Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israeli and Palestinian negotiators began to rally their negotiations teams Sunday, with US-mediated peace talks set to begin Monday via "discrete channels," Israeli press reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his advisers that he intends to open the talks in person, and according to news reports asked to be briefed on an “eight point” plan set out by the administration of former Israeli Minister Ehud Olmert, particularly around final-status issues.
Hebrew news website Inyan Merkazi said Netanyahu gave directives to keep the proximity talks secret, with zero information about progress handed out to media until agreements are made, saying media interference could hinder progress.
Palestinian officials continue to be wary of the talks, with PLO officials warning against them and calling for an emergency Central Council meeting on Monday to set parameters for the talks.
Israel’s daily newspaper Haaretz said diplomats advised the Netanyahu government that Palestinian negotiators will likely open the talks with final status issues, including borders for a Palestinian state, the right of return for Palestinian refugees and the status of Jerusalem.
Countering the expected Palestinian strategy, Israeli news reports said Monday, Israeli negotiators may divert attention to security arrangements in the West Bank and water resources, both currently controlled by Israeli forces.
On Sunday afternoon, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said he hoped negotiators would include a request to cancel the Palestinian Authority decision to ban the purchase or sale of goods produced in illegal West Bank settlements. He said he hoped the request would come early in the talks, Israeli media reported, but said it would not be a central issue to the continuation of discussions.
The talks, suddenly aborted in March, resumed after Palestinian officials were reportedly given assurances by American officials that Israel would stop settlement construction in the West Bank including East Jerusalem. The assurances were enough to urge negotiators and the Arab League to okay a re-starting of talks, but other Palestinian officials remain unconvinced.
PLO officials said the Arab League was not a strong enough guarantor for talks given the weakness of the Palestinian position without real assurances from Israel or the US.
Putting ducks in a row
Ahead of the talks Netanyahu met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the resort town of Sharm Ash-Sheikh on Monday, which media sources described as a "constructive" hour and a half long discussion, which focused on resumption of peace talks, advisers said.
The meeting came as Palestinians prepared convene in Ramallah to set parameters for talks under the auspices of a PLO meeting. Statements were expected following the regular Monday cabinet meeting under Abbas.
US Special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell is expected to arrive in the region on Monday to start indirect talks, though his schedule has not yet been announced.
Preliminary speculation said Mitchell would meet with Netanyahu on Wednesday and Abbas later in the week.
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