No 'shortcuts' in Mideast deal
2008-07-31 07:34
Washington - The United States, Israel and the Palestinians agreed in talks on Wednesday to strive for a comprehensive Middle East peace deal without any "shortcuts", Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said.
"We will not opt for an option of partial agreements, shortcuts or anything short of a full agreement on all issues," he told reporters after joining his team in peace talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
"And, let everbody understand that we are negotiating the issues of Jerusalem, borders, refugees, security, prisoners and water and we want to achieve an agreement on all issues or no agreement," he added.
"And this was agreed," Erekat said.
The Israelis and Palestinians committed to forging a comprehensive deal by the end of 2008 during a conference US President George W Bush hosted in Annapolis, Maryland in November.
- AFP