Cablegate: Jerusalem Media Reaction (10/02): Bush-Abbas Meeting -

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STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM
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CMC WASHINGTON DC FOR POLAD

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LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - TSOU
PARIS ALSO FOR POL
ROME FOR MFO

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TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS
SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (10/02): BUSH-ABBAS MEETING -
"JUST A PROTOCOL FAREWELL"

Please note that in observance of the Eid Al Fitr holiday,
Palestinian dailies were not printed on September 30 and October 1.

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Main Stories:
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Wafa and Ma'an online news agencies quote Palestinian Authority
President Abbas describing his recent visit to the White House as,
"successful." Abbas explains that President Bush feels that
Palestinians have met their responsibilities. This "positive
report," Abbas continues, will make it easier for Palestinians to
work with the next U.S. administration. Wafa also reports that
Secretary of State Rice telephoned Abbas to follow up on matters
related to his recent visit to Washington.

Ma'an reports that the Palestinian Authority (PA) has published the
names of 38 Hamas sympathizers who have been released from PA
detention centers in the West Bank. Hamas, however, disputes that
any release occurred, according to report. In related news, the
on-line media quote Iran's spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
reaffirming his commitment to "stand by" Hamas leaders in Gaza.
According to the reports, Khamenei told Iran's state-run tv that
Hamas leader Haniyyah will, "never have to stand alone," and that
Haniyyah is a "mujahid," or holy warrior.

Palestinian news agencies confirm that the Israeli army will no
longer use "US-manufactured" cluster bombs. The on-line media also
note that the Israeli military has ended its two-day "siege" on the
West Bank and Gaza, during which all crossing points were closed for
the Jewish new year celebration.

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BLOCK QUOTES:
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1. Independent Ma'an online news agency publishes an article about
the recent White House meeting between President Bush and
Palestinian Authority President Abbas, written by political advisor
to Abbas, Ahmad Abdul Rahman(10/02): "[I]t was just a protocol
farewell meeting, nothing more, since Mr. Bush is a lame duck, as
they say in America. There was nothing new... Abbas [repeated what
he told the] UN General Assembly; that he demanded full withdrawal
[by Israel from the West Bank], a comprehensive solution, opposition
to any partial solution, that the issues of Jerusalem and refugees
must not be excluded [from negotiations]; in other words, that any
solution that is not comprehensive or complete and does not include
all issues will be rejected. Mr. Bush listened to these words."

Walles

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