The Palestinian side expressed during talks that were held in the White House between President Arafat and President Clinton this morning,
wednesday, January 3, 2001 their readiness to deal positively with proposals that were submitted by the U.S president. Despite their positive
readiness, the Palestinians expressed also reservations and serious remarks regarding a number of issues included in the proposals.
The issue of the Western Wall of the Haram Al-Shariff gained prominence in their reservations. Palestinian sources insisted that there
must be full Palestinian sovereignty over the Haram Al-Shariff.
On the issue of territory, the Palestinians insisted that discussion must be based on a map that includes all of the territories of the West
Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza strip (the territories occupied in 1967). They added that they cannot accept discussions on
basis of vague percentages of territory here and there.
On the issue of refugees, the Palestinians said that they insist that reference to the solution must be in accordance with U.N's General
Assembly Resolution 194, provided that the issue of the Palestinians in Lebanon gain priority.
On the issue of security, the Palestinian side said that it cannot accept any Israeli military presence neither in the Jordan valley, nor in
the territories of the Palestinian state.
Source: Palestine Media Center -PMC
