'Jerusalem can be shared'

JERUSALEM, JAN. 31. Even as Israelis and Palestinians entered intensive talks for a peace treaty framework, a top Israeli official appeared to boost the chances for an agreement by suggesting Jerusalem could be shared with the Palestinians.

With a deadline for agreement less than two weeks away, negotiators met secretly for two hours on Sunday in an undisclosed location. The talks were expected to last 10 days.

Chances for progress in talks could be improved following remarks by the Deputy Defence Minister, Mr. Ephraim Sneh, that Jerusalem's municipal boundaries could be expanded to accommodate Palestinian aspirations for a presence in the city.

This is the first time Israel has indicated willingness to compromise on one of the thorniest issues keeping the sides from concluding a permanent peace agreement.

Mr. Sneh, who often speaks for the Prime Minister, Mr. Ehud Barak, said Jerusalem's borders could be expanded eastward toward an area where Israeli officials have suggested that the Palestinians could establish a capital. That could allow the Palestinians to administer parts of the city where Arabs still predominate. Those areas were captured by Israel in 1967. Until now, Israel has pledged never to divide the city.

- AP, Reuters

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : 'Plane had no snags'
Next     : Iraq non-committal on Blix