Israel Matzav

'Palestinians' disclose contents of 'quartet' compromise plan

The 'Palestinians' have gone public with the contents of a compromise plan proposed by the Middle East peace 'quartet' designed to get 'peace talks' off the ground.

The Quartet's envoy Tony Blair relayed an outline of the package to Mahmoud Abbas during UN Chief Ban

Ki-moon's visit to Ramallah this week, but the Palestinian president said he opposed it.

The outline calls on Israel to allow public Palestinian police presence in Area B in the West Bank, which is under Israeli security control and Palestinian administrative control. In addition, the outline states that Israel will ease restrictions on Palestinian traffic in the West Bank, more working permits will be issued to Palestinians who work in Israel and Jerusalem will allow the export of goods from Gaza to the West Bank.

During the second phase of the Quartet's plan, which is scheduled for implementation in March, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners, the Palestinian Authority will be authorized to develop gas reserves off Gaza's coastline, the IDF's activity in Area A will be reduced and Israel will permit the launching of international projects in Area C.

In return, the Palestinians were asked to come back to the negotiations without demanding Israel to freeze settlement construction or recognize the 1967 borders as the foundation for the talks.

Abu-Youssef said that Abbas has opposed the UN chief's proposal, saying that the PA won't resume the talks until the aforementioned preconditions are met. The negotiator noted, however, that Abbas hasn't outright rejected the plan.

The problem with every plan like this one is that it costs Israeli lives.

'Nuff said. Abu Bluff will help us out by rejecting it anyway.

Labels: direct talks, Middle East quartet

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:55 AM