Pm `set To Recognise Palestinian State'

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday July 10, 1999

By ROSS DUNN Herald Correspondent in Jerusalem

Israel's Prime Minister, Mr Ehud Barak, is reportedly ready to offer recognition of a Palestinian state during his first meeting tomorrow with the PLO leader, Mr Yasser Arafat.

This would require Mr Barak to say for the first time that such a state is a goal of a negotiated settlement between the two sides and that Israel would be bound to admit its status.

But the offer requires Mr Arafat to accept that Israel does not have to complete implementation of the United States-brokered Wye accord signed by the previous government.

Under this accord, Israel is due to transfer more territory in the West Bank to Palestinian self-rule. So far Mr Arafat has said he is not ready to make any compromises over the agreement.

However, the Hebrew daily newspaper Ma'ariv reported yesterday that should Mr Arafat decide to be more flexible, the Israeli Government would be prepared to set a deadline of between 12 and 18 months for completion of the negotiations.

"Israel will declare, at this stage of things, that it clearly sees and agrees that these negotiations will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state," Ma'ariv said.

However, senior PLO officials say Mr Barak must establish a "foundation of trust" during tomorrow's meeting, and the best approach would be for Israel to commit itself to the accord.

The top Palestinian negotiator, Mr Saeb Erekat, said Mr Arafat would be outraged if Mr Barak tried to back away from implementing the agreement in full.

"If Arafat hears from Barak that he intends to skip over the implementation of the Wye agreement, it will be a catastrophe," Mr Erekat said.

More Middle East reports - Page 26