Abbas doubts validity of talks with Netanyahu at UN GA meeting
Published today (updated) 05/09/2009 19:30
www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=223739

Bethlehem - Ma'an - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas confirmed rumors of
a US suggestion he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet on the
sidelines of the next UN General Assembly meeting in New York later this
month.

Addressing a press conference following meetings with Egyptian President
Hosni Mubarak on prospects for peace process progress and Palestinian unity,
Abbas said he and Mubarak both "wonder on what basis such a meeting will be
held, and for what purpose."

He went on to say, "If it is a meeting for the sake of meeting only, this
will not be possible. But if it is a meeting to clarify visions about
settlements and other major issues, we are okay with it [going ahead]."

Abbas reiterated that a settlement freeze was a precondition for any peace
talks, and not one set by Palestinians but by the American-backed Roadmap.
He called the issue one of the most important obligations that Israel has
not committed to. The President also said his stance on a settlement freeze
included natural growth.

"Israel wants to haggle and suggest freezing 70% or 60% [of growth and
construction] under the pretext that some buildings are already under
construction. This is not our problem, and Israel must stop all settlement
activities before we sit for final status negotiations where we stopped
during Olmert term," Abbas explained.

Separately, French President Nicholas Sarkozy and his Foreign Minister
Bernard Kouchner told Abbas during his trip to the country that if progress
is made on the idea of halting settlement activity, France and Egypt would
propose hosting a second of the member countries of the Union for the
Mediterranean summit in the fall, which would accompany the resumption of
peace negotiations on three tracks.