Friday, January 19, 2007

let's hope mackay just isn't on the coat-tails of condi ...

Abbas in talks with MacKay
January 19, 2007

AMMAN, Jordan (CP) -
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas underlined his rejection of proposals for a transitional Palestinian state with temporary borders during talks Friday with Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay.


Abbas in talks with MacKay
January 19, 2007

AMMAN, Jordan (CP) -
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas underlined his rejection of proposals for a transitional Palestinian state with temporary borders during talks Friday with Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay.

Israeli officials have floated the idea of establishing a transitional state to give a push to the Mideast peace process, with borders to be negotiated later. But during a meeting in the Jordanian capital with MacKay, Abbas rejected the concept saying he feared that a final deal might never be reached, leaving only a truncated state for the Palestinians, according to a Palestinian official.

Abbas reiterated that the peace process should instead follow the U.S.-backed road map plan that envisions negotiations leading to a final agreement establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel, said Saeb Erekat, an aide for Abbas.

"We have seen a commitment tonight from the foreign minister of Canada to a two-state solution, toward pursuing a meaningful peace process and toward the implementation of the road map," Erekat told reporters after the talks.

Abbas also told MacKay Palestinians hope Canada "will do its utmost" to help resolve the issue of Palestinian refugees "which is the core of the conflict," Erekat said.

MacKay said his talks with Abbas were held in a "very constructive and positive way" on what Canada might offer to revive the peace process.

"What I am going to do throughout my time in the region is to meet with other important players here in the region and listen carefully to find a way in which Canada can make a positive contribution and bring a constructive and reasoned voice to this important discussion which is happening in the region now," MacKay said.

The Palestine News Agency said MacKay announced Canada would contribute $1.2 million to the building of the al-Muntar Crossing in Gaza.

In Toronto, the Jewish human-rights group B'nai Brith Canada said safeguards must be put in place to ensure humanitarian aid for needy Palestinians "is not siphoned off to support terrorist groups."

"Canada must ensure the money reaches the people who need it most and not terrorist groups bent on killing the innocent," said Frank Dimant, executive vice-president of B'nai Brith Canada.

The group urged MacKay to press Abbas to bring about the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli taken hostage last June by Hamas.

Hamas won the Palestinian parliamentary elections last year but is regarded by Israelis as a violent terrorist group. Abbas heads the rival Fatah movement which is in a struggle with Hamas over leadership of the Palestinians.

MacKay's five-day trip in the Middle East will also include stops in the West Bank and Israel.

"Our message in the region is clear: we support efforts that will lead to a peaceful and comprehensive resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the creation of a Palestinian state," MacKay is quoted as saying a news release from the Foreign Affairs department in Ottawa.

Meetings with senior Jordanian officials including Foreign Minister Abdelelah M. Al-Khatib are planned for Saturday.

After Jordan, MacKay will travel to Israel where he is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Sunday and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday.

MacKay "will review the latest developments in the peace process and our strong bilateral relations" with Israel, the release said.

He will also deliver a speech and visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.

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