Erekat: Abbas, Mitchell Hold Constructive Talks
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Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas (R) and US peace envoy George Mitchell holds "positive and constructive" talks in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on June 10, 2009. Mitchell arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah Wednesday and started a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. [Xinhua]
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During the talks, Mitchell emphasized the US administration's intentions to revive stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), added the official, Saeb Erekat, in a statement sent to the press.
President Barack Obama's administration expects Israel and the Palestinians to carry out their obligations under the Road Map peace plan, Erekat continued. "This is an important litmus test of fairness and balance in America's approach to Middle East peace," Erekat said, referring to the US-backed plan.
Erekat stressed that the Road Map, which -- in its final phases-- envisions a Palestinian statehood alongside Israel, was "a framework already in place."
"While Palestinians have made significant progress in the areas of governance, finance and security sector reform in line with our Road Map obligations," Erekat said.
Israel has rejected increasing US calls to freeze settlement activities in the West Bank, including the natural growth of the settlement blocs. Erekat accused Israel of evading its first obligation under the road map, "a comprehensive settlement freeze."
Mitchell arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah Wednesday and started a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.
On Tuesday, Mitchell met Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu who has been rejecting Obama administration's calls for freezing Jewish settlement in the West Bank, casting doubts over the feasibility of Palestinian statehood's negotiations.
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US peace envoy George Mitchell (2nd L) smiles upon his arrival in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on June 10, 2009. [Xinhua]
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