Israelis, Palestinians both express pessimism over Mideast summit

publiziert: Sonntag, 15. Okt 2000 / 22:24 Uhr

Jerusalem - After more than two weeks of clashes, many Israelis and Palestinians agreed Sunday on a pessimistic forecast: a peace summit in Egypt won't solve any major problems or relieve the current state of bitterness.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat both head into Monday's summit at Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, as reluctant participants with low expectations.

Each leader has constituents who advised them not to go, and Palestinian gunmen fired automatic rifles into the air outside Arafat's office Sunday night to express their opposition. Arafat came to the front gate of the compound to explain his decision to the crowd of about 200.

"We are going to Sharm el-Sheik, but taking with us the condition of the Palestinian people," Arafat said. "We are on the way to Jerusalem until a Palestinian child raises the Palestinian flag on the walls of Jerusalem."

The crowd cheered, chanting, "with our blood, and with our soul, we will defend you." In Jerusalem, Barak's office said the Israeli premier spoke with U.S. President Bill Clinton shortly before the president departed for the summit.

"The two leaders agreed there would be no preconditions for the talks and that each side would present its positions during the meeting." Many frustrated Palestinians believe Arafat will face intense pressure to sign an unfavorable agreement at the summit, which will include leaders from the United States, Egypt, Jordan and the United Nations.

"Arafat shouldn't go because Barak will not give anything to us," said Annan Amr, 19, a Palestinian student. "We are here to get our rights by fighting because this is the language Israel knows."

Most Israelis were also downbeat, questioning whether the Palestinian leadership was sincere about ending the worst violence since the two sides began regular peace talks in 1993. "I think Arafat doesn't want an agreement," said Niv Cohen, 22, a Jew who recently completed his army service. Arafat's "target is to keep the area violent."

Two Israeli soldiers were lightly wounded by gunfire Sunday from the Jordanian border, according to officials in both countries. There was no word on who fired at the Israelis, who were outside the West Bank town of Jericho. Both sides were investigating. Also, one Palestinian died of wounds suffered Wednesday. But no major battles were reported as violence continued to abate.

The summit's aim is relatively modest, though by no means assured. The parties will try to arrange a cease-fire, ending fighting that has claimed nearly 100 lives, most of them Palestinian, since erupting 18 days ago.

Monday's gathering at the Egyptian resort was agreed upon after sustained pressure from Clinton and other world leaders. Clinton, Barak and Arafat will be joined by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Just three months ago, the Israelis and Palestinians came closer than ever to a comprehensive peace agreement during negotiations mediated by Clinton at Camp David, Maryland. But such lofty aims are not expected to be on the agenda Monday. Following Camp David, the peace talks stalled, and violence broke out shortly after hard-line Israeli politician Ariel Sharon made a Sept. 28 visit to the most contested holy site in Jerusalem, revered by both Muslims and Jews.

Barak gave a bleak assessment Sunday, telling his Cabinet that the Palestinian leadership did not appear ready to make compromises that would bring a lasting peace. "In the end we will make peace with the Palestinians, but the current Palestinian leadership is now showing that it is finding it very difficult to make decisions related to an agreement," he said. Israel's army chief, Lt. Gen. Shaul Mofaz, said that no matter what the results of the summit, "the army has to prepare itself for long-term confrontations."

Palestinian leaders were equally pessimistic. "I really urge people not to have high expectations," said senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. As late as Sunday night, a senior Palestinian official said that Arafat's presence at the summit was not absolutely assured. "President Arafat will not go to the summit if we do not reach an agenda that gives the possibility of success," said Nabil Shaath, one of Arafat's Cabinet ministers. He "is waiting for a report from us about what is happening, and if we don't reach a suitable solution of the matter, he will not go," Shaath told The Associated Press Sunday evening from Sharm el-Sheik.

Barak and Arafat have very different goals heading into the summit. They've traded almost daily recriminations and several informal cease-fires have collapsed. The two leaders held marathon meetings Oct. 4 in Paris mediated by the Americans, but couldn't come to terms on a truce. The Palestinians want an end of Israeli military attacks on Palestinians, a lifting of the closure of Palestinian areas that restrict movements, and a pullback of Israel heavy weaponry from the outskirts of Palestinian towns.

The most contentious Palestinian demand is for an international commission to investigate the violence _ Israel says it will only accept a delegation led by the United States. Barak, meanwhile, is looking for a halt to Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians and the re-arrest of extremists from the Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements who were released this past week. He is also calling for the Palestinian media to stop its calls for further attacks against Israel.

