Palestinians: Any Arafat-Barak Summit would be in Egypt

Published January 31st, 2001 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

Any summit between Israel's caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat would be held in Egypt, Palestine's information minister, Yasser Abed Rabbo, was quoted by AFP as saying Wednesday. 

"There are efforts to hold a Palestinian-Israeli summit in Egypt under the sponsorship of (Egyptian) President Hosni Mubarak," Abed Rabbo was quoted as telling Voice of Palestine radio. 

"There are thoughts and efforts to hold this summit, but there has been no agreement for a set date," he said, adding: "It would certainly be in Egypt." 

Barak was quoted Tuesday by Haaretz newspaper as saying that he would contemplate a summit, only days after he announced that he was halting diplomatic contacts with the Palestinians. 

According to the paper, Israeli and Palestinian officials said that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is working to try to organize the meeting between the two leaders. 

Kuwait's News Agency (KUNA) quoted Wednesday a Palestinian official as saying that a meeting between the two leaders is likely to take place in the Red Sea Resort of Sharm el-Sheikh next Sunday. 

Meanwhile, the Egyptian government has cancelled a planned visit Wednesday by two Israeli envoys for "technical reasons," reported The Jerusalem Post newspaper, quoting the Israeli Radio. 

The officials, said the report, were to update the Egyptians about Israeli positions regarding the peace process.  

KUNA said that the two envoys were also scheduled to visit Jordan for talks with King Abdullah -- Albawaba.com  

 

© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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