B"H
Flexibility Displayed by Palestinians
PLO Executive Committee Secretary Mahmud Abbas said this past
Sunday (August 27, 2000):
"We have nothing to offer on the basic issues on the agenda,
namely, the issues of Jerusalem and the refugees. We have clarified
our position on these issues and I believe the whole world supports
us. The lands that were occupied in 1967 should be returned. All the
Arab countries that have waged wars with Israel got their lands
back. Therefore, it is our right to regain our lands. We consider
Jerusalem as occupied land and Resolution 242 provides for a just
solution to the issue of the refugees. Resolution 194 also provides
for such a solution, namely, compensation of those who may not wish
to return. We asked for this and we also asked that our lands that
were occupied in 1967 be vacated of settlements.
"Was it not flexibility when we backed down on the partition
resolution and accepted Resolution 242? This constitutes half the
land that was given to us in the partition resolution? In Jerusalem
they want sovereignty on Al-Haram Al-Sharif (Temple Mount enclosing
the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Kotel) and they want to pray in it! Who would
accept such stands and demands? We have given everything we have.
We made many concessions and more than necessary. Otherwise,
we will re-open the old files and demand the land on which they live.
They claim that they had a temple 2000 years ago. I defy them
to prove this; even if it is true, we will not accept it.
We have the National Council and the Legislative Council. We
may think of a referendum, however, the Arab minority in Israel not
be given the right to participate.
"The Central Council will convene on 8 September and will
decide whether the state will be proclaimed on 13 September or
whether it will be deferred to another date.
"During a discussion with Baraq, he told me that he is
prepared to destroy the settlements on the Golan. Well, if he is
ready to destroy the settlements there why are these settlements so
sacred here that they cannot be removed?"
[For Reference] UN SC Res 242 (excerpts)
ii) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect
for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and
political independence of every State in the area and their right to
live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from
threats or acts of force;
2. Affirms further the necessity
a) for guaranteeing freedom of navigation through international
waterways in the area;
b) For achieving a just settlement of the refugee problem;
c) For guaranteeing the territorial inviolability and political
independence of every State in the area, through measures including
the establishment of demilitarized zones;