Palestinians still don't view US as honest broker

MIDDLE EAST: The Palestinian Authority yesterday expressed satisfaction at the US demand for a freeze on Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank

But Palestinian chief negotiator Dr Saeb Erekat warned: "Failure to adhere to the [ US] president's call to stop all settlement activity literally means we will not be able to talk about a two-state solution" involving the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, because there will be no land left for a Palestinian homeland.

The authority also voiced serious concern over the reiteration by Mr Bush of his view that existing Israeli population centres could remain under a final agreement between Palestinians and Israelis. "Legitimacy should not be given to any settlement activity or any existing settlements" which are illegal under international law, said Palestinian spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaina.

Palestinian minister of labour Dr Hassan Abu Libdeh said: "The American position gives an unequivocal message to the Palestinians that the US still sees itself as a partner for Israel and Israeli interests, rather than as an honest broker."

Dr Mahdi Abdel Hadi, who heads a think-tank in Jerusalem, told The Irish Times: "No Palestinian believes Bush will deliver [ Israeli prime minister Ariel] Sharon. On the ground [ Sharon] is going ahead with his own agenda. He is making new incursions into Palestinian areas, assassinating people, making arrests.

"Recently Israeli religious extremists threatened to enter the Haram al-Sharif [ the mosque compound in Jerusalem]. Their aim is to transform the struggle into a religious war. This is exactly what Hamas and Islamic Jihad want."

Palestinians are particularly worried by Mr Sharon's assertion that settlement blocs would remain in Israel's hands with "all related consequences", suggesting Israel would insist on their expansion to accommodate "natural growth", their need for protection by Israeli forces, and the continuation of settler subsidies. This prompted Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to say "Sharon is dancing solo and continuing down a one-way path."

Mr Abbas is dispatching his finance minister Salam Fayad to Washington to seek clarifications from the Bush administration and give reassurances that the Palestinian Authority will carry out its obligations under the road-map peace plan by disarming militants, initiating reforms and holding elections.

Mr Abbas's own meeting with Mr Bush, expected to take place next month, may not be held, a source in Jerusalem said.

Dr Abdel Hadi said US failure to rein in Mr Sharon would enable Hamas and Islamic Jihad to achieve their immediate aims which are "to weaken Mr Abbas and divide the [ ruling secular] Fatah movement". To prevent the election of a Hamas majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council, the Palestinian Authority could postpone the parliamentary poll set for July 17th.