Did you know that PLO negotiators have 7 conditions to renew talks?

The likelihood of Ma'an getting the particulars correct on this is reasonably high, as opposed to much of the Western press coverage which may bury or ignore that which doesn't fit their particular editorial stance. (LOTL)

Ma'an News Agency..
04 April '14..

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Palestinian negotiators have posed seven conditions that must be met by Israel to continue negotiations beyond April 29.

The conditions were announced during a 9-hour meeting Wednesday with Israeli negotiators in Jerusalem, a high-ranking source in the PLO told Ma’an.

The following are the conditions, according to the source.

1. To receive a written letter from Israel's premier recognizing the Palestinian borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.

2. The release of Palestinian prisoners who former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to free including Marwan Barghouthi, Ahmad Saadat, and Fuad Shweiki.

3. Implementing a border-crossing agreement and lifting the siege on Gaza.

4. The return of exiles deported in the 2002 Bethlehem siege.

5. Stopping settlement activity in Jerusalem, and opening closed institutions in Jerusalem.

6. Allowing the reunification of 15,000 Palestinians with their families.

7. Israel refraining from entering areas under Palestinian Authority control for arrests or killings, and granting the PA some control over Area C.

In a meeting with Fatah officials, chief PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat and central committee member Mahmoud al-Aloul said that submitting applications to join 15 international organizations was a small step taken by the Palestinians to regain their rights.

Erekat told Fatah officials that the 15 treaties and conventions were among 63 others the PA was considering after consideration by 27 international law experts.

Erekat added that joining the 15 treaties and conventions did not require the vote of the United Nations, and he assured the Fatah officials that Palestine will soon be a member and will soon receive diplomatic immunity and have 134 embassies in the countries that recognize it.

President Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile, told Kerry that he "does not care if he is killed, and will not refrain from joining international organizations," Erekat was quoted saying.

He also said that PA negotiators told Kerry that they did not take this step to clash with anyone, but to demand their legitimate rights.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu’s strategy, he said, is to have the Palestinian Authority without actual authority, occupation without cost, and Palestine without Gaza.

Link: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=687363

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