Ross tries to thaw Mideast peace process

Netanyahu warns against unilateral Palestinian state

April 26, 1998
Web posted at: 11:02 p.m. EDT (0302 GMT)

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- U.S. envoy Dennis Ross met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders Sunday to lay the groundwork for more Middle East peace talks, as Israel's prime minister warned Palestinians against trying to unilaterally declare an independent state next year.

Ross, accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State Martin Indyk, talked with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat Sunday after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday and Sunday.

After meeting with Arafat, Ross said it's time for the two sides to break their stalemate.

Ross is in the region to pave the way for high-level talks in London on May 4 between the Mideast leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

"What we are doing is making every effort on preparations for May 4 to try to ensure that we can in fact break through," Ross said.

CNN's Jerrold Kessel reports on the latest Mideast peace efforts by U.S. envoy Dennis Ross 2 minutes 18 seconds VXtreme video

Ross reportedly is pushing Israel to accept a U.S. proposal to withdraw Israeli forces from another 13 percent of the West Bank under interim agreements. In exchange, Arafat would be required to take tougher steps to curb Palestinian terrorist violence.

Israel, citing security problems, has called the 13 percent figure unacceptable.

"I hope the United States sticks to its position that Israel and Israel alone must determine its security and its redeployment," Netanyahu said on "Fox News Sunday."

Arafat calls for Palestinian state

Arafat said Saturday that the Palestinians would declare statehood in May 1999 with or without an agreement with Israel.

"It's our right, and we are going to declare it," he said.

However, Netanyahu said on "Fox News Sunday" that a Palestinian state could be another enemy near Israel's border.

"Our concern is that if something is done to create a Palestinian state, it could turn out to be another Iran, another Iraq on our doorstep," Netanyahu said.

A Netanyahu adviser, David Bar-Illan, said if the Palestinians unilaterally declare statehood, it not only would violate the peace accords, but would result in the "total scuttling of the agreement."

"It is the kind of move which leaves Israel free to take unilateral moves, too," he said, declining to specify what those moves would be.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres said Sunday that a Palestinian state was inevitable, adding that he hoped neither side would resort to unilateral steps.

"Nobody has to threaten anybody," he said. "I think the thing to do is reach an agreement ... We have agreed that by May 1999 we have to conclude our negotiations with the Palestinians, and I hope this will happen."

Right-wing Israelis protest Ross visit

Meanwhile, hundreds of right-wing activists protested outside Netanyahu's office Sunday, calling on the government to resist U.S. pressure to expand the scope of its next withdrawal from the West Bank.

"I am for no more (West Bank) withdrawals. It doesn't make sense to give even one inch more," said Benny Alon, a right- wing parliamentarian.

Arafat's Palestinian Authority also was criticized by the founder of the Palestinian group Hamas.

"The Palestinian people need an authority that represents their hopes and goals ... and this is not available," Sheik Ahmad Yassin told Qatar's Al-Jazira television.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.  

Extended coverage:

• Message Board:Israeli/Palestine peace process
• Newsmaker Profile: Benjamin Netanyahu - Israeli Prime Minister
• Newsmaker Profile: Yasser Arafat - Palestinian Leader

Related stories:

• More shuttle diplomacy likely for U.S. Mideast envoy Ross - April 8, 1998
• Defiant Netanyahu puts his faith in 'stubbornness' - March 31, 1998
• Ross leaving Mideast empty-handed - March 30, 1998
• U.S. envoy begins last-ditch talks in Mideast - Mar. 29, 1998
• Israel: No pullbacks without Palestinian security commitments - March 29, 1998
• Arafat mulls U.S. peace plan - March 28, 1998
• Ross reveals new U.S. peace plan to Arafat, Netanyahu - March 27, 1998
• Ross to meet Arafat, following 4 hours with Netanyahu - March 27, 1998

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

• Office of The Israeli Prime Minister - information in both Hebrew and English
• Israeli Foreign Ministry - information about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as recent developments in Israel
• Palestinian National Authority - official site of the PNA
• The Palestine Ministry Of Information - press releases, daily news and other information

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

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