 |
Al-Ahram Weekly 11 - 17 March 1999 Issue No. 420 
|
||
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
 |
 |
|
|
Al-Ahram Weekly 11 - 17 March 1999 Issue No. 420
|
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
|
|
|
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Special Features Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters State status assessment
By Nevine KhalilThe two fast approaching dates of 4 May, when the Palestinians may declare a state, and 17 May, when the Israeli elections are scheduled to take place, have propelled the Palestinian leadership into intense consultations regarding their options. President Yasser Arafat stopped over in the Egyptian capital on Monday for an overnight visit to consult on the next moves in the peace process.
During talks on Tuesday morning, President Hosni Mubarak and Arafat approved a "plan of action on the international arena regarding the declaration of a Palestinian state", according to Palestinian Minister of International Cooperation and Planning Nabil Shaath. The talks between the two leaders came as the countdown continued for the possible declaration of a Palestinian state at the beginning of May, and the guarantees that could be secured for the Palestinians in return for postponing the announcement.
According to the 1993 Oslo agreement signed between the Palestinians and Israelis, talks on the final status of the occupied territories were scheduled to conclude on 4 May, which leaves the Palestinian leadership the option of declaring a sovereign state the next day. These talks have not started yet.
Talking to reporters at the airport before leaving Cairo, Arafat said he spoke with Mubarak about "the steps and actions we should take" on 4 May. He dodged questions regarding his commitment to declaring a state on that date.
The flurry of diplomatic moves aims at gaining formal recognition of the Palestinians' right to statehood, which, sources say, could be the best way for Arafat to save face with his people and, at the same time, get something in return for postponing the declaration.
Shaath said the Palestinian leadership is "studying pieces of advice from friendly countries to postpone a declaration until after the Israeli elections". He noted, however, that a delay "will not go further than this year". Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said Arafat told Mubarak that the 4 May date "still stands and will not change". Cairo fully supports the Palestinians' right to statehood, and Moussa described it as a matter that is "absolutely beyond discussion".
Close observers of the situation, however, believe the declaration of a Palestinian state on 4 May is "very remote". Postponement requires guarantees, or "assurances" as Moussa put it, as well as "the formulation of political positions and commitments on the Palestinians' rights and the peace process". Moussa added that the issue at hand now is "rallying support for a time-frame for the declaration of a state". He also stressed the importance of "comprehensive Arab coordination in support of the Palestinian position as well as the necessary contacts with effective world [players]".
During six hours of talks between the Egyptians and Palestinians on Monday evening, the two sides decided on a series of visits to various capitals by Arafat and other leading Palestinian figures as well as Moussa. Shaath said the consultations will aim to "determine the most internationally accepted date for declaring a state in order to guarantee international support".
Mubarak and Arafat last held talks in Cairo on 20 February before both leaders embarked on brief European tours. In the coming weeks, Arafat will kick off a tour of six Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and Morocco, and later visit the United States, France and possibly Russia. Shaath will travel to Europe, and will be joined by Moussa in Britain, France and Germany.
Many members of the world community believe the declaration of a Palestinian state shortly before the Israeli elections on 17 May is untimely and would only prejudice Israeli voters. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has also threatened to annex parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip still under the control of the Israeli army if the Palestinians declare a state.
Saying that the Palestinian leadership will "carefully examine" requests to postpone statehood, Shaath noted that it was "useless to proclaim a state which would not be recognised by the major countries".
Palestinian ambassador to Cairo Zohdi Al-Qodra said the Palestinian leadership will announce its decision on declaring a state "according to what it believes is appropriate". He added that the Palestinian leadership is taking into account "all points of view" on the issue, in order for its final decision to be "based on a clear and comprehensive vision to serve the good of the Palestinian people".
While in Cairo on Monday, Arafat also met with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi who is on a week-long visit to Egypt. The Palestinian leader briefed Gaddafi on the stalled peace process. Also in Cairo, Arafat met with a visiting delegation from the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF).
