March 8th

U.S.: Israel and Palestinians formally agree to indirect talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz March 8, 2010 - 1:00am The United States officially announced on Monday that Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to indirect peace negotiations brokered by its special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell. Mitchell, who is visiting the region along with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, said in a statement that he was "pleased" the two sides had accepted the proposal that will see him shuttle between Israel and the Palestinian territories over the next several weeks. » Read more

Hamas slaying in Dubai ripples worldwide ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Brian Murphy - March 7, 2010 - 1:00am If there's a signature moment in the plot to kill Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, it's likely his short elevator ride from the hotel lobby to Room 230. The Hamas commander and a woman hotel clerk enter the elevator and, just before the doors close, two men slip in. They look like any tourist here for the Persian Gulf winter sunshine: baggy shorts, tennis rackets, sneakers and baseball caps. Al-Mabhouh — still wearing the winter jacket he traveled in from Damascus to Dubai — barely gives them a glance. » Read more

Israel OKs new settlement work despite slowdown ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press by Amy Teibel - March 7, 2010 - 1:00am Israel authorized the construction of 112 new apartments in the West Bank despite a pledge to slowdown settlement building, the government disclosed Monday — a decision that enraged the Palestinians a day after they reluctantly agreed to resume peace talks. Word of the new construction in the Beitar Illit settlement came amid a flurry of activity by the U.S. to try to salvage peacemaking. » Read more

Israel approves construction of 112 apartments in West Bank ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 8, 2010 - 1:00am Israel has approved on Monday the construction of 112 apartments in the West Bank, said the Ministry of Defense. This is a "continuation of the construction site" in a West Bank settlement, the ministry told Xinhua via an e-mail. The program, which was approved in former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's term, has already started before last November's order of settlement freeze, according to the ministry. "An exception is generated due to infrastructure problems and safety properties," said the ministry. » Read more

PNA vows to continue support West Bank struggle despite pressure ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua March 8, 2010 - 1:00am The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Monday said it supports peaceful struggle against Israel despite Israeli threats of more pressure to stop demonstrations in the West Bank. "The PNA encourages the peaceful resistance and government officials regularly participate in that resistance which would continue as long as the occupation continued," Ghassan Al-Khatib, a PNA spokesman, told Xinhua. » Read more

PNA condemns Jewish settlement expansion, backs popular protests ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua by Saud Abu Ramadan - March 8, 2010 - 1:00am The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Monday condemned the Israeli decision to build 112 housing units in the settlement of Bitar Elit south of Jerusalem, and insisted to continue supporting the popular protests against the Israeli measures in the West Bank. Ghassan al-Khatib, spokesman of the Palestinian government of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, said in a press statement that "this settlement was built on a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in 1967 war, no matter if it is in the West Bank or near Jerusalem. " » Read more

Palestinians: indirect talks last chance for peace ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Jeffrey Heller - March 8, 2010 - 1:00am Israel disclosed on Monday it would build 112 new homes in a Jewish settlement, a plan Palestinians said topped the agenda in talks they held with a U.S. envoy on restarting peace negotiations. Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, described the planned U.S.-mediated, indirect talks with Israel as a "last attempt" to save the Middle East peace process. Both Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to so-called proximity talks, in a boost to U.S. President Barack Obama's quest to end decades of conflict. Negotiations have been suspended since December 2008. » Read more

Palestinian Authority sees lower deficit in 2010 ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters by Mohammed Assadi - March 8, 2010 - 1:00am RAMALLAH, West Bank, March 8 (Reuters) - The Western-backed Palestinian Authority said on Monday its recurrent budget deficit will fall to 16 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year from 22 percent in 2009. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's government, which relies on international aid to meet its needs, forecasts its 2010 recurrent deficit falling to $1.21 billion from $1.45 billion in 2009. "This would be the lowest deficit as a share of GDP since the year 2000, and a major step forward towards enhancing financial sustainability," the authority said in a statement. » Read more

Fayyad: Peace process only credible if Israel ends violations ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 8, 2010 - 1:00am Ramallah – Ma'an – Caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said Sunday that restoring credibility to the peace process is only attainable if Israel is forced to end violations of international law and resolutions, including the Road Map. Fayyad's remarks were made during a meeting with a Dutch delegation, headed by the speaker of the Dutch parliament, Gerdi Verbeet. » Read more

Mitchell: Israel, PLO accept talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency March 8, 2010 - 1:00am Chicago – Ma’an – US envoy George Mitchell formally announced on Monday that both Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization have agreed to begin indirect peace negotiations. "I’m pleased that the Israeli and Palestinian leadership have accepted indirect talks," he in a statement. "We've begun to discuss the structure and scope of these talks and I will return to the region next week to continue our discussions," he also said. "As we've said many times, we hope that these will lead to direct negotiations as soon as possible." » Read more