PALESTINIAN RECONCILIATION: EGYPT INVITING

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000528 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR SHAPIRO/PASCUAL; JOINT STAFF FOR LTGEN SELVA E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KWBG KPAL EG SUBJECT: PALESTINIAN RECONCILIATION: EGYPT INVITING FACTIONS TO RECONVENE APRIL 1 REF: A. JERUSALEM 476 ¶B. JERUSALEM 465 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. On March 24, Fatah officials reported that Egypt is inviting senior Fatah and Hamas representatives to reconvene on April 1 in Cairo to address the key outstanding Palestinian reconciliation issues: PA government formation, PLO reform, elections, and PA security service reform. END SUMMARY. TALKS TO RECONVENE... -------------- ¶2. (C) On March 24, Fatah delegation member Nabil Shaath told PolSpec that he had informed President Abbas of an Egyptian invitation to resume talks on April 1 in Cairo. This round will involve only senior officials of the factions at the steering committee level. The several working committees will not meet again. According to Shaath, the Fatah delegation will be Ahmad Abdel Rahman, Azam al Ahmad, Ibrahim Abu al Naja, and Nabil Shaath. Ahmad Quraya (Abu Ala'a) may participate again, though this has not been confirmed. ¶3. (C) Earlier, on March 23, the PLO Executive Committee released a statement urging all factions to return to Palestinian reconciliation talks and reach agreement on a national consensus government which abides by PLO agreements and focuses on rebuilding Gaza and preparing for elections in ¶2010. President Abbas struck a positive tone at the meeting and in press statements about the talks. However, Fatah sources told PolSpec that Abbas' optimism was for effect, as the factions are not close to an agreement. ...BUT POSITIONS UNCHANGED -------------- ¶4. (C) On March 23, Fatah delegation head Ahmad Quraya (Abu Ala'a) told the press that significant differences remain between Fatah and Hamas on the key issues: PA government formation, PLO reform, elections, and security service reform. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum earlier announced "agreement" to form a national consensus government, but Fatah officials told PolSpec that there has been no agreement on a political platform for a new government. WALLES