Middle East talks resume

Middle East talks resume

By Miriam Tramer

The Middle East Peace talks resumed in Washington on April 27. Green Left Weekly spoke to Israeli commentator Amos Wollin on the possible outcome.

Wollin said that, under pressure from the US, Israel was taking a more gradual, step by step approach to the Syrian talks, which had consequently stalled. This was the same strategy Kissinger had used in the negotiations with Egypt over Sinai and had the same purpose: to strengthen the ability of the US to control the area.

The US is taking a more direct role in the process. As a result Israel has been forced to make some gestures. These include the return of 30 deportees to the West Bank — not the people deported late last year some who were deported at the beginning of the intifada.

Permission has also been granted for 5000 family visitors, mainly from Jordan, to stay with their families in the occupied territories without special permits. Previously such visitors, relatives by marriage who were denied residence in the territories, had to apply for special permits to stay with their families.

Wollin said that the acceptance by the Israeli government of Feisal Husseini from East Jerusalem as head of the Palestinian negotiating team is another sweetener.

Wollin believes that the current negotiations will lead to an interim situation with a measure of autonomy, a form of "bantustan". He says that the final settlement will be delayed possibly for as long as 10 years and its nature is unpredictable at this time.

From GLW issue 98