Negotiators to push mechanism to end siege

PARIS (Ma’an) -- "Ending the siege is the fastest way to unity," Fatah Central Committee member and delegate to the Washington peace talks Nabil Sha'ath explained as the motivation behind a new plan to open the Gaza Port.

The official told Ma'an that a proposal had already been cobbled together and had the backing of the Hamas government, and would see part of a port - in Egypt's Al- Arish, Turkey's Izmir, or in Cyprus - contracted out for use as a pre-departure customs check for Gaza City.

International inspectors would oversee the transport of goods and travelers to and from Gaza, Sha'ath explained, adding that the measure would be "transitional," as peace talks continued and ahead of a total end to the blockade and the opening of a direct line to Gaza.

Europe, Sha'ath said, was supportive of the idea, and the Americans had already asked to study the proposal. "In the end, the proposal meets international demands, lifts the siege on Gaza and means there can be no accusations of arms smuggling," the official said.

He added that an open port would not mean the closure of all Gaza crossings, but said it should be complimented by an international force at Rafah as per agreements already in place, and a continued flow of supplies into the coastal enclave from the Israeli terminals.

Lifting the siege on Gaza during the controversial peace talks could help rectify some of the anger expressed by Hamas, which claimed to have been behind the shooting death of four Israelis in Hebron on Tuesday, saying in a statement that the attack was in opposition to the talks. PLO factions also expressed dissent to the talks, organizing a mass protest including all parties but Fatah, with hundreds reported to have gathered in Ramallah Wednesday to condemn the talks.

Speaking with Ma'an, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative Mustafa Barghouthi condemned President Abbas' decision to head back into talks, which he said had no mandate from Palestinians.

Barghouthi explained that in going forward with direct talks without guarantees, like a promised halt to settlement construction in the West Bank, the Palestinian government was going in without the confidence of the Palestinian people and without their support.

"These talks will fail, and the risks are higher than ever for Palestinians," Barghouthi said. "The international community has used peace talks as a cover for peace and it is not working."

Barghouthi called the attack in Hebron proof that a unified Palestinain position was necessary before heading into talks.

Writing in the New York Times on Wednesday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak also commented, "If Gaza is excluded from the framework of peace, it will remain a source of conflict, undermining any final settlement. "

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