(klei/AP)

.
Digitaler Strukturwandel  Nach über 16 Jahren hat sich news.ch entschlossen, den Titel in seiner jetzigen Form einzustellen. Damit endet eine Ära medialer Pionierarbeit. mehr lesen 22
Das Ziel des Starshield-Projekts ist die kontinuierliche Überwachung der Erdoberfläche, insbesondere für militärische Zwecke.
Das Ziel des Starshield-Projekts ist die kontinuierliche ...
Nach Berichten aus den USA plant SpaceX den Bau eines neuen Satellitennetzwerks für einen US-Geheimdienst. Dieses Netzwerk namens «Starshield» soll die gesamte Erdoberfläche überwachen. mehr lesen 
Musikstreaming-Apps im App Store  Brüssel hat Apple mit einer Geldstrafe in Höhe von 1,8 Milliarden Euro belegt. Laut einer Untersuchung ... mehr lesen  
Apple hatte Musikstreaming-Konkurrenten im App Store benachteiligt.
Internationales Super-Wahljahr 2024.
Während die USA und andere Länder sich auf die bevorstehenden Wahlen vorbereiten, prognostiziert eine neue Studie eine Eskalation der täglichen Aktivitäten von bösartig-manipulierenden Akteuren, ... mehr lesen  
Obwohl künstliche Intelligenz komplexe Probleme lösen kann, hat sie auch ihre Grenzen. In einem virtuellen Test ... mehr lesen  
Die US-Army testet KI gesteuerte Drohnen - und wurde überrascht.
Titel Forum Teaser
  • keinschaf aus Wladiwostok 2826
    belustigend peinlich Das kommt schon fast in die Nähe der Verwechslung von Oekonomie mit ... Mi, 28.12.16 01:21
  • Unwichtiger aus Zürich 11
    Grammatik? Wie kann Stoltenberg denn Heute schon wissen, welche Entscheidungen am ... Sa, 22.10.16 10:59
  • Kassandra aus Frauenfeld 1781
    Der phallophile Blick eines cerebrophoben Schäfleins! Frau Stämpfli schrieb am Ende ... Mo, 26.09.16 17:32
  • keinschaf aus Wladiwostok 2826
    phallophobe Geschichtsrückblicke "Und die grösste Denkerin des 21. Jahrhunderts? Verdient ihr Geld mit ... Sa, 13.08.16 17:48
  • Kassandra aus Frauenfeld 1781
    Alle Demonstranten gefilmt. Der Erdogan lässt doch keine Domo gegen sich zu! Die ... Di, 21.06.16 16:42
  • Kassandra aus Frauenfeld 1781
    Konzernrecht? Konzernpfusch! Was ist denn das? Konzerne werden vorwiegend von Vollidioten geführt. ... Fr, 10.06.16 17:49
  • Kassandra aus Frauenfeld 1781
    Das wird die Deutschen aber traurig machen. Wenn man keinen Flughafen und keinen Bahnhof ... Mi, 08.06.16 17:49
  • zombie1969 aus Frauenfeld 3945
    Der... Daesh (IS) kommt immer mehr unter Druck. Davon sind inzwischen auch ... Do, 02.06.16 19:22
Jonathan Mann moderiert auf CNN International immer samstags, um 20.00 Uhr, die US- Politsendung Political Mann.
CNN-News Was würde «Präsident Trump» tatsächlich bedeuten? Noch ist absolut nichts sicher, doch es ...
 
Stellenmarkt.ch
Der Remoteserver hat einen Fehler zurückgegeben: (500) Interner Serverfehler.
Source: http://www.news.ch/ajax/top5.aspx?ID=0&col=COL_3_1
Kreditrechner
Wunschkredit in CHF
wetter.ch
Heute Sa So
Zürich 4°C 19°C wechselnd bewölktleicht bewölkt, ueberwiegend sonnig wolkig, aber kaum Regen wechselnd bewölkt
Basel 7°C 19°C wechselnd bewölktleicht bewölkt, ueberwiegend sonnig gewitterhaft wechselnd bewölkt
St. Gallen 5°C 18°C freundlichleicht bewölkt, ueberwiegend sonnig wolkig, aber kaum Regen wechselnd bewölkt
Bern 4°C 18°C freundlichleicht bewölkt, ueberwiegend sonnig wechselnd bewölkt, Regen wolkig, aber kaum Regen
Luzern 6°C 19°C wechselnd bewölktleicht bewölkt, ueberwiegend sonnig wechselnd bewölkt, Regen wechselnd bewölkt
Genf 10°C 21°C wechselnd bewölktleicht bewölkt, ueberwiegend sonnig wolkig, aber kaum Regen wechselnd bewölkt, Regen
Lugano 7°C 12°C wechselnd bewölkt, Regenleicht bewölkt, ueberwiegend sonnig anhaltender Regen anhaltender Regen
mehr Wetter von über 8 Millionen Orten