(Ha'aretz - Aluf Benn and Amos Harel Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz plans to meet with a top Palestinian figure next week prior to his visit to the U.S. on November 9. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last week gave the green light for contacts aimed at reaching an accord with the new Palestinian government headed by Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala). Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Gilad, now a top defense ministry official, has held a number of meetings with senior Palestinian officials in recent days to lay the groundwork for this process. The American administration has made it clear to the Palestinians that "the ball is now in their court" - that progress in the peace process depends on unifying the Palestinian security forces under the authority of Prime Minister Qurei and taking steps against terror. It has also made clear to Israel it must improve humanitarian conditions in the territories. )
2003-10-31 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive