JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (10/14): Egypt continues to work

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001815 SIPDIS STATE PASS BBG STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, NEA/PPD WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE, SIT ROOM NSC CMC WASHINGTON DC FOR POLAD JERUSALEM ALSO FOR ICD LONDON FOR HKANONA AND POL - TSOU PARIS ALSO FOR POL ROME FOR MFO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAL KWBG KPAO IS SUBJECT: JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (10/14): Egypt continues to work with Fatah and Hamas for national reconciliation -------------- Main Stories: -------------- News on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas inaugurating a number of developmental projects at the Arab American University in Jenin governorate receives prominent coverage in all dailies. Abbas reiterated in his remarks during the visit that the Israeli government must halt all settlement activities, particularly in Jerusalem, in order to pave the way for resuming final status negotiations. He also added that the PA is determined to achieve national reconciliation. Abbas skeptically inquired about Hamas' position on the Goldstone report and urged them not to use it as an excuse to avoid national reconciliation. The dailies continue to report on Palestinian national reconciliation efforts. An Egyptian official noted yesterday that Fatah and Hamas will sign the national reconciliation agreement separately in light of Hamas' refusal to attend the signing ceremony that was originally scheduled for October 25. Fatah leader Muhammad Dahlan and Secretary General of the Palestinian Liberation Organization Executive Committee Yasser Abed Rabbo noted in a press conference yesterday that Fatah agreed to sign the national reconciliation agreement separately. Dahlan and Abed Rabbo also urged President Abbas to issue a presidential decree that sets January 25, 2010 as the date for holding presidential and legislative elections if Hamas continues to avoid national reconciliation. The dailies quote State Department Spokesperson Philip Crowley saying that the US supports the Palestinian reconciliation if it adheres to the Quartet principles, including the recognition of Israel, respecting previously signed agreements between Israel and the PA, and the renunciation of violence. In related news, an Egyptian official denied reports in the Israeli daily Ha'aretz stating that the US did not support the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas because it may hinder the negotiations with Israel, according to reports. News on tomorrow's UN Human Rights Council emergency session receives front page coverage in all dailies. Citing AFP, the dailies report that among many other agenda items, the Goldstone report will be discussed in this session. Yasser Abed Rabbo noted that the PA has been working hard to ensure the necessary votes in support of the report. The dailies report on an Israeli plan to demolish 150 homes in various neighborhoods of East Jerusalem by the end of 2009. -------------- BLOCK QUOTES: -------------- 1) Al-Quds independent daily runs an editorial under the title "Harmful positions to the homeland" (10/14): "The Palestinians are surprised that the Goldstone report has evoked the hatred between the two parties [Fatah and Hamas] and jeopardized the national reconciliation efforts. Instead of punishing the Israelis for its actions ... it seems that the two parties are happy with the state of division. They are not serious about overcoming obstacles and bridging the gaps." 2) Dr. Ibrahim Abrash opines in Al-Ayyam independent daily under the title "Policy is not measured by intentions but by practices" (10/14): "Obama has been awarded the Nobel Prize before he completed JERUSALEM 00001815 002 OF 002 his first year in office, and before the world saw his real intentions or capabilities to achieve peace in the world. He has not succeeded so far in solving any of the problems in the world and has not fulfilled any of his promises. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are still going on, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is getting more complicated ... and the problems with Iran and North Korea are still pending. So, on what basis was he awarded the prize?" RUBINSTEIN