CYPRUS: Arrangements are expected to be finalised today for the temporary settlement in six European countries, including Ireland, of the 13 Palestinians exiled by Israel after a 39-day siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
The EU envoy, Mr Miguel Moratinos, met the men in the Cypriot port of Larnaca where they have been staying since May 10th. He told them that legal and political discussions in Brussels regarding which countries would take them "have practically been finalised".
Three problems remain to be resolved. Firstly, Belgium said certain details had to be settled before it could take one of the Palestinian deportees. Spain and Italy are set to take three each, Greece and Ireland two each and Belgium and Portugal one each.
Secondly, the Foreign Minister of Cyprus, Mr Yiannakis Cassoulides, denied a Spanish announcement that the 13th exile would stay on the island. The Cyprus government spokesman, Mr Michalis Papapetrou, told The Irish Times: "The issue of the 12 has been resolved and negotiations are under way for the 13th. It is understood by everybody that the proximity of Cyprus to the Middle East means that it is not wise to have him left here" for the long-term.
Thirdly, a Palestinian informant close to the negotiations said: "We are still awaiting the distribution list." The destinations of specific Palestinians are being withheld temporarily for security reasons.
Cyprus accepted the men on a short-term basis to end Israel's siege of the church. Once a list of the men in the church was presented, Israel said 39 were "wanted" of whom 13 were "senior terrorists". Twenty-six were transferred to Gaza and the other 13 were flown to Cyprus.
Israel's accusations against the first six were spelled out in a background paper distributed by the army to journalists in Bethlehem on May 6th:
1, Abdullah Daoud (40), said to be head of Palestinian intelligence in Bethlehem, is accused of masterminding attacks against Israelis and sheltering militants who have fired on the settlement of Gilo near Bethlehem.
2, Ibrahim Musa Abayat (29) is accused of heading a cell of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades attached to Fatah, firing mortars at Gilo and killing three Israelis.
3, Jihad Jaara (31), a member of the Palestinian security services, is accused of firing at Israeli soldiers and Gilo, providing weapons to Fatah Tanzim grassroots militants, allowing his cell phone to be used by "terrorists" and condoning suicide attacks.
4, Muhammad Said Atallah Salem (23) is accused of being a senior Tanzim operative involved in the planning to suicide attacks in March.
5, Aziz Jubran (31) is accused of being a member of Hamas and of manufacturing weapons.
6, Ibrahim Muhammad Salem Abayat (41) is accused of being a senior Hamas organiser.
Israel did not detail its accusations against the following:
Khaled Abu Najme, said to be a member of the Palestinian intelligence services; Rami al-Kamel, said to be a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades; Muhammad Muhanna, reported to be a member of the Palestinian intelligence services; Aanan Khamis, allegedly a Fatah member; Khalil Abdullah, said to be a Fatah member; Ahmad Hamamra, said to be a Fatah member; and Mamduh al-Wardiyyan, said to be a Hamas member. An official Palestinian source said the names are correct but would give no further information.
The men are not to be arrested by EU host countries and will be granted a year's residence after which they can apply for asylum. They will receive a monthly stipend, shelter, clothing and provisions, and live under police protection. They will not be permitted to travel abroad. Family members will be allowed to join them. The EU said Israel has agreed not to apply for extradition but Israeli spokesmen claimed their government has not ruled out seeking extradition.