Meeting Minutes: Saeb Erekat and Karel de Gucht (Belgian FM)
Summary
Minutes of meeting among Saeb Erekat, Karel De Gucht and other Belgian officials, at NAD, dated March 23, 2007. They discuss the lack of progress with Fatah reform; Erekat says he needs money to do so, money they are yet to receive. They discuss Abbas’ weaknesses and progress on the release of Shalit to Egypt (Olmert accepted the idea). Erekat mentions Israel offered him 136 settlements.
Full text
MEETING MINUTES
Attendees: Karel De Gucht, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs (KDG)
10 or so other Belgian officials
Dr. Saeb Erekat (SE)
Hala Rashed
Subject: Belgian Foreign Ministers visit
Date: 23 March 2007 11am
Location: NAD
SE:
- Siege is composed of (1) bank restrictions and (2) tax revenues.
- “Bear-hugging”: International community pays lip service to AM.
- Saudis promised $80M for Pals, but we never saw it.
- [Saeb gave him the Israeli cabinet decision regarding the NUG].
- AM needs to do three things: (1) one gun, (2) Fatah reform, (3) political horizon.
- We wont allow what happened to Arafat to happen to AM.
- We can reverse the course. All we need is 3-4 months to conclude an agreement.
- We will not give up refugees before PSN.
- Israel has three options: (1) two-state solution, (2) control from Med to the Jordan River, but give us our rights, (3) status quo.
- I dont want Al-Qaedas evil to use my just cause.
- Anyone who says that Pals are not ready for democracy is a racist.
- I cant stand Hamas or their social program.
KDG: Why havent you reformed Fatah? Youve had 14 months.
SE: No good reason. AM wants reform to happen, but hes being blocked. Reform needs money, and you need to help Fatah more.
KDG: For PSN, you need a strong Israeli government, need Fatah reform. You need to be more than just president in title.
SE: Well take the agreement to referendum. Were experimenting with the third party role now: EU BAM, Japanese, TIPH.
KDG: What about the diaspora?
SE: I never said the diaspora will vote. Its not going to happen. The referendum will be for Pals in Gaza, the WB and EJ. Cant do it in Lebanon. Cant do it in Jordan.
KDG: I dont think it will go to referendum. I think the only way you can do it is to pass it through Parliament.
SE: I told Sharon before disengagement to do it bilaterally. He said no. I said Hamas will claim victory, like they did in Lebanon. And thats exactly whats happened.
SE: AM is not a politician. Hes the most decent man. Hell never call early PLC elections without also calling presidential elections.
KDG: That may be his weakness.
SE: Hes also tough and smart.
KDG: Will Shalit be released?
SE: I met with 5 parties in Gaza who acted like 5 governments. I said give Shalit to Egypt. Stop firing Qassams. Merge your security forces with ours. Im not sure theyll do it. Olmert accepted the idea that Shalit be handed to Egypt. When I saw Suleiman, he said that theyd made progress. I asked what criteria they were discussing. He said that they hadnt discussed any criteria, so I shut up. Its not the number thats important, its the criteria.
KDG: Will settlements be evacuated?
SE: Israel offered me 136 settlements. In the end, I want xxxx square kilometres [referring to size of OPT]. We are close to an agreement.