Ambassador Wary of Peace Conference Idea
AP
Date: 12-08-04
By SAM DOLNICK, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - Israel's ambassador to the United States said Wednesday that an international peace conference reportedly suggested by Egypt could be "counterproductive," and should not be discussed until after the Palestinian election.
"Before we go into such an endeavor with a lot of fanfare, we have to make sure what the objectives are and what are the developments on the ground," Daniel Ayalon said during a round-table discussion.
"It could be counterproductive to hold it prematurely before we know who we negotiate with, and what are the policies of the newly elected leadership of the Palestinians."
Egypt's state-run news agency, MENA, reported Tuesday that Cairo planned to call for a July peace conference in Washington to include Israel, the Palestinians, the United States and the European Union (news - web sites).
Ayalon said Israel has not been approached to participate.
With the first Palestinian elections since the death of Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) planned for next month, Ayalon said Palestinians face a stark choice.
"There are basically two ways that are being presented to the Palestinian people," he said, declining to discuss individual candidates. "One is the way of Hamas or Islamic Jihad which calls for the continued armed struggle, the continuation of the terror, and delegitimizing Israel.
"The other way, which is being presented for the first time in history, is `Let's take control of our own destiny ... Let's do away with terror.'"
Polls show interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in a tight race with Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life terms in an Israeli prison for involvement in fatal Palestinian attacks.
Ayalon said Israel would not interfere in the election, but hopes a candidate promoting peace wins.
"We would like to see, of course, a new attitude, new policies and new practices, but it's not up to me, it's up to them to decide and we will know fairly soon which way they're going," he said.
His remarks came at a discussion sponsored by The Israel Project, a nonprofit group that works to improve Israel's image around the world. Ayalon was named ambassador in 2002 and has served in the last three Israeli administrations.
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