Erekat: “Too Early To Set Time For Direct Talks”

Tuesday August 17, 2010 02:38 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Head of the negotiations department at the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) denounced Israel’s stance in rejecting the statement of the Quartet Committee before it is even announced, and stated that it is still too early to talk about direct talks with Israel.

Dr. Saeb Erekat - milad.ps

Speaking to Maan News, Erekat said that the statement of the Quartet might be announced today or Tuesday and that he does not know what the it includes, and that the time has not come to schedule a date for direct talks.

He added that by rejecting the statement of the Quartet even before it was officially announced, Israel proved that it is a country with an agenda for war not peace, and that the Palestinian leadership will wait for Israel’s official response after the Quartet statement is officially announced.

Dr. Erekat further said a development was made during the meeting between Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and U.S.. envoy David Hale in Ramallah on Sunday at night, and added that further talks are needed.

The Palestinian official said that the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization will hold a meeting after the Quartet issues its statement, and will determine its final decision regarding direct talks with Israel.

On Sunday evening, the Israeli septet committee decided to reject the calls of the Quartet Committee (the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations) to resume direct talks with the Palestinian Authority.

The committee said it will wait for an official U.S. stance in this regard.

Furthermore, eleven Palestinian factions based in Damascus held a meeting on Sunday and decided to oppose direct or indirect talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, and warned that such negotiations will lead to further concessions to Israel.

It is worth mentioning that representatives of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Democratic for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) and the Palestinian People Party (PPP) participated in the meeting for the first time in three years.

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