Qurei': We will not allow Israel to impose facts on the ground

Abu Dis – Ma'an – In a special interview on Friday with the head of the Palestinian Negotiations Unit, Ahmad Qurei' (Abu Ala'a), at his office in Abu Dis near Jerusalem, Ma'an News Agency Editor-in-Chief Nasser Al-Laham, Al-Ayyam journalist Abd Ar-Raouf Arna'out, and Maher Ash-Sheikh, Editor-in-Chief of the Al-Quds newspaper, discussed the latest political developments with Qurei'.

Qurei' told Ma'an that the Palestinian negotiating team had totally rejectedIsrael's decision to initiate new construction in the Jerusalem settlements. He described the American stance on settlements as unfair, the European position as hypocritical, and the Arab posture as weak. He said that if Israel wants to impose 'facts on the ground' by force, "I will tell them that we spent 30 years persuading Palestinians to accept a two-state solution, and if we do not succeed in achieving it, we will return to the idea of one state."

Qurei' said that during the negotiations on final-status issues, the Israeli side had proposed various maps trying to impose a land 'swap', which the Palestinian side had rejected. He reported telling the Israeli negotiators, including Shlomo Ben Ami, that "it’s not the maps that specify our stance, but vice versa."

Abu Ala'a affirmed that the Palestinian side is working to reach a comprehensive agreement, not a declaration of principles or a framework agreement that is vague. He said that the negotiations have sometimes been very difficult, and that negotiators have discussed the detailed maps of Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Dead Sea, Jordan Valley and the safe passage. He reported that there is coordination and consultations with the Arab countries regarding the negotiations.

According to Qurei', the two sides have agreed not to inform media outlets of the details discussed in the ongoing negotiations, and to keep written records of both sides' positions on all issues, regardless of whether an agreement on a particular topic is reached.

Regarding the sixth Fatah general conference, Qurei' said it should not be delayed, especially after holding the internal Fatah elections. He told Ma'an that the conference will take place before the end of 2008, but it has not yet been decided whether to hold it in Jordan, Egypt or inside Palestine.

Qurei' stated, "Some people say that Fatah is a movement of the old guard. I say that 80% of Fatah is from the young generation. Holding the sixth conference will unify the movement, reunite its leaders with the Fatah base, and enable a rapprochement between Fatah leaders and affiliates. It is not true that members of the Fatah central committee are reluctant to hold the conference; on the contrary, they are working very hard for its success."

Qurei' told Ma'an that the political divisions between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip cannot continue unless someone envisions separating the Gaza Strip from the West Bank and Jerusalem. He warned that a state consisting only of the Gaza Strip or the West Bank would not be sufficient for or accepted by Palestinians. He argued that the recent state of internal divisions must end for the good of the Palestinian people, despite the fact that some individuals may be tempted to exacerbate the divisions to serve their personal interests.

Qurei' maintained that there are two main issues to deal with in order to resolve the internal Palestinian divisions. The first is the Palestinian commitments to the international community, which resulted in the formation of the Palestinian Authority and on which the Palestinian government stands. Qurei' noted that it is impossible to ignore the Palestinian commitments, because the whole world will refuse to deal with any government that does not comply with previous agreements signed by the PLO. He said that the political factions have the right to different positions on this issue, but that forming a government is a different matter.

The second issue Qurei' stressed was the mission of any government to enforce law and order and push social and economic development forward. He said that no one would ask any faction to renounce its principles or convictions.

In closing, Qurei' said: "Whenever Israel proposes a new map, I feel as if they are taking part of my flesh. The negotiations are very difficult. Sometimes we shout at each other or exchange curses." After saying this, Qurei' went on to another interview with an Israeli journalist from the Ma'ariv newspaper.