Palestinian official denies being threatened by the U.S.
Posted on 01. Aug, 2010 by Leon Kennedy in World
Though it has been alleged that the U.S. had threatened the Palestinian National Authority concerning its refusal to enter direct talks with Israel, an official speaking on behalf of the PNA has more recently denied the alleged threatening. “The U.S. did not make any threats,” said Saeb Erekat, a Palestinian negotiator, and added that “we are still in daily contact with the U.S. administration.”
Apparently President Mahmoud Abbas received a letter from President Obama encouraging the PNA to engage in direct talks with Israel for the sake of creating an independent Palestinian state. Although the message from Obama has previously been represented as being threatening, our Palestinian official said that this was not the case. “The letter did not include any threats or warnings,” Erekat said. “But Obama explained that his role would be less if we don’t take his recommendation to start direct talks,” he added, indicating the source of the threat rumour.
The U.S.’s push for the resumption of direct talks has been backed by an Arab League peace committee. Currently the two countries are engaged in indirect talks led by the U.S. The Palestinians have stated that they will not re-enter into direct talks until Israel ceases settlement activities and be open to discussing the borders of an independent Palestinian state.
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