Jerusalem, 20 August 2000
PM Barak: We have yet to hear from Palestinians about openness
and willingness to discuss ideas raised at Camp David, especially
regarding Jerusalem
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Ehud Barak, today (Sunday), 20.8.2000, at the
beginning of the weekly Cabinet meeting commented on the
negotiations with the Palestinians and Syria as follows:
"Regarding the negotiations with the Palestinians, we are in a
waiting period since we have yet to hear from them about an
openness and willingness to discuss the ideas which were raised
at Camp David, especially those regarding Jerusalem. The limited
amount of time is well-known and in the coming weeks we will know
whether Arafat is set on an agreement or an impasse. We are
genuinely interested in an agreement and, in our opinion, the
other side must be similarly interested since the alternative for
both sides is very problematical.
The door is also open regarding the Syrian track and if Damascus
is willing to seriously discuss the issues between us, they will
be received with openness on our part, but nothing will be done
that could be seen as manipulation vis-a-vis the Palestinians.
I assume that the meeting of world leaders at the UN next month
will be an appropriate opportunity to reap the fruit of the
diplomatic efforts which have been made in recent weeks.
Explaining our positions, as they were presented at Camp David,
has strengthened Israel's position in the international arena and
the reaction that Arafat has met with on his travels, which
underscored the international community's reservations over
unilateral measures, reflects our positions at this time."