Chirac proposes international conference for Palestine

4/19/2005 10:45:00 AM GMT

French President Jacques Chirac and Foreign Minister Michel Barnier met with Vice Premier Shimon Peres late Monday. The French leader proposed hosting an international conference on assisting the Palestinian Authority, akin to last month's International Donors Conference on Haiti.

Peres suggested focusing on economic measures, saying that any discussion on political content would reintroduce the issues of Jerusalem and refugees, and stop the process before it had even begun.

"The correct way is first to present an economic horizon, which leads to economic democracy, and only afterward to discuss political matters. But if the economic conference bears political fruit, that would be a positive outcome," Peres said.

The French wanted to know what political horizon Israel proposes for after the Gaza pullout, expressing concern that the process would come to an end with the following the withdrawal.

Chirac criticized the plan to connect Ma'aleh Adumim to Jerusalem, saying continued construction in the illegal settlements could destroy the momentum of the peace process. But he reiterarated that he would work on fulfilling EU pledges to the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, the prime minister's adviser, Dov Weissglas, was meant to meet Monday with the top Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, to discuss the resumption of negotiations. The meeting was postponed until later in the week due to "technical difficulties."

While a meeting between Minister without Portfolio Haim Ramon and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who is visiting Jordan, was also postponed.

American envoys Elliott Abrams and David Welch are due to arrive in Jerusalem Tuesday and are scheduled to meet with Abbas on Wednesday and Sharon on Thursday, in order to discuss ways of bolstering Abbas' rule in view of the upcoming Israeli pullout and PA parliamentary elections.