A joint security meeting between Israel and the Palestinian Authority was held following the preliminary approval given Wednesday by the Palestinian cabinet to Israel's 'Gaza first' proposal which includes a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from reoccupied Palestinian areas.
The new round of talks took place in Bethlehem. According to these sources, a delegation including PA security advisor Mohammed Dahlan, intelligence chief Amin al-Hindi and Al-Haj Ismail, the national security chief in the West Bank would met the Israeli team.
The tentative Palestinian green light was given during an emergency session of the Palestinian cabinet. "The leadership decided to agree with this plan as it is the first step of a comprehensive withdrawal from the re-occupied territories and a return to the borders of 28 September 2000," when the Palestinian uprising broke out, public works minister Azzem al-Ahmed said.
Nabil Shaath, minister for international cooperation, said there was preliminary agreement with the plan, despite scepticism from other ministers and many commentators on both sides. According to AFP, Ahmed said several issues on the plan's implementation still needed to be worked out with the Israelis. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
