Barak seeks U.S. OK for annexation
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Monday, October 23, 2000
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is awaiting a
green light from the United States for annexation of parts of the West Bank.
The Israeli plan is meant to counter any unilateral Palestinian
declaration of a state. Israeli officials are expecting Palestinian
Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat to launch such a move by Nov. 15.
Barak's plan envisions annexation of parts of the West Bank and Gaza
Strip and separation between Israel and the territories already under PA
control. The prime minister presented his plan to the Cabinet on Friday but
stressed that he is coordinating with the Clinton adminstration.
Under the plan, Israel would annex many Jewish settlements in the West
Bank as well as create blocs of settlements near the old 1967 border.
Physical barriers would be erected to prevent Palestinians from infiltrating
the Jewish state.
Barak has been pressed by what officials said is a proposal by Arafat to
convene a peace summit after the November presidential elections. The prime
minister is said to believe that such a summit would place Israel under
heavy U.S. pressure.
Aides to the prime minister said Arafat has accepted a proposal by his
chief aides, including PLO Executive Committee secretary Mahmoud Abbas to
continue the Palestinian uprising until a state is declared next month.
The plan has been opposed by several Cabinet ministers, including
Justice Minister Yossi Beilin, an architect of the 1993 Oslo accord between
Israel and the PLO. Beilin and several of his colleagues also oppose efforts
to bring the opposition Likud Party in a Barak-led coalition.
Monday, October 23, 2000
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