RAMALLAH, Jan. 13 (JMCC) - Palestinians will soon meet with their Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts to coordinate positions on the new US ideas, reports al-Quds al-Arabi Wednesday.
Egyptian foreign minister Omar Aboul Gheit and Jordanian foreign minister Nasser Joudeh met separately with US officials and were apprised of the plan, PLO executive commmittee member Hannah Amireh told the paper.
At first glance, the US ideas are unacceptable, says Amireh. Palestinians have yet to receive the ideas formally, but President Mahmoud Abbas briefed the top PLO body in recent developments.
The PLO ezecutive committee recommended to Abbas that the US ideas be rejected.
Palestinian officials object to the US proposal to restart talks based on new ideas, rather than picking up from where the negotiations left off one year ago.
According to press reports, the US would issue letters of assurance to both Palestinians and Israelis, offering Palestinians support for a state on approximately the 1967 borders and promises that talks would begin with the sensitive issue of borders.
Israel's letter of assurance would offer support for a demilitarized Palestinian state and the Jewish character of Israel.
Some 20 percent of Israelis have Arab roots and seek equal recognition as citizens under Israeli law.