(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn - Israel intends to begin talks with the Palestinians but at cabinet level, and not with prime ministers meeting, following Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei's request to avoid such meetings at present. The Israeli delegation, headed by Dov Weisglass, director of the Prime Minister's Bureau, will try to establish what are Qurei's intentions and whether the implementation of the road map can be advanced, Israeli sources said. Prime Minister Sharon assumes that Qurei (Abu Ala) will not resign and will remain in office after his temporary appointment expires on November 4. Qurei met Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs William Burns in Egypt last Wednesday and told him he was optimistic about forming a new cabinet. Burns demanded that the PA unite the security forces under the prime minister's authority.
2003-10-27 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive