|
Talks to Finalize Nativity Church Agreement Break Down
 |
|
The
fate of 13 Palestinian resistance fighters in the church
remains a sticking point
|
BETHLEHEM,
West Bank, May 9 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Talks
between Palestinian and Israeli negotiating teams aimed at finalizing
the last few sticking points in the 38-day standoff at Bethlehem's
Church of the Nativity broke down Thursday morning, May 9.
The teams were due to meet again later in the day, Israeli daily
newspaper, Ha’aretz reported.
A spokesman for the Israeli occupation army said
that even though an agreement had been reached Wednesday night,
Palestinian representatives were trying Thursday morning to alter the
deal.
Sources inside the church told Ha'aretz that
the problem was Israel's refusal to allow the European Union's
mediator to the territories, Alistair Crooke, to remain with 13
Palestinians awaiting forced deportation inside the church.
The Palestinians want U.S. officials to personally guarantee
that the monitor be allowed to remain in the church to protect them
after the others leave.
Israeli
military sources, however, claimed that the problem
was the Palestinians demand that the 13 men, wanted by Israel, be
moved to a nearby hotel until a country can be found to host them.
Israeli
army spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Olivier Rafowicz told CNN early
Thursday morning he expected Palestinians to leave the site at any
minute.
"We
have achieved an agreement with the Palestinian side... Right now, we
are actually waiting .... We hope the wait will be positive and we
will start right now to solve the crisis," Rafiwicz told CNN.
Rafowicz
confirmed 26 Palestinian fighters wanted by Israel will be sent to
jail in Gaza, while 13 others would wait inside the church for a third
country to host them in a forced exile.
About
85 civilians would immediately be released after interrogation by the
Israeli occupation army, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
About
the 13 resistance fighters, whom Italy and Spain have turned down for
sanctuary, Rafowicz said: "I am not going to elaborate on what
state will receive them. It is still in process and we hope very soon
they will be expelled."
Pre-dawn
Thursday morning, the Anglican Church's envoy to the Middle East,
Andrew White, said several Palestinians had left the Church, but the
Israeli army vehemently denied anyone had exited the holy site.
An
AFP photographer said two buses had pulled up in Manger Square,
directly in front of the church.
Seven
army jeeps and two armored personnel carriers were parked by the holy
site, with about 10 soldiers stationed on the street.
Since
Tuesday, two potential hosts, Italy and Spain, have categorically
denied any intentions to welcome the 13 resistance fighters. However,
Canada has opened the door to the possibility of sheltering them.
Canada is "always ready to help in a
situation as tragic as the one in the Middle East," Canadian
premier Jean Chretien said at a joint news conference in Madrid
Wednesday, alongside his Spanish counterpart Jose Maria Aznar.
|
