Israel, Palestine sign historic pact

After initialling the agreement, a beaming Albright, who played a key role in nudging ahead the two sides to arrive at a deal, said a great task had been completed and “an even larger one remains.” “The deal will provide a long awaited boost to the Middle East peace process besides benefiting nations in the region,” she said of the agreement reached after months of protracted negotiations.

Arafat said the signing of the accord represented implementation of all clauses of the Wye land-for-security deal. “From now on, this is a ongoing process,”he said adding both sides should stick to their commitments. “We extend our hands to our new partner Israeli Premier Ehud Barak. Let us work together to make peace fundamental to our daily life,” he said.

Barak vowed to continue the peace process initiated by assassinated premier Yitzhak Rabin. He said the two sides had the responsibility of turning into reality dreams of millions of men, women and children. He also urged Syria to put aside past grievances and find ways to achieve peace.

The accord, which will take effect on Sunday when Barak submits it to his cabinet, was widely welcomed. It is to be presented later to the Israeli parliament for its approval. US President Bill Clinton hailed it as an wonderful opportunity to move the peace process forward. “This will allow Israel and Palestine to resume implementation of the Wye accord and re-start permanent status talks on an accelerated basis.”

In New York, United Nation Secretary-General Kofi Annan praised Arafat and Barak for the deal andexpressed the hope that the accord “will pave way for further agreements leading to a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.” Under the terms of the revised Wye deal, both sides will now focus on a final peace agreement, including Jerusalem’s future political status. February has been set as a deadline for drafting a guideline for final status talks which are to be completed by September 2000.

Albright said the US is committed to seeing the process peace through until a comprehensive peace accord has been reached, including Israeli agreements with Syria and Lebanon both of which she visited on Saturday. Militant Palestinian groups have, however, rejected the deal. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder of the Islamic militant group Hamas, dismissed the accord as a “sellout” by Arafat.

Demonstrators held protest marches in several Palestinian towns on Saturday demanding release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Presently only 350 of them are to be released.