Israel Says It Would Respond Positively to Truce
Tue Dec 7, 2004 01:35 PM ET

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=7019663&src=rss/\
worldNews
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel termed as premature on Tuesday an Egyptian
report that it had agreed in principle with the Palestinians on proposals
to end their conflict but said it would respond positively if militants
ceased attacks.
"There are a few correct elements but it's a little premature to say
there's an agreement," a senior official in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's
office said. "We will respond positively if on the other side there will be
arrangements for a cease-fire, a cessation of hostilities."

© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.

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Last Update: 07/12/2004 20:34

Israel, PA said to have agreed on basis of peace deal

By Haaretz Service and agencies
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/511355.html

Palestinians and Israelis have agreed in principle to proposals which could
serve as the basis of a comprehensive settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, Egypt's official news agency MENA said on Tuesday.


Quoting unidentified high-level sources, it said the steps, including an
Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire, had the support of both the United States
and the European Union.

There was no immediate official comment from Israel or from Egypt, which
has tried to play the role of mediator in previous efforts to ease
Israeli-Palestinian violence.

Palestinian sources said reports of an Israeli-PA truce agreement were
inexact, but gave no further details, Israel Radio said late Tuesday.

There has been a dramatic warming in Israeli-Egyptian relations in recent
days, capped by the release on Sunday of Israeli Druze Azzam Azzam after
eight years in an Egyptian prison on espionage charges.

"High-level sources confirmed an important understanding -- reaching the
point of an agreement in principle -- has been completed between Egypt,
Israel, the Palestinians and several active international parties, America
and Europe, regarding a comprehensive settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian
struggle," MENA said.

It said points under discussion included a Palestinian commitment to stop
operations against Israel and to control Gaza and the West Bank, while
Israel would stop military actions as long as the Palestinian commitment
held.

"(Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon does not find it necessary to sign a
ceasefire agreement until the security and administrative capabilities of
the Palestinian Authority are rebuilt gradually," the report said.

The understanding could lead to a "comprehensive solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict," MENA said.

Egypt may return ambassador to Tel Aviv soon
Earlier on Tuesday, MENA, quoting senior Egyptian sources, reported that
Egypt will return its ambassador to Israel in the near future.

The sources told the news agency on Tuesday that "the new spirit in
relations (between the two countries) opens the door for his return."

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed abu Ghreit said prior to departing for
Kuwait that the return of the ambassador is subject to a decision by
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and is dependent upon "Israel responding
to Palestinian hopes regarding the peace process."


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