish;
- VOP anchormen like Samir Interr and Khalid Sukar continuously
refer to Sharon as "the extremist Sharon" or "the extremist leader Sharon"
including in the morning news round-up the day after Taba.
However, at the same time the PA is trying not to hurt Barak, it is
desperately aware that its own refugee constituency is very nervous and
militant. Minister of Information Yasser Abd-Rabbo used his morning
interview to pour cold water on optimistic views of the Taba talks,
stressing instead the great gaps that remain as well as the fact that the
Barak Government basically did too little too late.
VOP re-broadcast Ahmad Qreia's own statement (very poor quality, almost
un-broadcast-able) at the Taba press conference, and part of it is
included at the bottom of the morning headlines.
Important Note: The Voice of Palestine, unlike Israel's Kol Yisrael Radio
and unlike Israel television's Channel One and Channel Two, and unlike CNN
and other stations, did not broadcast the Taba press conference
live-probably because the PA did NOT
want to build up the event in the eyes of its public.
Sunday Morning Round-up Headlines
- "The marathon session of talks in Taba ends last night with the
publication of a joint statement describing that the two sides had not ever
before been so close to reaching agreement;
- Our delegation to the marathon Taba talks will brief his excellency
President Yasser Arafat this morning on the results of the negotiations;
- The communique published by the two sides at the end of the
negotiations indicated that time pressure prevented (mutual) understandings
on the main matters despite the substantive progress on all the questions
that were discussed;
- Both sides feel the gaps can be narrowed when there is a return to
talks after the Israeli elections;
- Mr. Ahmad Qureia, the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislature and the
head of the Palestinian delegation to the talks, says that this session was
the most important held by the two parties;
- Qureia adds that the discussion was deep concerning Jerusalem, land,
the refugees and borders and where the analysis was comprehensive .and the
gaps difficult;
- And Qureia asserted the right of the refugees to return to their
homes;
- Dr. Nabil Sha'ath, minister of international economic development and
cooperation, will talk to us in detail on the talks regarding the
refugees."
Morning Headlines, 7 a.m. / 8 a.m. / 9 a.m.
- " The Taba marathon talks ended last night in a joint statement by
Ahmad Qreia and Shlomo Ben-Ami. And Qreia said the two sides spent six days
in serious and deep conversations, asserting that there were deep
negotiation clashes on Jerusalem, land, borders and refugees;
- And the head of the Israeli delegation Shlomo Ben-Ami said that the
two sides were never so close to agreement as they were during the last
session in Taba;
- His Excellency President Yasser Arafat will receive meet the members
of the delegation to Taba this morning and will discuss the developments
during the Taba talks;
- Eight citizens were wounded in a variety of incidents with Israeli
occupation forces yesterday evening at various locations in the homeland;
- His Excellency President Yasser Arafat stresses that our people is
striving for a just and comprehensive peace based on international
legitimacy, on international laws, and on international declarations of
human rights.;
- 5,000 Arabs demonstrated inside the Green Line in Nazareth yesterday
in support of a boycott of the Israeli prime ministerial elections;
- The thwarting of an attempt to hijack a Gulf Airlines flight yesterday
evening;
- World nations initiating aid programs for India following earthquake
that has left 15,000 dead and 33,000 wounded by last count."
Quotes from Qreia Statement in Taba
"It is our belief that this was the most important session of the talks
on final status. I also want to express my thanks to the European Union and
Mr. Moratinos.
We spent six days in serious activity.discussing the issues, and they
are land, borders, the case ( also: matter or question) of Jerusalem, the
case of refugees and the case of security."
Quotes from Interview with Yasser abd-Rabbo, member of PA
delegation to Taba, and minister of information and culture
Question: "From reading the closing statement, one sees that the two sides are
closer than ever before. Is that really the situation?"
Answer: "That's one element of the situation. But it's not that simple. There are
many questions which require answers from the Israeli side. Yes, one could
say there was development on some questions and stances and there was
readiness for drawing closer on some questions, but I would not want to say
that the questions are approaching solution. And from another point of view,
one must assert that there was NO firm (Israeli) policy of progress to a
solution during six months or during the last year.
When the playing and zig-zagging with positions ends, then we will
realize progress."
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