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IN THE MIDEAST Week Ending Saturday February 1, 1997
HAMAS WARNS US AND ISRAEL
Hamas in Gaza has warned the US and Israel against the extradition of its leader Abu Marzouk. After being held in custody in the US, Marzouk said he had decided to drop his appeal against extradition. The statement from Gaza said, however, that to hand Marzouk over to Israel would "undermine stability in the region." The US is calling on its citizens around the world to be cautious in light of the Hamas threat. (KOL ISRAEL 1/30)
ARAFAT ASKS USA: DON'T EXTRADITE MARZOUK
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has requested that the US not extradite Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk to Israel. Arafat considers this an official request made by the Palestinian Authority and feels this should be handled in a political, not legal manner. Israel is investigating the possibility of letting the US try Marzouk, who has been detained there since the summer of 1995. The New York prosecutors office says however, no charges have been filed and extradition procedures are continuing. Hamas has warned the US against extraditing Marzouk saying it would shatter stability in the Middle East. In the wake of the Hamas threat, the US State Department has issued a warning to its citizens all over the world to be more careful. Marzouk, who has dropped his fight against extradition is expected to be returned to Israel within the next two months. (KOL ISRAEL 1/30)
WEIZMAN SAYS PEACE NEGOTIATIONS IMPOSSIBLE
President Ezer Weizman has said that the situation in Lebanon makes it impossible to conduct peace negotiations with Syria despite recent optimism for their renewal. (KOL ISRAEL 1/30)
ARAFAT GIVES EAST JERUSALEM 'TOP PRIORITY'
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat has asked Morocco's King Hassan to convene the Jerusalem Committee of Islamic States, which he heads. PLO official Feisel Husseini says Arafat took the move to discuss Israel's actions in the eastern part of the city. Husseini says Arafat has placed Jerusalem as his top priority and has given instructions to improve the infrastructure in the area. (GALEI TZAHAL 1/30)
NETANYAHU CALLS ON SYRIA
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said the IDF is facing a difficult mission and a brutal war in south Lebanon. He said Israel would do all it could to ensure the problem will be resolved. The PM said that while Israel has its face toward peace, it's beginning to doubt Syria's intention. Netanyahu called on Damascus to reign in Hizbullah and end the bloodshed in Lebanon. (KOL ISRAEL 1/30)
LABOR CLAIMS GOVERNMENT
A bill has been submitted to the Knesset requiring a majority of 71 out of 120 Knesset votes to transfer any area of Jerusalem to an alien sovereignty. The measure was introduced by Ra'anan Cohen, Labor faction chairman in view of negotiations on permanent status negotiations due to begin in 5 months. Cohen claimed there was a danger the government would give up municipal areas of Jerusalem as part of the negotiations. The Labor party position has always been to oppose the partition of Jerusalem, he said. (KOL ISRAEL 1/30)
PM TO VISIT MOSCOW NEXT MONTH
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu is to visit Moscow in March, according to Trade Minister Natan Sharansky. Sharansky is currently on Russia. Today he is to visit the prison he was held in before the was sent to the Gulag. (KOL ISRAEL 1/30)
NETANYAHU TO MEET HUSSEIN
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu is to meet in Jordan with King Hussein this week. The visit will come after Netanyahu returns from Europe. He leaves this morning for Switzerland to a major international business conference in Davos, Switzerland, where officials said he hopes to reap political and economic dividends from the recent Hebron pullback accord. During his stay there he will meet with Yasser Arafat, Hosni Mubarak and the President of Switzerland Arnold Koller. When he meets with Arafat he is expected to protest against the Palestinians failure to cancel their charter. The renewal of peace talks with Syria is on his agenda for talks with Mubarak, and is expected to raise the issue of lost Jewish assets with the Swiss president. On Monday, Netanyahu goes on to Rome, where he will meet with the Pope at the Vatican. The PM is to return to Israel on Tuesday. (KOL ISRAEL 1/31)
EGYPT: WE COULD NOT STAND BY IN SYRIA WAR
Egypt's Ambassador to Washington has reiterated that Cairo would not be able to sit by if Israel initiates a war against Syria. Asked how Egypt would respond if Syria started a war against Israel he said he hoped there would be no war. The Ambassador rejected criticism of Egypt's position during the Hebron negotiations saying Cairo does not make decisions for the Palestinians. (ARUTZ 7 1/31
ARAFAT TO MEET THE DUTCH
Yasser Arafat is due to meet with Dutch leaders on Monday. The Dutch government spokesman's said the visit was taking place in the context of the Netherlands presidency of the European Union and would focus on how the EU could support the Middle East peace process. Foreign Minister David Levy held talks yesterday in the Netherlands with the Dutch Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Netanyahu is due to make a visit to Holland next month. (KOL ISRAEL 1/31)
STEPPED UP SECURITY AT TEMPLE MOUNT
In Jerusalem, security has been beefed up around the Temple Mount. About 300,000 Moslem worshipers are expected to take part in the Friday Ramadan prayers. Wakf Islamic Trust officials have promised Israel to try to maintain quiet. The increased tension comes amid recent rumors that Israel is conducting archaeological excavations beneath the Temple Mount. The Antiquities Department have denied this charge and add that no work has been done there in 20 years. (KOL ISRAEL 1/31)
DORE GOLD BACK FROM SECRET MISSION
The Prime Ministers political advisor Dore Gold recently returned from
secret meetings with Gulf Arab states aimed at improving relations and
coordinating meetings between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Gulf Arab leaders.
(MA'ARIV 1/31)
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