Egypt undermines Israel

YEDIOT AHARONOT 9/2/99: "Ehud Baraq, prime minister and defense minister, is drawing Egypt closer and enabling it to play an important role in promoting the peace process. It appears, however, that this attitude is not mutual. According to classified reports that have reached the Foreign Ministry, the Egyptian authorities are waging a secret war to "undermine" Israel's influence in Africa.

According to the reports, which came from Israeli representations in Africa, the Egyptian authorities are trying behind Israel's back to torpedo Israel's activities in Africa -- namely, its economic activities and the activities of the Foreign Ministry Center for International Cooperation, such as the dispatch of agricultural and medical experts, the establishment of Israeli agricultural farms, and invitations to delegations to train in Israel.

The "red lights" were turned on in the Foreign Ministry in the wake of, among other things, a report that reached the ministry a few weeks ago to the effect that Egypt was among the initiators of two anti-Israeli draft resolutions that were endorsed at the Organization of African Unity conference. The draft resolutions denounced the Baraq government over the state of the peace process.

At the same time, Jerusalem received information to the effect that the Egyptians are trying to pass anti-Israeli draft resolutions in other African forums. A few days ago, Avraham Toledo, Foreign Ministry assistant director general for Africa, sent a classified cable to all Israeli representations in Africa in which he asked them to gather information and specific examples related to the Egyptian activities so that Israel can counter these attempts.

Referring to this issue, high-level political sources said yesterday: "We are concerned. The picture is clear. The situation is very strange: On one hand, the Egyptians are being given an active role in the peace process and are hosting the Baraq-'Arafat-Albright-Mubarak summit and, on the other, they continue to view Israel as an enemy."...

     

Controversial UN appointment

YEDIOT AHARONOT 9/2/99: "UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has decided to appoint Norwegian diplomat Terje Larsen as his permanent representative in the territories. Officials in Jerusalem fear that the appointment reflects an intention to expand UN involvement in the peace process and that this step might be interpreted as bolstering the Palestinian Authority's political standing.

Larsen, who mediated between Israel and the PLO during the negotiations on the Oslo accord (in 1993) and who was one of the accord's architects, serves today as the Norwegian Government's special envoy to the Middle East. Israeli officials fear that his appointment as the UN secretary general's representative in the territories will increase UN involvement in the political process.

In his capacity as the UN representative in the territories, Chinmaya Gharekhan dealt mainly with UNRWA [UN Relief and Works Agency] activities in the territories and was not involved in the political contacts whatsoever. The assumption in Jerusalem is that the appointment of Larsen, who is a veteran diplomat with many connections, will change the tatus and character of the position because Larsen will display greater political involvement and seek to serve as a mediator in the negotiations.

In light of the above, Israel has notified the UN secretary general of its objection to increasing the UN involvement in the peace process. Israeli officials have high regard for Larsen, and he maintains close, friendly relations with political elements in Jerusalem, including Ministers Shim'on Peres and Yosi Beilin.

Senior Foreign Ministry officials, however, said yesterday that they will not accept the appointment of a person who has such a high profile and status to a position that so far has been insignificant. A senior political source explained: "Israel believes in direct negotiations between the two sides, and there is no room for active UN intervention."...

     

Plot against Yatom

Dubai's AL BAYYAN 9/2/99: "Izz-al-Din al-Qassam Battalions, the military arm of Hamas [Islamic Resistance Movement], yesterday warned that it will carry out operations in Israel, shed lots of blood, and strike at Israeli targets worldwide if the Israeli authorities harm any of the political or military leaders and figures.

They also claimed responsibility for the murder of two Israeli students in the West Bank last Monday. At the same time, Jordanian opposition parties denounced the crackdown on Hamas leaders and the closure of Hamas offices in Amman. They considered it an illegal act of oppression and called on the government to reconsider those measures, which are detrimental to Jordan's reputation and image.

Al-Bayan learned that the real reason behind closing Hamas offices is the exposure of a plot to assassinate Dani Yatom, the former chief of the Israeli Mosad Service, and the official currently in charge of the file relating to Jordanian-Israeli relations. It is to be noted that there was an attempt on the life of Khalid Mish'al, head of Hamas political bureau, in September 1997 during Yatom's tenure as Mosad chief. Informed sources said Jordanian security services learned about the plot from the Egyptian security services. It is to be noted that Yatom paid a secret visit to Amman two weeks ago and apologized for the assassination attempt against Misha'al."

