Скачать или смотреть GNS: Egypt: Taba Wrap

(28 Jan 2001) English/Nat
Talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have concluded at the Red Sea resort in the Egyptian town Taba with both sides saying they have achieved little but remain committed to the peace process.
Negotiations began on Friday morning and included one of the touchiest issues in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks - the fate of millions of Palestinian refugees.
Israeli negotiator Yossi Beilin met Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath to discuss refugees.
The Palestinians have been demanding that all refugees and their descendants, about four million people, be allowed to return to their original homes in Israel.
Israel rejects that demand, saying that with its current population of five million, such a large migration would be demographic suicide for the Jewish state.
Another difficult issue to be discussed is that of borders.
In public up to now, the Palestinians have been demanding a state in all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and removal of all the settlements.
Israel wants some of the settlements to remain, but to be exchanged for land inside Israel with large Palestinian populations which could become part of the Palestinian state.
But any breakthrough at the talks could be nullified if Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is defeated by his hard-line opponent, Ariel Sharon, in the February 6th prime ministerial election.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is trailing in the polls, but chief Palestinian negotiator Abu Alaa says there's still hope that the two sides can come to an agreement.
Emerging from the discussions, each side was cautious about appearing too optimistic, yet firm in their belief that there is still time to achieve some sort of resolution.
Negotiators from both sides said although there had been little progress on Friday, they remain committed to continuing the negotiations.
Talks will resume on Saturday in the southern Israeli city of Eilat.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It will continue. It is not a matter where we will be, but we will continue"
SUPERCAPTION: Abu Alaa, Palestinian negotiator
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Considering election effect, we are trying to be as serious as possible, neglecting considerations of elections, and trying to do our utmost."
SUPERCAPTION: Yossi Sarid, Israeli negotiator
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Probably it's a disadvantage, but we have our commitments, we have our obligations, we have our mission - and our mission is to make peace if possible."
SUPERCAPTION: Yossi Sarid, Israeli negotiator
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It's really difficult to account for progress at this hour. We just started this morning back again, and so long as it's serious, and it's all encompassing, all the subjects."
SUPERCAPTION: Nabil Shaath, Palestinian negotiator
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well, I mean, the only thing I can tell you (is) that there are positive discussions, serious discussions. I cannot go further than that."
SUPERCAPTION: Miguel Moratinos, EU special envoy to the Middle East

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