JERUSALEM MEDIA REACTION (12/29):

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002332 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 (12/29): U.S. Letters of Guarantees and Condemnation of New Settlement Units in East Jerusalem Dominate Local Press -------------- Main Stories: -------------- Independent daily Al-Quds leads with news about U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Mitchell's upcoming visit to the region. According to the article, Mitchell will present "two letters of guarantees to the PA and Israel" that could serve as the framework to re-launch peace talks. PA Official daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida front pages news that the PA denied having any information about the U.S. letters of guarantees. PLO Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat reiterated that if the US wants to see resumption of negotiations, it has to force Israel to stop all settlement activities. Erekat is quoted in independent daily Al-Ayyam stating, "we need actions not statements or guarantees." Al-Quds runs separate front page coverage of statements made by Yossi Beilin, former Knesset member, that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is about to reach an agreement with the U.S. administration regarding a two-year framework for resuming negotiations with the Palestinians. Dailies report that Netanyahu is in Egypt today to discuss with President Mubarak possibilities of resuming negotiations with the Palestinians. Al-Quds quotes Netanyahu saying that the time is now appropriate for achieving peace. Independent daily Al-Ayyam leads with the PA ministerial cabinet's condemnation of the Israeli issuance of tenders for nearly 700 new settlement units in Jerusalem. The PA reiterated that the new construction projects jeopardize the two-state solution. Dailies quote PA presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeinah stating that "any new Israeli tenders on occupied Palestinian land are illegal" and that how the United States will respond to the new tenders will test the credibility of the U.S. administration and the seriousness of the GOI to achieving peace. Dailies and independent news outlet Ma'an quote White House Secretary Robert Gibbs' statement yesterday, that "the White House opposes new Israeli construction in East Jerusalem...the status of Jerusalem is a permanent status issue that must be resolved by the parties through negotiations and supported by the international community." Dailies report that the PA ministerial committee assigned to pursue the establishment of the Palestinian International Airport presented its recommendations to the ministerial cabinet yesterday regarding the best location for the airport. According to coverage, the committee recommended locating the airport between Jericho and Jerusalem. Al-Quds reports that settlers of Yitzhar settlement near Nablus stoned a Palestinian bus yesterday causing the bus overturn. Five Palestinian passengers were hurt. -------------- BLOCK QUOTE: -------------- Asad Abdel Rahman writing in Al-Quds under the title "The State of Settlers and Netanyahu...What To Do" opines that Netanyahu was never serious about the ten-month moratorium as can be seen by the daily approval of new construction tenders and new JERUSALEM 00002332 002 OF 002 units. Abdel Rahman comments that it is becoming more and more obvious that Israeli is not serious about engaging in a real peace ce negotiations. RUBINSTEIN