Last Update: 08/12/2004 11:26

PA: No peace deal, but agreement reached on elections
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/511355.html
By Haaretz Service and Agencies



The Palestinian Authority joined the chorus of denials Wednesday of a
report that it had reached agreement with Israel on the basic principles of
a peace deal, but said that the two sides had worked out the logistics of
elections for Yasser Arafat's successor.



The two sides have reached an agreement to hold the elections using the
same procedures that were in place for the last Palestinian ballot, said
Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat.

"We received assurances that the elections of the West Bank, East Jerusalem
and Gaza Strip will take place as they did in 1996," Erekat said. "I am
satisfied with that. I am happy."

During those elections, residents of East Jerusalem were allowed to vote at
five polling stations in the region, but their ballots were officially
classified as absentee ballots.

A senior Israeli official confirmed that the two sides had reached an
agreement in principle, based on the precedent of the 1996 election.

"That would be the model. There would be adjustments and changes, but that
would be the model," the official said.

The United States and Israel have also downplayed the Egyptian report that
Israel and the PA have reached an agreement on the principles of final
deal.

Israel Radio reported Wednesday that a spokesman for the State Department
in Washington said that the U.S. has no information on the matter, while
Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert described the report as "detached from
reality."

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

MENA said that significant progress had been made in international efforts
to end Israeli-Palestinian violence. But both sides to the conflict termed
talk of a deal premature.

Quoting unidentified high-level sources, MENA said the steps, including an
Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire, had the support of both the U.S. and the
European Union.

"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
cease-fire 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.

Israel and Palestinians term report premature
Israel termed the report "a little premature," 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 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."

"However, it should be understood that whatever arrangement is reached,
this is not a substitute for fulfilling the obligations the Palestinians
have taken upon themselves under the road map," the official said.

Palestinian officials said the Palestinian Authority and militants were
close to an understanding on a cease-fire, but more talks were needed.

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

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.

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."