Nazir Majally, Asharq Al-Awsat

RAMALLAH, 18 November 2003 — An Egyptian mediator working to secure a Middle East truce said yesterday he was hopeful of peace as he received “positive” signals from Israel and called on Palestinian militant groups to come to a meeting in Cairo next week to take advantage of the new atmosphere, a top Palestinian official said.

Omar Suleiman met yesterday with Israeli officials as well as Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei and veteran leader Yasser Arafat as part of an international effort to reinvigorate the stalled road map peace plan. A cease-fire is seen as an essential first step.

Qorei has said he wants to persuade militant groups to halt attacks on Israelis, then to negotiate a cease-fire with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Palestinian militants say they are ready for a truce, provided Israel stops targeted killings of fugitives, incursions and arrest sweeps, according to an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Suleiman told the Palestinians that Israeli leaders, while not giving any assurances, appeared receptive, Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath said after meeting with the intelligence chief.

“He did say that there is an opportunity that must be taken advantage of. There is a positive atmosphere and a new language,” Shaath said. “He told us that he is optimistic.” Suleiman invited all the Palestinian groups for talks next Monday in Cairo, Shaath said. “Today’s meeting was positive, but there is a need for further talks,” he said.

In the past, Israel has said it will only halt military strikes if Palestinian security forces begin dismantling militant groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad. However, Israel has signaled in recent weeks that it is willing to test a truce for a limited period, without insisting on an immediate crackdown on armed groups.

Palestinian leaders have resisted a crackdown, saying they fear it will trigger internal fighting.

The road map calls for a crackdown — and also requires Israel to dismantle dozens of illegal settlement outposts and freeze all construction in the veteran settlements.

A senior Israeli official said yesterday the government had no immediate plans to remove any of the outposts. If the Palestinians make efforts to stop the violence, then Israel will take the required actions, the official said. There is a “time and place for everything,” the official said.

Last week, four former directors of Israel’s Shin Bet security service warned that Israel is headed for disaster if the conflict with the Palestinians is not settled soon. They also accused Sharon of stalling in order to avoid making concessions.

Yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov also welcomed the “Geneva Accord,” saying it complemented the road map, which envisions Palestinian statehood by 2005 but does not outline the terms of a final settlement.

Ariel Sharon confirmed late yesterday he intended to hold talks “in the next few days” with his Palestinian counterpart Ahmed Qorei.

“One can suppose that in the next few days the Israeli prime minister and the Palestinian prime minister will meet,” Sharon told Jewish leaders in Rome as he began a three-day visit to Italy.