Top Palestinian negotiator affrims East Jerusalem remains capital of Palestinian state

Tuesday September 02, 2008 12:05 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC & Agencies

Top Palestinian negotiator Ahmad Qurai (Abu Ala'a), reiterated the Palestinian leadership's commitment to not renouncing occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Ahmad Qurai (Abu Ala)

Abu Ala' has voiced the Palestinian leadership's rejection to final status talks that exclude any significant issue such as the issue of Jerusalem or refugees. Abu Ala's remarks came during a meeting with Mr. Tony Blair, the International Quartet's envoy to the region that took place in his office in East Jerusalem.

Abu Ala'a told reporters that he briefed Mr. Blair on the Palestinian leadership's rejection to any partial or transitional accords or the delaying of any final status issues, stressing the need to conclude a “package deal” agreement. 

The Palestinian negotiator also cautioned the possibility of increased conflict since the Palestinian people currently face multiple choices in the shadow of Israel's continued “anti-peace policies.” He called on the Quartet and all other relevant parties to work seriously on reaching a political compromise that ends the Israeli occupation of the 1967 Palestinian territories, establishes a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, and solves the problem of refugees in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 194.

For his part, Mr. Tony Blair appeared understanding of the Palestinian position, rejecting any partial solutions to the major issues. Blair also opposed the continued Israeli settlement building and expansion. According to Blair, "achieving peace requires some actions on the ground, mainly ending the occupation and giving the Palestinians the chance to establish their own democratic state." At the economic level, Mr. Blair said it is necessary to revive the Palestinian economy, which has been deteriorated due to the Israeli siege on the Palestinian people in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Abu Ala's statements came in the backdrop of a recent meeting between Palestinian President Mahoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert hinted toward the possibility of reaching a partial solution before the end of this year. 

Following the Abbas-Olmert meeting on Sunday, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Eriqat also told reporters that, "any solution that does not include the occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestinian state and a comprehensive solution of security and borders issues is a shortfall solution, and that’s what President Abbas informed Prime Minister Olmert with during the meeting." 

Since last November, both sides have been encouraged by Washington to reach a two-state solution by the end of 2008, yet no progress has been evident until now.

jerusalem | peace process | news report rami at imemc dot org