Israeli-Palestinian Talks Near Completion, Gaza-Jericho Autonomy Plan Expected in May

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres announced on April 20 that the two sides are nearing the finish in their five-month negotiation effort to launch Palestinian self-rule. Peres arrived in Bucharest, Romania, for talks with Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat. The Gaza-Jericho autonomy plan, already delayed since December, is expected to be implemented in the first half of May, according to Peres. He emphasized that the sides must agree on the timing and sequence of events for the implementation.

Key Takeaways:

• The Israeli-Palestinian talks are on the verge of completion after a five-month negotiation period.
• The Gaza-Jericho autonomy plan, initially delayed since December, is expected to be implemented in the first half of May.
• Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres has ruled out the possibility of releasing prisoners belonging to the Hamas Islamic fundamentalist organization as part of the prisoner release.
• Peres emphasized the need to agree on the timing and sequence of events for the implementation of the autonomy plan.
• The negotiations, taking place in Bucharest, will cover the entry of Palestinian police into self-rule areas in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank town of Jericho.
• The talks are described as one of the most significant diplomatic efforts since the September signing of the declaration of principles between Israel and the PLO.
• Peres' talks with Arafat were a midnight session, focusing on the practical arrangements for the implementation of the autonomy plan.

Statistics:

• The Gaza-Jericho autonomy plan has been delayed since December.
• The talks between Israel and the PLO have been ongoing for five months.
• The implementation of the autonomy plan is expected in the first half of May.
• The prisoner release, which will accompany the implementation, will exclude those under arrest for declaring opposition to the peace process.

Sources:

• "Israeli FM optimistic on autonomy talks - Apr 20" by Paul Shindman in Jerusalem, United Press International.