(16 Oct 1998) English/Nat
The Mideast peace summit continued on Friday in Maryland, with talks between the Israelis and Palestinians reportedly making progress.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat met privately for more than an hour.
Afterwards they joined U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for lunch at the Israeli residence.
Negotiations on a West Bank peace accord reportedly made progress on Friday despite the absence of U-S President Clinton.
At a midday briefing, State Department spokesman James Rubin said there is a better and more constructive atmosphere at the secluded summit on Maryland's eastern shore.
But aside from outlining the schedule, Rubin had to little say about the negotiations.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chairman Arafat met today from 11:05 a.m. for roughly an hour until 12:10 p.m. alone, then Secretary Albright joined them for lunch. This took place at the River House, one of the three areas where we are conducting this exercise."
SUPER CAPTION: James Rubin, U-S State Department Spokesman
Four committees, made up of Israelis and Palestinians, were to meet throughout the day to discuss key issues.
But some, like Meir Sheetrit, believe the real progress might come during private talks between the two leaders.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"They won't let anybody else give up any point, unless they both - by give and take - arrive at an agreement so more than at any other meetings, those personal meetings in my opinion could make a breakthough in this summit so I would hope they will have much more time, much possibilities, peace and a good environment to meet each other and discuss the problems that extend, and to meet and discuss and make concessions with each other and maybe they will come out of here with an agreement with from here, that will also have achievements and reveal the trust between both leaders and that maybe will lead us finally into the future. "
SUPER CAPTION: Meir Sheetrit, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset
U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to review where the negotiations stood.
Early in the afternoon however, spokesmen were full of the usual rhetoric.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The talk is to get both sides to reach an agreement so we don't differ on that. The purpose is the same. We need to reach an agreement."
SUPER CAPTION: Marwan Kanafani, Arafat Spokesman
The most critical issue in the summit talks is security.
Israel has said it will not turn over additional land unless the Palestinians come up with a concrete plan to cut down on terrorism.
The security committee at Wye Plantation is grappling with a U-S proposal to implement specific steps for the Palestinian Authority to root out terrorists on land already surrendered by Israel.
In Washington, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy described the mood at the talks as positive.
But he said the Israeli people would never accept a deal that does not ensure greater security.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Lenny Ben David
Committees are also dealing with economic development, a proposed Palestinian airport, and ways to provide easy and safe passage for Palestinians between Gaza and the West Bank.
One Palestinian delegate said Clinton is hoping for a breakthrough in talks by Tuesday.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
