P.L.O. Envoy Meets with U.S. Secretary of State to Discuss Peace Talks

Strategic Insights -

The Palestine Liberation Organization (P.L.O.) envoy, Nabil Shaath, met with U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher to discuss conditions for resuming peace talks with Israel. Mr. Shaath stated that the P.L.O. demands an international presence to guarantee the safety of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and that the U.S. administration has largely agreed with this demand. The P.L.O. also wants to reopen peace talks but cannot do so until the security issue is resolved.

Key Takeaways:

  • The P.L.O. demands an international presence to guarantee the safety of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and the U.S. administration has largely agreed with this demand.
  • The P.L.O. wants to reopen peace talks but cannot do so until the security issue is resolved.
  • U.S. officials stated that any international security arrangements would require the approval of both the Palestinians and Israel.
  • Some P.L.O. officials have insisted that the proposed international force be armed, while Israeli officials have said that any international monitors should be unarmed civilians.
  • Hassan Abdel Rahman, the P.L.O.'s representative in Washington, said that United States officials agreed with the P.L.O. that Israel must go beyond token measures in reining in militant Israeli settlers in the occupied territories.
  • Mr. Rabin has announced measures to arrest a handful of settlers and disarm several dozen others, but the P.L.O. is asking for a much more serious effort to deal with the issue.

Statistics:

  • The massacre of Palestinians in Hebron a week ago has put intense pressure on Mr. Arafat not to return to the bargaining table until Israel does substantially more to protect Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
  • The number of militant settlers who have been detained or disarmed so far is minimal. (Source: Hassan Abdel Rahman)
  • The State Department has asked the Justice Department to look into the possibility of restricting contributions by American groups to extremist groups in Israel.

Sources:

  • "A P.L.O. envoy met here today with Secretary of State Warren Christopher..." - [The New York Times]
  • Hassan Abdel Rahman, the P.L.O.'s representative in Washington, said: "The number of militant settlers who have been detained or disarmed so far is minimal..." - [The New York Times]
  • Christine Shelly, a spokeswoman for the State Department, said today that the department had asked the Justice Department to look into the possibility of restricting contributions by American groups to extremist groups in Israel. - [The New York Times]