AL endorses Palestinians on direct talks with Israel
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Jassem said the motive of the committee to take such a decision was a result of the current struggling Arab circumstances and the international stance, and the Arab side was still reluctant to enter into direct negotiations, stressing Israel was not serious about the peace process because it just wants to waste time.
"The desired result of the negotiation may not be achieved in the light of the status quo, but we want to show the world our keenness and adherence to peace without harming our pillars," Jassem said.
The committee also decided to send a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama in the wake of the meeting, which outlines the Arab stance on the direct peace negotiations and the necessity of determining time frame to negotiations. The letter will be handed over by U.S. ambassador in Cairo Margaret Scobey.
The Qatari prime minister said the message also includes some terms of reference mentioned in the agreement signed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton during the Taba negotiations and some principles mentioned in Obama's speech before the UN General Assembly on such issues as water, borders and refugees.
For his part, AL chief Amr Moussa said that the committee agreed on the necessity of achieving peace requirements through direct negotiations.
Moussa demanded a written guarantee from the U.S. for direct talks, referring to several important points in Obama's letter to the AL. Some points were considered as clear-cut U.S. stances and clarified in the committee's letter to Obama, Moussa said.
"There must be written guarantees... and the negotiations should be serious and final status talks," he said.
"Seriousness of negotiation is a must, and there will be another stance if any provocations happened by the Israeli side," Moussa asserted.
There is an ongoing dialogue between the Arab and U.S. sides, and the committee is supposed to receive confirmation that the Israeli side will abide by the guarantees included in Obama's letter, Moussa added.
The Arab Peace Initiative Committee's recommendations will be referred to a plenary session of the Arab Foreign Ministers Council for consideration at a meeting set for September 16.
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