Netanyahu to review Palestinian assurances before troop pullback

CAIRO, Nov 18: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will review whether Palestinians have adhered to their promises in the land-for-pea...

CAIRO, Nov 18: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will review whether Palestinians have adhered to their promises in the land-for-peace accord before going ahead with the troop withdrawal from the initial two per cent of West Bank land.

The Israeli parliament, or the Knesset, last night endorsed the agreement by a 75-19 vote to withdraw Israeli troops from West Bank territory. While nine members abstained, most of those who voted in favour belonged to the dovish opposition party.

The parliamentarians had a look at the map showing the initial withdrawal for the first time yesterday, with several hardliners vehemently opposing it.

Netanyahu8217;s cabinet which was scheduled to meet on Wednesday postponed its review meeting to Thursday. On Monday, Netanyahu had suspended plans for troop withdrawal from the West Bank after Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat restated his intention to announce Palestinian statehood in May next year. Arafat however, retracted his statement yesterday.

Netanyahutold the Knesset yesterday that maps would be shown before each withdrawal. According to a statement, Israel expects the Palestinians to have imprisoned 10 to 30 named fugitives by Thursday.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon was to meet at the foreign ministry in Jerusalem with Arafat8217;s deputy, Mahmood Abbas, to discuss a permanent peace treaty between the two sides.

The meeting is to focus on the agenda for full-scale talks on a permanent settlement which is expected to begin soon. The interim framework, including the Wye accord, expires on May 4, 1999.

Story continues below this ad

According to the Wye River agreement reached between the Israelis and Palestinians in the United States last month, the first Israeli pullback involves giving the Palestinians civilian rule over two per cent of West Bank land now under full Israeli control. An area of 7.1 per cent of the West Bank is to be transferred from joint control to full Palestinian rule.