Cablegate: Jerusalem Media Reaction (8/21): Why Do Palestinians Insist

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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2565
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STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM
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LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - TSOU
PARIS ALSO FOR POL
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TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS
SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (8/21): WHY DO PALESTINIANS INSIST
ON NEGOTIATIONS?!!!

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Main Stories:
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The three dailies lead with news of a donation by the European Union
to the Palestinian Authority worth 77 million euros. According to
the reports, 37 million euros will go to support of public service
infrastructure and 40 million euros to help the Palestinian
Authority cover expenses. The agreement was signed by Palestinian
Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and the Head of the EU Office in the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip, John Kjaer, in Ramallah. Following the
signing, Fayyad praised the supporting role of the EU.

Al-Quds highlights news of commemorations planned for the 39th
anniversary of the burning Al-Aqsa Mosque to take place on August
21. According to a statement issued by the Palestinian National
Council, the anniversary occurs this year amidst continuing Israeli
conspiracies against Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Al-Quds and Al-Ayyam report that the two ships "Free Gaza" and
"Liberty" arrived in Larnaka, Cyprus on August 20. In a statement,
the organization sponsoring the ships said passengers on the two
ships will now transfer to one ship, which will continue to Gaza.
An additional 20 passengers from Larnaka will join the ship to make
the final voyage to Gaza. Preparations for their departure will
include a prayer for the 5000 Palestinians who have died since
September 2000 and 34 sailors who died on the USS Liberty in 1967.
The prayer will take place on August 21.

All dailies report on Israeli actions in Jerusalem and the West
Bank. Al-Ayyam cites a WAFA report that East Jerusalemites blocked
an August 20 attempt by Jewish "extremists" to occupy land in
Al-Thori neighborhood in East Jerusalem close to King David's tomb.
Related coverage in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida cited reports that Israeli
forces closed two local radio stations in Hebron on August 20 under
the claim that their broadcasts interrupt military frequencies.

All dailies cite a WAFA report that the Palestinian Ministry of
Prisoners' Affairs announced that the prisoners' release has been
delayed to sometime after Friday, August 22.

Al-Ayyam reports that Al-Qassam Brigades warned the Israeli
government that Gilad Shalit will meet the same fate as the Israeli
pilot Ron Arad who disappeared in Lebanon if the Israeli government
continues delaying the prisoners' exchange deal.

Al Quds carries news that a representative from the U.S. Consulate
General Jerusalem and another from Creative Associates visited the
Ebeydiyeh municipality and the Ebeydiyeh Youth Club in order to
discuss possible cooperation.

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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1. Independent Al-Quds runs an editorial by the Secretary General of
the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Abdul Rahim
Mallouh, entitled, "Why?!!!" (8/21): "[T]he important lesson
Palestinian decision-makers, in particular, and the Palestinian
people, in general, should take [from international negotiations] is
that direct and indirect negotiations and agreements... have
reversed the [Palestinian] people's cause years back. [These
negotiations and agreements] have squandered the [Palestinian
people's] sacrifices and achievements during their long struggle...
the big question that is raised is why do the Palestinian people

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accept or even insist on continuing such negotiations after it is
clear that they are absurd and even harmful?!!!..."
2. Independent Al-Ayyam carries an editorial by regular columnist
Abdullah Awwad entitled, "The Dialogue" (8/21): "[T]he coming
dialogue in Cairo is a failure because...Hamas is not interested in
dialogue or in agreement unless it is decided that Hamas can
maintain military control in the Gaza Strip and be the sole leader
of all the Palestinian people. The truce with Israel increased
Hamas' arrogance expressed in its reaction to the beach bombings [in
the Gaza Strip]. Now, [Hamas'] good relations with Jordan will
increase [Hamas'] arrogance because [Hamas] will have now reached
the same status as Fatah and the same attitude that its authority
should be eternal. There is no need to give the Cairo dialogue any
other interpretation than that ... it is a dialogue with no
result... a dialogue which will pave the way to a new wave of bloody
violence... Hamas is joining the dialogue only because it is
incapable of giving up [authority]..."
WALLES

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