Warning of Palestinian violence if US talks fail

MIDDLE EAST:Palestinian chief negotiator Ahmad Qurei warned yesterday that if the US-sponsored regional summit in November does not provide Palestinians with a clear route to statehood, they could respond with violence.

"If the talks fail, we can expect a third and much more severe intifada" than the second rising which erupted shortly after the collapse of the Camp David talks in 2000. He also said that although Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas called for a Palestinian state on all territory occupied by Israel in 1967, the Palestinians are prepared for territorial adjustments.

On Wednesday Mr Abbas laid down the borders of a Pales- tinian state by demanding full withdrawal from the occupied territories. "We have 6,205 square kilometers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. We want it as it is." This is the first time he has defined his territorial objective.

Palestinian negotiating documents propose a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem and tracts of no-man's land captured by Israel in 1967.

Mr Abbas argued that the Palestinian demand is backed by UN resolutions and says a future Palestinian state should enjoy "full sovereignty over its borders, water and resources". He expects the coming conference to discuss Jerusalem, refugees, borders, Israeli settlements, water and security.

Mr Abbas is compelled to put forward maximal demands because he is under challenge from Hamas, which now rules Gaza. He also seeks to put pressure on the Israelis to discuss the core issues. His stand conforms to the demands of the late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat and the Arab League which promises full normalisation with Israel in exchange for full Israeli withdrawal from all territory occupied in 1967.

Mr Abbas cannot afford to look weak and compromising in the run-up to the conference but has, in talks with Israeli premier Ehud Olmert, indicated the Palestinians will accept Israeli annexation of West Bank settlement blocks in exchange for equivalent Israeli territory. There is disagreement over the amount of land Israel might keep. Mr Abbas proposed 2 per cent of the West Bank, Israel wants 6-8 per cent.

Meanwhile, deposed Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Wednesday that Hamas and Fatah plan to resume dialogue in an Arab capital.

In an attempt to encourage Fatah to engage with Hamas, he also stated: "Our administration in Gaza is temporary."

Although Fatah spokesman Ahmad Abdel Rahman denied talks are imminent, an unnamed mediator said there could be a meeting in Cairo next week after the feast marking the end of the Muslim fasting month.

Fatah has refused all Arab attempts to reconcile the two mainstream Palestinian parties, fearing accommodation would result in renewal of the international diplomatic and financial boycott of the Palestinian Authority.

Israel's refusal to deal with any government with a Hamas component, could also lead to cancellation of the peace conference at the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.