 |
 |
 |
|
|
James Wolfensohn (file photo)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By Associated Press November 13, 2005 |
|
| |
International Mideast envoy James Wolfensohn on Sunday warned that time is running out for Israel and the Palestinians to wrap up a deal on opening the Gaza Strip's border crossings, saying it would be a "tragedy" if an agreement isn't reached soon.
The fate of the border crossings is one of the most important unresolved issues in the wake of Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in September. Israel closed Gaza's border with Egypt shortly before the pullout, and has restricted the movement of cargo into Israel, the main market for Palestinian goods.
The Palestinians say reopening the crossings is essential to rebuilding Gaza's shattered economy, especially with the harvest season approaching. Israel first wants assurances that weapons and militants won't enter Gaza.
Wolfensohn, who has brokered months of talks on the issue, met with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials late Sunday in hopes of breaking the impasse. The meeting ended without an agreement.
The meeting coincided with the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the region, and both Wolfensohn and Palestinian officials said they hoped her presence would help break the deadlock.
"I do believe that Secretary Rice is very keen to make sure that the deal is done," Wolfensohn said after a tour of the Karni crossing, the main transit point for cargo entering Israel. He reported progress in the talks, but said a deal was far from certain.
"I think it will be a tragedy for both sides if that opportunity is not done, but can I give you a guarantee? No," Wolfensohn said. "I can only tell you that we are clear in what we are trying to do, and in the next few days, we will know whether we are successful or not."
Officials said it was unclear whether Rice would get directly involved in the talks. But in a speech in Jerusalem, she suggested that a quick solution is necessary.
"Greater freedom of movement is a key for Palestinians, from shopkeepers to farmers to restaurant owners and for all seeking early, easier access to their economic livelihood," she said. Rice also called on the Palestinians to crack down on militant groups.
Speaking at the same event, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called on the Palestinians not to waste the opportunity created by the Gaza withdrawal.
"The responsibility of what happens in Gaza is moving from Israel to the Palestinians,and they have to prove their ability to manage their affairs" Sharon said.
"The coming period is critical for the Palestinian Authority. It has to decide whether it chooses the path of dialogue and peace or if it chooses the path of extremist terrorism and allows terror groups to exist and participate in the political process before disarming," Sharon added.
Israel is adamantly opposed to the Hamas militant group's intention of participating in an upcoming Palestinian parliamentary election.
An official close to Wolfensohn said the former World Bank president has grown frustrated after months of talks. He said the next 72 hours would be crucial because Wolfensohn is leaving the region on Wednesday. The official could not be identified because he is not authorized to talk to the media.
The official said the two sides have made significant progress on opening the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border, Gaza's main link to the outside world. He said the sides were further apart on fully reopening Karni, but a deal was reachable within 48 hours.
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Palestinian minister Mohammed Dahlan participated in Sunday night's negotiations. Although no deal was reached, the two sides agreed to meet again Monday, the official said.
Earlier, Mofaz said Israel was working "very hard" to open the Rafah terminal "as soon as possible."
Dahlan complained that since the Israeli withdrawal, "Gaza has became an even bigger prison."
"We hope that Ms. Rice's visit will help to contribute to the conclusion of a comprehensive deal," and not just address minor issues, Dahlan said.
The international community wants a deal sealed well before the Jan. 25 Palestinian parliamentary election, to boost moderate Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who is fighting off a stiff challenge by the Islamic militant group, Hamas.
Abbas has promised not to reopen the Rafah crossing without Israeli approval, but his government has been pushing to get the key crossing opened earlier.
Talks between the two sides have snagged over Israel's demand to monitor the Rafah terminal via closed-circuit TV. The Palestinians say European monitors to be stationed there should suffice to stop militants and weapons smugglers.
In the West Bank late Saturday, the Israeli army killed an armed militant. The militant, a top leader in Jenin of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, was wounded by troops before they killed him. According to the army, the wounded militant was hiding in a bush under cover of darkness, and the soldiers fired on him because they feared he was still armed.
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
