Erekat: Palestinians' patience wearing thin

[Chris]

Erekat: Palestinians' patience wearing thin
In speech at Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, chief Palestinian negotiator hints proximity talks may be last chance at negotiated settlement
Ynet
Published: 05.16.10, 22:43 / Israel News

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Sunday entreated Israel to take advantage of US support in the negotiations and put an end to the conflict. Erekat told the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, "My nation's patience with me is coming to an end," adding that many Palestinians had asked him to quit. "I negotiate with Israel because it is a central Palestinian interest," he explained. "We have come a long way as Palestinians. I know many people doubt that we can succeed in negotiations, but I do not share their doubts." He also expressed optimism regarding agreements over all core issues.

Erekat also defended the concept of proximity talks, explaining how they would be conducted. "We, as Palestinians, decided to give Mitchell, Clinton and Obama a chance," he said, referring to US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US President Barack Obama. "I talk with Mitchell about the core issues," he continued. "If (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu wants to talk to the mirror, he can. If he wants to talk about (soccer teams) Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa, he can. It's nothing to do with me. I talk with Mitchell."

Erekat noted some possible pitfalls: "We will not agree to a military presence in the Jordan Valley, we will not agree to (Israeli) control of water, we will not agree to settlements there or Israeli industry there. Not for the sake of security. We agree to have a third party investigate the issue."

more.................Erekat: Palestinians' patience wearing thin - Israel News, Ynetnews

[micah719]

Saeb Erekar: "We agree to have a third party investigate the issue"

Hmm, from what I have observed of Mr Erekat, he won't be pleased to discover that the Third Party investigating this issue is a Jew Whose patience is also running out.....

[Kist]

Ah well mister Erekat, my patience and that of many others is wearing thin also.