Solana: Israel, PA should leverage pullout momentum and implement road map
 
By Aluf Benn
 
Israel and the Palestinian Authority must take advantage of the momentum generated by the disengagement to move the peace process forward, the European Union High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana told Haaretz yesterday.

Solana is one of the few foreign statesmen who really knows the Israeli political and security establishments. When he visits here, his schedule is always fully booked with meetings, interviews and informal conversations. Officials at Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's bureau consider him a key liaison to the international community - a man with great influence in the Palestinian Authority and great sensitivity for Israel's problems. Sharon's adviser, Dov Weissglas, frequently speaks to him by phone, bringing him into the picture during crises....

Solana stressed that only the first phase of the disengagement has been completed. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told him that the IDF will leave the Gaza Strip by mid-September. Solana said that by then, "every effort must be made" to reach agreements between Israel and the PA on remaining issues in the Gaza Strip, most notably control over border crossings.

Do you accept Israel's position that it must supervise traffic from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, at least for an interim period?

"I think that with goodwill it is possible to find a solution for a limited period. For example, in such a way that in certain places, the exit [from the Strip to Sinai] will be under Palestinian supervision, and at the entrance there would perhaps be some `discrete checking' by the Egyptians and Israelis."

Israel's proposal to erect an Israeli-Egyptian-Palestinian border crossing by Kerem Shalom "is one of the possibilities," Solana said.

Mofaz proposed this week that the existing Rafah terminal serve as a free Palestinian passageway from the Strip into Sinai, whereas people and goods would enter the Strip through Kerem Shalom under Israeli security and customs authority.

When will the international community recognize an end to Israeli responsibility for Gaza?

"It seems to me that if control of Gaza is in the hands of the Palestinians, and they have a border with Egypt under their control, that is quite close to full control of the situation. With a seaport and airport it would near the end of the occupation, which Israel's leaders are striving to achieve."

What should happen now to advance the peace process?

"For example, to quickly implement the Sharm el Sheikh understandings. Or to continue talks on all levels between Israelis and Palestinians, and forge relations that prevent the creation of facts for the permanent agreement, such as continued building in the settlements. The Palestinian side needs to be much more aggressive in fighting the terrorist criminals."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/618645.html