Highlights
As of the date of print of this issue, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators failed to
conclude their negotiations on Al-Khalil (Hebron). In an attempt to conceal the real
conceptual differences between the two sides, Israel has repeated the ludicrous assertion
that the Palestinian side has been delaying the conclusion of negotiations for tactical
reasons. During the negotiations on Hebron, the Palestinian side has insisted that the
existing agreement on Hebron be honored and implemented. The Israeli side, in turn, has
tried to open the agreement, make adjustments and reach a new one altogether. The
Palestinian side has also sought to ensure that redeployment from Hebron will mark the
beginning of Israeli implementation of the overdue provisions of the agreements reached.
- On October 15, 1996, King Hussein of Jordan became the first Arab leader to visit the
area under Palestinian authority. Accompanied by President Arafat, he traveled from Amman
aboard his helicopter to an official welcoming ceremony in Jericho. The two leaders
repeatedly exchanged warm statements. King Hussein reaffirmed Jordanian support for the
brotherly Palestinian people until the achievement of their independent state and goals.
The two leaders also affirmed the absolute necessity for full implementation of the
agreements reached between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.
- The Special Coordinator of United Nations Activities in the Occupied Territories, Mr.
Terje Larsen of Norway, has resigned his post to join the cabinet of the new Norwegian
Prime Minister as the Minister of Economic Planning. The Secretary-General of the United
Nations has not yet appointed the successor of Mr. Larsen. Pending an appointment, during
the short coming period, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Mr. Peter Hansen, will
coordinate the activities of the U.N. The Palestinian side has stressed the importance for
the quick appointment of a new Special Coordinator.
- The Bureau of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian
People (CEIRPP) adopted the report of the Committee, which will later be submitted by the
Committee to the General Assembly. The report explains the activities of the Committee
during the last year as well as the activities of the Division for Palestinian Rights. It
criticizes the lack of full implementation of the information program on Palestine. The
report also presents the Committee's political recommendations to the General Assembly.
Among the recommendations, the Committee noted that next year will coincide with the 30th
anniversary of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem. The
report also welcomes the request of the Government of South Africa to join the Committee
as an observer.
- In meetings organized by the CEIRPP, the 29th of November, which is the International
Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, will be solemnly commemorated at United
Nations headquarters and other U.N. locations. Commemorative events will be held in other
places around the world as well to mark this important date. On the same occasion, and in
cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations, the
Committee is organizing an exhibit of Palestinian handcrafts, which will be on display at
the United Nations visitors lobby from 29 November to 6 December 1996.
|