The US proposal to break the deadlock has not, so far, been formally tabled although its basic provisions are well-known, writes Michael Jansen. Firstly, the Palestinians would administer an additional 13.1 per cent of the 73 per cent of the West Bank still under full Israeli control, designated as "Area C". Israel would retain security responsibility. Secondly, 12 per cent of the 23 per cent now under joint control, designated as "Area B", would be handed over to full Palestinian control, expanding the zone "Area A" from 3 to 15 per cent. These administrative and military handovers would take place in phases over a three-month period, with progress at each stage dependent on the implementation of a crackdown against militants. A trilateral commission, consisting of the US, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, would determine compliance.
At the end of this process the Palestinians would have full or partial control of almost 41 per cent of the West Bank. Israel would be required to commit itself to a further final, undefined redeployment ahead of a final territorial settlement. The issue of a "time out" in Israeli settlement activity would be discussed by the parties. Arrangements for a Palestinian port and airport in Gaza, an industrial park and a "safe passage" between Gaza and the West Bank should be completed. Accelerated "final status" talks on the fundamental issues of borders, refugees, resources, settlements and Jerusalem would start as soon as possible.
During the US-brokered talks, both sides put forward other demands. The Palestinians want the siege lifted on the West Bank and Gaza, advances on the economic front and the release of 3,000 prisoners in Israeli jails. The Israelis insist the Palestinians should rewrite their National Charter to delete phrases calling for the destruction of the Jewish state, hand over Palestinians suspected of attacking Israelis and uproot the infrastructure of "terrorist organisations", mainly the welfare and educational institutions run by the Islamic Hamas movement.
The Israelis yesterday added a demand that the Palestinians should be prevented from proclaiming an independent state on May 4th, 1999, if a settlement was not reached under the Oslo process.