Barak lays down conditions for peace talks
Ehud Barak has insisted that Israel would not discuss US peace proposals unless the Palestinian Authority reduces the level of violence and "incitement" against his country.
Mr Barak addressed his Cabinet this morning, hours before Israeli and Palestinian representatives were due to meet in Cairo with George Tenet, head of the US Central Intelligence Agency, to talk about ways to reduce the violence.
More than three months of clashes have left 359 people dead, nearly all of them Palestinians. However, the level of unrest in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has fallen off in recent days.
Prime Minister Barak's comments came as he briefed the Cabinet on last week's Washington talks, involving Israeli envoy Gilead Sher, on President Clinton's compromise proposals to Israel and the Palestinians.
He said Israel would not proceed further with the discussions unless attacks against Israelis were reduced. "The reduction of the violence and incitement is the first objective on the way to further clarification concerning the replies of the parties to the president's ideas."
In response to a string of attacks, Israel last week blockaded the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinians have demanded the lifting of that stringent closure.
Even if security problems are overcome, Barak has said he does not think there is enough time before the end of Clinton's term for the two sides to negotiate a final peace treaty.
Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon, the front-runner in the current General Election campaign, accused Barak of offering to allow the United Nations Security Council a voice in one of the most sensitive issues in the peace talks, the future of a Jewish and Muslim holy site in Jerusalem.
In the absence of a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, Sharon claimed Sher, on Barak's instructions, asked Clinton to issue a presidential declaration that would empower the Security Council to decide whether Israel or the Palestinians will have sovereignty over the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as the Haram as-Sharif, or Holy Sanctuary.
Sharon has already said if he wins the February 6 election, he will not honour any peace agreement negotiated by Barak.
