Bush administration has proposed Israel dismantle its settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in return for a Palestinian renunciation of the right of return for refugees, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said.
"There are new ideas in the air from the United States, under which Israel would give up all its settlements and the Palestinians would renounce the refugees' right of return," Peres said.
Peres, who was speaking at a meeting of Israeli businessmen, did not mention a specific US plan or provide further details.
Peres said that Israel should cooperate with the U.S., Russia and European countries in an attempt to reach an agreement with the Palestinians.
Israel's Haaretz daily reported Thursday that the US State Department had drafted a peace initiative that calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the full West Bank and Gaza Strip, with slight border adjustments.
The plan has a three-year timeframe for implementation. It also calls for an overhaul of the Palestinian Authority and a Palestinian declaration renouncing the refugees' right of return, according to the Israeli newspaper. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
