Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 10, 1993 TAG: 9309100153
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: TUNIS, TUNISIA LENGTH: Medium
The formal recognition of each other's right to exist was worked out in months of secret meetings and a final burst of round-the-clock bargaining.
Thursday's deal also cleared the way for a separate pact giving Palestinians a measure of self-rule in the West Bank city of Jericho and in the Gaza Strip, occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war.
The two pacts are a risk both for Israeli Premier Yitzhak Rabin, whose government is under attack by hard-liners who reject Arab control of an inch of what they consider the biblical land of Israel, and for PLO chief Yasser Arafat, already threatened with death by Palestinian guerrillas who want to seize all of Israel and think Arafat has sold them out with half-measures.
The agreement on self-rule eventually could lead to a more comprehensive autonomy for Palestinians in lands captured by Israel in the 1967 war.
Even some less radical leaders of the 29-year-old PLO were uncomfortable with the pact, and Arafat won its approval by an 8-4 vote at a PLO Executive Committee meeting late Thursday night.
Arafat, a wide smile on his face, then announced he had signed a document recognizing the state of Israel.
President Clinton called the recognition agreement "a very brave and courageous thing." Clinton is set to announce today a resumption of U.S. talks with the PLO. Washington eventually could give it full diplomatic recognition.
On Monday in Washington, the two sides will sign the accord on Palestinian autonomy in the Gaza Strip and Jericho.
Under the recognition agreement, the PLO:
Renounces terrorism.
Recognizes Israel's right to exist.
Declares that sections of the PLO covenant calling for Israel's destruction are "no longer valid."
For its part, Israel:
Recognizes the PLO "as the representative of the Palestinian people," a formulation somewhat weaker than the PLO's traditional assertion that it is the "sole representative" of the Palestinians.
Agrees to start negotiations with the PLO on broader Mideast peace issues.
PLO officials said the last sticking point in the agreement concerned the nearly six-year Palestinian uprising in the Israeli-occupied lands. But Arafat agreed to sign a letter to the Norwegian foreign minister - the key mediator in the talks - saying the PLO will encourage Palestinians in the occupied territories to reject violence and terrorism and work for reconstruction.
by CNB