Two Sides Exchange Accusations

Wye Mills for MEN

The two sides are still engaged in tough bargaining and accusations and counter accusations against a backdrop of anticipation as President Bill Clinton was reported to give some public address at about 8pm GMT (4 PM EST).

Israel accused the Palestinians of failing to meet an early understanding to upgrade security and amend anti-Israel statements in the covenant of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (an article which in effect calling for the destruction of Israel as state).

The Palestinians, in turn, accused the Israelis of ``political blackmail'' and of introducing new demands at the last minute.

White House spokesman Joe Lockhart, who sounded more optimistic at the early hours of the day said: ``At this point there is no deal.'' But Israeli spokesman Aviv Bushinsky said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not ready to pull out of the talks and was to meet later today with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Yesterday (Tuesday) the Israeli lawmakers sent Mr Netanyahu a message saying there was no need to hurry back home.

Mr Netanyahu told President Clinton Tuesday night that the PLO covenant was a ``matter of principle'' and if the anti-Israeli provisions were not nullified, there could be no West Bank accord, Mr Bushinsky told reporters.

Mr Bushinsky told The Associated Press earlier on Wednesday that the Palestinians were not fulfilling their commitments either in past agreements or here [in Wye Plantation]

Ahmed Tibi, a Palestinian spokesman, replied to Mr Bushinsky that the Palestinian National Congress (the PA parliament) did modify the covenant during the past two years to remove the most egregious anti-Israel provisions and had no plans to do more.

``This is a type of political blackmail that shows they [the Israelis] are not serious in achieving an agreement,'' Mr Tibi said

``They are proposing day by day new demands, while the Americans and Palestinians are wanting very much to approve a deal. The ball is in the Israel court now.''Mr Tibi told reporter in the afternoon local time

Diplomatic sources said they still optimistic that a provision under which the CIA would supervise the arrest of terrorists but that the covenant issue remained open and a potential dealbreaker.


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