     

Prospecting for gas offshore

GLOBES 9/2/99: "An agreement was signed today for the set-up of a consortium to execute deep-sea gas prospecting offshore of Israel. The consortium will be headed by British Gas. The British company will allocate 15.6% of project ownership to Mashav, 7.2% to Dor Chemicals of the Dankner group and 7.2% to Petrochemical Industries.

Mashav, British Gas, Petrochemicals and Dor Chemicals are partners in the consortium bidding in the international tender for the set-up of the natural gas import infrastructure project. The gas shaft sinkings planned by the group headed by British Gas are expected to constitute the most extensive prospecting ever carried out in Israel for either oil or gas. British Gas is one of the world's largest gas companies..."

     

Israel and Jordan join vs. Hamas

MA'ARIV 9/2/99: "Israel has relayed to Jordan a great deal of intelligence data on Hamas activities in that country. A senior security source said yesterday: "The material is essential for the Jordanians to carry out measures against Hamas members in Jordan." According to him, the Hamas branch in Jordan activates Hamas elements worldwide.

It has been learned that since the abortive assassination attempt against Khalid Mish'al approximately two years ago, Mish'al has continued to be engaged in terrorist activity. Many funds were transferred from Jordan to Hamas inside the Gaza Strip and Judaea and Samaria.

Moreover, clear messages were relayed from the Hamas Political Bureau in Jordan to Hamas in the territories, including a message on the resumption of terrorist activities. Based on reports that have reached Israel, King 'Abdallah is determined to obliterate the Hamas infrastructure."

     

India & Israel software and third world marketing co-op

GLOBES 9/2/99: "A co-operation agreement between the software houses organisation at the Manufacturers Association and Nasscom, India's software houses organisation, was signed this evening at the home of India's ambassador to Israel. The agreement calls for a joint council to be set up to encourage joint ventures in the software field, and frameworks for R&D and the marketing of products and technologies in third countries.

The agreement was signed by 'Amiram Shor, chairman of software houses organisation at the Manufacturers Association, and Nasscom chairman Dewang Mehta. Shor estimates that as early as Y2000, the agreement could result in a bilateral trade volume of $40-50 million. "The Indian market is developing, and aspires to reach western levels.

"This is an opportunity for those engaging in communications and advanced management software and anyone penetrating the Indian market will succeed," Shor said. According to Shor, although India is not highly computerised by western standards, it has become a centre for outsourcing and project programming..."

     

Wye II details: Sharm el Sheikh

HA'ARETZ 9/6/99: The following is the timetable set out in the Sharm el Sheikh Agreement signed last night:

Sep. 10 - The agreement takes effect.

Sep. 10-13 - The first stage of withdrawal, in which 7 percent of Area C, under Israeli control, becomes Area B, under joint control; first 200 Palestinian prisoners are freed; joint committee convenes on prayers at the Tomb of the Patriarchs.

Sep. 13 (the anniversary of the White House signing of the Oslo accords) - Final status talks begin; all joint committees as determined by Oslo convene; the committee on the third withdrawal meets; Palestinian list of police is presented to Israel.

Oct. 1 - Opening of the southern safe passage route (contingent on achieving the detailed protocol); Gaza port construction begins; renewal of Israel-Palestinian-Jordanian-Egyptian talks on 1967 refugees.

Oct. 5 - Deadline for deciding on location of northern safe passage point entering West Bank.

Oct. 8 (Palestinian Prisoner Day) - A second group of 150 prisoners is released.

Oct. 15 - Palestinians report on weapons collection; Palestinians report on arrested terror suspects; review of Palestinian police lists.

Oct. 30 - Economic committee completes its deliberations; second stage of Shuhada Street opens to one-way traffic.

Nov. 1 - Partial opening of Hebron wholesale market as a retail market.

Nov. 15 - The second stage of withdrawal, in which 2 percent of Area B becomes Area A (full Palestinian control) and another 3 percent of Area C becomes Area B.

