The Sharm al-Sheikh summit officially opened around noon today in a pessimistic atmosphere. US President Bill Clinton and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan have drawn up documents designed to serve as a basis for discussions on ways to stop the violence. However, differences over a series of issues, such as the Palestinian demand to set up an international commission of inquiry, cast a gloom over the proceedings.
Around noon, Clinton tried to arrange a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Yasser Arafat, but has not yet managed to do so. When Barak and Arafat happened to go past each other in one of the hotel’s corridors, they did not even shake hands.
Preparatory meetings for the formal opening of the summit were held in the morning. Barak first met with Egyptian President Husni Mubarak, who demanded that Israel pull back from all the territories it has captured since the outbreak of the riots, and lift its blockade of Palestinian towns. Mubarak also supported Arafat’s demand for an international commission of inquiry.
Barak said that Israel would be prepared to consider pulling back its forces to their previous positions only if the violence is discontinued immediately. Barak insisted that the PA immediately arrest Hamas activists released from prison, and halt incitement. He also demanded that the PA contain demonstrations in areas under its control.
Barak reiterated Israel’s opposition to any international commission of inquiry, stressing that Israel would agree only to a US-led fact-finding mission.
Diplomatic sources described the Mubarak-Barak meeting as “harsh”.
A Jordanian source in Amman made clear that King Abdullah is planning to support all Arafat’s demands.
Barak’s first meeting with Clinton at noon was discontinued soon after it started, to allow Clinton to find out Arafat’s willingness to accept some compromise proposals worked out by the Americans.
Arafat arrived at Sharm al-Sheikh towards noon, and embarked on a series of meetings before the official start of the summit.
At the opening ceremony, Mubarak cautioned that chaos might engulf the entire region if no understanding is reached on the discontinuation of violence. He stressed that the wave of violence allowed the opponents of the Middle East peace process to seize the initiative.
Clinton said that the summit participants have an opportunity to save the peace process. He urged for a stop to the search for a culprit, and said the parties should focus on discussions of ways to end the violence.
It is believed that following the preliminary meetings, Clinton will take the bull by the horns and seek to exert pressure, especially on Arafat, to end the violence.
Commentators assess that the summit will conclude with a general and non-binding call for a halt to violence. It is believed that the chances for a cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Palestinians are dim.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 16 October, 2000