Shaath: Cairo talks do not aim at ending Intifada

By TJT Staff The Jerusalem Times (independent Palestinian weekly) 23
January 2003
http://www.jerusalem-times.net/article/news/details/detail.asp?id=2762

Nabil Shaath, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, said that
high level talks between Palestinian factions in Cairo does not aim at
ending the Intifada or uprising against Israel. Cairo talks between the
different Palestinian groups including Hamas and Islamic Jihad aims at
achieving a national agenda that all factions approve and curb anti Israeli
attacks.

Shaath remarks came during a press conference at the headquarters of the
Public Information Association in Gaza City last Monday. He regarded the
Cairo discussions as a historical opportunity that should not be lost in
order to achieve a national agenda that all Palestinians approve.

Cairo talks, the senior official added, does not aim at preventing the
Palestinians from resisting the occupation or prohibit Intifada activities.
"We want to achieve a Palestinian agenda that specifies our goals and
programs to achieve an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its
capital," the minister said.

"Also, to find a just solution for the issue of refugees according to UN
resolution No 194 and the removal of settlements," Shaath confirmed.
However, to achieve our national goals the Palestinians have to agree on the
tools to reach them, he said. The uprising, Shaath said, can take different
shapes of resistance including periods of calm.

Shaath stressed that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is the sole
party responsible for all Palestinians and their security. "All factions
must abide to the rule of law," Shaath added. He commended the role of the
Egyptian government in sponsoring such talks, and pointed that all factions
had agreed to participate in the discussions.

The Intifada has a definite affect on the Israeli elections, Shaath said.
Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of Israel, will win the January elections
according to polls because of his tough stand against the Palestinians and
by showing he is the only one capable to end the uprising.

Hamas, the main Islamic group in the PNA areas, has said on Monday that the
movement is sticking by its proposal formulated a year ago. Hamas would
"Stop attacking Israeli civilians if Israel stops attacking, killing, and
arresting Palestinian civilians and sealing their towns and villages,"
Hamas officials said.