Early December - (Ramadan) Israel frees more prisoners, as has been the tradition for years on the Muslim holiday.

Jan. 20, 2000 - Third and final stage of interim withdrawal, in which 1 percent of Area C and another 5.1 percent of Area B become Area A, under full Palestinian control.

Feb. 5, 2000 - Northern safe passage route between Gaza and West Bank is opened, contingent on an agreed protocol.

Feb. 13, 2000 - Target date for a framework for a final status agreement.

Sep. 13, 2000 - Target date for an overall agreement."

     

Golan protest

HA'ARETZ 9/6/99: "Hundreds of Golan Heights residents rallied at an old Syrian fort on the Heights overlooking Israel late Sunday night to protest against any Israeli withdrawal from the territory.

"This is where the Syrians are supposed to come back to if we give up the Golan Heights," said Avi Zeira, chair of the Golan settlers council, warning that "if Israel gives up the Golan, we'll become like the refugees of Kosovo. There will be a mass deportation of Golan residents and it doesn't matter if no one will absorb us. The eviction is an impossible trauma," he claimed.

A heavy police presence was out in force to prevent the demonstration from turning violent. According to police sources, the police have readied plans first prepared five years ago to deal with expected protests as the peace process continues."

     

Arab reaction to Wye II

HA'ARETZ 9/6/99: "Within hours of the Sharm el Sheikh ceremony that sealed the timetable for the Wye accord, Syria criticized the agreement, Gulf states gave it a lukewarm welcome and Iran attacked it.

"What was carried out and is still going on is extremely far from the basis of a real peace," the Syrian government newspaper Tishrin wrote in an editorial, saying Syria wants a just and genuine peace and it "definitely rejects being dragged into the game of agreements and accords by installment." The editorial added that Syria demands "full Israeli withdrawal from occupied lands."

Also in Damascus, two radical Palestinian guerrilla groups that recently opened reconciliation talks with Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat said yesterday that the new deal would have negative impact on their negotiations.

Maher al-Taher, politburo member and spokesman of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and Ali Badwan, central committee member and spokesman of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), said in separate interviews that their groups strongly opposed the accord. They said the deal gave more concessions to Israel at the expense of Palestinians...

But in the Gulf, Arab states described the deal signed between the Palestinians and Israel on Sunday as a step forward in the Middle East peace process, even while warning that it fell short of Palestinian and Arab desires.

Qatar, which, along with Oman, are the only Gulf Arab states to have forged trade relations with Israel, said the signing was "a positive step on the right track and could pave the way for negotiations" to settle all issues.

The Qatari News Agency quoted an official source as expressing hope "that the next phase will witness a real breakthrough on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks that will lead to a total Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Golan Heights and southern Lebanon..."

But some newspapers were skeptical. Qatar's al-Sharq daily said, "It is true that the Sharm el Sheikh deal had some positive elements for the Palestinians, but its negative elements are more than its positive ones."

The United Arab Emirates' English-language The Gulf Today said, "The Palestinians have gained little from the new deal, except for the fact that the stalled peace process has been activated again. That is if Barak holds to his word and does not go back on them the way his predecessor did ...

For the Palestinians it is another agreement whose validity is in doubt until it is actually implemented," it added. Saudi Arabia's al-Bilad said: "The world is witnessing what could be called an achievement in negotiations, but it is a small part of (Arabs') legitimate rights. The Israelis have a lot to do to reactivate the peace process ..."

The UAE's al-Bayan said: "The signing of the agreement is a step forward and better than nothing, although it came at the expense of the Palestinians, who had to give concessions by accepting Israeli conditions and amendments ... following U.S. and Israeli pressure." The UAE's al-Ittihad said: "Finally, and after a lot of pressure, the Palestinians and Israelis reached a solution that pleases the Israelis more than the Palestinians."

Iran yesterday continued its attacks on the deal, saying capitulation by Palestinian self-rule authorities to Israel's demands would not bring peace. "This agreement ... is the result of yielding to the pressures imposed by the Zionist regime (Israel) onto the self-rule authorities ... and so it cannot end the crisis and tension in the region," state radio quoted foreign ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi as saying."

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