Israeli and Palestinian officials are conducting secret negotiations in Europe on creating an independent Palestinian state by the end of 2008, a Palestinian newspaper reported on Tuesday.But don't tell nobody, okay? 'Cuz they're secret.
“Palestinian and Israeli officials are holding secret meetings in a European capital under the aegis of the United States and Europe to try to reach an agreement on final status issues, with a view to establishing a Palestinian state at the end of next year,” wrote the leading Al-Quds daily.
Basing its report on “informed” sources, the newspaper said the talks were including the thorniest issues in the decades-old conflict, such as borders, and the fate of Palestinian refugees, Jerusalem and Jewish settlements.
The newspaper said the goal of the talks was to realise US President George W. BushÂ’s two-state vision before his term in office expires in January 2009.
“The United States and European countries have put pressure on the Israeli government to take part in these meetings,” the newspaper said. Government spokeswoman Miri Eisin said the Israeli prime minister’s office “categorically denies this report”. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP he was “not aware” of such talks, but did allude to “unofficial” Israeli-Palestinian meetings without elaborating.